Expats Helpline – Opening A Bank Account - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Oxford IELTS Practice Tests Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–4 Note Completion
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Which documents could Sam use as proof of her name?
Example: passport
1
2
Which could she use as proof of her address?
council tax bill
3
phone bill (fixed line)
4
Questions 5–7 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR NUMBERS for each answer.
Name of bank? Savings Bank
Open which days? Monday–Friday
Opening hours? 5
Where? 6
Free gift? 7
Questions 8–10 Map Labeling
Match the places to the appropriate letters A–H on the map.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | a driving licence / driving licence / a driving license / driving license | The next one is 'a driving licence', and again one from your country would be OK | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that a driving licence from Sam's country is an accepted document to prove who she is. Answer Explanation: The answer means an official document or card showing that a person is legally allowed to drive a motor vehicle. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "driving licence" because Terry lists the accepted documents to prove identity (name) to the bank. Right after mentioning a passport, Terry states that "a driving licence" from Sam's country is also acceptable. |
| Q2 | a benefit book / benefit book | TERRY Right, so not that then. But you can also show them a 'benefit book', for instance if you're in ill-health or unemployed or getting income support. SAM Yes, I could bring that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Terry telling Sam that she can use a "benefit book" to prove who she is, and Sam responds that she can provide this document. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to an official document, called a "benefit book", which is given to people who receive financial support from the government. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "benefit book" because Terry lists acceptable documents to prove identity, mentioning a passport, a driving licence, and a benefit book. When Terry mentions the "benefit book" for people receiving financial help, Sam confirms that she can bring that document. |
| Q3 | an insurance certificate / insurance certificate | SAM OK. And to prove where I live? TERRY Again, there are several possible things listed here. For instance you could use a bill for council tax, or something else for where you live, such as an insurance certificate | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sam asking how to prove her address, and Terry answering that an insurance certificate is one of the valid documents she can present. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to an official document that proves an insurance policy has been taken out. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "insurance certificate" because when Sam asks what documents she can use to "prove where I live" (proof of address), Terry gives examples of accepted documents, stating that she could use a council tax bill or an "insurance certificate". |
| Q4 | an electricity bill / electricity bill | SAM How about an electricity bill? That'll say where I live, won't it? TERRY If it's in your name, and not that of a er landlord, yes. SAM It is, so I'll probably take that then |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sam asking whether she can use a bill for electricity to prove where she lives. Terry replies that she can use it if her name is on the bill, and Sam says it is in her name and decides to take it. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to an electricity bill, which is a document showing the money owed for electric power used in a home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the conversation where Sam asks if an electricity bill can be used to show her address. Terry confirms that it is acceptable as long as it has her name on it, and Sam confirms she will use it. |
| Q5 | 9.30-3.30 / 9:30-3:30 / 9:30 till 3:30 / 9.30 till 3.30 / 9:30 until 3:30 / 9.30 until 3.30 / 9:30 to 3:30 / 9.30 to 3.30 | it's open from nine thirty in the morning till half past three in the afternoon | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that the bank's opening hours start at 9:30 AM and end at 3:30 PM. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the bank is open every day from 9:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "9.30-3.30" because Sam asks about the bank's business hours, and Terry checks the website and confirms that it opens at "nine thirty in the morning" (9.30) and closes at "half past three in the afternoon" (3.30). |
| Q6 | the ground floor / ground floor | That's where it used to be, but they've since moved it to a slightly bigger place. It's on the ground floor now | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that although the bank was previously in a different location, it has moved to a bigger space on the ground floor. Answer Explanation: The answer "ground floor" means the lowest floor of a building that is at the same level as the ground or street outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "ground floor" because Sam asks if the bank is still located on the top floor of the building, and Terry explains that the bank has moved and is now located on the ground floor. |
| Q7 | no / nothing | TERRY I'll just check I'm sure they'd say so on their 'new clients' page if they were no, there's nothing mentioned there. SAM That's a pity. I was quite looking forward to getting my free gift |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Terry checking the website and stating that there is no offer mentioned, meaning customers receive no free gift. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the bank does not offer any free gift to new customers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Sam asks if the bank is offering any incentives or promotions. Terry checks the bank's webpage for new clients and finds "nothing mentioned there." Sam then expresses disappointment about not getting a "free gift," showing that the answer for whether there is a free gift is "no" or "nothing". |
| Q8 | F | TERRY Sure. For the Royal Bank you need to turn left when you leave the Centre, go along Market Street past the Post Office, and then turn left up Bridge Street, past the Shaw Theatre. Then you take the first right. You'll see an Internet café on the other side and the Royal is just a bit further along on the right, directly opposite the Park Hotel | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains how to walk to the Royal Bank from the Commercial Centre: go down Market Street, turn onto Bridge Street, make the first right turn, and find the bank on the right side across the street from the Park Hotel. Answer Explanation: The answer F indicates the correct position of the Royal Bank on the map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because Terry gives step-by-step directions to reach the Royal Bank starting from the Commercial Centre. He instructs Sam to exit the Centre, turn left along Market Street past the Post Office, turn left onto Bridge Street past the Shaw Theatre, and then take the first right turn. After turning right, the Royal Bank is located on the right side of the street, directly across from (opposite) the Park Hotel, which matches position F. |
| Q9 | A | TERRY For that one you turn right as you come out of the Centre, and go along Market Street until you come to the junction with West Street. There you turn right again, and carry on up as far as the next junction, where you take a left. You'll see the bank from there: it's the third building on the right | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript gives the step-by-step walking path to Northern Bank: leave the building, make a right onto Market Street, turn right at West Street, walk to the next road crossing, make a left turn, and find the bank as the third building on the right-hand side. Answer Explanation: The answer "A" refers to the location marked with the letter A on the map representing Northern Bank. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Terry provides specific directions to Northern Bank: exit the Commercial Centre and turn right along Market Street, turn right into West Street at the junction, continue up to the next junction, turn left, and look for the third building on the right side of the road. Following these directions leads to position A on the map. |
| Q10 | C | You can go either way from the Centre, really: up West Street or Bridge Street and then along past City Hall. The bank is on the other side of the road, right next to the Tourist Office. You can't miss it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that to find the National Bank, you walk past City Hall, and the bank will be on the other side of the street right beside the Tourist Office. Answer Explanation: The answer "C" indicates that the National Bank is located at the position marked with letter C on the map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Terry describes how to reach the National Bank from the Commercial Centre. He explains that you can walk up either West Street or Bridge Street and continue past City Hall. He notes that the bank is situated on the opposite side of the road, right next to the Tourist Office, which corresponds to position C. |
Transcript
TERRY Expats Helpline; Terry Davies here. What can I do for you?
SAM Hello Terry, I've been in this country for a while and I've just been offered a job in the city, so I think I'm going to need to open a bank account. I haven't had one before, so I'm wondering what papers I need.
TERRY Well basically you'll need to be able to prove to the bank that you're who you say you are and that you live where you say you do, OK?
SAM Uh-huh.
TERRY And for some banks, at least, that means you'll have to show them two separate pieces of identity, so I'll run through the list if you like.
SAM Yes, please.
TERRY OK, I'll bring it up on the screen. Let's see ... here it is ... right, the first thing it says is 'a valid passport'.
SAM Mine's Australian.
TERRY Yes, that would be fine of course. The next one is 'a driving licence', and again one from your country would be OK. Then that's followed by 'birth certificate'... oh hang on, that's only if you're under 18.
SAM Which I'm not.
TERRY Right, so not that then. But you can also show them a 'benefit book', for instance if you're in ill-health or unemployed or getting income support.
SAM Yes, I could bring that. Or a letter from my employer, maybe?
TERRY Well that's not actually on the list; so we'll have to assume you can't.
SAM OK. And to prove where I live?
TERRY Again, there are several possible things listed here. For instance you could use a bill for council tax, or something else for where you live, such as an insurance certificate.
SAM I've got one of those. Somewhere among all my papers. But what about bills? Things like phone bills, I mean.
TERRY As long as it has your address on it, yes, fine.
SAM So a bill for my mobile would do, would it?
TERRY Ah - I'm afraid it would have to be for a fixed line phone. You could use other types of household bill, though. As long as you get them through the post.
SAM How about an electricity bill? That'll say where I live, won't it?
TERRY If it's in your name, and not that of a er ... landlord, yes.
SAM It is, so I'll probably take that then.
TERRY There's one other you might want to use: a 'vehicle registration document'. If you have a car or motorbike or something, of course.
SAM No I haven't, actually.
SAM Now I believe there's a bank actually inside the Commercial Centre, and I might open an account there, seeing as how that's where I'll be every day.
TERRY Yes, that would seem to make sense. I know people who bank there.
SAM I actually read about it in a city guide - my cousin picked it up when he was here a couple of years ago - and I made a few notes. Do you mind if I run through them with you now, just to make sure the details haven't changed?
TERRY Fine - go ahead.
SAM OK, first question: it's still a branch of the Popular Bank, is it, the one with links to Australian banks?
TERRY No, it's actually been taken over by another big banking group: the Savings Bank. It still seems quite popular, though, especially with people doing business in the Asia/Pacific area.
SAM And when is it open? Monday to Saturday?
TERRY I'll have to check their website for that. Give me a second or two, will you.
SAM Sure.
TERRY Right, I've got it ... 'customer service' ... and it's ... just weekdays, I'm afraid.
SAM Does it say what their business hours are?
TERRY I'm just looking for that, it's on a different page for some reason ... I think there's been a change at some banks in the last year or so ... yes here it is ... it's open from nine thirty in the morning till half past three in the afternoon.
SAM And it's on the top floor of the main Centre building is it, next to the Travel Agency?
TERRY That's where it used to be, but they've since moved it to a slightly bigger place. It's on the ground floor now.
SAM And one last thing on this: I know most banks give incentives to young people to open accounts with them, but apparently this one didn't. Do you know if they are offering anything these days?
TERRY I'll just check ... I'm sure they'd say so on their 'new clients' page if they were ... no, there's nothing mentioned there.
SAM That's a pity. I was quite looking forward to getting my free gift!
TERRY There are plenty of other banks within walking distance you know. It may be worth shopping around to see what they've got to offer: longer opening hours, including Saturdays, perhaps less crowded ...
SAM Can you tell me how to get to a couple of them? I know where the Commercial Centre is, so that's probably my best starting place.
TERRY Sure. For the Royal Bank you need to turn left when you leave the Centre, go along Market Street past the Post Office, and then turn left up Bridge Street, past the Shaw Theatre. Then you take the first right. You'll see an Internet café on the other side and the Royal is just a bit further along on the right, directly opposite the Park Hotel.
SAM OK, I've got that. What about the Northern Bank?
TERRY For that one you turn right as you come out of the Centre, and go along Market Street until you come to the junction with West Street. There you turn right again, and carry on up as far as the next junction, where you take a left. You'll see the bank from there: it's the third building on the right.
SAM Fine. And the last one, the National Bank?
TERRY You can go either way from the Centre, really: up West Street or Bridge Street and then along past City Hall. The bank is on the other side of the road, right next to the Tourist Office. You can't miss it.
SAM Great. Thanks a lot for you help.
TERRY Any time. Bye.
SAM Bye