Greek Island Holiday Booking - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–5 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Apartments | Facilities | Other Information | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Garden Apartments | studio flat | Example
entertainment programme: Greek dancing |
£219 |
| Blue Bay Apartments | large salt-water swimming pool | - just 1 metres from beach
- near shops |
£275 |
| 2
Apartments |
terrace | watersports | £490 |
| The Grand | - Greek paintings
- 3 |
- overlooking 4
- near a supermarket and a disco |
£ 5 |
Questions 6–10 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| GREEK ISLAND HOLIDAYS | |
|---|---|
| Insurance Benefits | Maximum Amount |
| Cancellation | £ 6 |
| Hospital | £600. Additional benefit allows a 7 to travel to resort |
| 8 departure | Up to £1000. Depends on reason |
| Personal belongings | Up to £3000; £500 for one 9 |
| Name of Assistant Manager: Ben 10 | |
| Direct phone line: 081260 543216 | |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 300 | And it isn't far from the beach, either – only 300 metres, and only around half a kilometre to some shops, so you don't have to be too energetic | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that the Blue Bay building is a short distance of 300 meters from the beach. Answer Explanation: The answer 300 is the number of meters that the Blue Bay Apartments are away from the beach. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 300 because, when talking about the Blue Bay Apartments, the man describes how close they are to the water. He specifically says they are only 300 metres from the beach. |
| Q2 | Sunshade | WOMAN: Um, I can't read my own writing! Something to do with sun Sunshine, is it? MAN: I think you meant the Sunshade Apartments. They're on a mountainside |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman trying to guess the name from her notes. The man confirms that the real name of the place is the Sunshade Apartments. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the third group of holiday apartments listed in the table. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Sunshade because this is the specific name given by the travel agent to correct the woman's notes. When the woman guesses 'Sunshine' because she cannot read her own writing, the man clarifies that the place is actually called the 'Sunshade Apartments.' The table lists features for this apartment like a 'terrace' and 'watersports' with a price of '£490,' which match the details provided in this part of the conversation. |
| Q3 | balcony | It's an older style house with Greek paintings in every room, and a balcony outside | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that 'The Grand' is an old-fashioned house that has paintings inside every room and an outdoor porch or platform called a balcony. Answer Explanation: The answer 'balcony' refers to a small area outside an upper floor of a building where people can stand or sit. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'balcony' because when the man describes the features of 'The Grand' apartments, he mentions that it is an older house which includes art in the rooms and a specific outdoor space. These details match the 'Facilities' column in the table, which already mentions 'Greek paintings' and needs the second feature mentioned by the man. |
| Q4 | forest / forests | Well, there are forests all round and they hide a supermarket just down the road, so that's very useful for all your shopping needs | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man describing the area surrounding the apartment house. He explains that there are forests on all sides of the building. Answer Explanation: The answer "forest/forests" refers to large areas covered with trees that can be seen from the apartment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "forests" because when the woman asks about the views from "The Grand" apartments, the man explains that there are trees everywhere around it. In the table, the word "overlooking" matches the man's description of what is "all round" the building. |
| Q5 | 319 | MAN: £319 at that time, but if you leave it till November it goes down by 40% | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man giving the exact price of 319 pounds for the stay. He also mentions that the price is lower in November, but the woman previously stated she wanted to travel in October. Answer Explanation: The answer 319 is the cost in British pounds (£) for two people to stay at The Grand apartments during the last week of October. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 319 because the man specifically quotes this amount when the woman asks for the price of 'the Grand' apartments for the time she wants to go. This confirms that '£319' is the specific cost for that period. |
| Q6 | 10 000 / 10,000 / 10000 | We can improve on that, Ms Nash. For Greek Island holidays, our maximum is £10,000 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the travel agent explaining that the top amount of money his insurance company provides for a cancelled holiday is 10,000 pounds. Answer Explanation: The answer is 10,000, which is the highest amount of money in British pounds (£) the insurance will pay if a person cannot go on their trip and has to cancel it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 10,000 because, during the discussion about insurance benefits, the travel agent compares his company's policy to the one the woman already has. He specifically mentions that while her current policy covers £8,000 for a cancellation, his company can do better by offering a maximum of £10,000. In this context, 'cancellation' means stopping a planned holiday, and the 'maximum' is the most money allowed for a 'claim' (a request for payment). |
| Q7 | relative | MAN: It's still sensible to have good cover. Now, if you go to hospital, we allow £600. WOMAN: Yes, mine's similar. MAN: And we also allow a relative to travel to your holiday resort | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if a person has to go to the hospital during their trip, the insurance company will pay £600 and also let one of their family members (a relative) travel to stay with them at the holiday location. Answer Explanation: The answer "relative" means a family member, such as a mother, father, brother, or sister. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "relative" because the man describes the insurance benefits for hospital stays. He mentions that besides the £600 benefit, their policy allows a family member to travel to the vacation spot to be with the insured person. He uses the specific word "relative" to identify who is allowed to travel. Keywords to listen for include "hospital," "travel," and "holiday resort." |
| Q8 | missed | Don't you have missed departure | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the travel agent asking the customer if her insurance covers a 'missed departure', which is when a traveler arrives too late to catch their transport. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'missed', which refers to an insurance benefit that covers a traveler if they fail to catch their plane or other transportation on time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'missed' because, during the discussion about insurance benefits, the travel agent asks the woman if her current policy includes coverage for a 'missed departure'. He then clarifies that their company pays up to £1,000 for this, which aligns with the details provided in the table. |
| Q9 | item | And we're particularly generous about loss of personal belongings – up to £3,000, but not more than £500 for a single item | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man explaining the insurance rules. He mentions that if you lose your things, the company pays up to £3,000 in total. However, they will not pay more than £500 for any one thing you own, which he calls a 'single item'. Answer Explanation: The answer 'item' refers to a single individual object or piece of property. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'item' because the travel agent explicitly mentions a limit on the insurance payout for any one object that is lost. He explains that while the total limit for belongings is £3,000, the maximum coverage for any search 'single item' is capped at £500. |
| Q10 | Ludlow | Ben – Ludlow. That's L-U-D-L-O-W. I'm the Assistant Manager here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man providing his full name and spelling his last name while stating his job title. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name (surname) of the man working as the assistant manager. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Ludlow because the man explicitly introduces himself as Ben Ludlow when the woman asks for his name. He even spells out the letters of his surname—L-U-D-L-O-W—to make sure she writes it down correctly, and he identifies himself as the Assistant Manager. |
Transcript
MAN: Greek Island Holidays, can I help you?
WOMAN: Yes, I hope so. I have a friend who's just come back from Corfu and she's recommended some apartments in Arilas. She thought they might be on your list.
MAN: Arilas, Arilas, let me see. Can you give me the names?
WOMAN: Yes, the first's Rose Garden Apartments. I'd like to go with another friend in the last week of October.
MAN: Well, we've got a lovely studio flat available at that time. I'm sure you'd enjoy the entertainment programme there too, with Greek dancing in the restaurant.
WOMAN: And the cost for each of us?
MAN: £219.
WOMAN: That sounds very reasonable! I'm just jotting down some notes. Now the second one she mentioned was called Blue Bay.
MAN: Blue Bay? Yes, in fact that's very popular and it has some special features.
WOMAN: Really?
MAN: The main attraction is the large swimming pool with salt water.
WOMAN: Much healthier, I understand.
MAN: That's right. And it isn't far from the beach, either – only 300 metres, and only around half a kilometre to some shops, so you don't have to be too energetic.
WOMAN: Is it much more expensive than the first one?
MAN: Let me just check. I think at the time you want to go it's around £260 – no £275 to be exact.
WOMAN: Right, I've got that. Now there are just two more apartments to ask you about. Um, I can't read my own writing! Something to do with sun ... Sunshine, is it?
MAN: I think you meant the Sunshade Apartments. They're on a mountainside.
WOMAN: Any special features?
MAN: Yes, each room has its own sun terrace and there are shared barbecue facilities.
WOMAN: Sounds lovely!
MAN: Yes, it is rather well-equipped. It also provides water sports – it has its own beach. There are facilities for water-skiing.
WOMAN: Any kite-surfing? My friend's quite keen.
MAN: Not at the hotel but I'm sure you'll find some in Arilas. There's also satellite TV in the apartments.
WOMAN: And how much is that one?
MAN: £490 with two sharing.
WOMAN: You mean £245 each?
MAN: I'm afraid not! Each person has to pay that amount and there must be at least two in an apartment.
WOMAN: I don't think that would be within our budget, unfortunately. And the last one sounds a bit expensive too – the Grand!
MAN: Actually it's quite reasonable. It's an older style house with Greek paintings in every room, and a balcony outside.
WOMAN: Sounds nice. What are the views like?
MAN: Well, there are forests all round and they hide a supermarket just down the road, so that's very useful for all your shopping needs. There's a disco in the area too.
WOMAN: And the price?
MAN: £319 at that time, but if you leave it till November it goes down by 40%.
WOMAN: Too late, I'm afraid.
MAN: Well, why don't I send you a brochure with full details, Ms ... ?
WOMAN: Nash. But don't worry about that. I'm coming to Upminster soon and I'll call and get one. I just wanted to get an idea first.
MAN: Well, that's fine. We've got plenty here when you come.
WOMAN: If you've got a minute, could I just check a couple of points about insurance? I got one policy through the post but I'd like to see if yours is better.
MAN: Fine. What would you like to know?
WOMAN: Well, the one I've got has benefits and then the maximum amount you can claim. Is that like yours?
MAN: Yes, that's how most of them are.
WOMAN: Well, the first thing is cancellation. If the holiday's cancelled on the policy I've got, you can claim £8,000.
MAN: We can improve on that, Ms Nash. For Greek Island holidays, our maximum is £10,000.
WOMAN: That's good – of course our holiday won't even cost £1,000 together!
MAN: It's still sensible to have good cover. Now, if you go to hospital, we allow £600.
WOMAN: Yes, mine's similar.
MAN: And we also allow a relative to travel to your holiday resort.
WOMAN: My policy just says their representative will help you.
MAN: You can see there's another difference there. And what happens if you don't get on the plane?
WOMAN: Nothing, as far as I can see on this form.
MAN: Don't you have missed departure?
WOMAN: No, I'll just jot that down.
MAN: We pay up to £1,000 for that, depending on the reason. And we're particularly generous about loss of personal belongings – up to £3,000, but not more than £500 for a single item.
WOMAN: Then I'd better not take my laptop!
MAN: Not unless you insure it separately.
WOMAN: OK – thanks very much for your time – you've really been helpful. Can I get back to you? Your name is?
MAN: Ben – Ludlow. That's L-U-D-L-O-W. I'm the Assistant Manager here. I'll give you my number. It's 081260 543216.
WOMAN: But didn't I phone 081260 567294? That's what I've got on the paper.
MAN: That's the main switchboard. I've given you my direct line.
WOMAN: Right, thank you ...