Harry’s Hire Company - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Road to IELTS Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND / OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Harry’s Hire Company
Example
Hire for: birthday party
Equipment Hire:
Day and date of event: 1 November
Number attending event: 2
Rental:
5 dozen dinner plates, bowls
5 dozen sets of 3
40 plastic 4
4 dozen each small / medium glasses
six 5
Costings:
Weekend Package: 5 p.m. Fri – 10 a.m. Mon: $1600 + tax
6 Package: 5 p.m. Sat – 10 a.m. Mon: $1350 + tax
7: $50 (within 10 km)
Breakage Insurance: $60
Replacement costs:
plates, bowls – $3.55 per item
small glasses – $8 per item
medium glasses – $4.40 per item
Customer Details:
Full name: 9
Address: 28B Sandstone Close, Martinsborough
Contact number: 084 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Saturday 25th / Saturday 25 / Saturday the 25th | WOMAN: No, sorry, I meant the following Saturday, the 25th | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman correcting the date of the party, stating clearly that it is Saturday the 25th. Answer Explanation: The answer is the day of the week and the date in November when the party will happen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Saturday 25th (or just 25) because the customer specifically corrects the staff member to confirm the party date. Although the actual birthday is the 22nd of November, she explains that the party itself is on the following Saturday, which is the 25th. The keywords 'Saturday' and '25th' provide the specific day and date needed for the form. |
| Q2 | 55 / fifty-five / fifty five | We were planning to have about 40 people, but you know how these things grow and it went up to 60 at one stage umm I think it’s back to 55 now. Yes, that’s right |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that although they thought about having 40 or 60 people, the final choice for the number of guests is 55. Answer Explanation: The answer is 55, which is the total number of people who will be at the party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 55 because, during the conversation about the size of the event, the woman mentions that while the number of people changed several times, it is currently 'back to 55'. She confirms this total when she says 'Yes, that’s right' immediately after mentioning 55. |
| Q3 | knives / forks | so we’ll need all the usual dinner plates and bowls I suppose 5 dozen of everything, oh and knives and forks too, 5 dozen sets |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman identifying the specific items she needs to rent for the buffet meal, including five dozen sets of knives and forks. Answer Explanation: The answer is "knives / forks," which refers to the sets of eating tools (utensils used for cutting and picking up food) that the woman needs to rent. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "knives / forks" because the woman specifically mentions them when listing the equipment for the party. After saying she needs plates and bowls, she adds that she also needs "5 dozen sets" of knives and forks for the guests to use. |
| Q4 | garden chairs / chairs | We do have folding wooden ones, like these, but the most popular ones are just those stackable plastic garden chairs, we rent a lot of those WOMAN: Yes, the plastic ones look great. Maybe 40 of those |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the worker offering different kinds of chairs. He mentions that the "plastic garden chairs" are the most popular. The woman likes how they look and asks for 40 of them. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to 40 plastic pieces of furniture used for sitting. The word "garden" means they are often used outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(garden) chairs" because after the woman mentions needing extra chairs, the man describes their "plastic garden chairs" as their most popular choice. The woman agrees that they "look great" and requests "40 of those," which matches the quantity and material ("plastic") mentioned in the notes. |
| Q5 | ice buckets | Oh, I know, what about six ice buckets, for keeping the drinks cold | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman thinking of extra things she needs and asking for six containers for ice so that the drinks do not get warm. Answer Explanation: The answer "ice buckets" refers to containers that hold ice, used to keep beverages cold. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "ice buckets" because it is the specific item the customer asks for in a quantity of six. During the conversation, she realizes she needs something to keep the drinks chilled and mentions these items immediately after discussing the glasses and the punch bowl. The words match the number 'six' provided in the question prompt. |
| Q6 | same-day / same day | If you want to save a bit of money, you can collect the equipment on the day of the party before 5 p.m., and drop off on the Monday before 10 a.m., and that will be thirteen hundred and fifty dollars plus tax. That’s called the same-day package | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there is a special price of $1350 (plus tax) if you pick up the items on the day of the party. The man says this specific deal is named the "same-day package." Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of a specific rental deal called the "same-day" package. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the man explains the different pricing options. He mentions a cheaper option that costs $1350 plus tax, which matches the price listed in the notes. He explicitly names this specific option the "same-day package." |
| Q7 | home delivery | But if you want us to drop off and pick up at your house, there is an extra home delivery charge of $50, provided you live within 10 km of here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that there is a special fee of $50 for the company to bring the stuff to the customer's home and take it back later, if the home is close enough. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'home delivery', which means the service of bringing the rented items to the customer's house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'home delivery' because the man mentions an extra cost of $50 specifically for bringing and picking up items from the customer's house, as long as they live within 10 km. In the notes, this extra cost is listed right before the '$50' and the '(within 10 km)' note, which matches the man's explanation. |
| Q8 | 3.50 | tableware is $3.55 a piece, small glasses are $3.50 and medium glasses are $4.40 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man listing the specific 'replacement cost' for each type of item, noting that small glasses cost $3.50 each. Answer Explanation: The answer is the price of replacing one small glass if it is broken during the party, which is three dollars and fifty cents. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the shop assistant explains the costs for items that are broken. He gives a list of prices: $3.55 for tableware, $3.50 for small glasses, and $4.40 for medium glasses. Since the question asks for the price of small glasses, $3.50 is the right answer. In English, '$3.50' and 'three dollars fifty' mean the same thing. |
| Q9 | Susan Millins | MAN: OK, so let’s take a few details then. Your name? WOMAN: Oh, it’s Susan Millins. MAN: Um Is that Miller? WOMAN: No, it’s M-I-L-L-I-N-S |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man asking for the customer's name. The woman gives her name and then spells out each letter of her last name so that he can write it correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer is the full name of the woman who is renting items for the party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Susan Millins because the man asks for her name to complete the hire details. When the woman says her name, the man is not sure if he heard it right, so the woman spells her last name out loud to show it is Millins, not Miller. |
| Q10 | 3987695 | WOMAN: Oh, yes, of course, the phone number is 084 – 398 – 7695 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman speaking her entire phone number, providing the sequence 398 – 7695 after the initial digits 084. Answer Explanation: The answer 3987695 is the remaining part of the customer's phone number after the prefix 084. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 3987695 because, at the very end of the conversation, the worker asks for an emergency contact number. The customer responds by providing her phone number as 084 – 398 – 7695. Since the form already provides the '084' part, the digits needed to complete the contact number are 3987695. |
Transcript
MAN: Hello, welcome to Harry’s Hire Company. How can I help you?
WOMAN: Oh, hi, yes, I’ve come in to find out about renting stuff for a 21st birthday party.
MAN: Yes, of course ...
The customer says she wants to rent equipment for a birthday party, so birthday party has been written in the space. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.
MAN: Hello, welcome to Harry’s Hire Company. How can I help you?
WOMAN: Oh, hi, yes, I’ve come in to find out about renting stuff for a 21st birthday party.
MAN: Yes, of course … First of all, what date is the party?
WOMAN: It’s next Saturday. That was the closest we could get to the actual birthday, which is the 22nd of November. Gosh, it’s hard to believe it was 21 years ago, seems like yesterday …
MAN: So, the 18th of November?
WOMAN: No, sorry, I meant the following Saturday, the 25th.
MAN: OK, we have just about everything here; tableware, marquees … you name it, we rent it! What size of event are we talking about here?
WOMAN: Yes, that’s a good question. We were planning to have about 40 people, but you know how these things grow and it went up to 60 at one stage … umm … I think it’s back to 55 now. Yes, that’s right. It was all getting a bit out of hand.
MAN: Ok, and what kind of catering and entertainment are you having? We can help with entertainment hire, too, you know, if you need microphones or a sound system.
WOMAN: Oh, that’s good! We’ve booked a catering company, and they’re providing a meal. It’s nothing elaborate, just finger food snacks and then a simple buffet meal, so we’ll need all the usual dinner plates and bowls … I suppose 5 dozen of everything, oh and knives and forks too, 5 dozen sets. We won’t need any cooking equipment, because the caterers will do that, and they’re providing tea and coffee as well.
MAN: I see, and do you need any tables or chairs.
WOMAN: Well, not tables, because we wouldn’t have room for them, but I suppose some extra chairs might come in handy. What type do you have?
MAN: Come over here and I’ll show you. We have a couple of different kinds. We do have folding wooden ones, like these, but the most popular ones are just those stackable plastic garden chairs, we rent a lot of those…
WOMAN: Yes, the plastic ones look great. Maybe 40 of those.
MAN: Ok … I’m making a list here as we speak. Was there anything else? Oh, do you want small or medium glasses? People generally want both sizes.
WOMAN: Yep, better get both kinds. Four dozen of each. Umm … and what else? The caterers are supplying a punch bowl, so that’s OK. Oh, I know, what about six ice buckets, for keeping the drinks cold? We’re providing all the drinks, because I have a friend who is helping us with that. Umm … I suppose this is going to get very expensive.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.
Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.
MAN: Well, let’s talk about our packages and rental deals. Firstly… what day do you want to collect the equipment?
WOMAN: Oh, I’m not sure. Does that make a difference to the price?
MAN: Well … the weekend package deal is to pick up after 5 p.m. on Friday, and drop off before 10 a.m. on Monday. That will be sixteen hundred dollars plus tax. If you want to save a bit of money, you can collect the equipment on the day of the party before 5 p.m., and drop off on the Monday before 10 a.m., and that will be thirteen hundred and fifty dollars plus tax. That’s called the same-day package. Your party numbers come between our small and medium price packages, I’m afraid, so in fact you could rent a few extra of everything for the same price.
WOMAN: I see. Well, we’re not inviting more guests! I think we have quite enough already … umm … are there any other hidden charges with those packages?
MAN: No, not really. But if you want us to drop off and pick up at your house, there is an extra home delivery charge of $50, provided you live within 10 km of here. Oh, and if you want to take out breakage insurance, that’s a $60 flat fee. Otherwise, you pay for every item you break, at the replacement cost.
WOMAN: Wow, so how much is that then? I bet that soon adds up.
MAN: Well, yes, it does a bit. Let’s see … tableware is $3.55 a piece, small glasses are $3.50 and medium glasses are $4.40. Oh, and if you break a chair, they’re expensive: $15 each, and you’d be surprised what happens when the party gets going!
WOMAN: Yes, insurance sounds like a good idea, and I think I’ll take the weekend package deal, thanks, it’s much more convenient, isn’t it? And not much more expensive.
MAN: OK, so let’s take a few details then. Your name?
WOMAN: Oh, it’s Susan Millins.
MAN: Um … Is that Miller?
WOMAN: No, it’s M-I-L-L-I-N-S
MAN: Right. And your address please?
WOMAN: 28B Sandstone Close, Martinsborough
MAN: And just to confirm the order; the medium-size party weekend package with breakage insurance, and did you want to collect this yourself?
WOMAN: Yes, thank you. I do live within 10 km, but I don’t want to pay any extra charges. I’ll get my son to help me.
MAN: OK, we’ll need an emergency contact number, just in case anything goes wrong. Oh, and credit card details, of course.
WOMAN: Oh, yes, of course, the phone number is 084 – 398 – 7695
MAN: OK, thank you, and now the credit card…..
That is the end of section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
Now turn to Section 2.