Health Club Customer Research - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Health club customer research
Example
Name: Selina Thompson
Occupation: 1
Age group: 2
Type of membership: 3
Length of membership: 4 years
Why joined: Recommended by a 5
Visits to club per month: Eight (on an average)
Facility used most: 6
Facility not used (If any): Tennis courts (because reluctant to 7)
Suggestions for improvements:
- Have more 8
- Install 9 in the gym.
- Open 10 later at weekends.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | an accountant / accountant | **Market Researcher:** Okay, great. Thanks. And what do you do for a living? **Selena Thompson:** Well, I’m an accountant, but I’m between jobs at the moment. **Market Researcher:** I understand. But that’s the job I’ll put down on the form | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the person asking questions (the researcher) asking Selena what her job is. Selena answered that she is an accountant, and the researcher decides to use that word for the form. Answer Explanation: The answer '(an) accountant' refers to Selena Thompson's professional job or career. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'accountant' because when the researcher asks Selena what she does for work ('do for a living'), she identifies herself as an accountant. Even though she mentions she is currently 'between jobs' (not working right now), the researcher confirms that 'accountant' is the specific occupation he will record on the form. |
| Q2 | over 50 / over fifty | And would you mind my asking which age group you fall into: below 30, 31 to 50, and above? **Selena Thompson:** Over 50. I think we can safely say | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the person asking the questions giving three choices for age groups, and Selena picks the one for people older than 50 years. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific group that describes how old Selena Thompson is. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on Selena's direct response to a question about her age. When the researcher asks which age group she fits into (below 30, 31 to 50, or above 50), she clearly states she is "Over 50." |
| Q3 | family membership / family | Oh, right. No, it’s a family membership | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena directly identifying her membership type as a 'family membership' after correcting the researcher's guess. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific kind of membership that the woman has at the health club. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'family (membership)' because Selena tells the researcher this when asked about her membership. The researcher first asks if it is for just one person (a 'single person membership'), but Selena says 'No' and clarifies that it is for her family. This means her husband or children are likely included in the plan. |
| Q4 | nine / 9 | Oh, I remember now. It’s nine, definitely. Sorry | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena correcting her previous guess and stating that she has been involved with the club for exactly nine years. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number of years Selena has been a member of the club. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is nine because when the market researcher asks about the length of her membership, Selena thinks about it and then clearly confirms that she has been a member for nine years. She used the word "definitely" to show she is sure about this number. |
| Q5 | doctor | Actually, my doctor. I’d been suffering from high blood pressure, and he said the club was very supportive of people with that condition, so I signed up | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena explaining that her medical professional (the doctor) told her the club was a good place for people with her specific health problem, which is why she became a member. Answer Explanation: The answer "doctor" is the professional title of the person who suggested Selena join the health club. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "doctor" because Selena explains that she did not join for the advertisements, but because of a personal recommendation. When the interviewer specifically asks if a friend recommended her, she corrects him by saying it was actually her doctor. Keywords to notice here are 'recommended' and 'word of mouth', which matching the context of being told by another person. |
| Q6 | swimming pool / pool | **Market Researcher:** That leads me to the next question. Would you say the swimming pool is the facility you make most use of? **Selena Thompson:** Fair to say that, yeah | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the interviewer asking about the facility Selena uses most and specifically suggesting the swimming pool; Selena then agrees that this is correct. Answer Explanation: The answer is the swimming pool, which is the specific part of the health club that Selena uses more than any other area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "swimming pool" because the interviewer directly asks Selena if this is the facility she uses the most. Selena confirms this by replying, "Fair to say that, yeah," indicating it is her primary room or equipment used at the club. The term "facility" in the question matches the word used by the researcher. |
| Q7 | pay extra / pay | It’s that I’m not happy having to pay extra for that privilege | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that although Selena can play tennis well, she chooses not to use the club's courts because they require an additional fee. Answer Explanation: The answer means Selena does not want to spend more money than she already does to use the tennis courts. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pay (extra)' because Selena explains that the reason she never uses the tennis courts is that she is 'not happy' about having to pay more money on top of her membership fee. In the form, the word 'reluctant' is used as a synonym for 'not happy about doing something.' |
| Q8 | social events | Well, I’d like to see more social events | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena telling the researcher her idea for the club. She clearly says she wants to see more "social events." Answer Explanation: The answer means that the club should organize more gatherings or parties where members can meet and talk to each other. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on what Selena says when the researcher asks for her advice on how to make the club better. She mentions that besides classes, she wants more activities where people can get together. She specifically uses the phrase "social events" to describe these activities. Keywords to notice are "suggestions," "improvements," and "social events." |
| Q9 | air conditioning | And another thing that I was thinking: when I had my yoga class in the gym last night, we were all sweltering in the heat. Was that I think they should put in, well, you know, air conditioning | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena talking about a yoga class she had in the gym where it was too hot. She suggests that the club should put in, or install, air conditioning to fix the problem. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'air conditioning', which refers to a system or machine that keeps the air in a room or building cool and dry. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'air conditioning' because when Selena is asked for improvement suggestions, she mentions being very hot in the gym and says the club should add this system. Keywords like 'gym', 'heat', and 'put in' (which is a synonym for 'install') help identify that she wants this cooling system added to the fitness area. |
| Q10 | the restaurant / restaurant | Oh, but I tell you what: it’s a shame the restaurant isn’t open in the evening on Saturday, and Sunday as well, for that matter | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Selena complaining that the restaurant is not open at night on Saturdays and Sundays, which she believes should be changed. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the place in the club that Selena thinks should stay open longer during the weekend. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'restaurant' because Selena specifically mentions that this facility is closed in the evening on Saturdays and Sundays. She suggests that the club should open the restaurant later on those days to improve the service. Keywords like 'open it later' and 'Saturday and Sunday' confirm this is the facility she is talking about for the weekend improvement. |
Transcript
**Narrator:** Test 1. Section 1. You will hear a woman being interviewed by a market researcher in a health club about her membership of the club. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.
You will see that there is an example which has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
**Market Researcher:** Oh, excuse me. I wonder if you’d have the time to take part in some market research?
**Selena Thompson:** Um, what’s it about?
**Market Researcher:** About this club and your experiences and opinions about being a member. It’ll take less than five minutes.
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, okay then, as long as it’s quick.
**Market Researcher:** Can I start by taking your name?
**Selena Thompson:** It’s Selena Thompson.
**Market Researcher:** Is that T-H-O-M-P-S-O-N?
**Selena Thompson:** Yes.
**Market Researcher:** Okay, great. Thanks.
**Narrator:** The woman’s name is Thompson with a P, so "Thompson" 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.
**Market Researcher:** Oh, excuse me. I wonder if you’d have the time to take part in some market research?
**Selena Thompson:** Um, what’s it about?
**Market Researcher:** About this club and your experiences and opinions about being a member. It’ll take less than five minutes.
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, okay then, as long as it’s quick.
**Market Researcher:** Can I start by taking your name?
**Selena Thompson:** It’s Selena Thompson.
**Market Researcher:** Is that T-H-O-M-P-S-O-N?
**Selena Thompson:** Yes.
**Market Researcher:** Okay, great. Thanks. And what do you do for a living?
**Selena Thompson:** Well, I’m an accountant, but I’m between jobs at the moment.
**Market Researcher:** I understand. But that’s the job I’ll put down on the form. And would you mind my asking which age group you fall into: below 30, 31 to 50, and above?
**Selena Thompson:** Over 50. I think we can safely say.
**Market Researcher:** Great, thanks. And which type of membership do you have?
**Selena Thompson:** Sorry, I’m not sure what you mean. Do you mean how long I’ve—
**Market Researcher:** No, is it a single person membership?
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, right. No, it’s a family membership.
**Market Researcher:** Thanks. And how long have you been a member?
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, let me see. I was certainly here five years ago, and it was probably two to three years more than that.
**Market Researcher:** Shall I put down eight?
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, I remember now. It’s nine, definitely. Sorry.
**Market Researcher:** No problem. I’ve got that. And the last question in this first part is: what brought you to the club?
**Selena Thompson:** Sorry?
**Market Researcher:** How did you find out about the club? Did you see any ads?
**Selena Thompson:** Well, I did actually. But I have to say I wasn’t really attracted to the club because of that. It was through word of mouth.
**Market Researcher:** So you were recommended by a friend?
**Selena Thompson:** Actually, my doctor. I’d been suffering from high blood pressure, and he said the club was very supportive of people with that condition, so I signed up.
**Market Researcher:** Great. Thanks.
**Narrator:** 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.
**Market Researcher:** Now, for the second part of the form, I want to ask a bit more about your experience of the club.
**Selena Thompson:** Sure.
**Market Researcher:** How often would you say you use the club?
**Selena Thompson:** It varies enormously depending on how busy I am.
**Market Researcher:** Of course. But on average, per month?
**Selena Thompson:** I’d say it averages out at twice a week.
**Market Researcher:** Okay, so eight on average.
**Selena Thompson:** Yeah, and four of those are aqua aerobics classes.
**Market Researcher:** That leads me to the next question. Would you say the swimming pool is the facility you make most use of?
**Selena Thompson:** Fair to say that, yeah.
**Market Researcher:** Right, thanks. And are there any facilities you don’t use?
**Selena Thompson:** Hmm. One area I realize I’ve never used is the tennis courts. And there’s one simple reason for that.
**Market Researcher:** You don’t play tennis?
**Selena Thompson:** Actually, I’m not bad at it. It’s that I’m not happy having to pay extra for that privilege.
**Market Researcher:** Ah, right. I’ve made a note of that. Thanks. Now, in the last section, are there any suggestions or recommendations you have for improvements to the club?
**Selena Thompson:** Only about health and fitness?
**Market Researcher:** Anything at all.
**Selena Thompson:** Well, I’d like to see more social events. It isn’t just a question of getting together for games or classes, but other things, you know?
**Market Researcher:** Yes, sure.
**Selena Thompson:** And another thing that I was thinking: when I had my yoga class in the gym last night, we were all sweltering in the heat. Was that I think they should put in, well, you know, air conditioning.
**Market Researcher:** That’s exactly what I mean. The rooms are really light and well-designed, but they do need proper installation.
**Market Researcher:** Sure. Well, I’ve made a note of that.
**Selena Thompson:** Good.
**Market Researcher:** So, is there anything else you’d like to suggest? About quality of service, for example?
**Selena Thompson:** Oh, everyone’s very nice here. They couldn’t be more friendly and helpful. Oh, but I tell you what: it’s a shame the restaurant isn’t open in the evening on Saturday, and Sunday as well, for that matter.
**Market Researcher:** So the club should—
**Selena Thompson:** Open it later on those days.
**Market Researcher:** Okay. Well, thank you very much. That’s all the questions I have.
**Narrator:** That is the end of Section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.