MIC HOUSE AGENCY - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 02 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–2 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
MIC HOUSE AGENCY - REPAIRS
Example Answer
Name: Paul...SMILEY...
Address: Apartment 2, 1 , Newton
Length of lease: one year
Date moved in: 2
Questions 3–9 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
For the "When to be done" column, write:
A if the repair will be done immediately.
B if the repair will be done during the following week.
C if the repair will be done in two or more weeks.
| Item | Problem | When to be done |
|---|---|---|
| washing machine | leaking | Example A |
| cooker | 3 | 4 |
| windows | 5 | B |
| 6 | flickers | 7 |
| 8 | torn | 9 |
Questions 10–10 Sentence Completion
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer .
- workman to call between 1 pm and 10.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 16 Rose Lane | Apartment 2, 16 Rose Lane | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul clearly stating the number and the name of the street for his apartment. Answer Explanation: The answer is '16 Rose Lane', which is the street and house number where Paul lives. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when the agent asks Paul for his address. Paul responds by giving his apartment number followed by the specific street location, which matches the information needed to complete the notes. |
| Q2 | 27th June / June 27th / 27th of June / 27 June / June 27 | AGENT And you moved in ?PAUL Last week, on 27th June |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking a question about the date Paul came to live there, and Paul gives the date as 27th June. Answer Explanation: The answer is the day Paul started living in his new apartment, which was June 27th. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the agent asks Paul for the date he moved in. Paul answers that he moved in on the 27th of June. In English, 'moved in' means the first day someone starts living in a new home. |
| Q3 | door broken / broken door | PAUL And then there's a niggling problem with the cooker PAUL The door's broken |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul explaining to the agent that while there is an issue with the stove, the specific part that is not working is the door. Answer Explanation: The answer describes the specific physical damage to the cooker (stove), which is that its door does not work correctly or is damaged. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer identifies the exact issue Paul reports regarding his kitchen appliance. In the conversation, he brings up a 'niggling problem' with the cooker and specifically states that the 'door's broken'. Because he says it can still be used, it is categorized as a non-urgent repair. |
| Q4 | C | It's nothing serious and it can be used, but if you can send someone over in the next couple of weeks or so that'd be great | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul telling the agent that the broken stove is not an emergency and it is okay to wait about two weeks for a repair. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that the repair for the stove (cooker) will happen in two weeks or later. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Paul mentions that the cooker can still be used and the problem is not serious. He suggests that the agency can send a repair person 'in the next couple of weeks or so'. In English, 'a couple' means two, so this matches the description for choice C, which is 'two or more weeks'. |
| Q5 | no locks / need locks | PAUL Then we are worried about all the windows.AGENT Are they broken?PAUL No, but there are no locks on them and you know with the insurance these days |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript records the part of the call where Paul mentions the windows and clarifies to the agent that the problem is not that they are broken, but that there are no locks on them. Answer Explanation: The answer states that the windows in the apartment lack locks, meaning they cannot be secured. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'no locks (on them)' because when the agent asks Paul about the status of the windows, he specifically explains that they are missing locks. This makes it a security or insurance concern for him, even though the windows are not actually broken. |
| Q6 | bathroom light | And then there's the bathroom light it's getting quite annoying. It flickers quite badly and it's giving me headaches. I'd really like to get that replaced right away |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul complaining about the bathroom light. He explains that it is annoying because it turns on and off very quickly (flickers), and he wants it fixed immediately. Answer Explanation: The answer is the bathroom light, which is one of the items in the apartment that needs a repair. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is bathroom light because the speaker, Paul, specifically mentions that this item is having an issue where it "flickers" very badly. In the table provided, the problem listed for the missing item is "flickers," which perfectly matches Paul's description of his bathroom light. |
| Q7 | A | I'd really like to get that replaced right away | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul asking for the light to be fixed by using the words 'right away,' which means he wants it done immediately. Answer Explanation: The answer A means that the repair for the item will be done immediately, which means right now or as soon as possible. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the tenant, Paul, explains that the bathroom light is flickering and causing him to have headaches. Due to this discomfort, he specifically asks for it to be fixed 'right away.' In English, the phrase 'right away' is another way to say 'immediately.' This matches the instruction to use 'A' for immediate repairs. |
| Q8 | kitchen curtains | PAUL And then the last thing on the list is the kitchen curtains. They're torn | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul telling the agent that the curtains in his kitchen are ripped and are the final item he needs help with. Answer Explanation: The answer "kitchen curtains" refers to the fabric covers for the windows in the kitchen that Paul wants fixed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "kitchen curtains" because it is the specific item Paul mentions at the very end of his list of repairs. He notes that this item is "torn," which is a word for being ripped or having holes. This description perfectly matches the problem "torn" shown in the table. |
| Q9 | B | We do have quite a few spare ones in stock and can get those to you in the next week, if that's alright with you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent telling the tenant that they have extra curtains available and can bring them over or install them sometime during the coming week. Answer Explanation: The answer 'B' indicates that the kitchen curtains will be replaced or fixed during the following week. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because, during the conversation about the torn kitchen curtains, the agent states they can provide replacements 'in the next week.' According to the instructions, 'B' is the code for repairs or tasks that will be completed during the following week, which aligns with the agent's time frame. |
| Q10 | 5 pm / 5:00pm / 5.00pm | PAUL Well the best time is about 1.00.AGENT I'll have to check that with him. And if he can't make it then, what would be your second preference?PAUL Any time up to 5 pm would be fine | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man choosing 1:00 as his first choice for the workman's visit. He then tells the agent that any other time before 5:00 PM is also a good second choice. Answer Explanation: The answer means the repair worker should visit the apartment at some point during the time starting at 1:00 PM and ending no later than 5:00 PM. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 1 pm and 5 pm because Paul gives 1.00 as his first choice for the visit and says that any time until 5 pm is okay as a second choice. These two times create a window or range of availability. In this context, 'call' means to visit a house, 'preferred times' means the times that work best for the person, and 'up to' means not later than. |
Transcript
AGENT Good morning. MIC House Agency.
PAUL Good morning. I'm ringing about the problems I've been having with my apartment.
AGENT Yes, of course. If I can just take a few details first... What's your name?
PAUL Paul Smiley.
AGENT How do you spell that?
PAUL S-M-I-L-E-Y.
AGENT OK, and what's the address?
PAUL Apartment 2, 16 Rose Lane.
AGENT Rose Lane...and that's in...?
PAUL In Newton.
AGENT Oh yes, I know the property. Could I just ask how long is the lease?
PAUL It's for one year.
AGENT And you moved in...?
PAUL Last week, on 27th June.
AGENT Fine, thank you.
AGENT And what are the problems that you've been having?
PAUL Well, no one thing is really dangerous or anything, but you know, it's just been building up.
AGENT Yes, of course.
PAUL Well the first thing is the washing machine. It's been leaking a little and it's beginning to get worse. Because we have a small child, we really need to get that done straight away.
AGENT OK...that's a washing machine for immediate repair.
PAUL And then there's a niggling problem with the cooker...
AGENT Ah ha...
PAUL The door's broken.
AGENT Right.
PAUL It's nothing serious and it can be used, but if you can send someone over in the next couple of weeks or so that'd be great.
AGENT Fine, I've got that.
PAUL Then we are worried about all the windows.
AGENT Are they broken?
PAUL No, but there are no locks on them...and you know with the insurance these days...
AGENT And when would you like those done?
PAUL Oh, that's not really urgent...but you never know when there's going to be a break-in...
AGENT No, we'll get those done for you next week, don't worry.
PAUL And then there's the bathroom light...it's getting quite annoying. It flickers quite badly and it's giving me headaches. I'd really like to get that replaced right away.
AGENT That's no problem.
PAUL And then the last thing on the list is the kitchen curtains. They're torn.
AGENT Oh, right. We do have quite a few spare ones in stock and can get those to you in the next week, if that's alright with you?
PAUL Yes, that'd be fine.
AGENT Anything else?
PAUL No, that's all.
AGENT OK, fine. What we'll do is get someone over to you this afternoon, if you're in.
PAUL Well, I'm going to be out for a short time.
AGENT Well you tell us your preferred times.
PAUL Well the best time is about 1.00.
AGENT I'll have to check that with him. And if he can't make it then, what would be your second preference?
PAUL Any time up to 5 pm would be fine.
AGENT OK, I've made a note of that.
PAUL Great, well thanks very much for your help.
AGENT That's fine. Thank you for calling.
PAUL Goodbye.
AGENT Goodbye.