Paragliding Course - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 1 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–12
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Listen to the telephone conversation between a student and the owner of a paragliding school and answer the questions below.
Circle the correct letters A-D.
Questions 4–7 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
TELEPHONE MEMO
Name: Maria Gentle
Address: C/o Mr & Mrs 4
5 Newcastle
Fax no: 0249 6
Type of Card : 7
Questions 8–9 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Circle TWO letters A-G.
Questions 10–11 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Circle TWO letters A-G.
Questions 12–12 Short Answers
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for your answer.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | C | the beginner's course, which is what you'd probably be looking at, is $320 - no, sorry 330 - it's just gone up | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says the cost for the beginner's course used to be $320, but it is now $330 because the price just went up. Answer Explanation: The answer is 330 dollars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the man says the price for the beginner's course is $330. He first says $320, but he quickly changes it to $330 because the cost moved higher recently. |
| Q2 | C | it's only 3rd party and covers you against damage to other people or their belongings, but not theft or injury | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the insurance is '3rd party'. This means it pays if you hurt other people or damage their things (belongings), but it does not pay if your things are stolen (theft) or if you get hurt (injury). Answer Explanation: The answer means that the club's insurance only pays for damage you cause to other people or the things they own. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the man explains that the insurance is '3rd party'. This means it covers damage to other people or their possessions (belongings). He also says it does not cover personal injury or theft. |
| Q3 | D | And what's the best way to get to your place? By public transport or could we come by bike? We're pretty keen cyclists | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Maria asking the man if they can come to the school using their bikes because they really like cycling. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the girls want to travel to the paragliding school using bicycles. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Maria specifically asks if they can travel to the school by bike. She mentions that they are "keen cyclists," which is a synonym for people who enjoy riding bicycles very much and do it often. |
| Q4 | McDonald / Macdonald / MacDonald | Maria: Care of Mr and Mrs. McDonald | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Maria saying the names of the people she lives with, which identifies the correct name for the form. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name of the family Maria is staying with, which is McDonald. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is McDonald because when the man asks for Maria's address, she explains that she is staying with a family in Newcastle. She gives the name of the hosts as Mr. and Mrs. McDonald. To help the man remember or spell it, they even mention the famous hamburger restaurant with the same name. |
| Q5 | Post Office Box / PO Box 676 | The post office box address is probably best. It's PO Box 676, Newcastle | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Maria deciding which address is best to use and then stating the exact box number 676 before saying the city name, Newcastle. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific mailing box number, which is Post Office Box 676 (or PO Box 676). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Maria gives her mailing information to the man. She suggests that using her post office box is the best option and clearly states the number while giving her address. Keywords like 'post office box' and 'address' point to this information. |
| Q6 | 775431 | Yes, actually, there is. It's 0249 that's for Newcastle and then double seven five four three one | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Maria providing the fax number for her location in Newcastle. She says 'double seven', which is code for '77', followed by 'five four three one'. Answer Explanation: The answer is part of a telephone or fax number. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 775431 because Maria gives this number to the man after he asks for a fax number. In English, the word 'double' means two of the same thing. So, when she says 'double seven', she means the number 7 appears two times (77). After that, she says 5, 4, 3, and 1. Putting these together gives 775431. |
| Q7 | credit card / Visa | How would you be paying?Maria: By credit card, if that's OK. Do you take Visa?Man: Yes, fine. We take all major cards, including Visa | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the part of the conversation where the man asks about the payment. Maria says she wants to use a credit card and names "Visa," and the man says that is perfectly fine. Answer Explanation: The answer "credit card/Visa" describes the type of payment method Maria will use to pay for her paragliding course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "credit card/Visa" because when the man asks Maria how she plans to pay, she suggests using a "credit card" and specifically asks if they accept "Visa". The man confirms that the school accepts all major credit cards including Visa. A learner should look for the words "paying", "credit card", and "Visa" in the conversation. |
| Q8 | — | — | |
| Q9 | D / F | preferably a long-sleeved t-shirt. That's probably in case you land in the stinging nettles! It also says we should bring a packed lunch. We do not recommend soft drinks or flasks of coffee. Water is really the best thing to drink. We'd also need to bring suntan lotion and something to protect your head from the sun | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Maria notes the need for a 'long-sleeved t-shirt' and 'something to protect your head from the sun.' This confirms that a shirt with long sleeves and a hat are the correct items to bring. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who take the paragliding course must bring a shirt with long sleeves and a hat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is items D and F because Maria lists these items as necessary when reading the requirements. She says they should wear a 'long-sleeved t-shirt,' which matches option D. She also mentions they need 'something to protect your head from the sun,' which refers to a hat (option F). Other items like sandals and soft drinks are mentioned as things they should not bring. |
| Q10 | — | — | |
| Q11 | A / F | They seem to operate a campsite too, because it says here that it's only $10 a day to pitch a tent. That'd be fine, wouldn't it? And that way we'd save quite a bit because even a cheap hotel would cost money.Pauline: Um or perhaps we could stay in a bed-and-breakfast nearby. It gives a couple of names here we could ring. I think I might prefer that. Hotels and youth hostels would all be miles away from the farm and I don't fancy a caravan |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the school provides a place for tents (a campsite) for a small fee. It also mentions that there are bed-and-breakfast options nearby, while other places like hotels and youth hostels are many miles away. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies camping and staying at a bed-and-breakfast as the two housing choices located close to the paragliding school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and F because Maria mentions that the school has its own campsite where visitors can use a tent. Pauline then suggests staying at a bed-and-breakfast because it is located nearby. In contrast, they note that hotels and youth hostels are located many miles away, making them poor choices for staying near the school. |
| Q12 | after the exams / after exams | Maria: OK, then. Let's make it the one after the exams | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Maria suggesting the specific weekend they should choose, which is the one occurring once their school tests are finished. Answer Explanation: The answer means the girls will go during the weekend that follows their school tests. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found at the end of the conversation. Maria says she cannot go 'next weekend' because of a school trip, and Pauline says she must study the weekend before her exams. Because of this, Maria suggests they go the weekend after the exams, and Pauline agrees. |
Transcript
Man: Hello 'Paragliders' Paradise'. How can I help you?
Maria: Oh hi. I'm interested in doing a course in paragliding.
Man: Which course are you interested in?
Maria: Well, I'm not sure. What's available?
Man: Well ... we've got the introductory course which lasts for two days.
Maria: OK.
Man: Or there's the 4-day beginners' course which is what most people do first. I'd tend to recommend that one. And there's also the elementary pilot course which takes five to six days depending on conditions.
Maria: We might try the beginner's course. What sort of prices are we looking at?
Man: The introductory is $190; the beginner's course, which is what you'd probably be looking at, is $320 - no, sorry 330 - it's just gone up - and the pilot course is $430.
Maria: Right.
Man: And you also have to become a member of our club so that you're insured. That'll cost you $12 a day. Everyone has to take out insurance, you see.
Maria: Does that cover me if I break a leg?
Man: No, I'm afraid not - it's only 3rd party and covers you against damage to other people or their belongings, but not theft or injury. You would need to take out your own personal accident insurance.
Maria: I see! And what's the best way to get to your place? By public transport or could we come by bike? We're pretty keen cyclists.
Man: It's difficult by public transport although there is a bus from Newcastle; most people get here by car, though, 'cos we're a little off the beaten track. But you could ride here OK. I'll send you a map. Just let me take down a few details. What's your name?
Maria: Maria Gentle.
Man: And your address, Maria?
Maria: Well, I'm a student staying with a family in Newcastle.
Man: So it's care of ...
Maria: Care of Mr and Mrs. McDonald.
Man: Like the hamburgers!
Maria: Yes, exactly.
Man: McDonald ...
Maria: The post office box address is probably best. It's PO Box 676, Newcastle.
Man: Is there a fax number there, because I could fax you the information?
Maria: Yes, actually, there is. It's 0249 that's for Newcastle and then double seven five four three one.
Man: OK. Now if you decide to do one of our courses, you'll need to book in advance and to pay when you book. How would you be paying?
Maria: By credit card, if that's OK. Do you take Visa?
Man: Yes, fine. We take all major cards, including Visa.
Maria: OK then. Thanks very much.
Maria: Hi, Pauline.
Pauline: Hi, Maria! What's that you're reading?
Maria: Just some information from a paragliding school - it looks really good fun. Do you fancy a go at paragliding?
Pauline: Sure! Do you have to buy lots of equipment and stuff?
Maria: Not really. The school provides the equipment but we'd have to take a few things along.
Pauline: Such as?
Maria: Well it says here. Clothes: wear stout boots, so no sneakers or sandals I suppose, and clothes suitable for an active day in the hills, preferably a long-sleeved t-shirt. That's probably in case you land in the stinging nettles! It also says we should bring a packed lunch. We do not recommend soft drinks or flasks of coffee. Water is really the best thing to drink. We'd also need to bring suntan lotion and something to protect your head from the sun!
Pauline: OK that sounds reasonable. And where would we stay?
Maria: Well look! They seem to operate a campsite too, because it says here that it's only $10 a day to pitch a tent. That'd be fine, wouldn't it? And that way we'd save quite a bit because even a cheap hotel would cost money.
Pauline: Um..or perhaps we could stay in a bed-and-breakfast nearby. It gives a couple of names here we could ring. I think I might prefer that. Hotels and youth hostels would all be miles away from the farm and I don't fancy a caravan.
Maria: No, I agree. But let's take a tent and pray for good weather.
Pauline: OK - let's do it. What about next weekend?
Maria: No, I can't - I'm going on a geography field trip.
Pauline: .....and then it's the weekend before the exams and I really need to study.
Maria: OK, then. Let's make it the one after the exams.
Pauline: Fine - we'll need a break by then. Can you ring and ...