Renting Flat 3A - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Oxford IELTS Practice Tests Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–6 Matching
How does the owner answer? Write
A if she says YES, DEFINITELY
B if she says MAYBE
C if she says DEFINITELY NOT
Questions 7–10 One Choice
Circle the correct letters A–D.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | A | SIMON: OK. Now the next thing is the gas supply. Do you have a safety certificate? A current one that is. OWNER: We do. All the gas appliances have been checked by a registered engineer | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Simon asking if there is a valid gas safety certificate, and the owner answering clearly that they do have one. Answer Explanation: The answer "A" means that the owner definitely has a valid and active gas safety certificate. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Simon directly asks if the owner has a "current" gas safety certificate. The owner immediately confirms by saying, "We do," and adds that all the gas appliances were inspected by a registered engineer. Later, she even finds the certificate from March 22nd (only five months prior). Since she confirms without any doubt, choice A ("YES, DEFINITELY") is correct. |
| Q2 | A | OWNER: Let me think they sent an engineer to check something early last year, but, no, that wasn't the inspection Oh I remember now, it was in the Spring. In fact I've got the certificate here somewhere yes, that's it: March 22nd, so it's just over five months ago |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the owner looking at the gas certificate and confirming that the inspection took place on March 22nd, slightly more than five months ago. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means that the owner definitely confirms the gas inspection happened within the last twelve months. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Simon asks when the gas inspection was done, and the owner checks the safety certificate and states the exact date: March 22nd, which was "just over five months ago." Since five months is less than twelve months (one year), the gas inspection definitely occurred within the last twelve months. |
| Q3 | B | OWNER: As it happens we had an electrician in when we redecorated flat 3A. If he looked at everything then, he would have charged us for it. I'll find the bill and check it if you like. SIMON: Fine. And when was that? OWNER: Er the decorators finished just before Easter, so that would be about eighteen months ago |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that an electrician came around eighteen months ago (which is within five years), but the owner does not know for sure if he inspected everything and offers to check the bill. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that it is possible or uncertain whether the electricity was checked in the last five years, but not confirmed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Simon asks when the electrical wiring was last inspected. The owner replies that an electrician visited about eighteen months ago when they redecorated, but she is not sure if he checked all the wiring. She needs to check the bill to confirm whether the inspection actually happened. |
| Q4 | C | SIMON: Just one more point on the electrics: are there enough plug sockets in the flat? OWNER: It depends what you mean by 'enough' really. SIMON: Well I've got quite a lot of electrical things – computer, radio, lamps, kitchen appliances and so on – and I'm wondering whether I could plug them all in without having cables trailing all over the place. OWNER: I think there's one per room: that's fairly normal in older properties. SIMON: I'll take that as a 'no' then! OWNER: All Right | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Simon asking if there are sufficient plugs for his many electronics. The owner states there is only one socket per room, which Simon interprets as a "no", and the owner accepts this answer. Answer Explanation: The answer "C" means that there are definitely not enough electrical sockets in the flat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Simon asks if there are "enough plug sockets" for all his electrical appliances. The owner explains that there is only "one per room". Simon concludes that this means "no", and the owner agrees with "All Right", confirming that there are definitely not enough sockets. |
| Q5 | B | SIMON: Now, another safety point: is there a smoke alarm? OWNER: Yes, there's one in the kitchen. SIMON: And is it in good working order? OWNER: I'll have to try it out, and let you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Simon asking if the kitchen smoke alarm works properly. The owner says she has to test it first before telling him, which means it is not yet certain if it works. Answer Explanation: The answer B means the owner is not completely sure yet (MAYBE). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Simon asks if the smoke alarm (which is fire detection equipment) is in good working order (works). The owner replies that she will need to test it first to see if it works ("try it out, and let you know"), meaning she cannot say definitely yes or no right now, so the answer is maybe. |
| Q6 | A | OWNER: We're very strict about that. Everyone has to hand back the keys when they leave, or we don't return the deposit. And those in 3A have always done so | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the owner explaining their rule that tenants must return keys to receive their deposit back, confirming that every tenant who lived in flat 3A has always returned the keys. Answer Explanation: The answer "A" means that the owner confirms with certainty ("YES, DEFINITELY") that all the past tenants returned their keys. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because when Simon asks whether previous tenants still hold keys to the flat, the owner clearly states that they are very strict about key returns and that past renters of flat 3A "have always done so." This directly confirms that all previous tenants handed back their keys. |
| Q7 | C | OWNER: Well the apartment's on the third, yes, but the storeroom's a little way away, just past the second door to the right. Under the stairs, in fact. SIMON: But it's on the same floor, isn't it? OWNER: Yes, it is | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the owner confirming that the apartment is on the third floor, and then agreeing that the storeroom is on that exact same floor. Answer Explanation: The answer means the storeroom is located on the third floor. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the owner states that the apartment (flat 3A) is on the third floor. Simon then asks if the storeroom is on the same floor as the apartment, and the owner confirms by saying, "Yes, it is." Therefore, the storeroom is on the third floor. |
| Q8 | B | OWNER: I suppose it depends what you mean by hot, but it's at a constant 60 degrees | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states directly from the flat owner that the water temperature is maintained at 60 degrees. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the temperature of the hot water in the flat is 60 degrees. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because when Simon asks if the water is really hot, the owner replies that it stays at a "constant 60 degrees." The owner adds that it used to be set at 55 degrees before they increased it, which confirms that 60 degrees is the current temperature. |
| Q9 | C | SIMON: And the garden? OWNER: That's much bigger. About 150 square metres | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states clearly that when Simon asks about the garden, the owner replies that it is about 150 square metres in size. Answer Explanation: The answer choice C means that the size of the garden is 150 square metres (150 m²). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Simon specifically asks about the size of the garden, and the owner answers that it is "About 150 square metres". The other numbers mentioned refer to different things: 20 square metres is the size of the yard, and 90 is the age of Mr. Collins or the number of TV channels. |
| Q10 | B | OWNER: It's 70 centimetres wide, I think. No, sorry, that was the old one. This one's 80 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the owner correcting the screen size from 70 centimetres to 80 centimetres for the current TV. Answer Explanation: The answer choice B means that the television screen has a width of 80 centimetres. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because when Simon asks about the TV screen size, the owner first thinks it is 70 centimetres, but immediately corrects themselves by explaining that 70 was the old television and the current one is 80 centimetres wide. The number ninety mentioned right after refers to the channels, not the size. |
Transcript
SIMON: Hello, this is Simon Marshall. I spoke to you the other day about renting flat 3A.
OWNER: Oh yes, hello Simon. What can I do for you?
SIMON: Well, there are a few health and safety things I'd like to run through if that's OK.
OWNER: Yes, fine.
SIMON: Right, well the first thing, bearing in mind it's quite an old house, is whether there's any damp. I'm thinking here of the exterior walls, and the floor.
OWNER: Well, I've never known any problems with damp there. It was all right last time I checked, certainly – though that was before the recent wet weather. I'd better have another look and get back to you on that.
SIMON: OK. Now the next thing is the gas supply. Do you have a safety certificate? A current one that is.
OWNER: We do. All the gas appliances have been checked by a registered engineer.
SIMON: Yes, I was going to ask about that. When did they actually do the inspection?
OWNER: Let me think ... they sent an engineer to check something early last year, but, no, that wasn't the inspection ... Oh I remember now, it was in the Spring. In fact I've got the certificate here somewhere ... yes, that's it: March 22nd, so it's just over five months ago.
SIMON: And the electricity. When was the last time all the wiring was inspected? I know it doesn't have to be checked as often as the gas, but it's still important, especially in older properties.
OWNER: As it happens we had an electrician in when we redecorated flat 3A. If he looked at everything then, he would have charged us for it. I'll find the bill and check it if you like.
SIMON: Fine. And when was that?
OWNER: Er ... the decorators finished just before Easter, so that would be about eighteen months ago.
SIMON: Just one more point on the electrics: are there enough plug sockets in the flat?
OWNER: It depends what you mean by 'enough' really.
SIMON: Well I've got quite a lot of electrical things – computer, radio, lamps, kitchen appliances and so on – and I'm wondering whether I could plug them all in without having cables trailing all over the place.
OWNER: I think there's one per room: that's fairly normal in older properties.
SIMON: I'll take that as a 'no' then!
OWNER: All Right.
SIMON: Now, another safety point: is there a smoke alarm?
OWNER: Yes, there's one in the kitchen.
SIMON: And is it in good working order?
OWNER: I'll have to try it out, and let you know.
SIMON: Right. Now you mentioned the previous tenants: do they, or anyone else who's lived in the flat, still have keys to the door?
OWNER: We're very strict about that. Everyone has to hand back the keys when they leave, or we don't return the deposit. And those in 3A have always done so.
SIMON: OK. Now there are a few other practical details. Firstly, you mentioned a room where people can leave things like suitcases and bags and things. Where exactly is that? Is it next to 3A, which I take it is on the third floor?
OWNER: Well the apartment's on the third, yes, but the storeroom's a little way away, just past the second door to the right. Under the stairs, in fact.
SIMON: But it's on the same floor, isn't it?
OWNER: Yes, it is.
SIMON: Fine. Now another thing I wanted to check is that there's hot water in the apartment.
OWNER: Oh yes, it runs off the central heating – that was installed back in the 70s I think – so there's a permanent supply.
SIMON: But is it really hot? Not just warm, or lukewarm.
OWNER: I suppose it depends what you mean by hot, but it's at a constant 60 degrees.
SIMON: That sounds fine.
OWNER: Yes, it used to be set at 55, but last year the tenants asked us to increase it, so we did.
SIMON: I'm glad about that! OK, now can you tell me a bit about the yard, and the garden? How big are they?
OWNER: Well the yard, at the side of the house, is about 20 square metres.
SIMON: Oh, so there's room for my motorbike, then. Actually it's only a 50 cc moped, but I like to keep it off the road at night.
OWNER: Yes, there's more than enough space there, even with all the wheelie bins.
SIMON: And the garden?
OWNER: That's much bigger. About 150 square metres.
SIMON: Who looks after it, by the way?
OWNER: Old Mr Collins. He's almost 90 but he's out there every day.
SIMON: And the last point: the TV. What size screen is it?
OWNER: It's 70 centimetres wide, I think. No, sorry, that was the old one. This one's 80. You can get ninety-odd channels on it, so I'm told.
SIMON: Really? So there's a satellite dish on the roof, is there?
OWNER: No, it's cable TV here. It doesn't cost much between everyone, though.
SIMON: That's very interesting. OK, thanks for your help. I'll be in touch again soon.
OWNER: Thank you. Bye for now.
SIMON: Bye.