Reporting a Stolen Briefcase - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 01 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–5 One Choice
Circle the appropriate letter.
Questions 6–10 Form Completion
Complete the form Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
PERSONAL DETAILS FORM
Name: Mary 6
Address: Flat 2, 7, 8 Road
Canterbury
Telephone: 9
Estimated value of lost item: £ 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | A | it's a soft leather one, you know, not a heavy box-type like a man's. and how does it close?W: It's got buckles at the front two of them They're gold-plated ones |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript records the woman explaining that her bag is a soft leather style (not a hard box) and that it features two gold buckles on the front side. Answer Explanation: The answer is Picture A, which shows the briefcase that matches the woman's description. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by the specific physical details the woman provides. She describes her briefcase as being made of "soft leather" rather than being a hard, box-shaped case. Most importantly, she mentions that it has "two" gold-plated "buckles" on the "front". These specific characteristics – the material and the number/placement of the buckles – are used to identify the correct image among the choices. |
| Q2 | C | W: Only the brand name.P: And where's that? W: It's on the back at the bottom in the left-hand corner. It's Sagi. Oh and there's a scratch it's quite bad but small directly above the brand name |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman describing the location of the special marks on her briefcase. She says the name 'Sagi' is on the bottom left corner of the back, and a scratch is located right above it. Answer Explanation: The answer is Picture C, which shows the special marks that help identify the briefcase. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the woman describes two specific features on the back of the briefcase. First, she mentions the brand name 'Sagi' is located at the bottom in the left-hand corner. Second, she says there is a scratch directly above that name. Picture C is the only choice that shows the brand name in the bottom left corner with a scratch right above it. |
| Q3 | D | Well all my papers from college. It's so frustrating but, thank goodness for computers, I haven't lost them completely!P: Yes, you're lucky.W: I had my wallet in my pocket so I didn't lose that but there were also my pens which I got for my birthday and a novel I was planning to read on the train | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman listing her college papers as the first item inside. She then explains that her wallet was safe in her pocket, but her pens and a book (novel) were indeed inside the briefcase when it was taken. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the items inside the stolen briefcase were the woman's school papers, her pens, and a book (called a novel). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because, in the conversation, the woman lists exactly what was inside her briefcase. She first mentions having all her papers from college inside. She then clarifies that her wallet was actually in her pocket, meaning it was not stolen. Finally, she adds that her birthday pens and a novel were also in the briefcase. This confirms that the contents were papers, pens, and a novel. |
| Q4 | D | I was standing on the platform it was right next to me I'd just put it down on the floor but I could almost feel it beside me |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman explaining that she was on a platform and had placed her briefcase on the ground next to where she was standing. Answer Explanation: The answer is picture D, which shows the woman at a transit station. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is picture D because the woman says she was 'standing on the platform' when her bag was stolen. She explains that she was waiting for her 'tram' or 'train' and had placed the briefcase on the 'floor' right 'beside' her, which helps identify the correct scene. |
| Q5 | C | it must have been about 5.20 no a bit later. I'd say 5.30 because it was just getting crowded and the train normally comes at about twenty-five to six |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman thinking about the time. She decides that 5:30 is the correct time because the platform was becoming full of people and her train was due to arrive in a few minutes at 5:35. Answer Explanation: The answer is 5:30. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the woman's final estimation of when her bag went missing. Although she first mentions 5:20, she quickly corrects herself and says 5:30. She remembers this because the train station was getting crowded with many people, and her train normally arrives shortly after that time at 5:35 (known as 'twenty-five to six'). |
| Q6 | Prescott | P: What name is it?W: I'm Mary Prescott.P: Can you spell that?W: Yes, it's P-R E-S-C-O-T-T | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the police officer asking for the woman's name, and she replies by saying her full name and then spelling her last name so the officer can write it down correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name of the woman who is reporting her stolen bag. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Prescott because, during the conversation, the police officer asks for the woman's name. She identifies herself as Mary Prescott. To be very clear, she also spells out her last name (Prescott) letter by letter. Using keywords like 'name' and 'spell' in the text helps identify this specific detail. |
| Q7 | 41 | W: Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman reciting her address. The number "41" is the specific house number on "Fountain Road" where she lives. Answer Explanation: The answer 41 is the building or house number in the woman's home address. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 41 because the woman provides her full home address to the police officer. She states her flat number, the specific building number, the name of the street, and the city. In English addresses, the building number usually comes right before the street name. |
| Q8 | Fountain | W: Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury.P: Fountain Road | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the moment Mary provides her personal address, specifically naming Fountain Road as the place where her flat is located. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the street where Mary Prescott lives. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the woman states her home address to the police officer. She identifies the street as Fountain Road, and the officer repeats the name back to her to make sure he wrote it down correctly. |
| Q9 | 752239 | P: And have you got a contact telephone number?W: Yes, it's 7-5 double 2-3-9 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the officer asking for a way to get in touch by phone, and Mary says her number using the word 'double' to indicate two of the same number. Answer Explanation: The answer 752239 is the phone number Mary Prescott gives so the police can call her. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 752239 because the police officer asks for a 'contact telephone number.' Mary answers with the numbers 7 and 5, then 'double 2' (which means 2 twice, or 22), then 3 and 9. Combining these numbers gives 752239. |
| Q10 | 65 | P: One last question — what would you say the value of your briefcase is?W: Including the contents?P: Yes, Just a rough estimate is fine.W: I'm not sure. Well, the briefcase itself is quite new; I bought it last month for £40. I suppose about £65. The contents are worth about 20 or 25 pounds at least | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the officer asking Mary for the price of the bag. Mary asks if she should count the items inside as well. When the officer says yes, she calculates that the bag and items together are worth about £65. Answer Explanation: The answer is the total amount of money Mary thinks her briefcase and everything inside it are worth. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 65 because the police officer wants a rough estimate (an approximate total) of the briefcase's value, including what is inside (the contents). Mary says the bag itself was £40 and the items inside are worth at least £20 or £25. Putting these together, she gives the final number of £65. |
Transcript
R: Good evening, City Police Station. Can I help you?
W: Oh hello, I'd like to report a stolen briefcase, please.
R: Just a minute and I'll put you through.
P: Lost property. Can I help you?
W: Oh, yes. I've had my briefcase stolen.
P: OK … I'll take some details … Tell me what it looks like, first of all.
W: Well … it's a soft leather one, you know, not a heavy box-type like a man's.
P: Mmm … and how does it close?
W: It's got buckles at the front ... two of them They're gold-plated ones.
P: Fine … Was it locked?
W: No, I'm afraid not.
P: Never mind. Any distinguishing features?
W: Pardon?
P: Any marks or badges on it that make it stand out?
W: Only the brand name.
P: And where's that?
W: It's on the back … at the bottom in the left-hand corner. It's Sagi. Oh and there's a scratch … it's quite bad but small … directly above the brand name. I did it recently putting it on my bike.
P: Right, got that. So, what did you have inside the briefcase?
W: Well all my papers from college. It's so frustrating but, thank goodness for computers, I haven't lost them completely!
P: Yes, you're lucky.
W: I had my wallet in my pocket so I didn't lose that but there were also my pens which I got for my birthday and a novel I was planning to read on the train.
P: Right. Where exactly did you lose the briefcase?
W: Well … I couldn't believe it. I was standing on the platform … it was right next to me.
P: You were holding it?
W: I'd just put it down on the floor but I could almost feel it beside me. I was watching for my tram because sometimes it comes early and then next time I looked, my briefcase wasn't there.
P: And what time was this?
W: Ah … it was … it must have been about 5.20 … no a bit later. I'd say 5.30 because it was just getting crowded and the train normally comes at about twenty-five to six.
P: Right, if you'll just give me some personal details ...
W: Yes.
P: What name is it?
W: I'm Mary Prescott.
P: Can you spell that?
W: Yes, it's P-R E-S-C-O-T-T.
P: And your address?
W: Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury.
P: Fountain Road.
W: Yes, number 41.
P: And have you got a contact telephone number?
W: Yes, it's 7-5 double 2-3-9.
P: 7-5-double 239. Fine. One last question — what would you say the value of your briefcase is?
W: Including the contents?
P: Yes, Just a rough estimate is fine.
W: I'm not sure. Well, the briefcase itself is quite new; I bought it last month for £40. I suppose about £65. The contents are worth about 20 or 25 pounds at least.
P: That's fine. Well, if you could come down to the station tomorrow, you can sign this form and have a look at what we've got here.
W: OK, thanks. 'Bye.
P: Goodbye.