REQUEST FOR COMMERCIAL LEASE - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Simulation Tests Academic Listening Test 04 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
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Questions
Questions 1–6 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
REQUEST FOR COMMERCIAL LEASE
Name: Mr R. Rich
Company: ICT Industries
Preferred location: 1
Near: 2
Size: 3
Number of staff: 4
Special needs: 5 access
parking for mobility scooter
Moving date: during month of 6
Questions 7–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Requirements:
- Good lift access
- Large lobby
- Removal of some 7
- 8 too small—make bigger
- Change office near entry to storeroom
- New:
- paintwork
- lights
- blinds
- 9
- Minimum length of lease 10 (with right of renewal)
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | city centre / city center | As we've got to move anyway, I think the city centre is where we want to be—right in the heart of things | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Mr Rich explicitly choosing the "city centre" as the location where his company wants to move. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the middle or downtown part of a city where there is a lot of activity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Mr Rich's response when asked about his preferred location. When the agent asks whether he prefers the suburbs, the city, or the outskirts, Mr Rich states clearly that the "city centre" is where they want their new office to be. |
| Q2 | transport centre / transport center | MR RICH: Yes, somewhere in the vicinity of the main transport centre because I have a large staff and car parking in the city is terribly expensive | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Mr. Rich explaining that he wants the new office to be close to the main transport centre. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the main public transport hub or station area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "transport centre" because Mr. Rich specifically mentions that he wants the office to be located "in the vicinity of" (which means "near") the main transport centre, so his staff will not need to drive cars. |
| Q3 | 12 000 square metres / 12,000 square metres / 12 000 square meters / 12,000 square meters | AGENT: Exactly what size premises are you looking for? MR RICH: Good question. Something more than the 10,000 square metres we have at present should do it. AGENT: Shall we say 12,000 square metres? MR RICH: That's probably about right. Yes, I think that would meet our needs |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking how big the office should be. After Mr Rich mentions they need more than their current 10,000 square metres, the agent proposes 12,000 square metres, which Mr Rich accepts as the right size. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the size of the office space they need is 12,000 square metres. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 12,000 square metres because when the agent asks about the size of the premises, Mr Rich says they need more than 10,000 square metres. The agent then suggests 12,000 square metres, and Mr Rich agrees, confirming that this size would meet their needs. |
| Q4 | forty / 40 | AGENT: Just how many employees do you have to accommodate? MR RICH: Forty in all | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking how many employees need a place to work, and Mr. Rich replies that there are forty in total. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the company has a total of 40 workers or staff members. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the agent asks Mr. Rich how many employees need space in the new office. Mr. Rich directly answers that there are forty staff members in total. |
| Q5 | wheelchair | MR RICH: Yes, actually, there is one in a wheelchair who'll need suitable access and another who can walk just a few paces—she uses a mobility scooter, so we'd need to make sure all facilities, especially toilet facilities, were suitable and accessible and we'd also need to be either on the ground floor or to find a secure place by the lifts for Mrs Jackson to park her scooter | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that one employee uses a wheelchair and needs appropriate entry and movement access around the building. Answer Explanation: The answer "wheelchair" refers to a special chair with wheels used by people who cannot walk. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "wheelchair" because when the agent asks about extra requirements or special needs for employees with disabilities, Mr. Rich mentions that one staff member uses a "wheelchair" and will require "suitable access". Therefore, "wheelchair" completes the phrase "wheelchair access". |
| Q6 | July | AGENT: Shall we say signed up by the 1st of July and moved by the end of that month? MR RICH: Definitely | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent proposing to finalize the agreement on July 1st and finish moving by the end of July, and Mr. Rich confirms this schedule. Answer Explanation: The answer "July" refers to the calendar month in which the company plans to complete its relocation to the new office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "July" because the agent asks if they should plan to have the lease signed by the 1st of July and finish moving by the end of that same month. Mr. Rich agrees completely with "Definitely", confirming that the move will happen during July. |
| Q7 | walls / partitions | MR RICH: Oh, I don't know, there are too many small offices. Would we be able to take out a few of these walls and make bigger work areas? AGENT: I don't see why not—most of them are just partitions—obviously load-bearing walls can't be touched but there aren't many of those to worry about | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Mr Rich asking if they can remove some walls to make larger workspaces, and the agent replying that it is fine because most of them are just partitions (temporary dividing walls). Answer Explanation: The answer means removing dividing barriers or dividers inside the office to create more open space. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "walls/partitions" because Mr Rich asks if they can "take out a few of these walls" to create larger work areas. The agent confirms that this is possible because most of them are "partitions". The phrase "take out" directly matches the word "Removal" in the notes. |
| Q8 | kitchen | AGENT: Come this way—this is the kitchen. MR RICH: Oh, it's a bit poky; we'd need to enlarge it somehow | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent showing the kitchen to Mr. Rich, who reacts by saying it is too small (poky) and needs to be made larger (enlarge it). Answer Explanation: The answer is the room used for cooking and preparing food, which is the "kitchen". Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "kitchen" because Mr. Rich mentions that this area is "a bit poky" (meaning too small or cramped) and says that they need to "enlarge it somehow" (meaning make it bigger). Therefore, the item that is too small and needs to be made bigger is the kitchen. |
| Q9 | carpet | I think all the light fittings would have to be modernized, those broken blinds have to be replaced and this old blue carpet definitely has to go | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Mr Rich stating that the lights need modernizing, the broken blinds need replacement, and the old blue carpet must be removed and replaced. Answer Explanation: The answer "carpet" refers to a thick floor covering that needs to be replaced with a new one in the office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Mr Rich lists the redecorations needed for the office space. Under the list of things that need renewing or replacing alongside paint, modernized lights, and replaced blinds, he states that the "old blue carpet definitely has to go," meaning a new carpet is required. |
| Q10 | 3 years / three years | Well, generally in the city leases are never less than three years | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent explaining that rental contracts in the city have a minimum length of three years. Answer Explanation: The answer means the shortest rental agreement allowed is 3 years. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 3 years because the agent states that leases in the city are never less than three years, meaning the minimum duration of the contract is three years. |
Transcript
AGENT: Ah, good morning, Mr Rich, isn't it?
MR RICH: That's right; Raymond Rich of ICT Industries.
AGENT: ICT Industries. Just a moment while I put that on the form. Now, you're looking for new office space, is that right?
MR RICH: Yes, our present lease is due to expire soon and as the company is expanding anyway we need to find somewhere to move to.
AGENT: Do you prefer the suburbs, the city or a commercial zone on the outskirts?
MR RICH: Well, currently we're in a very pleasant suburb but as I said we've outgrown that building. As we've got to move anyway, I think the city centre is where we want to be—right in the heart of things.
AGENT: I see, anywhere in particular?
MR RICH: Yes, somewhere in the vicinity of the main transport centre because I have a large staff and car parking in the city is terribly expensive. I think it would be a good idea if we didn't use our cars at all.
AGENT: Exactly what size premises are you looking for?
MR RICH: Good question. Something more than the 10,000 square metres we have at present should do it.
AGENT: Shall we say...12,000 square metres?
MR RICH: That's probably about right. Yes, I think that would meet our needs.
AGENT: Just how many employees do you have to accommodate?
MR RICH: Forty in all. But only fourteen will have their own offices. The rest will be in open-plan shared offices.
AGENT: Oh, I forgot to ask—do any of your employees have extra requirements? Will we need to consider people with disabilities?
MR RICH: Yes, actually, there is one in a wheelchair who'll need suitable access and another who can walk just a few paces—she uses a mobility scooter, so we'd need to make sure all facilities, especially toilet facilities, were suitable and accessible and we'd also need to be either on the ground floor or to find a secure place by the lifts for Mrs Jackson to park her scooter.
AGENT: I'll need to keep that in mind when I come up with property for you to look at. Now, when are you thinking of moving?
MR RICH: Well, our current lease expires in August so we'd like to have the move completed by then of course.
AGENT: Well, there is a very suitable property that I have in mind here in the city but the owners want a lease signed by the end of this month, May.
MR RICH: Ooh, too early I'm afraid. I'd be ready to sign up by the end of June though.
AGENT: Shall we say signed up by the 1st of July and moved by the end of that month?
MR RICH: Definitely.
AGENT: Well, I'll keep your requirements in mind and let you know when something comes up. Wait a minute... there is vacant office space on the tenth floor of this very building. Would you care to take a look? It has only just become available but I haven't started marketing it yet because it's in need of a bit of a makeover. The floor area is about the right size...
MR RICH: Good, let's see it then.
AGENT: Well, what do you think? Elevator access is great and the lobby area is roomy enough for that disability vehicle you were telling me about.
MR RICH: Oh, I don't know, there are too many small offices. Would we be able to take out a few of these walls and make bigger work areas?
AGENT: I don't see why not—most of them are just partitions—obviously load-bearing walls can't be touched but there aren't many of those to worry about.
MR RICH: What about kitchen and dining facilities? We like our staff to feel comfortable eating at work—if they go out for lunch, it often leads to extended lunch hours and lost time.
AGENT: Come this way—this is the kitchen.
MR RICH: Oh, it's a bit poky; we'd need to enlarge it somehow. What's behind the wall here?
AGENT: That's just a storeroom. You could take out that wall and expand into that space.
MR RICH: Then what would we do for a storeroom?
AGENT: Ah, well, see that tiny office near the entrance? It has no external windows or natural light—it would make an ideal storeroom.
MR RICH: Yes, you're right. The whole place is a bit dilapidated—obviously in need of that redecoration you were talking about—and I don't just mean a coat of new paint. I think all the light fittings would have to be modernized, those broken blinds have to be replaced and this old blue carpet definitely has to go.
AGENT: I agree. That's something we can negotiate with the owner. But...overall, do you think it would fit your requirements?
MR RICH: Well, you haven't given me any indication of what the lease would cost but before we get into that, what are the terms of the lease concerning length of tenancy?
AGENT: Well, generally in the city leases are never less than three years.
MR RICH: Oh? I mean we don't mind signing up for that period of time initially but we don't necessarily want to have to move after that—we've been in our last place for ten years, you know.
AGENT: Well, the usual agreement is a three by three by two—that's a contract for three years with entitlement to extension for three years and then another two years after that. But let me speak to the owner first.
MR RICH: Mmm...and one more thing: we have to consider the time frame—remember my current lease is due to expire in August.
AGENT: Well, with reliable contractors, it shouldn't take more than a couple of months to do the necessary refit...