Sea Life Centre - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–17 Short Answers
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Questions 18–20 Matching
What does the guide say about each attraction?
Choose THREE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-E, next to Questions 18-20.
A. Aquarium
B. Crocodile Cave
C. Penguin Park
D. Seal Centre
E. Turtle Town
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | World of Water | We are not called World of Water any more – since the beginning of this summer we've been renamed, and we've also made a few other changes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the center used to have the name World of Water, but they changed it to a new name at the start of this summer. Answer Explanation: The answer is World of Water, which was the old name of the center before it was changed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is World of Water because the speaker explains that the center's name is different now. The word 'previously' in the question means 'before' or 'in the past.' In the transcript, the speaker says they are 'not called World of Water any more' and that they have been 'renamed.' This confirms that World of Water was the name used in the past. |
| Q12 | the splash ride / splash ride | and the latest thing that we have – and it was only finished last week – is the splash ride | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the "latest thing" (the newest part) is the "splash ride." It also says it was finished very recently, "only... last week." Answer Explanation: The answer is the splash ride, which is a new place to visit at the center where you might get spray from the water. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'the splash ride' because the speaker describes it as the 'latest thing' they have. In English, 'latest' means the most recent or newest. The speaker also notes it was finished only one week ago, proving it is the newest attraction. |
| Q13 | at noon / noon / at midday / midday / at twelve o'clock / twelve o'clock / at twelve pm / twelve pm | We used to have the main feeding time in the afternoon at around 3 pm but we found that some of the animals got a bit hungry waiting until then and so we now have it at noon | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because the animals got hungry waiting for their old feeding time, the center moved the feeding time to noon. Answer Explanation: The answer means the animals get their food at 12 o'clock in the middle of the day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker explains that the schedule for feeding the animals has changed. While they used to feed them at 3 pm, they now do it at noon so the animals don't get too hungry. In English, 'noon' is a word for 12:00 pm or midday. |
| Q14 | feed the sharks / feed sharks | It's called a VIP ticket. The VIP ticket costs an extra £2 per person and you will be amazed at what it allows you to do. With this you'll be allowed to feed the sharks | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the special VIP ticket gives you the chance to give food to the sharks. Answer Explanation: The answer means you can give food to the sharks if you buy a special ticket called a VIP ticket. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'feed (the) sharks' because the speaker describes a new 'VIP ticket' and explains exactly what people can do with it. The speaker says this ticket 'allows' you to 'feed the sharks,' which means you can give them food. They also mention it is a 'great experience' and 'perfectly safe.' |
| Q15 | a birthday party / birthday party | Speaking of friends, I'd just like to remind you that the Sea Life Centre will be more than happy to organise a birthday party for you and your family and friends | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the center is happy to help you plan an event to celebrate your birthday. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the center can help you have a party for your special birth day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is clear when the speaker says the center is happy to organize or arrange a birthday party for guests and their families. To organize means to plan or arrange an event. |
| Q16 | the government / government | Once we have over 5,000 signatures we are planning to send it to the government in the hope that more people will begin to take it seriously | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that after the centre gets 5,000 people to sign their names to the list, they will send that list to the people who run the country. Answer Explanation: The answer is the group of people who lead and make important decisions for a country. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'government' because the speaker at the Sea Life Centre explains that they are helping with animal conservation. This means they are trying to protect animals that are in danger of dying out, or extinction. To help, they are collecting signatures for a petition (a formal letter signed by many people) to give to the country's leaders so they will take the problem seriously. |
| Q17 | the quiz / a quiz / quiz | At all the attractions there is helpful information so please read as much as you can and, if you want to see what you've remembered, please do the quiz after your visit | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there is a lot of information to read at the attractions. It says that if visitors want to see how much they can remember, they should do the quiz at the end of their visit. Answer Explanation: The answer means you can take part in a quiz to see what information you remember from the trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker suggests that visitors take a quiz after their tour to check their knowledge. The transcript uses the word 'remembered' as a synonym for what a person has 'learnt' (learned). Participation in this activity is for testing one's memory of the facts found at the centre. |
| Q18 | E | Of course, there are the old favourites like the Aquarium and the Crocodile Cave but if you don't have time to see everything make sure you visit Turtle Town, which is beyond the Aquarium and the Seal Centre | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while there are many popular places to see, the visitors should definitely go to Turtle Town if they only have time for a few things. Answer Explanation: The answer E is Turtle Town. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the guide tells the visitors that if they lack the time to see all the attractions, they should definitely go to Turtle Town. The phrase "make sure you visit" is a way of saying that something is a "must not miss" experience because it is very special. |
| Q19 | C | I also have to apologise for the Penguin Park. This has needed some urgent work to be done and so will not be open for the next week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that visitors cannot go to the Penguin Park because it needs repair work, so it will stay shut for the coming week. Answer Explanation: The answer C refers to the Penguin Park, which is the attraction that is currently closed to visitors. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the guide mentions that the Penguin Park will not be open for some time. The phrase 'not be open' is a synonym for 'closed.' The guide explains that it is closed because it needs 'urgent work,' which means repairs that must be done quickly. Since it is only closed for a short time ('the next week'), the closure is 'temporary.' |
| Q20 | B | But today we're expecting a lot of people to want to see the Crocodile Cave as a couple of eggs have hatched out. So expect delays there | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people want to visit the Crocodile Cave today because some baby crocodiles were recently born. Because it is so popular, people will have to wait for a long time to see it. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Crocodile Cave because visitors should expect a long wait to enter this area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the guide explains that many people are visiting the Crocodile Cave today to see the newly hatched eggs. Because of this high interest, he warns the visitors to "expect delays," which is another way of saying there will be large queues or long lines of people waiting to get in. |
Transcript
OK – so hi everybody and welcome to the Sea Life Centre. Before you start on your tour I'd just like to give you some information about things to look out for as you go. Well first of all, I guess some of you may have been here before and may be surprised to see the name has changed. We are not called World of Water any more – since the beginning of this summer we've been renamed, and we've also made a few other changes. However, the main attractions like the aquarium, the crocodiles, the penguins and so on are still here. But we have a new restaurant and picnic area and the latest thing that we have – and it was only finished last week – is the splash ride. This is an exciting new area of the centre and is pretty scary and of course you do get a bit wet so make sure you're not wearing your best clothes!
As I said, the main attractions are still here and the most popular thing that everyone wants to see is feeding time, especially for the crocodiles and the seals. We used to have the main feeding time in the afternoon at around 3 pm but we found that some of the animals got a bit hungry waiting until then and so we now have it at noon. They seem much happier with the new time – although it's a bit difficult to know what they're thinking!
Now – I'd like to mention something new that we've introduced this year that we're very excited about. It's called a VIP ticket. The VIP ticket costs an extra £2 per person and you will be amazed at what it allows you to do. With this you'll be allowed to feed the sharks. Now I know that for some people this might be quite a frightening thing to do, but it is perfectly safe. For those of you who are a bit unsure, we do have a video you can watch to see what happens. It's a great experience and your friends will be very impressed!
Speaking of friends, I'd just like to remind you that the Sea Life Centre will be more than happy to organise a birthday party for you and your family and friends. If you need more details you can speak to me afterwards and there are also forms at the entrance that you can fill in.
I'd also like to bring your attention to the good work that the Sea Life Centre is doing in support of animal conservation. I am sure you're all aware of the worrying situation with a large number of species facing extinction. Here at the Sea Life Centre we're taking action by asking as many people as possible to sign a petition. Once we have over 5,000 signatures we are planning to send it to the government in the hope that more people will begin to take it seriously.
Right – well there's obviously a lot going on at the Centre, and a lot of things to discover. At all the attractions there is helpful information so please read as much as you can and, if you want to see what you've remembered, please do the quiz after your visit. There are no prizes of course, but I'm sure you'll be surprised by how much you've learnt.
[pause]
So before I leave you all to start your tour, I've just got a few tips. There are a large number of attractions and you may not have time to see them all. Of course, there are the old favourites like the Aquarium and the Crocodile Cave but if you don't have time to see everything make sure you visit Turtle Town, which is beyond the Aquarium and the Seal Centre. This is very special and has a large number of endangered species, and as it's at the far corner of the Sea Life Centre it often gets overlooked. I also have to apologise for the Penguin Park. This has needed some urgent work to be done and so will not be open for the next week. We are very sorry about this but I'm sure you'll find the Seal Centre which is directly opposite it will keep you entertained just as much – if not more!
We're also very busy today as you may have noticed on your way in. Everyone starts here at the Aquarium but as it's so big, there's no waiting to get in. But today we're expecting a lot of people to want to see the Crocodile Cave as a couple of eggs have hatched out. So expect delays there and, if you like, move on to the Seal Centre first and then go back when things are quieter, towards the end of the day.
So I'll leave you now but if you have any questions I won't be far away and have a great time at the Sea Life Centre!