Short Stay Accommodation - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Simulation Tests Academic Listening Test 01 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION
Example
Family Name: Mackinlay
First Name: 1
Country of Origin: 2
Date of Arrival: 3
Number of Tenants: 4
Length of Stay: 2 weeks
Purpose of Visit: 5
Type of Accommodation: 6
Number of Bedrooms: one or two
Car Parking: off-street and 7
General Area: near the beach
Other Requirements: near 8
Name of Town: 9
Client's Email: smac13@hotmail.com
Price Range: up to $10 a week
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Sylvia | AGENT: Thank you. And your first name is Sylvia? SYLVIA: Yes. AGENT: Is that with an 'i' or a 'y'? SYLVIA: A 'y'—the old fashioned way. That's S-Y-L-V-I-A | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking Sylvia to confirm her first name and the spelling, and Sylvia confirms that her first name is spelled S-Y-L-V-I-A. Answer Explanation: The answer is the client's first name, which is Sylvia. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Sylvia because when the agent asks for her first name, she confirms it and spells it out as "S-Y-L-V-I-A". |
| Q2 | England | AGENT: Thank you, Miss Mackinlay. Now, just for our records, can you tell me what country you live in? SYLVIA: Of course—it's England actually | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the accommodation agent asking Sylvia what country she lives in, and Sylvia clearly answers that she lives in England. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the customer's home country is England. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Sylvia's response when the agent asks which country she lives in for their records. Sylvia directly replies, "it's England actually." In the context of filling out a form for accommodation, "country you live in" corresponds directly to "Country of Origin." |
| Q3 | 26th of July / 26th July / July 26th / 26 July / July 26 | SYLVIA: Well, at the moment we're planning on arriving on July 26th. AGENT: Ooh, the 25th, that's the last day of the public holiday and it might be difficult to find something available on that date. SYLVIA: No, we're coming on the 26th of July | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sylvia saying that they plan to arrive on July 26th and repeating that they are coming on the 26th of July after the agent misunderstood the date. Answer Explanation: The answer is the date when Sylvia and her sister will arrive, which is July 26th (or the 26th of July). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is July 26th (or 26th of July) because Sylvia clearly states their arrival date when the agent asks when they are coming. Although the agent mishears it as the 25th, Sylvia immediately corrects him and confirms that they are coming on the 26th of July. |
| Q4 | two / 2 | AGENT: How many of you will there be? SYLVIA: Just my sister and myself | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking how many people there will be, and Sylvia replying that only her sister and she will stay there. Answer Explanation: The answer means there will be 2 people staying in the accommodation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "two" (or "2") because when the agent asks Sylvia how many people will be coming, she answers that it is only her sister and herself. This means the total number of tenants is two. |
| Q5 | on holiday / a holiday / holiday | AGENT: So, you're not coming on business then? SYLVIA: No, it's just a holiday | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking if the trip is for work, and Sylvia clarifying that she is only coming for a vacation. Answer Explanation: The answer "(on) holiday" means that the purpose or reason for the person's trip is for vacation and rest, not for work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(on) holiday" because when the agent asks Sylvia if she is traveling for business ("you're not coming on business then?"), she confirms that the purpose of her visit is purely for leisure by answering, "No, it's just a holiday." |
| Q6 | an apartment / apartment | AGENT: Good. Now, what exactly are you looking for? A house, a duplex or an apartment? SYLVIA: What's a duplex? AGENT: Oh, that's what you might call a townhouse or a unit—you know, two houses semi-detached on the same property. SYLVIA: Oh, I see. I think an apartment will suit us just fine | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking Sylvia what style of home she wants to rent, and Sylvia replies that an apartment will be the best choice for them. Answer Explanation: The answer "apartment" refers to a set of rooms for living in, located within a larger building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "apartment" because when the agent asks Sylvia what type of accommodation she is looking for (a house, a duplex, or an apartment), she explicitly states that an "apartment" will suit them just fine. |
| Q7 | secure | I think as long as it's not parked on the street and it's secure there shouldn't be any problems | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that as long as the rental car is kept off the road and in a safe (secure) place, it will meet their needs. Answer Explanation: The answer "secure" means safe and protected from danger or theft. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "secure" because when asked about car parking, Sylvia specifies her requirements: the car should not be parked on the street (matching the form's "off-street") and it must be "secure". |
| Q8 | the motorway / motorway / the M1 / M1 / motorway access | SYLVIA: No, none of that really matters to us but we'd like to have reasonable access to the motorway so that we can drive up to Brisbane to visit friends there | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sylvia explaining that other things are not important, but being able to get onto the motorway easily is a requirement because she wants to drive to visit friends. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the customer needs the accommodation to be close to the main highway, which is called the motorway or the M1. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the conversation where the agent asks Sylvia about other necessities or requirements. Sylvia answers that shopping malls or theme parks do not matter, but they want "reasonable access to the motorway" so they can easily drive to Brisbane. Later, the agent also refers to this road as the "M 1". Therefore, "motorway", "the motorway", "M1", or "motorway access" is the correct requirement. |
| Q9 | Palm Beach | AGENT: Well, not really, the M 1 is actually closest to Palm Beach and prices are likely to be more reasonable there too. SYLVIA: That's settled then, Palm Beach it is | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent stating that Palm Beach is closest to the motorway (M1) and has good prices, and Sylvia decides that Palm Beach is the place she chooses. Answer Explanation: The answer is the town called Palm Beach. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Palm Beach because the agent suggests this area after Sylvia asks for a location close to the motorway with reasonable prices. Sylvia agrees by saying, "That's settled then, Palm Beach it is." |
| Q10 | 1 500 / 1,500 | AGENT: Could you stretch that to 1500 a week? I've got a property in mind that you'll absolutely love but you'd have to go to 1500—1200 wouldn't cover it. SYLVIA: Alright, then. But that's our top limit | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking if Sylvia can raise her weekly budget to 1500, and Sylvia agrees, noting that 1500 is the highest amount she can pay. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number 1500 (one thousand five hundred). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 1500 because Sylvia asks if they can find accommodation for $1,200 per week, but the agent suggests increasing it to 1,500 for a suitable place. Sylvia agrees, stating that 1,500 is their "top limit" (meaning the maximum price range up to that amount per week). |
Transcript
AGENT: Good morning. Ace Accommodation; how can I help you?
SYLVIA: Good morning. I'd like to organize some short stay accommodation on the Gold Coast, please.
AGENT: Certainly. Who am I speaking to?
SYLVIA: Miss Mackinlay. Sylvia Mackinlay.
AGENT: Could you spell your family name for me please?
SYLVIA: It's M-A-C-K-I-N-L-A-Y.
AGENT: Thank you. And your first name is Sylvia?
SYLVIA: Yes.
AGENT: Is that with an 'i' or a 'y'?
SYLVIA: A 'y'—the old fashioned way. That's S-Y-L-V-I-A.
AGENT: Thank you, Miss Mackinlay. Now, just for our records, can you tell me what country you live in?
SYLVIA: Of course—it's England actually.
AGENT: I thought so. Now, when are you coming?
SYLVIA: Well, at the moment we're planning on arriving on July 26th.
AGENT: Ooh, the 25th, that's the last day of the public holiday and it might be difficult to find something available on that date.
SYLVIA: No, we're coming on the 26th of July.
AGENT: Oh, well that's fine then. We'll have lots of good places vacant by then although you wouldn't be able to move in until late afternoon because our cleaning crew will need time to get everything ready for you.
SYLVIA: That suits us—our flight won't get in until early evening anyway.
AGENT: How many of you will there be?
SYLVIA: Just my sister and myself.
AGENT: And how long do you intend to stay for?
SYLVIA: Oh, only a couple of weeks, we'd like to stay longer but we'll have to get back to work.
AGENT: So, you're not coming on business then?
SYLVIA: No, it's just a holiday. Why? What difference does that make?
AGENT: Oh, you'd be surprised. Business people have different needs—you know, wireless internet, even fax machines and photocopiers.
SYLVIA: No, we won't need any of that stuff—we'll be coming to relax, and get away from all that kind of thing.
AGENT: Good. Now, what exactly are you looking for? A house, a duplex or an apartment?
SYLVIA: What's a duplex?
AGENT: Oh, that's what you might call a townhouse or a unit—you know, two houses semi-detached on the same property.
SYLVIA: Oh, I see. I think an apartment will suit us just fine.
AGENT: And how many bedrooms? Two?
SYLVIA: One or two—it depends on the size. My sister and I don't mind sharing if it's a decent size bedroom with two beds.
AGENT: Well, that makes it easier.
AGENT: And car parking? Will you require a lock-up garage? They're a little harder to find with an apartment.
SYLVIA: We'll have a hire car and as far as I know there are no regulations concerning car parking. I think as long as it's not parked on the street and it's secure there shouldn't be any problems.
AGENT: Okay. Now, I'm assuming you want something by the beach?
SYLVIA: Yes, that's the idea. We want to enjoy the surf, sand and sunshine.
AGENT: Okay, but before we settle on an area and discuss your price range, I'll need to know about other necessities.
SYLVIA: What do you mean?
AGENT: Well, for example, do you want to be close to a shopping mall or the casino or the fun parks? Or do you want to be in a complex with or near a swimming pool?
SYLVIA: No, none of that really matters to us but we'd like to have reasonable access to the motorway so that we can drive up to Brisbane to visit friends there.
AGENT: Well, there are quite a few lovely small towns to choose from. There's Main Beach which is north of Surfers' Paradise or Mermaid Waters which is a bit further south or Palm Beach which is quite a bit further south?
SYLVIA: Mermaid Waters sounds delightful. Is it close to the motorway?
AGENT: Well, not really, the M 1 is actually closest to Palm Beach and prices are likely to be more reasonable there too.
SYLVIA: That's settled then, Palm Beach it is.
AGENT: Now, if you'll just give me your email address, I can send you information about the town and lots of photos.
SYLVIA: Well, my email is S-M-A-C 13 at hotmail dot com.
AGENT: And, one final thing, how much are you looking to spend per week on accommodation? Do you want something at the luxury end of the market—you know, newly redecorated, great views, all the mod cons ...
SYLVIA: Not necessarily. Could we get something clean, comfortable and reasonable for $1200 a week?
AGENT: Could you stretch that to 1500 a week? I've got a property in mind that you'll absolutely love but you'd have to go to 1500—1200 wouldn't cover it.
SYLVIA: Alright, then. But that's our top limit.
AGENT: Good. I'll get on to this straight away and there should be something in your inbox shortly.