Stretton Festival - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 11 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–7 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer
| Event | Cost | Venue | Notes |
| Jazz band | Example
Tickets available for £ …..15….. |
The 1 school | Also appearing: Carolyn Hart (plays the 2) |
| Duck races | £1 per duck | Start behind the 3 | Prize: tickets for 4 held at the end of the festival.
Ducks can be bought in the 5 |
| Flower show | Free | 6 Hall | Prizes presented at 5 pm by a well-known 7 |
Questions 8–10 Matching
Who is each play suitable for?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to Questions
A mainly for children
B mainly for adults
C suitable for people of all ages
Plays
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | secondary | Yes, that’s right, the secondary school. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about the name of the school being the secondary school. It is referring to the type of school being talked about in the conversation. Answer Explanation: The answer points to a type of school known as a secondary school. You are understanding that the event is taking place at a specific type of educational institution. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches with the information in the excerpt where the specific school mentioned is referred to as 'secondary school'. This shows that the event is happening at a school that is not primary but secondary in education levels. |
| Q2 | flute | Yes the flute. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a musical instrument called the flute. Answer Explanation: The answer 'flute' refers to a type of musical instrument. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the musical instrument mentioned in the excerpt, which is the flute. In this context, the answer is correct because it aligns with the topic of the conversation and provides the missing information for the input field in the table related to the musician Carolyn Hart's instrument ('… Also appearing: Carolyn Hart (plays the flute) ...'). |
| Q3 | cinema | All the ducks will be launched into the river at the back of the cinema | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that all the ducks will be released into the river located at the back of the cinema. Answer Explanation: The answer 'cinema' refers to a place where films are shown on a big screen. It is a type of entertainment venue where people watch movies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cinema' because it fits the context of the excerpt where the ducks are being launched into the river behind a place associated with showing movies, which is a cinema. This is supported by the relationship between launching ducks and the location provided in the event description. |
| Q4 | concert | Yes, the first duck in each race to arrive at the finishing line wins its owner free tickets for the concert on the last night of the festival. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a race where the first duck to reach the finish line wins its owner free tickets for a music performance at the end of the festival. Answer Explanation: The answer 'concert' refers to a music show or performance that the winner of the duck race receives tickets for. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'concert' because it matches the type of event the winner gets tickets for, as mentioned in the excerpt about winning free tickets for a concert on the last night of the festival. |
| Q5 | market | They’re on sale at a stall in the market | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the tickets are being sold at a table in the market, likely a designated area for buying and selling goods. Answer Explanation: The answer 'market' refers to a place where goods are bought and sold by different vendors, often set up in a designated area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'market' because it aligns with the concept of goods being sold at a place where various vendors gather to sell their products, as described in the excerpt about tickets being sold at a stall in the market. |
| Q6 | Bythwaite | Well, admission is free, and the show is being held in Bythwaite Hall. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that there is no cost to enter, and the event is happening at Bythwaite Hall. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Bythwaite' is the name of the hall where the flower show is taking place. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the location mentioned in the excerpt, indicating that the flower show is indeed held at Bythwaite Hall. This is supported by the information that admission is free, aligning with the typical practice of holding free events at venues like halls. |
| Q7 | actor | The prizes are being given by a famous actor, Kevin Shapless | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the prizes are being given by a famous actor named Kevin Shapless. This means a person who acts in movies or plays is presenting the prizes. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'actor'. This means a person who performs in front of an audience, like in films or theater. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'actor' because the excerpt mentions that the prizes at the flower show will be presented by a well-known actor. This fits with what we need for the notes in the table. |
| Q8 | A | That’s aimed at five to ten-year-olds. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the play is meant for children between the ages of five and ten. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the play 'The Mystery of Muldoon' is mainly suitable for children. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' (mainly for children) because the excerpt explicitly states that the play is aimed at five to ten-year-olds, suggesting it is intended for a younger audience. |
| Q9 | B | If you’d like something for yourself and your husband and leave your children with a babysitter, you might like to see ‘Fire and Flood’ | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is suggesting that if you want to go to a play with your husband and not bring your children, you may enjoy watching 'Fire and Flood'. Answer Explanation: The answer 'B' means that 'Fire and Flood' is mainly suitable for adults. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt implies that it's a good choice for adults who may want to have a night out without their children. This suggests that the play is likely more catered towards adult themes and audience preferences. |
| Q10 | C | That’s a comedy, and it’s for young and old. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that "Silly Sailor" is a comedy. It also says that the play is for "young and old." Answer Explanation: The answer says that "Silly Sailor" is suitable for people of all ages. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "C" because the excerpt says that the play is for "young and old." This means it's suitable for both children and adults, making it suitable for everyone. |
Transcript
ROB: Good morning. Stretton Festival box office. How can I help you?
MELANIE: Oh, hello. My family and I are on holiday on the area, and we’ve seen some posters about the festival this week. Could you tell me about some of the events, please?
ROB: Of course.
MELANIE: First of all, are there still tickets available for the jazz band on Saturday?
ROB: There are, but only £15. The £12 seats have all been sold.
MELANIE: OK. And the venue is the school, isn’t it?
ROB: Yes, that’s right, the secondary school. Make sure you don’t go to the primary school by mistake! And there’s an additional performer who isn’t mentioned on the posters – Carolyn Hart is going to play with the band.
MELANIE: Oh, I think I’ve heard her on the radio. Doesn’t she play the oboe, or flute or something?
ROB: Yes the flute. She usually plays with symphony orchestras, and apparently this is her first time with a jazz band.
MELANIE: Well, I’d certainly like to hear her. Then the next thing I want to ask about is the duck races – I saw a poster beside a river. What are they, exactly?
ROB: Well, you buy a yellow plastic duck – or as many as you like – they’re a pound each. And you write your name on each one. There’ll be several races, depending on the number of ducks taking part. And John Stevens, a champion swimmer who lives locally, is going to start the races. All the ducks will be launched into the river at the back of the cinema, then they’ll float along the river for 500 metres, as far as the railway bridge.
MELANIE: And are there any prizes?
ROB: Yes, the first duck in each race to arrive at the finishing line wins its owner free tickets for the concert on the last night of the festival.
MELANIE: You said you can buy a duck? I’m sure my children will both want one.
ROB: They’re on sale at a stall in the market. You can’t miss it – it’s got an enormous sign showing a couple of ducks.
MELANIE: OK. I’ll go there this afternoon. I remember walking past there yesterday. Now could you tell me something about the flower show, please?
ROB: Well, admission is free, and the show is being held in Bythwaite Hall.
MELANIE: Sorry, how do you spell that?
ROB: B-Y-T-H-W-A-I-T-E. Bythwaite.
MELANIE: Is it easy to find? I’m no very familiar with the town yet.
ROB: Oh, you won’t have any problem. It’s right in the centre of Stretton. It’s the only old building in the town, so it’s easy to recognise.
MELANIE: I know it. I presume it’s open all day.
ROB: Yes, but if you’d like to see the prizes being awarded for the best flowers, you’ll need to be there at 5 o’clock. The prizes are being given by a famous actor, Kevin Shapless. He lives nearby and gets involved in a lot of community events.
MELANIE: Gosh, I’ve seen him on TV. I’ll definitely go to the prize-giving.
ROB: Right.
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MELANIE: I’ve seen a list of plays that are being performed this week, and I’d like to know which are suitable for my children, and which ones my husband and I might go to.
ROB: How old are your children?
MELANIE: Five and seven. What about ‘The Mystery of Muldoon’?
ROB: That’s aimed at five to ten-year-olds.
MELANIE: So if I take my children, I can expect them to enjoy it more than I do?
ROB: I think so. If you’d like something for yourself and your husband and leave your children with a babysitter, you might like to see ‘Fire and Flood’ – it’s about events that really happened in Stretton two hundred years ago, and children might find it rather frightening.
MELANIE: Oh, thanks for the warning. And finally, what about ‘Silly Sailor’?
ROB: That’s a comedy, and it’s for young and old. In fact, it won an award in the Stretton Drama Festival a couple of months ago.
MELANIE: OK. Well, goodbye, and thanks for all the information. I’m looking forward to the festival!
ROB: Goodbye.