Things To Do Before We Go - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Things to do before we go
Example
• Collect the currency.
- Cancel appointment with the 1 (Monday)
- Begin taking the 2 (Tuesday)
- Buy
3 ,
a small bag,
a spare 4 ,
an electrical 5 .
- Book a 6 .
Instructions for Laura's mum
- Feed the cat
Vet's details:
Name: Colin 7
Tel: 8
Address: Fore Street (opposite the 9 )
- Water the plants
- Meet the heating engineer on 10 .
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | hairdresser | Laura: Yes, the hairdresser. Thanks for reminding me. Can you write that down too? The shop will be closed now, but I'll do it first thing on Monday | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura agreeing that she needs to cancel an appointment. She specifically names the 'hairdresser' as the place she needs to call on Monday. Answer Explanation: The answer is the person who cuts or styles hair, whom Laura needs to call to stop her scheduled visit. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hairdresser' because Tim asks Laura if she has an appointment she needs to cancel. Laura confirms it is for the hairdresser and notes that she will take care of it on Monday morning. |
| Q2 | tablets | Tim: Okay. Then starting on Tuesday, we've got to take the tablets we got from the pharmacy. We really mustn't forget to do that. We're not protected against malaria until we've been taking them for at least seven days | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tim explaining that they need to start using their medicine beginning on Tuesday so that it can protect them during their holiday. Answer Explanation: The answer 'tablets' refers to the medicine or pills that Tim and Laura need to swallow before their trip to stay healthy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'tablets' because Tim clearly states that they must start taking these on Tuesday. He mentions that they received them from the pharmacy to protect them against malaria. The notes in the task ask what they should 'Begin taking' on 'Tuesday', which matches Tim's instructions exactly. |
| Q3 | sunglasses | But what we do still need to get is sunglasses. The ones I've got aren't good enough, and I don’t think yours are either | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura telling Tim that they need to buy sunglasses because the ones they currently have are not of good quality. Answer Explanation: The answer is sunglasses, which is one of the items Laura and Tim identify as something they still need to purchase before their trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sunglasses' because Laura explicitly states that they 'still need to get' them. During their discussion about shopping for the holiday, Tim suggests buying sunblock, but Laura clarifies that she has already bought that. She then points out that both of their current pairs of sunglasses are not good enough, making it a necessary item to buy. This corresponds with the list in the notes under the 'Buy' section. |
| Q4 | lock | Laura: Should we get an extra lock for our suitcase as well? Just in case the one we've got breaks. They don't seem to last long. Tim: Yes, they are a bit flimsy. Okay, right | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura suggesting that they buy another lock for their luggage. Tim thinks this is a good idea because the locks they have are not very strong. Answer Explanation: The answer is a 'lock', which is a small metal tool used to keep a bag or suitcase closed and safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'lock' because during the conversation about what to buy, Laura asks if they should get an 'extra' one for their suitcase. She worries that the current one might break. Tim agrees with her suggestion. In the notes provided in the task, the word 'extra' is replaced with the synonym 'spare', which means the same thing. |
| Q5 | adaptor / adapter | Oh yes, and we need an adapter for our electrical things. Your hairdryer and my shaver. The plugs on them are bound to be the wrong type | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tim explaining that they need an adapter so they can use their electric tools because the shape of the plugs will not fit the sockets in the country they are visiting. Answer Explanation: The answer "adaptor/adapter" refers to a small device that allows you to plug your electronics (like a phone charger or a hairdryer) into a power socket that has a different shape than the one you have at home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "adaptor" or "adapter" because Tim identifies it as a necessary item to buy for their electrical things. He notes that the plugs on the items they are bringing, such as the hairdryer and shaver, will most likely be the "wrong type" for the sockets where they are going. Tim confirms he is writing this item on the list of things to buy before they leave. Keywords include "electrical things," "plugs," and "wrong type." |
| Q6 | taxi | But we also need to order a taxi to take us to the airport | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura telling Tim that they must call and reserve a taxi so they can get to the airport easily with their luggage. Answer Explanation: The answer means they need to reserve a car to drive them to the airport for their trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "taxi" because Laura identifies this as an important task to do before their holiday. She says they need to order one early so they don't have to take the train with heavy bags like her sister did. The word "order" used by Laura in the transcript means the same thing as "book" listed in the notes. |
| Q7 | Jefferey | His name's Colin Jeffrey Actually, it's J-E-double F-R-E-Y |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura telling Tim the vet's full name and then carefully spelling out the last name to ensure he writes it correctly. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Jefferey', the last name of the veterinarian (the animal doctor). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Tim asks for information about the vet who will look after their cat. Laura says the name is 'Colin Jeffrey'. Because Tim is unsure of how to write it, Laura spells it out letter by letter, saying 'J-E-double F-R-E-Y'. Even though'Jefferey' in the notes has a small spelling difference compared to most common forms, the audio clearly provides a spelling for Tim to write down. The keyword 'spelled' helps identify this part of the conversation. |
| Q8 | 0777594128 | Laura: 0-triple-7, 594, 128. It's a mobile | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura giving the mobile phone number for the vet, which consists of the digits 0777594128. Answer Explanation: The answer is the veterinarian's phone number. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when Tim asks for the vet's phone number. Laura responds by saying '0-triple-7, 594, 128'. In English, when saying strings of numbers, 'triple' means a digit is repeated three times. Therefore, '0-triple-7' is written as 0777. Combined with the rest of the digits she says, the full telephone number is 0777594128. |
| Q9 | church | That's not a very good landmark, but it's on the other side of the road to the church. So I'll tell her that. Let's hope she won't need a vet anyway | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tim giving directions to the vet's office. He explains that it is located across the street from the church to help Laura's mother find the right place. Answer Explanation: The answer "church" is a building where people go for religious meetings. In this conversation, it is used as a landmark to help find the animal doctor's (vet's) office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "church" because Tim describes the location of the vet's office by its position relative to this building. He mentions it is 'on the other side of the road to the church.' In English, the phrase 'on the other side of the road' is a synonym for 'opposite,' which is the word used in the notes. |
| Q10 | 30th April / 30 April / April 30 / April 30th | And the earliest date I could get an appointment was April the 30th | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Laura stating that April 30th is the first day she was able to schedule the worker to come and fix the boiler. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific date when the person who fixes the heating (the engineer) will come to the house, which is April 30th. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when Laura mentions the appointment she made for the heating engineer. She explains that the first available time they could visit was 'April the 30th'. Since Laura and Tim leave for their trip on the 29th, her mother will be the one to meet the engineer on that date. Keywords to notice are 'heating engineer', 'appointment', and the date 'April the 30th'. |
Transcript
Narrator: Test 4, section 1. You will hear a man called Tim and a woman called Laura discussing preparations for their holiday. First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6. You will see that there is an example which has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
Laura: Our plane tickets arrived this morning. It reminded me how much there is to do before we go.
Tim: Let's write everything down, shall we, so we don't forget anything?
Laura: Yes. And last time we went away, we almost forgot to collect our currency from the bank. So let's start with that.
Narrator: Laura says that they should collect their currency. So currency has been written in the space. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen, because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.
Laura: Our plane tickets arrived this morning. It reminded me how much there is to do before we go.
Tim: Let's write everything down, shall we, so we don't forget anything?
Laura: Yes. And last time we went away, we almost forgot to collect our currency from the bank. So let's start with that.
Tim: Good thinking. And wasn't there an appointment you said you'd got to cancel?
Laura: Yes, the hairdresser. Thanks for reminding me. Can you write that down too? The shop will be closed now, but I'll do it first thing on Monday.
Tim: Okay. Then starting on Tuesday, we've got to take the tablets we got from the pharmacy. We really mustn't forget to do that. We're not protected against malaria until we've been taking them for at least seven days.
Laura: No, so that's really important.
Tim: And what about shopping? There's still a few things we've got to buy the next time we're in town. We need some more sunblock, don't we? We've only got that factor 10 stuff. It won't be strong enough.
Laura: I've already bought that. But what we do still need to get is sunglasses. The ones I've got aren't good enough, and I don’t think yours are either.
Tim: Okay, I've noted that down. And I think I'm going to get another bag too, just a small one. We always seem to come back with more things than we take.
Laura: Should we get an extra lock for our suitcase as well? Just in case the one we've got breaks. They don't seem to last long.
Tim: Yes, they are a bit flimsy. Okay, right. Oh yes, and we need an adapter for our electrical things. Your hairdryer and my shaver. The plugs on them are bound to be the wrong type.
Laura: We could get one at the airport. They always have them there.
Tim: Well, I'd rather get it beforehand, so I'm writing it down. And then I think that's it, isn't it?
Laura: I think so, as far as shopping's concerned. But we also need to order a taxi to take us to the airport. We should do that well in advance. My sister left it too late and she had to take the train with that huge suitcase of hers.
Tim: I know, she really struggled with it.
Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10. Now listen and answer questions 7 to 10.
Tim: Now let's see. Your mother said she'd come in regularly while we're away. So what do we want her to do? I'll write some instructions and we can give them to her tomorrow.
Laura: Good idea. Well, the cat's the main thing.
Tim: Okay, feed the cat.
Laura: We ought to leave her the vet's details as well, just in case there's a problem.
Tim: Yes, have you got them handy?
Laura: Hang on, I'm just looking. Yes. His name's Colin Jeffrey.
Tim: Is that spelled with a G?
Laura: Actually, it's J-E-double F-R-E-Y. Quite an unusual spelling, isn't it?
Tim: Hmm. And his number?
Laura: 0-triple-7, 594, 128. It's a mobile.
Tim: Okay.
Laura: And you should write down where it is. It's Fore Street. Not sure what number, but it's next to the bus stop, isn't it?
Tim: That's not a very good landmark, but it's on the other side of the road to the church. So I'll tell her that. Let's hope she won't need a vet anyway.
Laura: Yes. Right, apart from that, there are the plants to water. Ask her to make sure they don't dry out.
Tim: Oh yes. And I've already mentioned the problem with the boiler and your mom said she'd come round to meet the heating engineer and let him in.
Laura: Yes, it's a lot for her to do, but we really need to get the problem sorted out. And the earliest date I could get an appointment was April the 30th.
Tim: Isn't it the day after we go?
Laura: Yes, we leave on the 29th, and she'll have to hang around till the job's finished.
Tim: Oh well, she won't mind, I'm sure. She likes helping people out.
Laura: Yes, she does. Okay, that's it then, I think. Unless you can think of anything else.
Tim: Not at the moment. Leave the list there and I'll add to it.
Narrator: That is the end of section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers. Now turn to section 2.