Thorndyke’s Builders - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–6 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
|
THORNDYKE’S BUILDERS |
| Example
Customer heard about Thorndyke’s from a ……..friend……… |
| Name: Edith 1
Address: Flat 4, 2 Park Flats (Behind the 3) Phone number: 875934 Best time to contact customer: during the 4 Where to park: opposite entrance next to the 5 Needs full quote showing all the jobs and the 6 |
Questions 7–10 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
| Area | Work to be done | Notes |
| Kitchen | Replace the 7 in the door | Fix tomorrow |
| Paint wall above the 8 | Strip paint and plaster approximately one 9 in advance | |
| Garden | One 10 needs replacing (end of garden) |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Pargetter | It’s Edith Pargetter. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the person's name is Edith. Edith's last name is Pargetter. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Pargetter' refers to Edith's last name. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Pargetter' because it matches the last name provided in the transcript, confirming that Edith's full name is Edith Pargetter. |
| Q2 | East | No, actually it’s East Park, Flat 4. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the address is located in East Park, specifically Flat 4. Answer Explanation: The answer 'East' indicates the direction in which the location 'Park Flats' is situated. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the provided information in the excerpt as it specifies the direction of the location mentioned in the address, confirming that it is in East Park. |
| Q3 | library | Yes, it’s at the back of the library. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the location is at the back of the library. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a place where books are kept and people can borrow them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the description in the excerpt, indicating that the building is situated behind the library. 'Library' is a common term for a place where books are stored and available for borrowing, which fits the context provided in the transcript. |
| Q4 | morning / mornings | So would the best time to ring you be in the morning? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says someone is asking about the best time to call Edith. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'morning', which means the best time to call Edith is in the morning. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'morning' because the excerpt is asking about the best time to call Edith, and the excerpt also has the word 'morning' in it. |
| Q5 | postbox | Well, I always tell people in larger vehicles to park by the postbox on the other side of the road from the entrance. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a specific location, the postbox, across the road from the entrance as a reference point for parking larger vehicles. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a postbox, which is a structure in which letters and small packages can be left for collection. In this context, it is used as a landmark for parking. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'postbox' because it matches the location reference given in the excerpt, providing a clear and recognizable point for parking guidance. |
| Q6 | prices | Oh, yes, I’ll list all the jobs separately with individual prices. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the customer will provide a detailed breakdown of each job along with the prices for each job. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the amount of money needed for the jobs to be done. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the customer's statement about listing 'individual prices' for each job, indicating that a full quote will include all the jobs and their corresponding prices. |
| Q7 | glass | Firstly and most urgently is in the kitchen. With all the weather damage, the glass in the door has cracked and I’d need that fixing … | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the glass in the kitchen door is broken and needs fixing due to weather damage. Answer Explanation: The answer 'glass' refers to the material that needs to be replaced in the kitchen door. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'glass' because the excerpt specifically mentions the need to fix the glass in the kitchen door, which fits the context of a cracked glass needing replacement. |
| Q8 | cooker | Just the area over the cooker. It’s very greasy … | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that Edith wants to paint the wall above the cooker because it is very dirty with grease. Answer Explanation: The answer 'cooker' refers to the place where food is cooked in the kitchen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cooker' because Edith specifically mentions painting the wall above the cooker since it is greasy. This shows that the area needing paint is indeed located above the cooker. |
| Q9 | week | Well, if you want a proper job done what I’d need to do is strip the old paint and plaster it about a week before I paint it. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that in order to do a good job, the person needs to remove the old paint and plaster the wall approximately one week before painting it. Answer Explanation: The answer 'week' means 'a period of seven days', which indicates the specific time frame mentioned in the excerpt. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'week' because it directly corresponds to the timeframe of one week mentioned in the excerpt. By plastering the wall a week in advance, it allows enough time for the work to be properly completed before painting. |
| Q10 | fence | Well, I’d like you to replace a fence. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a piece of the garden structure that needs to be replaced. Answer Explanation: The answer provided refers to the specific item that needs to be replaced, which is a fence. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the request made in the excerpt, which is to replace a fence in the garden, aligning perfectly with the information provided. |
Transcript
MR THORNDYKE: Thorndyke’s
EDITH: Good morning. Is that Mr Thorndyke?
MR THORNDYKE: Speaking. How can I help?
EDITH: I’ve got quite a few things which need painting and fixing in the flat and I wonder whether you’d be able to do the work.
MR THORNDYKE: I’m sure I’d be able to help but let me take down a few details.
EDITH: Yes, of course.
MR THORNDYKE: Well, firstly, how did you hear about us?
EDITH: It was my friend May Hampton … you did some excellent work for her a couple of years ago. Do you remember?
MR THORNDYKE: Oh, yes, that was in West Park Flats, lovely lady.
EDITH: Yes, she is.
MR THORNDYKE: And what’s your name, please?
EDITH: It’s Edith Pargetter.
MR THORNDYKE: Edith … can you spell your surname, please?
EDITH: It’s P-A-R-G-E-double T-E-R.
MR THORNDYKE: Double T, right. And do you live in West Park Flats as well?
EDITH: No, actually it’s East Park, Flat 4.
MR THORNDYKE: Oh, right, that’s over the road, I seem to remember – quite difficult to get to.
EDITH: Yes, it’s at the back of the library.
MR THORNDYKE: Right, I know. And what’s your phone number?
EDITH: 875934 but I’m out a great deal in the afternoons and evenings.
MR THORNDYKE: So would the best time to ring you be in the morning?
EDITH: Yes.
MR THORNDYKE: Fine. I’ve made a note of that. Can I just ask, I’ll be in a van and I know parking’s rather difficult round your flats. Where would you recommend?
EDITH: Well, I always tell people in larger vehicles to park by the postbox on the other side of the road from the entrance.
MR THORNDYKE: Good, thanks.
EDITH: And will you be able to give me a full itemised quote?
MR THORNDYKE: Oh, yes, I’ll list all the jobs separately with individual prices.
EDITH: That’d be a great help.
MR THORNDYKE: No problem.
——————————
MR THORNDYKE: Now, what would you like me to do?
EDITH: Firstly and most urgently is in the kitchen. With all the weather damage, the glass in the door has cracked and I’d need that fixing …
MR THORNDYKE: I presume you mean replacing?
EDITH: Oh, yes. And as soon as possible …
MR THORNDYKE: What I’ll do is come round tomorrow morning and do that immediately.
EDITH: Thank you so much. The other things aren’t so urgent but …
MR THORNDYKE: Now, I’ll make a note of everything you want doing.
EDITH: Well, in the kitchen I’d like some painting doing.
MR THORNDYKE: All the kitchen walls?
EDITH: Just the area over the cooker. It’s very greasy …
MR THORNDYKE: Right … it does tend to get that way!
EDITH: Yes!
MR THORNDYKE: Well, if you want a proper job done what I’d need to do is strip the old paint and plaster it about a week before I paint it.
EDITH: Of course. Now, May tells me you also do work in the garden.
MR THORNDYKE: That’s right.
EDITH: Well, I’d like you to replace a fence.
MR THORNDYKE: Just one?
EDITH: Yes, at the far end.
MR THORNDYKE: Fine. Shouldn’t be a problem.
EDITH: And that’s the lot.
MR THORNDYKE: Fine. Yeah, as I say I can come round tomorrow morning to look over things with you.
EDITH: That’s great, thank you.
MR THORNDYKE: So, I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow at …