Tom’s Computer Maintenance - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Succeed in IELTS Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Tom's Computer Maintenance
Customer Information Form
Date: Sunday, 12th May
Reason for call: computer problem
What happened: the screen 1
Troubleshooting checklist:
[✓] restarted computer
[✓] The computer is 2 - not running on battery
Activity when the problem occurred: 3
Possible diagnosis: a virus
Anti-virus programme: 4
Appointment
Location: 5
Time scheduled for visit: 6
Street address: 14 7 Crescent, 2F3
Customer name: Sandra 8
Name on buzzer: the same as above
Fee: 9 for the first hour's work, then £40 per hour
Estimated time for job: less than 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | went blank | [Speaker 3]Okay. Can you give me a bit more information about what happened? [Speaker 4]The screen went blank | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician asking what happened to the computer, and the woman answers directly that the screen went blank. Answer Explanation: The answer "went blank" means that the computer screen suddenly lost its picture and showed nothing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "went blank" because when the technician asks the customer what happened with her computer, she clearly states that "The screen went blank." The form prompts for what happened with the words "the screen", so the missing verb phrase to complete it is "went blank". |
| Q2 | plugged in | [Speaker 3]And it's plugged in, not running on battery? [Speaker 4]Yes. [Speaker 3]Are you sure? Can you check again? [Speaker 4]Okay. [Speaker 4]Yes, it's plugged in | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician asking if the computer is connected to power rather than battery, and the caller checks and confirms that it is plugged in. Answer Explanation: The answer means connected to an electrical power supply with a power cable. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "plugged in" because the technician checks whether the computer is connected to electricity or running on battery power. The customer double-checks and confirms that the device is indeed "plugged in". |
| Q3 | on the / using the internet | [Speaker 3]No, I mean, what activity were you doing when the problem occurred? Your computer was on, I presume. You were working, right? Uh, what did you do immediately before the blank screen appeared? Were you using the internet? [Speaker 4]Yes, I was. Is it a virus | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician asking what she was doing right before the screen went blank, specifically if she was using the internet, and the woman confirms that she was. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the customer was online or browsing the web when the computer crashed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the technician asks what activity she was doing when the problem occurred, specifically asking if she was "using the internet." The customer replies, "Yes, I was." Therefore, the activity was "using the internet" (or being "on the internet"). |
| Q4 | not sure | [Speaker 3]That seems likely. Uh, what antivirus software are you using? [Speaker 4]Uh, I'm not sure. Oh, how embarrassing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician asking the woman what antivirus program she uses, and she replies that she does not know. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the customer does not know what antivirus software she has on her computer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "not sure" because the technician specifically asks the customer, "what antivirus software are you using?" to fill in the troubleshooting details. In response, she admits, "Uh, I'm not sure." Therefore, "not sure" accurately completes the form item for "Anti-virus programme". |
| Q5 | Morningside area / Morningside | [Speaker 3]Just a moment. Don't panic. Where are you located? [Speaker 4]I'm in the Morningside area | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician asking the woman for her location, and she replies that she is in the Morningside area. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the place or neighbourhood where the customer is located is named Morningside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Morningside (area) because the technician asks the customer where she is located to see if he can visit her. She answers directly that she is in the "Morningside area". In the form, the prompt is "Location:", which directly matches the question word "located". |
| Q6 | 7:45 / 7.45 | Now, I should be finished here by half past seven, so what about around seven forty-five? Is that okay | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician suggesting that he arrive at approximately 7:45. Answer Explanation: The answer is the time 7:45 (or quarter to eight in the evening). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 7:45 because the technician asks if he can visit at around "seven forty-five" ("so what about around seven forty-five?"), and the woman agrees by replying, "Oh, that's great." Therefore, 7:45 is the time scheduled for the visit. |
| Q7 | Branston | [Speaker 4]Fourteen Branston Crescent, two F three. [Speaker 3]That's B-R-A-N-I-S-T [Speaker 4]Nope, sorry. B-R-A-N-S-T-O-N Crescent |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman saying her street name is "Branston Crescent" and then clearly spelling out the letters "B-R-A-N-S-T-O-N". Answer Explanation: The answer is the street name "Branston". Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Branston" because the caller gives her street address as "Fourteen Branston Crescent". When the technician tries to spell it out incorrectly, she corrects him by spelling it as "B-R-A-N-S-T-O-N". Therefore, the missing street name before "Crescent" is "Branston". |
| Q8 | Sarrencen | Sandra Sarrencen. That's S-A-double R-E-N-C-E-N | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer saying her full name, Sandra Sarrencen, and spelling out the letters of her last name. Answer Explanation: The answer is the customer's last name, spelled "Sarrencen". Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the technician asks for the caller's name. She introduces herself as Sandra Sarrencen and explicitly spells out her surname as S-A-double R-E-N-C-E-N. |
| Q9 | 9. £60 | My call-out fee is sixty pounds, and that covers the first hour's work, and after that, the fee is forty pounds an hour | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the call-out fee is sixty pounds, which pays for the first hour of work, and each hour after that costs forty pounds. Answer Explanation: The answer is sixty pounds (£60), which is the cost for the technician to visit and do the first hour of repair work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is £60 because the technician states that his call-out fee is "sixty pounds" and explains that this amount covers the first hour of work. In the form, the blank precedes the phrase "for the first hour's work", matching the sixty-pound fee. |
| Q10 | half an hour | Honestly, though, if it takes much more than half an hour, I'll have to finish it tomorrow morning, but I doubt that will happen | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the technician explaining that the job should not take longer than half an hour. Answer Explanation: The answer "half an hour" means a period of 30 minutes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "half an hour" because the customer asks how long the technician thinks the repair will take. The technician replies that if it takes more than "half an hour", he would have to finish it the next day, but he doubts that will happen. This means he expects the job to take less than half an hour. |
Transcript
[Speaker 0]
Test three.
[Speaker 0]
You will hear a number of different recordings, and you will have to answer questions on what you hear. There will be time for you to read the instructions and questions, and you will have a chance to check your work.
[Speaker 0]
All the recordings will be played once only. The test is in four sections. At the end of the test, you will be given ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer sheet.
[Speaker 0]
Now turn to Section one.
[Speaker 1]
Section one.
[Speaker 1]
You will hear a conversation between a computer technician and a woman whose computer has crashed.
[Speaker 1]
First, you have some time to look at questions one to four.
[Speaker 2]
Pause the recording for thirty seconds.
[Speaker 1]
You will see that there is an example that has been done for you.
[Speaker 1]
On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
[Speaker 3]
Hello, Tom's Computer Maintenance. How may I help you?
[Speaker 4]
Hello. I, um, seem to have a problem with my computer. It's really inconvenient, too, because I have a deadline tomorrow I'm rushing to meet, and suddenly the screen went blank. Blue. A blank, blue screen. [sighs] I don't know if you can do something about it.
[Speaker 1]
The answer is computer problem, so the reason for the phone call has been filled in for you.
[Speaker 1]
Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time.
[Speaker 1]
Listen carefully and answer questions one to four.
[Speaker 3]
Hello, Tom's Computer Maintenance. How may I help you?
[Speaker 4]
Hello. I, um, seem to have a problem with my computer. It's really inconvenient, too, because I have a deadline tomorrow I'm rushing to meet, and suddenly the screen went blank. Blue. A blank, blue screen. [sighs] I don't know if you can do something about it.
[Speaker 3]
Ah, the dreaded blue screen. [laughs] I think I can do something about it. It's my job, after all. There are a few different scenarios, though, that could be going on with your computer. You've, uh, tried restarting it, right?
[Speaker 4]
Oh, yes. Nothing.
[Speaker 3]
And it's plugged in, not running on battery?
[Speaker 4]
Yes.
[Speaker 3]
Are you sure? Can you check again?
[Speaker 4]
Okay.
[Speaker 4]
Yes, it's plugged in.
[Speaker 3]
Okay. Can you give me a bit more information about what happened?
[Speaker 4]
The screen went blank.
[Speaker 3]
No, I mean, what activity were you doing when the problem occurred? Your computer was on, I presume. You were working, right? Uh, what did you do immediately before the blank screen appeared? Were you using the internet?
[Speaker 4]
Yes, I was. Is it a virus?
[Speaker 3]
That seems likely. Uh, what antivirus software are you using?
[Speaker 4]
Uh, I'm not sure. Oh, how embarrassing.
[Speaker 3]
Never mind. I'll have to come and have a look at your computer.
[Speaker 4]
Okay, that's great.
[Speaker 1]
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions five to ten.
[Speaker 2]
Pause the recording for thirty seconds.
[Speaker 1]
Now listen and answer questions five to ten.
[Speaker 3]
All right, uh, let's see. What about tomorrow morning about ten?
[Speaker 4]
Oh, no, that won't do, I'm afraid. I've got a very important project on the computer that absolutely must be finished and handed in by nine AM tomorrow. By ten it's too late, I'm afraid. [sighs] Can't you come now?
[Speaker 3]
Well, I'm at a job at the moment, and my wife and kids are expecting me home by eight for dinner.
[Speaker 4]
[sighs] Can you at least suggest someone else who can work? I know it's Sunday evening, but surely there's somebody. I mean, people have emergencies. I've been calling numbers in the phone book, and you're the only one out of about twelve that even answered.
[Speaker 3]
Just a moment. Don't panic. Where are you located?
[Speaker 4]
I'm in the Morningside area.
[Speaker 3]
Well, you're in luck. I have to pass your area on my way home anyway. Now, I should be finished here by half past seven, so what about around seven forty-five? Is that okay?
[Speaker 4]
Oh, that's great. Thank you.
[Speaker 3]
What's your address?
[Speaker 4]
Fourteen Branston Crescent, two F three.
[Speaker 3]
That's B-R-A-N-I-S-T...
[Speaker 4]
Nope, sorry. B-R-A-N-S-T-O-N Crescent.
[Speaker 3]
Oh, all right. And your name?
[Speaker 4]
Sandra Sarrencen. That's S-A-double R-E-N-C-E-N.
[Speaker 3]
And the name on the buzzer?
[Speaker 4]
The same.
[Speaker 3]
All right, I'll be there shortly.
[Speaker 4]
Thanks. Uh, can I ask you how much it's going to cost?
[Speaker 3]
Certainly. My call-out fee is sixty pounds, and that covers the first hour's work, and after that, the fee is forty pounds an hour.
[Speaker 4]
Oh, gosh, that's rather expensive. Mm, how long do you think it will take?
[Speaker 3]
If we're lucky, it will be fairly quick. Honestly, though, if it takes much more than half an hour, I'll have to finish it tomorrow morning, but I doubt that will happen.
[Speaker 4]
Mm, I hope not. Uh, will you take a check, or do you prefer cash?
[Speaker 3]
A check is fine.
[Speaker 4]
Okay, so I'll be waiting.
[Speaker 3]
Okay, bye.
[Speaker 1]
That is the end of Section one. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
[Speaker 2]
Pause the recording for thirty seconds.
[Speaker 1]
Now turn to Section two.