Tourism Survey - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 2 Academic Listening Test 1 · 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.
Tourism Survey
Example
Name: Robert Goddard
Destination: Melbourne
Total number of visits: 1
Best thing about the city: 2
Favourite attraction: 3
Best thing about the destination’s dining options: 4 of food
Method of transport to destination: by 5
Age group: 6
Income level: 7
Purpose of visit: on business
8
Occupation: 9
• writer for a travel magazine
Opinion of cost of accommodation: 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 3 times / three times | Was this your first visit to Melbourne? MAN: No, I have actually been there twice before | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that when the woman asks if it is his first trip, Robert says no and explains that he has visited the city two times in the past. Including the trip he is currently discussing, that makes three times in total. Answer Explanation: The answer means Robert has visited the city of Melbourne a total of three times. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 3 (or three times) because the man is being interviewed about his most recent vacation. When asked if it was his first time in Melbourne, he replies that he has visited "twice before." This calculation (one current trip plus two previous trips) equals a total of three visits. The word "twice" means two times. |
| Q2 | amazing weather / weather | Well, I did like seeing the exotic wildlife, and there are great sites to see, but I have to say I was most impressed by the amazing weather | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the man liked many things, but the weather was the thing that he felt was the best or most special part of his trip. Answer Explanation: The answer is the weather. This word describes the air conditions outside, like if it is sunny or raining. 'Amazing' is used here to say the weather was very good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is weather because the man says it was the part of the trip that he liked best. While he liked the animals and the tourist spots, he says he was 'most impressed' by the weather, which means it was his favorite thing about Melbourne. |
| Q3 | Town Hall | First I saw the theatre, which was beautifully designed. It was not nearly as cool as the Town Hall though – the building is a huge part of Melbourne's history. Definitely my favourite | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Robert comparing the theatre to the Town Hall. He explains that the Town Hall is a more interesting building with a lot of history, and he explicitly calls it his favorite. Answer Explanation: The answer is Town Hall, which is a specific famous building that Robert liked the most out of all the places he went to see. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Town Hall because when the interviewer asks which site was his favorite, Robert compares a few places. Although he liked the theatre, he says it was not as good as the Town Hall. He mentions that the Town Hall is a very important part of the city's history and clearly states, "Definitely my favourite." This matches the label "Favourite attraction" on the form. |
| Q4 | variety | Being such an international city, I loved the variety - I could find any type of food I wanted. Whether I wanted seafood, burgers, or anything else, you name it and they had it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the man liked the food because there were so many different choices, like seafood and burgers, and he could find whatever he was looking for. Answer Explanation: The answer "variety" means that the traveler liked having many different types of food to choose from while in Melbourne. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "variety" because when the interviewer asks what he enjoyed most about the food, the man explicitly mentions the "variety." He explains that because the city is international, he could find any kind of meal he wanted. The word "variety" fits perfectly in the blank space "[input] of food" on the form. |
| Q5 | plane | No, I flew. I thought about going by train, but in the interest of time I decided to go by plane | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the man did not drive or take a train. Instead, he chose to go by plane to save time. Answer Explanation: The answer "plane" means that the man travelled to Melbourne using an airplane. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "plane" because the man directly states his method of travel. He mentions that he "flew" and specifically decided to go "by plane" because it would be faster than a train. Key synonyms or related words to look for are "flew" and "plane." |
| Q6 | over 40 / older than 40 | Actually though, I just turned 41 last week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the man is 41 years old, which means he is older than 40. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the group of people who are more than 40 years old. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the man's actual age. When asked if he is under 20, between 20 and 40, or older than 40, he explains that he recently celebrated his 41st birthday. Since 41 is more than 40, he belongs to the 'over 40' age group. |
| Q7 | mid-range | I would love to have a budget that high. I'm more in the mid-range income level | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man explaining that he doesn't have a very large budget for travel and clearly states he is at a medium level of income. Answer Explanation: The answer "mid-range" means that the person is in the middle group of people who earn money — not making a lot, but also not making very little. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "mid-range" because the man directly tells the woman about his salary level. When she asks if he flew in a very expensive seat (first class), he says he does not have that much money and describes himself as being in the "mid-range income level." Keywords to pay attention to are "mid-range" and "income level." |
| Q8 | tourism | I had to go there on business a lot before and decided I would go there for tourism this time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man explaining that although he visited for work in the past, he chose to visit as a tourist for this particular vacation. Answer Explanation: The answer tourism means the man visited Melbourne for travel and fun rather than for work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is tourism because the man compares his previous trips to his most recent one. He mentions that he used to go to Melbourne for business (work), but for this specific visit, he chose to go for tourism (leisure or sightseeing). |
| Q9 | computer programmer | I am mainly a computer programmer. I also write for a travel magazine on the side, which is why I visited Melbourne before, but it's not my main source of income | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man explaining his two jobs. He says his main job is a computer programmer, while writing for a magazine is a smaller job he does 'on the side'. Answer Explanation: The answer is the man's main job, which involves writing instructions for computers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the woman asks the man about his job. He answers that he is primarily a computer programmer. Although he also writes for a travel magazine, he explains that it is just a side job and not his main job. |
| Q10 | good value | My hotel was good value | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man giving his opinion about his stay, directly stating that the hotel's cost was good for what he got. Answer Explanation: The answer "good value" means the price of the hotel was fair and worth the money for what the traveler received. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "good value" because the man uses this exact phrase to describe his hotel stay. He explains that staying in the city is often expensive, but he was happy to find a "good price" considering the hotel's quality and location. This implies that the cost of the accommodation was worth it, which is the definition of value. |
Transcript
MAN: Hello?
WOMAN: Hi, good morning, this is Talia from Parrot Bay Travel Agency. Is Robert Goddard there?
MAN: Yes, speaking.
WOMAN: I'm so sorry that I made such an early phone call, and I'm calling to ask a few questions about your most recent vacation – could I have five minutes of your time?
MAN: Sure thing.
WOMAN: Great, thanks. Now, I see here that you visited Melbourne. Was this your first visit to Melbourne?
MAN: No, I have actually been there twice before.
WOMAN: I see. Now, what would you say was your favorite part about Melbourne?
MAN: Well, I did like seeing the exotic wildlife, and there are great sites to see, but I have to say I was most impressed by the amazing weather.
WOMAN: Yeah, the weather there is amazing. Which of the sites listed as part of our official tour did you see, and of those, which was your favorite?
MAN: First I saw the theatre, which was beautifully designed. It was not nearly as cool as the Town Hall though – the building is a huge part of Melbourne's history. Definitely my favourite. I saw the aquarium too, but wasn't too impressed.
WOMAN: I see. Yes, people often have great reviews of Town Hall. Now I would like to ask you about your dining experience. Did you enjoy the food there?
MAN: Absolutely - I loved it!
WOMAN: I'm glad to hear it. Could you tell me a little bit about what you most enjoyed about the food?
MAN: Being such an international city, I loved the variety - I could find any type of food I wanted. Whether I wanted seafood, burgers, or anything else, you name it and they had it.
WOMAN: Did you drive to Melbourne?
MAN: No, I flew. I thought about going by train, but in the interest of time I decided to go by plane.
WOMAN: Right, I see.
WOMAN: And would you mind telling me whether you are under 20, between the ages of 20 and 40, or older than 40?
MAN: Er, it would be nice if I were still under 20. My vacation probably would have been quite different. Actually though, I just turned 41 last week.
WOMAN: Oh, happy birthday! So did you treat yourself and fly first class?
MAN: Ha! No way. I would love to have a budget that high. I'm more in the mid-range income level. I wasn't always though - I spent much of my life in a low-income household.
WOMAN: I see. That answers my next question then, of income level. And what was the purpose of this visit?
MAN: I had to go there on business a lot before and decided I would go there for tourism this time.
WOMAN: I see. And what is your occupation?
MAN: I am mainly a computer programmer. I also write for a travel magazine on the side, which is why I visited Melbourne before, but it's not my main source of income.
WOMAN: I see. Wow, it sounds like you work a lot!
MAN: Yes, I am very busy, which is exactly why I took a nice week-long vacation to Melbourne.
WOMAN: I completely agree. Would you care to comment on your accommodation?
MAN: My hotel was good value. Staying in the city can get really expensive, so it was nice to find such a good price for the location and quality. I'm glad I didn't end up in some cheap motel in the middle of nowhere.
WOMAN: I'm glad you didn't either. Well, thank you for taking part in our survey, and I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation!
MAN: No problem. Take care!