Traveller’s Cheques - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 1 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Example Answer
The customer is going to France for 1 week
Traveller's cheques can be replaced within 1.
Having a little cash is useful for things like 2.
The bank charges for ATM withdrawals with a 3.
Questions 4–7 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Order | Collect in branch | Home delivery |
| Monday–Thursday
Before 4 p.m. |
Next day
10 a.m. |
Next day
5 p.m. |
| Friday–Saturday
6 |
Tuesday
10 a.m. |
Tuesday
7 p.m. |
Questions 8–10 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 24 hours | If they get lost or stolen they can be replaced, usually within 24 hours | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that if your cheques are missing, the bank can give you new ones in about 24 hours. Answer Explanation: The answer "24 hours" is a period of time equal to one full day. This is how long it takes for a customer to get new traveller's cheques if their original ones are gone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "24 hours" because the cashier explains that traveller's cheques are safer than cash. This is because if the cheques are lost or stolen, the bank can "replace" them (provide new ones) very quickly, and this usually happens in one day. |
| Q2 | snacks and taxis | It's a good idea to have a small amount of cash though, for snacks and taxis, that sort of thing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the bank worker advising the woman to keep some paper money or coins for buying things like food or paying for a car journey. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to small food items and car rides that you pay for with physical money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the cashier suggests that Sandra should carry a small amount of cash in addition to her traveller's cheques. The cashier mentions snacks and taxis as specific examples of daily costs where cash is more convenient to use. |
| Q3 | debit card | No, it's debit cards that get charged for ATM withdrawals not credit cards | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the bank worker telling Sandra that the bank only adds a cost to her transaction if she uses a debit card at an ATM. Answer Explanation: The answer is a type of card that is linked to your bank account used to pay for things or take out cash. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'debit card' because the cashier explains that these specific cards have a fee (a charge) when you use them to take money out of a cash machine (ATM). This is different from credit cards, which the cashier says do not have these fees for that specific use. |
| Q4 | 2.30 / 2:30 | If you order before 2.30 between Monday and Thursday you'll have them the next day by 10.00 a.m. in the branch or if we post them to you, you'll have them by 5.00 p.m | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the bank worker telling Sandra the rules for ordering. If she orders early enough (before 2.30) on a weekday, she can get her cheques the following day. Answer Explanation: The answer 2.30 refers to the specific time (half past two) before which an order must be placed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 2.30 because the cashier explains that to receive the traveller's cheques the very next day, the order needs to be submitted before this time on any day from Monday to Thursday. This matches the table's requirement for a time limit (order before...) during the work week. |
| Q5 | 5.00 / 5 | If you order before 2.30 between Monday and Thursday you'll have them the next day by 10.00 a.m. in the branch or if we post them to you, you'll have them by 5.00 p.m | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that for orders placed early in the week, the cheques will arrive at a person's home at 5:00 p.m. the next day if they are sent through the mail. Answer Explanation: The answer 5(.00) indicates that the traveller's cheques will be delivered to the customer's home by 5:00 p.m. the following day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 5(.00) because the cashier explains that for orders made from Monday to Thursday before 2:30 p.m., if they are 'posted' (mailed) to the customer's home, they will arrive by 5:00 p.m. the next day. The word 'post' is used in the transcript to describe home delivery. |
| Q6 | anytime | Orders taken anytime on Saturday will be here in the branch at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday or delivered to your home by Tuesday at 1.30 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if a person buys traveller's cheques at any point during the day on Saturday, they will arrive at the bank or the person's house on Tuesday. Answer Explanation: The answer anytime means that there is no specific time limit or deadline to place an order on Friday or Saturday to have it ready by Tuesday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is anytime because the cashier states that orders made at any point on a Saturday will be available for pickup or home delivery on the following Tuesday. The table asks for the order time for the Friday-Saturday period, and the cashier confirms that orders placed at whatever time on Saturday follow this schedule. |
| Q7 | 1.30 / 1:30 | Orders taken anytime on Saturday will be here in the branch at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday or delivered to your home by Tuesday at 1.30 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if someone buys something on Saturday, it can be sent to their house by 1:30 on Tuesday afternoon. Answer Explanation: The answer 1.30 is the specific time in the afternoon when the cheques will arrive at a person's house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 1.30 because the cashier explains the delivery schedule for orders placed on the weekend. For orders made on a Saturday, there are two choices: picking them up at the bank branch or having them sent to a house (delivered to your home). The cashier states that home delivery for these orders happens by 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday. |
| Q8 | A | Yes, no problem. We buy them back and there are no additional charges or conditions of return | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the cashier telling Sandra that the bank will take back any cheques she doesn't spend without making her pay more money or follow special rules. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the bank will not ask for extra money if Sandra wants to return the traveller's cheques she did not use. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the cashier's explanation that there are 'no additional charges' for returning unused cheques. In English, when something has no charges or fees, it is considered 'free of charge'. Furthermore, the cashier mentions there are no 'conditions' for returning them, which means they don't have to be in a specific state or meet certain rules to be accepted back. |
| Q9 | A | No. No thank you. I still have some at home from the last holiday | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sandra refusing the offer to buy Euros because she still has some left from her last vacation. Answer Explanation: The answer means Sandra does not want to buy new Euros because she already has some at her house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Sandra tells the cashier that she does not need to order any Euros. She says she still has money left over from a previous trip she took. This means she already possesses the currency she needs for her small expenses. |
| Q10 | B | Yes. I'll be at work but my husband will be in. Is that okay | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sandra confirming that she will be at her job on Tuesday, while her husband will be at their house. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Sandra will be doing her job at her workplace on Tuesday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Sandra explicitly states her plans for Tuesday during the conversation. When the cashier explains that the traveller's cheques will be delivered to her home by 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday and requires a signature, Sandra clarifies that she will be at her job (at work). Because she is working, she also mentions that her husband will be the one at home to sign for the package instead of her. This also confirms she won't be going into the bank branch to collect them herself. |
Transcript
Cashier: Good morning, how can I help you?
Sandra: Yes, hello. I'm going away on holiday next month and I was wondering if you could give me some advice about traveller's cheques.
Cashier: Yes, of course. Where are you off to? Anywhere nice?
Sandra: To France, to Paris for a week.
Cashier: Ooh, lovely! So how many cheques would you like to order?
Sandra: Well, before I do, are they the best option, traveller's cheques?
Cashier: Well, they're certainly safer than taking cash. If they get lost or stolen they can be replaced, usually within 24 hours. It's a good idea to have a small amount of cash though, for snacks and taxis, that sort of thing.
Sandra: Yes, that's what I was thinking. What about my credit card? Are there any charges for using it abroad?
Cashier: No, it's debit cards that get charged for ATM withdrawals not credit cards. And remember anything you buy with the card might be covered by insurance so if something you buy turns out to be faulty or –
Sandra: So it's probably a good idea to do all three then – traveller's cheques, credit card ... some cash, yes?
Cashier: Yes. So how many traveller's cheques would you like?
Sandra: I was thinking about £300. How long will they take to arrive?
Cashier: It depends. If you order before 2.30 between Monday and Thursday you'll have them the next day by 10.00 a.m. in the branch or if we post them to you, you'll have them by 5.00 p.m.
Sandra: Oh, but I was hoping I could order them today?
Cashier: That's okay. Orders taken anytime on Saturday will be here in the branch at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday or delivered to your home by Tuesday at 1.30.
Sandra: Okay, that's alright. I don't mind waiting until then. Can I order them now?
Cashier: Yes. Have you got an account with us?
Sandra: Yes. Here's my credit card.
Cashier: Thanks. Let's just log in and I can place an order for you. Could you confirm your date of birth?
Sandra: 15th of the 3rd, 1975. What's the commission on the cheques, by the way?
Cashier: It's 1.5 per cent. That's pretty standard, I think you'll find.
Sandra: And what happens if I don't spend them all. Will I be able to bring them back?
Cashier: Yes, no problem. We buy them back and there are no additional charges or conditions of return. So would you like me to go ahead and place an order?
Sandra: Yes. Yes please.
Cashier: Will you be coming in to collect them?
Sandra: I don't think I'll have the chance to come into the branch on Tuesday. Could you send them to my house?
Cashier: No problem. Can I just check your address? 54 Tavistock Road?
Sandra: Yes, that's right.
Cashier: Postcode CB1 3LR?
Sandra: That's it, yes.
Cashier: Okay. So that's £300-worth of traveller's cheques.
Sandra: Yes please.
Cashier: Now what about Euros? Would you like to order any?
Sandra: No. No thank you. I still have some at home from the last holiday. I forgot to change them at the airport when we got back. I was going to give them to our daughter but I'll treat myself for a change I think.
Cashier: Good idea. So, £300 in traveller's cheques. Could I ask you to sign here to confirm the order? ... Thank you. Okay. That's done for you. Your cheques will be with you by 1.30 Tuesday. Someone will need to be at home to sign for them. Will that be okay?
Sandra: Yes. I'll be at work but my husband will be in. Is that okay?
Cashier: Yes, that's fine. Have a lovely holiday!