Visiting the New Baby - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–2 Form Completion
Complete the form opposite.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Birth Statistics
| Sex: | male |
| First name: | Tom |
| Surname: | Lightfoot |
| Weight: | 1 kgs |
| Length: | 2 cms |
| Colour of hair: | black |
Questions 3–5 Map Labeling
Label the map. Choose your answers from the box below. Write the appropriate letters A-E on the map.
A. State Bank | B. St George’s Hospital | C. Garage
D. Library | E. University
Questions 6–10 Table Completion
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Gift for Susan | Gift for baby | |
| What will they buy? | 6 | 7 |
| Where will they buy the gifts? | 8 | 9 |
| Approximate prices? | $15 | $10 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 4.25 / four and quarter / 4 and a quarter / 4 and quarter | He weighed four and a quarter kilos when he was born | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states the baby's weight using the phrase 'four and a quarter kilos' immediately after mentioning he is a big baby. Answer Explanation: The answer shows how much the baby weighed at birth, which was 4.25 kilograms. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Sarah describes the baby's size. She mentions that he is a big baby and explicitly states his weight as 'four and a quarter kilos'. This can be written in digits as 4.25 or 4 1/4, or in words as 'four and a quarter'. Key terms include 'weighed' and 'kilos'. |
| Q2 | 46 / forty-six | SARAH: And he’s long too, forty-six centimetres | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah stating that the baby is long and naming forty-six as the number of centimetres. Answer Explanation: The answer is the baby's measurement from head to toe, which is 46 centimeters. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is forty-six because Sarah describes the baby as being "long" and immediately gives the measurement of forty-six centimetres. In the transcript, the word "long" is used to describe the baby’s length. |
| Q3 | A / State Bank | Not exactly. It’s next to a bank. The State Bank actually. The library is opposite us, on the corner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows John explaining that his house is next to a bank named 'The State Bank' and that the library is across the street from them. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'State Bank', which is the building located right next to John's house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by John's description of his home's location. When Sarah asks if he lives next to the library, John corrects her by saying his house is actually right beside a bank called 'The State Bank'. He clarifies that the library is across the street on the corner instead of being right next to him. |
| Q4 | D / Library | Not exactly. It’s next to a bank. The State Bank actually. The library is opposite us, on the corner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library is not next to John's house, but rather on the corner across the street from it. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by the verbal directions John gives Sarah to find his house. He clarifies that while he lives next to the State Bank, the library is located directly across the street from him on the corner. |
| Q5 | C / Garage | SARAH: That’s right, and there’s a garage on the other street corner. I remember now | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah confirming the location of the garage by saying it is situated on a different corner of the street. Answer Explanation: The answer is the building labeled 'C' on the map, which is a Garage (a place where cars are kept or repaired). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the Garage because, during their conversation about where John lives, Sarah mentions its location. After John explains that his house is next to a bank and opposite a library, Sarah recalls that there is a garage on the other street corner. |
| Q6 | chocolates / box of chocolates | JOHN: Yes, but then she has to remember to water it. What about a big box of chocolates?SARAH: OK, chocolates sound fine | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows John asking if they should get a big box of chocolates for Susan. Sarah answers that chocolates are a good idea. Answer Explanation: The answer is a box of chocolates, which is the gift Sarah and John decided to buy for the mother, Susan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chocolates because John suggests buying a big box of chocolates after they decide not to buy flowers or a plant. Sarah agrees with this choice by saying it sounds fine. Keywords to look for are “what about,” which is used here to suggest an idea, and “fine,” which shows Sarah agrees with the idea. |
| Q7 | a soft toy / a toy / soft toy / toy / a teddy bear / teddy bear / a teddy / teddy / a bear / bear | SARAH: What about a soft toy of some sort?JOHN: Yes, a soft toy.SARAH: What about a teddy bear?JOHN: I could get one early tomorrow at the market and I could probably get the chocolates there too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sarah and John choosing the baby's gift. Sarah asks about getting a soft toy or a teddy bear, and John says yes, adding that he will buy it at the market the next day. Answer Explanation: The answer is a soft toy, a teddy bear, or simply a bear. This is the gift that Sarah and John decide to buy for the new baby boy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is a soft toy or teddy bear because it is the gift the two people agree on for the baby. While they discuss options like shampoo or a hat, they reject the hat because they do not know the baby's size. Sarah then suggests a 'soft toy' or 'teddy bear' as something the parents wouldn’t usually buy, and John agrees to get one at the market. |
| Q8 | at the markets / markets / at the market / market | JOHN: I could get one early tomorrow at the market and I could probably get the chocolates there too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows John offering to pick up the items they chose—the teddy bear ('one') and the chocolates—at a place called the market. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates the place where John intends to buy the teddy bear and the chocolates. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on John's response after they decide to buy a teddy bear and a box of chocolates. He mentions he can go to the market early the next day to get both gifts. The keyword 'get' implies purchasing, and 'market' is the specific location mentioned. |
| Q9 | at the markets / markets / at the market / market | I could get one early tomorrow at the market and I could probably get the chocolates there too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows John telling Sarah that he can buy the toy (the teddy bear) and the box of chocolates at the market. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the shopping area, called a market, as the place where John will buy the gifts. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "at the market" because John suggests buying both the teddy bear and the chocolates there. In the conversation, they discuss what to buy, and John offers to get the items at this specific location. |
| Q10 | 35 / thirty-five | JOHN: OK. I’d say the chocolates would be about $15 for something nice and not too small and the toy would be around $35 or so, I’d think | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows John giving his estimate of the costs for the items they plan to buy at the market. He believes the toy for the baby will cost about 35 dollars. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that the gift for the baby is expected to cost approximately 35 dollars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by listening to the discussion about the gifts and their costs. Sarah and John decide to buy a gift for Susan (the mother) and a gift for her new baby. John mentions that the first gift (chocolates) will be about $15, and the second gift (the toy for the baby) will be around $35. The term 'around' is a synonym for 'approximate,' which matches the requirement in the task table. |
Transcript
SARAH: John, I’ve just had some good news. Susan has had her baby.
JOHN: Do you know when she had it?
SARAH: Yesterday. The tenth of August.
JOHN: Oh, my father was born on August the tenth. Give me the details and I’ll make a note for everyone at work.
SARAH: OK.
JOHN: Well, was it a boy or a girl?
SARAH: It’s a boy.
JOHN: And what are they going to call him?
SARAH: Tom. Tom Lightfoot. It sounds quite good, don’t you think?
JOHN: Yes, that has quite a good ring to it.
SARAH: You know he’s quite a big baby. He weighed four and a quarter kilos when he was born. That does sound big, four and a quarter kilos.
SARAH: And he’s long too, forty-six centimetres.
JOHN: Mmmm. Tall parents. He’ll grow up to be over two metres, I’d say.
SARAH: With masses of black hair, curly black hair. You know, we should go and visit them in hospital. What about tomorrow afternoon at around 1 pm?
JOHN: Yes, OK.
SARAH: Where should we meet? ... Ah, I could come and pick you up at your house, if you like.
JOHN: Yes, that would be wonderful. My car is still off the road.
SARAH: Just refresh my memory. What’s the address again?
JOHN: It’s 15 Chesterfield Road, Paddington.
SARAH: It’s next to the library, isn’t it?
JOHN: Not exactly. It’s next to a bank. The State Bank actually. The library is opposite us, on the corner.
SARAH: That’s right, and there’s a garage on the other street corner. I remember now.
JOHN: So, you’ll pick me up at a quarter to one and we’ll be there at one easily.
SARAH: Now what should we take? We must take them something.
JOHN: I always think flowers are good to take to someone in hospital, don’t you?
SARAH: Well, not really. Everyone always brings flowers and they don’t last. I think it’s much better to take a pot plant, so she can take it home with her.
JOHN: Yes, but then she has to remember to water it. What about a big box of chocolates?
SARAH: OK, chocolates sound fine. We should get something for the baby too. What do you think?
JOHN: Yes, you’re right. What do you think of something like baby shampoo or talcum powder?
SARAH: Or we could get a little hat, or something like that.
JOHN: We don’t know the size, or the right colour, do we?
SARAH: I think we should get something they wouldn’t normally buy. What about a soft toy of some sort?
JOHN: Yes, a soft toy.
SARAH: What about a teddy bear?
JOHN: I could get one early tomorrow at the market and I could probably get the chocolates there too.
SARAH: Good.
JOHN: So you’ll pick me up at a quarter to one at my place and I’ll make sure that I’ve got the presents.
SARAH: You must remember how much you paid for the gifts, so I can pay you back for half. If they’re going to be from both of us, I would like to go shares.
JOHN: OK. I’d say the chocolates would be about $15 for something nice and not too small and the toy would be around $35 or so, I’d think.
SARAH: Good, that’ll be fine. About $25 each then. Good, I’ll pick you up then on Sunday at twelve forty-five.
JOHN: OK.
SARAH: See you then. Bye.