What to Buy for Father’s Birthday - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 3 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter. A. B or C.
Questions 4–10 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Swansfield Painting Weekend
Booking Form
Name: John Meacher
Address: 4 , Blandfield
Postcode 5
Preferred technique:
☐ watercolour
☐ 6
☐ oil
☐ pen and ink
Dates:
☐ 17 - 19 July
☐ 14 - 7 August
☐ 11 - 13 September
How would you describe your level? 8
Do you have any special dietary requirements?
☐ vegetarian
☐ vegan
☐ allergies
☐ other: I don't eat 9
Discount code: 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | A | Mum's fiftieth in September, their thirtieth anniversary at the end of the year | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the mother's 50th birthday is in September, while the parents' 30th wedding anniversary happens at the end of the year. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the mother's 50th birthday is the event that happens in the month of September. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'their mother's birthday' because Michael explicitly lists 'Mum’s fiftieth' as an event occurring in September. In this context, 'fiftieth' refers to her 50th birthday. He contrasts this with the parents' wedding anniversary, which is at the end of the year, and their father's birthday, which is in August. |
| Q2 | B | There's a workshop on the Friday evening and a guest speaker on Saturday night | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that on Saturday night, there is a visiting person who will talk to the group. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the people at the painting weekend will hear a presentation from someone who is visiting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Teresa explains the plan for the weekend. She mentions that while the artists paint during the day on Saturday, there is a 'guest speaker' on Saturday night. A speaker is a person who gives a speech or a 'talk' to an audience. |
| Q3 | B | Apparently, the food is excellent, and it's full board so meals are provided, and they've got a special offer at the moment | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the workshop is 'full board,' which means that all meals are given to the guests as part of the deal. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the cost of the food is already part of the total price, so visitors do not have to pay more money for their eating. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Teresa explains that the painting break is 'full board.' In the travel and hotel industry, 'full board' means that the price you pay includes your room and all your meals. Because the meals are already provided, the people attending do not need to pay extra for them. |
| Q4 | 56 Spring Road | Address, 56 Spring Road, Blandfield | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Michael reading the address as he fills out the form. The street name and number come before the town name. Answer Explanation: The answer is the house number and street name of the person going on the trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 56 Spring Road because Michael says this address out loud while he is typing the information into the booking form on his computer. He mentions this street name right before saying the name of the town, Blandfield. |
| Q5 | BO7 6QT | Nor can I, but hang on. I've got it here on my phone. Let's see it's B07 6QT |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Teresa finding the postcode on her phone and telling Michael that it is B07 6QT. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific set of letters and numbers used for the mailing address of the person receiving the gift. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Michael is filling out the booking form for his father's birthday gift. He realizes he does not know the postcode for the address in Blandfield. Teresa checks her phone and gives him the exact code to enter into the form. |
| Q6 | mixed media | They have four different courses here: watercolour, mixed media – whatever that is, oil painting and pen and ink | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Michael reading the four types of art classes that people can choose from for the weekend trip. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'mixed media', which refers to a type of art course where you use more than one kind of material (like paint and pencil together). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'mixed media' because Michael reads a list of four different painting courses available at the workshop. These are watercolour, mixed media, oil painting, and pen and ink. Since 'watercolour', 'oil', and 'pen and ink' are already listed on the form, 'mixed media' is the missing option. |
| Q7 | 16 | The 14th to the 16th, then the 17th of July to the 19th - that's too soon, and also the 11th of September to the 13th – that's too late | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Michael reading the available dates for the course and stating that the August dates are the 14th to the 16th. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific days in August when the painting event takes place. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 14-16 because Michael looks at the list of available dates on the computer. He mentions that the August session goes from the 14th to the 16th. Since they want a weekend in August for their father's birthday, they chose these specific dates. |
| Q8 | intermediate | Michael: There's a question here: 'How would you describe your level?' I wouldn't describe Dad as a beginner, would you? Shall we say intermediate? Teresa: Yes, put that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Michael reading the level question from the form. He asks Teresa if they should mark their father's level as 'intermediate' since he is better than a beginner, and she tells him to do exactly that. Answer Explanation: The answer 'intermediate' describes the father's skill level in painting. It means he is not a pure beginner, but he is also not an expert artist yet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'intermediate' because Michael sees the question on the form asking for the painting level. He remarks that their father is not a beginner (someone with no experience) and suggests choosing 'intermediate,' to which Teresa agrees by saying, 'Yes, put that.' |
| Q9 | fish | But remember, he's not fond of fish so if there's a place to put that on the form | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Teresa reminding Michael that their father does not enjoy eating fish and suggesting they include this detail on the form. Answer Explanation: The answer "fish" is the specific food that John Meacher does not like to eat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "fish" because while Michael and Teresa are filling out the booking form, they discuss John's food preferences. Teresa mentions that John is not "fond of" (which means he does not like) fish. This information is needed for the "dietary requirements" section where they list items he doesn't eat. |
| Q10 | CYP20 | Now, you said you had a discount code. What is it? Teresa: Yes, it's CYP20 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Michael asking for the discount code and Teresa telling him it is "CYP20." Answer Explanation: The answer "CYP20" is a special code that Michael and Teresa use to get a lower price for the painting weekend. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "CYP20" because towards the end of the conversation, Michael asks Teresa for the discount code while he is filling out the booking form, and she tells him the code is "CYP20". |
Transcript
Teresa: Well, Michael, have you had any thoughts about what we can get Dad for his birthday?
Michael: Yes, lots, but I haven't come up with anything I think he'd like. He's so difficult to buy for! And there are so many big days this year: Mum's fiftieth in September, their thirtieth anniversary at the end of the year, then there's December ...
Teresa: Well, I've come up with an idea for Dad's sixtieth. I've got it here on the laptop. It's a weekend break learning painting techniques. There's a workshop at that posh country house in Swansfield. It'd be ideal for Dad. It's aimed at amateur artists who want to improve their painting technique. It's a bit expensive but we'll share the cost and after all, it's a big birthday, isn't it? He deserves something special.
Michael: That would be perfect for him. He's really got the painting bug lately, hasn't he? So, what's it like?
Teresa: It takes place over two and a half days, from Friday to Sunday evening so Dad would spend two nights there. There's a workshop on the Friday evening and a guest speaker on Saturday night. On Saturday and Sunday, they spend the day painting in these gorgeous surroundings. It's so picturesque around there and they'll have some great scenes to paint.
Michael: That sounds fantastic.
Teresa: Apparently, the food is excellent, and it's full board so meals are provided, and they've got a special offer at the moment. It's usually £380 for the weekend but I've got a discount code so we can get it for £330.
Michael: OK, let's go for it. Can we book online?
Teresa: Yes, look, I've got the booking form open here.
Michael: Pass me the laptop and I'll pay with my credit card. You can pay me back your share later. Name, John Meacher. Address, 56 Spring Road, Blandfield. Postcode ... What's the postcode? I can never remember it.
Teresa: Nor can I, but hang on. I've got it here on my phone. Let's see ... it's B07 6QT.
Michael: OK. So, that's his details. Now there are some options. They have four different courses here: watercolour, mixed media – whatever that is, oil painting and pen and ink. What do you think Dad would like best?
Teresa: Watercolour. Yes, definitely watercolour. Mum says he's been doing a lot of that lately and he really enjoys it.
Michael: They've got a list of dates here. We need the August dates, don't we? The 14th to the 16th, then the 17th of July to the 19th - that's too soon, and also the 11th of September to the 13th – that's too late.
Teresa: Yes, it'll have to be August. That's the weekend closest to his birthday and besides, there's too much going on later in the year.
Michael: There's a question here: 'How would you describe your level?' I wouldn't describe Dad as a beginner, would you? Shall we say intermediate?
Teresa: Yes, put that. Mum says he's been painting for months now and some of his stuffs quite good. Hopefully, he'll be advanced after this course! Is that everything?
Michael: Just one more thing. There's a bit here on dietary requirements. I know he and Mum have been experimenting with going vegetarian but I think Mum's keener than he is, so he might appreciate some meat on his plate, don't you think?
Teresa: Yes, good idea. But remember, he's not fond of fish so if there's a place to put that on the form ...
Michael: Done that. Now, you said you had a discount code. What is it?
Teresa: Yes, it's CYP20.
Michael: Great, that's it. I'll add my details and pay. I think this'll make a great present.
Teresa: I'm sure it will.