Unit 3: Exercise 1

In this unit, you will practise the skills you need to understand what type of
information to listen for in a general conversation between two or three people.

Read the information about Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test. Choose two
answers for each question.

In Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test, you will hear a conversation between two or three
people, in a general situation. They will be attempting to do something specific in their
conversation (for example, reach a decision, or get information). You will hear this only
once, and you will have a short period of time to read the questions before listening.

1. In this part of the test, who might you hear?

 someone telephoning about a sports event
 a careers advisor, giving a short talk about what to do after university
 a tour operator advising someone on planning a trip

2. What kind of conversation might it be?

 a group of friends preparing a party

 a student discussing an essay with her tutor
 two people discussing arrangements for a charity cycle race
3. What might the people be trying to do?
 decide what to do next
 find out information about a product
 tell an interesting story

Unit 3: Exercise 2
Read the information. Then look at the table quickly and decide what type of
information you need to listen for.

Match the information with the questions. There are more types of information
than you need.
 In Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test, look quickly at the questions before you listen. This
will help you decide what type of conversation you are likely to hear, and what the people
want to achieve or find out.

In this type of task, you usually need to listen for nouns: things, people, objects or numbers
(for example, dates, times or prices).

Apartment 1
facilities has a (1) ….. that guests can use for free
location lots of shops nearby, but unfortunately, it’s also near a (2) …..
cost (3) €….. per person for one night.

an event something people do in a hotel a number something people normally pay for
a number of people a place or building

1. For Question 1, you need to listen for

2. For Question 2, you need to listen for
3. For Question 3, you need to listen for
 

Unit 3: Exercise 3
Read the information. Then listen to two people choosing the best apartment for
a trip. Choose the correct words to complete the table.

The speakers may say more than one thing which could fit in a gap. You need to listen
carefully and decide which is the information you need, and which you don’t need.

Apartment 1
facilities has a (1) ….. that guests can use for free
location lots of shops nearby, but unfortunately, it’s also near a (2) …..
cost (3) €….. per person for one night.

M: So, I’ve been checking some apartments in Vienna for our trip. This
one here is the cheapest of the ones I’ve looked at.
F: OK. How many people can it sleep? play.MP3

M: Only two. It’s got a double bed, a nice little kitchen, and a very small
balcony where you can sit.
F: Anything else included in the price?
M: Well, when I checked the website, it looked as though there’s a car
park you can use, but it looks like you have to pay a little bit extra for that.
There is even the option to pay to use a small gym.
F: Well, we’re not taking a car, and I don’t want to use a gym on holiday!
M: You might want to use the swimming pool, though. It’s in the same
building, and it’s included in the price.
F: Oh, OK. And if there’s a kitchen, do you think we should cook our own
food?
M: Yes, we could. There are a lot of places nearby where we could buy
food. There’s no supermarket, unfortunately, but we just have to walk
down the road to find some small shops.
F: That’s good.
M: There’s also a restaurant right next to the apartment, which is good. It’s
open until midnight.
F: I don’t know if that’s good, is it? Won’t it be very noisy at night?
M: Yes, you’re right. OK, maybe we should choose another one.
F:  But that would be more expensive, I suppose?
M: Yes, I saw one for €42 each per day.
F: OK, but you said this one here is the cheapest. So what IS the price,
exactly?
M: It’s €70.
F:  Mm, so that’s €35 each, which isn’t bad. I’d rather not pay more if we
don’t have to. Let’s go for this one.

1.
o swimming pool
o gym
o car park
2.
o Road
o Supermarket
o restaurant
3.
o 35
o 42
o 70

Unit 3: Exercise 4
Read the information. Then listen to the conversation again. Choose the correct
options to complete the explanations of why the answers are correct or
incorrect.

Identifying information which leads you to the correct or incorrect answer will help you
 understand the difference between essential information and distracting information. It’s
important to consider why an answer might be incorrect. It could be because the speaker
doesn’t talk about it or that they talk about it in a different context to the question. Listen
carefully to the whole conversation to decide what the essential and distracting information
is.

1
M: So, I’ve been checking some apartments in Vienna for our trip. This
one here is the cheapest of the ones I’ve looked at.
F: OK. How many people can it sleep?
M: Only two. It’s got a double bed, a nice little kitchen, and a very small
balcony where you can sit.
F: Anything else included in the price?
M: Well, when I checked the website, it looked as though there’s a car
park you can use, but it looks like you have to pay a little bit extra for
that. There is even the option to pay to use a small gym.
F: Well, we’re not taking a car, and I don’t want to use a gym on holiday!
M: You might want to use the swimming pool, though. It’s in the same
building, and it’s included in the price.

2
F: Oh, OK. And if there’s a kitchen, do you think we should cook our
own food?
M: Yes, we could. There are a lot of places nearby where we could buy play.MP3
food. There’s no supermarket, unfortunately, but we just have to walk
down the road to find some small shops.
F: That’s good.
M: There’s also a restaurant right next to the apartment, which is good.
It’s open until midnight.
F: I don’t know if that’s good, is it? Won’t it be very noisy at night?
M: Yes, you’re right. OK, maybe we should choose another one.  

3
F: But that would be more expensive, I suppose?
M: Yes, I saw one for €42 each per day.
F: OK, but you said this one here is the cheapest. So what IS the price,
exactly?
M: It’s €70.
F: Mm, so that’s €35 each, which isn’t bad. I’d rather not pay more if we
don’t have to. Let’s go for this one.

Facilities: has a (1) ...... that guests can use for free.

The answer is swimming pool because using it is included in the price. The car park and gym
are/aren't free.

Location: lots of shops nearby, but unfortunately, it’s also near a (2) ...... .
The answer is restaurant, because the woman mentions some disadvantages of staying near it
(it could be noisy at night). She doesn’t say that being near a restaurant/road/ supermarket
would be a disadvantage. There isn’t a restaurant/road/ supermarket near the apartment.

Cost: (3) €...... per person for one night

The answer is €35 because this is the price per person at the cheapest apartment. The price
based on two people staying is €35/ €42/ €70 and the price per person at another apartment is
€35/ €42/ €70 per person.

Unit 3: Exercise 5
Look at the table and decide what you are likely to hear in the conversation.

Choose True or False.

Beachside Holiday Park

facilities location cost
has bedroom for up
to 4 people
Cabin 1
near the (2) ……… £85 per night
'Economy' doesn’t have its own
(1) ………
bring a (3) ………
Cabin 2 'Family' for each person
great view of the lake (4) £…… per night
can take up to 8
people close to the office so
Cabin 3 'Superior' there might be some £175 per night
has its own small (6) ……… at night
(5) ……… outside

1. You will hear someone talking about a holiday they went on.

o True

o False

2. You will hear some people deciding what accommodation to book.

o True

o False

3. You will hear two people discussing why holiday parks are good for families.

o True
 o False

Unit 3: Exercise 6
Listen and complete the table.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

 First, read the questions and decide what type of information you need.
 Listen for the information you need, and decide what information you don’t need.
 Write one word only, or a number, in each gap. Check that your spelling is correct.

Beachside Holiday Park

facilities location cost
has bedroom for up
to 4 people
Cabin 1
near the (2) ……… £85 per night
'Economy' doesn’t have its own
(1) ………
bring a (3) ………
Cabin 2 'Family' for each person
great view of the lake (4) £…… per night
can take up to 8
people close to the office so
Cabin 3 'Superior' there might be some £175 per night
has its own small (6) ……… at night
(5) ……… outside

You will hear Tom and Annie, who are brother and sister, planning a joint
holiday for their families to a place called Beachside Holiday Park.
play.MP3

Tom: Hello?
Annie: Hi Tom, it’s Annie. How are you?
Tom: Oh hi! I’m good. We’re really looking forward to going away with
you. The children are so excited.
Annie: Yes. It’s going to be great. Anyway, I’ve got some information
about Beachside Holiday Park.
Tom: Great – let me just get a pencil. OK, I’m ready.
Annie: Alright, there are three kinds of cabin. The first one is called an
‘Economy’.
Tom: Economy. OK.
Annie: Well, it’s only got one bedroom, but it would be OK for you and
Sarah and your two boys. There’s one double bed, and a bunk bed.
Tom: How about a kitchen? Does it have one of those?
Annie: No – you’d have to use the same one that everyone else uses at the
camp. What it does have is its own small bathroom, though.
Tom: Alright, I’ll just make a note of that. I’ll discuss all of this with
Sarah, later.
Annie: OK, and you can tell her about the location, too. When I first
looked at the map, I thought the Economy cabins were next to the car park
but I got that wrong. Actually, they’re right by the playground. I think
that’d be nice for the children.
Tom: Yes, they’d like that. And how about the cost?
Annie: It’s £85 a night for the whole cabin. So, yes, at the cheaper end.
Then there’s the Family Cabin. It’s got two bedrooms – so a bit more
space, and a shower.
Tom: That reminds me. Do I need to pack a towel for all of us? You know,
sometimes holiday parks don’t provide them.
Annie: That’s right. You’ll all need one of those. But you can get shampoo
and soap from the little shop, there. And toothpaste, too. So if you forget
those, it doesn’t matter. Now, what else? Oh yes, it has a great view of the
lake, and the cost … let me see, in the busy season it’s £130 per night for
the whole cabin, but we’re going after the busy season is over, so that’s
£100 for our booking. Wow! It goes up to £200 on New Year’s Eve. Good
thing we’re not going then.
Tom: Yes, that’s a lot for a holiday park. And did you say there was a third
type of cabin?
Annie: Yes, it’s called the ‘Superior’. It’s actually got enough beds for all
eight of us, and it’s got a nice big kitchen too.
Tom: Sounds good. So we could all fit into the Superior?
Annie: Yes – I guess it might get a bit crowded with my two girls and your
two boys – but it should be fun. I suppose they could always go to the
games room if we need some peace and quiet!
Tom: Good idea. They can meet other children that way.
Annie: The other thing I like about the Superior is that right outside,
there’s a garden – just for us to use. It’s not very big – but big enough for
some chairs – so we could take them outside and relax as we watch the sun
go down.
Tom: Oh, Sarah would like that. I don’t suppose it has a barbecue, does it?
Annie: Not one of our own, but there’s a whole lot of them in the centre of
the holiday park.
Tom: Alright.
Annie: The only negative thing for me is that it’s quite near to the office –
you know, where everyone comes and checks in. The noise might be a
problem at night, if people are coming and going.
Tom: Hmm, possibly.
Annie: But the price isn’t bad – £175 for two families. It’s worth
considering.
 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Unit 3: Exercise 7
Read the information. Then, complete the chart. Use the phrases in the box.

It will help if you can recognise when the speakers are making suggestions, or agreeing and
disagreeing. It will also help if you can understand at what point the speakers arrive at a final
decision. For example, if someone says ‘Definitely’, then they are agreeing firmly with the
other person, and ending the discussion.

It would be good if … Maybe, but … I can … How about …? OK. Good.

I couldn’t agree more. If you like, I’ll … I’m afraid … OK, but … I’m not sure …
Alright. I see what you mean. Definitely. That’s a brilliant idea. I don’t think …
If we …, we should …

Making suggestion Showing doubt Showing agreement

Unit 3: Exercise 8
Listen and choose the correct answers, A, B or C.
  Read through the questions so you know what kind of thing you need to listen for.
 Listen and pay attention to how the speakers ask for each other’s opinions, make
suggestions, and agree or disagree.
 Pay special attention to what the speakers finally agree on.
 Go back and choose the best answers, A, B or C.

Tom: OK, when do you think we should leave? The journey will take
about 4 or 5 hours, won’t it? So if we left early on Friday evening, we
should be at Beachside Holiday Park about 9 or 10 o’clock. play.MP3

Annie: Oh, but the traffic will be awful then. How about we go first
thing Saturday morning? Then we won’t have to drive in the dark.

Tom: Alright. I see what you mean. So if we leave then, we should

arrive early Saturday afternoon – still time to head down to the beach.

Annie: OK, good. So if you all come round to our house for about nine,
we can set off together. And what about food for the journey? I know
my children – they’ll be asking for food all the way there!

Tom: Yes – and I don’t think we can make them wait until after we
arrive at the holiday park. We can stop at the bakery on our way over to
you, if you like – and pick up some sandwiches or something for us all.

Annie: That’s a brilliant idea. Then we can stop off somewhere on the
way and eat. Cheaper than a café, anyway.

Tom: OK, then. Do the children know what kind of activities they want
to do when we’re at the holiday park, Annie?

Annie: Well, they’re very keen for us to go horse riding.

Tom: Great!

Annie: But you need to book in advance, and I’m not sure I want to do
that right now.

Tom: Why not? If you’re worried about the cost, I’d be happy to pay
for you and the children.

Annie: Thanks, but that’s not it. It’s just that at the moment, we’re not
sure what the forecast is. I mean, it’s fine right now, but there’s a
possibility it might rain at the weekend. So I’d rather wait until we get
there.
Tom: OK.

Annie: But hopefully it’ll be OK – it’s a two-hour ride, and my kids

would enjoy that. They can ride pretty well.

Tom: One thing that I’d like to happen during the holiday – I’d like the
children to be a bit more independent. I think they’re old enough to go
and explore by themselves, don’t you?

Annie: Actually, Tom, I’m afraid the waves at the beach can be pretty
big, and my children aren’t great swimmers, although they are having
lessons. Maybe next year?

Tom: If you like, I’ll go with them to the beach.

Annie: I’d feel better if you did. But it would be good if we could teach
them how to make a fire, like dad taught us. And how to put it out
properly, once you’ve finished with it.

Tom: Definitely. I couldn’t agree more. All kids should know how to
do that. It’s part of growing up. More useful than playing on their
computers all day long, or watching TV!

Annie: Well, I’ll call you again tomorrow and …

1. Tom and Annie agree that they should start their journey …

o A on Friday evening.

o B early on Saturday morning.

o C on Saturday afternoon.

2. What do Tom and Annie decide about food?

o A to eat soon after they arrive at the holiday park

o B to look for a café along the route to the holiday park

o C to bring snacks to eat during the trip to the holiday park

3. Annie doesn’t want to book a horse ride until she is certain about …

o A the weather.

o B the times.

o C the prices.
 4. Tom and Annie both think that during the holiday their children …

o A should learn a new skill.

o B must look after each other.

o C could have more independence than usual.

Unit 3: Exercise 9
Listen and complete the sentences with the words the speakers use to introduce
topics, and make and respond to suggestions.

1
Tom: So if we left early on Friday evening, we should be at Beachside
Holiday Park about 9 or 10 o’clock. play.MP3

Annie: Oh, but the traffic will be awful then. How about we go first thing
Saturday morning? Then we won’t have to drive in the dark.
 

2
Tom: Alright. I see what you mean. So if we leave then, we should arrive
early Saturday afternoon – still time to head down to the beach.

Annie: OK, good. So if you all come round to our house for about nine, we
can set off together. And what about food for the journey? I know my
children – they’ll be asking for food all the way there!

3
Tom: Yes – and I don’t think we can make them wait until after we arrive
at the holiday park. We can stop at the bakery on our way over to you, if
you like – and pick up some sandwiches or something for us all.
Annie: That’s a brilliant idea. Then we can stop off somewhere on the way
and eat. Cheaper than a café, anyway.
Tom: OK, then.

4
Annie: It’s just that at the moment, we’re not sure what the forecast is. I
mean, it’s fine right now, but there’s a possibility it might rain at the
weekend. So I’d rather wait until we get there.

5
Tom: If you like, I’ll go with them to the beach.
Annie: I’d feel better if you did. But it would be good if we could teach
them how to make a fire, like dad taught us. And how to put it out
properly, once you’ve finished with it.

6
Tom: Definitely. I couldn’t agree more. All kids should know how to do
that. It’s part of growing up.

1. ____________________ we go first thing Saturday morning? Then we won’t have to

drive in the dark.

2. OK, good. So _________________ all come round to our house for about nine, we
can set off together. And _____________________ food for the journey?

3. That’s a ________________ . Then we can stop off somewhere on the way and eat.

4. I mean, it’s fine right now, but __________________ a possibility it might rain at the
weekend. So _____________________ wait until we get there.

5. I’d feel better if you did. But it _____________________ we could teach them how
to make a fire, like dad taught us.

6. Definitely. I __________________ more.

Unit 3: Exercise 10
Think about what you have learnt in this unit.

Are the statements True or False? Choose the correct answers.

1. In Section 1 of the IELTS Listening test, you will hear two people talking, in a
general context.

o True

o False

2. The two people are often trying to reach an agreement or find out information from
each other.
 o True

o False

3. Before you listen, you will have no information about the conversation, or what the
speakers want to do.

o True

o False

4. The speakers might discuss several options before arriving at a decision.

o True

o False