Cambridge IELTS 20 · Listening · Test 3 · Part 1

Listening Test 3, Part 1: answers explained

The recording and its 10 questions (1–10). Every answer is explained with the words that give it away.

Take the whole test, timed Show the answers

Part 1 recording

Play it once, as in the exam, and answer the questions below as you listen.

Questions 1–10

Table completion
1 Prices range from $105 to $______ per room per month.
2 The furniture is very ______ Delivers in 1-2 days Special offer: free … with every living room set
3 The furniture is very … Delivers in 1-2 days Special offer: free ______ with every living room set
4 ______ and Oliver
5 Mid-range prices 12% monthly free for ______
6 Offers cheapest prices for renting furniture and ______ items
7 Must have own ______ Minimum contract length: six months
8 ______ Rentals
9 See the ______ for the most up-to-date prices
10 ______ are allowed within 7 days of delivery

Answers explained

Answer the questions first: finding the evidence yourself teaches more than reading it. The answers stay folded until you ask.

Question 1

239/ two hundred thirty-nine/ two hundred and thirty-nine

What you hear

starts at $105 and goes up to $239

Why

Reading from the Peak Rentals brochure, the man says the monthly price per room starts at $105 and goes up to $239. The question already gives the lower figure, so you need the upper limit. Write 239 as a numeral or in words. The $105 is a decoy only because it is heard first.
Question 2

modern

What you hear

the furniture from Peak Rentals is more modern than any of the other companies

Why

Positive feedback on Peak Rentals is that people say its furniture is more modern than any other company's. The note's "very" stands in for the comparison "more ... than any of the other companies". The adjective is the answer. Delivery in one or two days is a separate selling point.
Question 3

lamp

What you hear

you'll also get a lamp at no extra cost

Why

The man mentions a special offer: rent living room furniture, which he says is a set of chairs and a TV table, and you also get a lamp at no extra cost. "Free" in the note means "at no extra cost". Chairs and table are what you pay for, so lamp is the free item.
Question 4

Aaron

What you hear

Then you could try Aaron and Oliver

Why

When the woman finds Peak too dear, the man suggests Aaron and Oliver. She doesn't catch the name, so he spells the first word: double A, R, O, N. The gap is that first name, written as heard. Oliver is already printed in the note.
Question 5

damage

What you hear

they charge an extra 12 every month in case of damage

Why

The man says Aaron and Oliver are a mid-range company but charge an extra 12 every month in case of damage. The woman's reaction, that she must do the maths, confirms it is an added cost. The note's "free for" is the flip side: the 12% covers damage. Cleaning is a separate service.
Question 6

electronic

What you hear

for both furniture and also electronic equipment

Why

Larch Furniture has the lowest prices in town, and the man specifies this applies to furniture and also electronic equipment. The note's "items" turns "equipment" into a general noun, so the adjective electronic completes it. The first company's price range is about rooms, not types of goods.
Question 7

insurance

What you hear

you have to take out insurance on the furniture and you need to organize that yourself

Why

Of the two things to know about large furniture, the first is that she must take out insurance herself, which the note compresses to "Must have own ___". The second point, a contract of under six months, is the next row, so it cannot fill this gap. Damage appears earlier, but only as a monthly charge from Aaron and Oliver, a different company.
Question 8

space/ Space

What you hear

It's called Space Rentals

Why

Having finished with Larch, the man interrupts to add another company, Space Rentals, which is very near the house. The gap takes the first word of the name and the following "Rentals" is printed. Peak Rentals was the earlier firm of the same pattern, so don't confuse the two.
Question 9

app

What you hear

it's best to use their app

Why

He has no figures for Space Rentals, so the way to get current prices is to use their app, and the woman agrees to do so. Peak Rentals' brochure was quoted earlier for its own prices, which is why a brochure might tempt you, but it is never suggested for Space Rentals. The gap needs one word, app.
Question 10

exchanges

What you hear

you can request exchanges, as long as you do that within a week

Why

A good thing about Space Rentals, the man says, is that if you dislike the delivered furniture you can request exchanges, provided you do it within a week. The note's "7 days" matches "a week", and the plural noun fits "... are allowed". Refunds aren't mentioned.

Part 1 audioscript

Part 1 · audioscript

MAN Good morning

WOMAN Hi, this is Michelin Meyer. I'm renting your house on Archwood Avenue. I'm due to move in next week.

MAN Oh, yes. Hello, Ms. Meyer. What can I do for you?

WOMAN When I viewed the house, I told you I'll most probably need to rent some furniture, at least until I know whether my temporary work contract is going to be made permanent.

MAN Yes, of course. I remember. And I said I could give you some information about furniture rental companies in the city.

WOMAN That's right.

MAN Well, the biggest company is called Peak Rentals. I've recommended them to other people and have always heard positive reports about them.

WOMAN Could you give me an idea of their costs?

MAN Sure. I actually have one of their brochures here. It says the monthly price per room starts at $105 and goes up to $239. That depends on which rooms you need furniture for, of course.

WOMAN Sure. It's just to get a general idea of how much it's going to cost. And you said you had some positive feedback about this company?

MAN Yes. People have mentioned that the furniture from Peak Rentals is more modern than any of the other companies. And also, once you place an order, the furniture will be delivered to you in just one or two days.

WOMAN That would be really helpful.

MAN Oh, and the brochure says that there's a special offer at the moment. If you rent living room furniture, I believe that's a set of chairs and a TV table, you'll also get a lamp at no extra cost.

WOMAN Okay, but you know, that price range you gave is more than I was hoping to pay.

MAN Then you could try Aaron and Oliver.

WOMAN Sorry, what and Oliver?

MAN Aaron, double A-R-O-N

WOMAN OK, are they cheaper

MAN I say they are a mid company But if you chose them you need to be aware that they charge an extra 12 every month in case of damage

WOMAN Oh, I see. I'd have to do the math carefully then.

MAN Right. But one helpful thing is that they also do cleaning for customers.

WOMAN For the furniture?

MAN For the house.

WOMAN Oh, I see. I probably won't need that.

Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

MAN There's another company called Larch Furniture. It's quite new, and it has the lowest prices in town. That's for both furniture and also electronic equipment.

WOMAN Well, that would be good. I'm not bringing much with me, and I won't have much time to go shopping after I start my job.

MAN There are two things you need to know about large furniture. First of all you have to take out insurance on the furniture and you need to organize that yourself

WOMAN That wouldn't be too hard.

MAN Also you can take out a contract for less than six months but I figure that might not be a problem for you. You're renting the house for 12 months after all, aren't you?

WOMAN Yes, okay. Well, I...

MAN Sorry to interrupt. I just thought of another furniture rental company. It's called Space Rentals, and it's located very near to the house.

WOMAN Okay.

MAN I don't have any information about their charges, so it's best to use their app to find out what it would cost you to use them.

WOMAN Okay, thanks. I'll do that.

MAN One good thing about that company is that if you don't like the furniture once it's delivered, you can request exchanges, as long as you do that within a week of receiving it.

WOMAN That sounds really great. Okay, well, thanks very much. That's so helpful

Part 1 recording

Questions 1–10

Answers explained

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Part 1 audioscript