Cambridge IELTS 21 · Listening · Test 3 · Part 1

Listening Test 3, Part 1: answers explained

Ferry to Shetland Islands

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

Note completion
1 Name of ferry company: ______ Ferries
2 Ferries depart seven times per ______ in summer
3 Cost for four people with car: a little less than £ ______
4 Cancellation policy: receive a ______ (if cancelled a month in advance)
5 book one with a ______
6 Bring snacks and ______ for the children
7 A ______ is required for the dog kennels
8 Try to see ______ in the morning
9 If time, visit ______ Castle
10 The ______ restaurant in a nearby village is recommended

Answers explained

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

Question 1

Northern

What you hear

There's only one – it's called Northern Ferries

Why

Paul says there is only one ferry operator and gives its name as Northern Ferries, so the gap is Northern. Aberdeen, mentioned in the next sentence, is the departure port and not part of the company's name.
Question 2

week

What you hear

only one ferry leaving every evening in summer anyway, seven days a week

Why

In summer there is one ferry every evening, "seven days a week", which is seven departures per week. Paul is unsure about winter, when four or five days is only a guess, so those figures are not the answer. The word needed is week.
Question 3

250 / two hundred and fifty

What you hear

four people and a car worked out at just under £250

Why

Paul says the tickets for four people and a car came to "just under £250", which the note rewrites as a little less than. Tammy's expected £400 is a different figure and is the distractor. Write 250.
Question 4

voucher

What you hear

I don't think it's their policy to give refunds – just a voucher

Why

Cancelling does not bring a refund, says Paul: "just a voucher" that can be used later, provided you cancel a month ahead. The note's "receive a ___" therefore needs voucher. Refund is the tempting word, but it is exactly what he says they don't give.
Question 5

window

What you hear

We booked too late to get a cabin with a window

Why

Paul recommends booking a cabin, regretting that his family booked too late to get one "with a window". Window completes the note. Inner cabins are the cheaper alternative he rates lower, and luxury cabins with a TV are not worth bothering with.
Question 6

books

What you hear

it's best to bring some books for them

Why

Snacks come first because the food on board is limited, then wifi is described as "Not really" good, so Paul advises bringing some books for the children. Books fits "snacks and ___". Wifi is what Tammy asks about, not what to bring.
Question 7

blanket

What you hear

you just need to provide a blanket

Why

The on-board kennels are fairly big, so the only thing the owner needs to provide is a blanket. Paul's "you just need to" signals that this is the single requirement. The dog itself was Tammy's worry, not something the kennel needs.
Question 8

dolphins

What you hear

in the morning keeping a lookout for dolphins

Why

In the morning the children kept a lookout for dolphins and Paul says they saw loads, so dolphins is the plural noun that fits "Try to see ___". The night at sea is the other thing they loved, but it happens before the morning.
Question 9

Drum

What you hear

Drum Castle

Why

Having arrived hours early, Paul's family visited Drum Castle. Tammy then asks whether it is spelt like the instrument, and Paul says yes, so write Drum. The spelling is confirmed that way rather than letter by letter.
Question 10

Italian

What you hear

found an Italian one in a village nearby

Why

The castle has only a coffee shop, so the family looked up restaurants nearby and found an Italian one in a village. Italian is the adjective needed before restaurant. Coffee shop is a trap because it is on the site, not the recommended place.

Part 1 audioscript

Part 1 · audioscript

TAMMY

You know when you went to the Shetland Islands last year, Paul? Did you go by ferry or did you fly?

PAUL

We went by ferry, Tammy. I prefer driving to flying – the journey feels like part of the holiday.

TAMMY

Mmm. Which ferry company did you use?

PAUL

There's only one – it's called Northern Ferries. The ferries all leave from Aberdeen.

TAMMY

How frequent are they?

PAUL

The service is pretty limited – there's only one ferry leaving every evening in summer anyway, seven days a week – I'm not sure about the winter months. They may only run on four or five days then.

TAMMY

OK. So it's an overnight trip. I quite like that idea. Leaving at night and waking up as you arrive on the island. Can you remember how much you paid for your tickets?

PAUL

They were really cheap and four people and a car worked out at just under £250.

TAMMY

Really? I was expecting it to be more like £400 during the peak season.

PAUL

So was I. It's great value. It's a good idea to book in advance because I think they get booked up quite quickly – especially during the school holidays.

TAMMY

Yes, I suppose so. I'm just not 100% sure of our plans yet. What if I had to cancel?

PAUL

That could be a problem. I don't think it's their policy to give refunds – just a voucher – which you can use at a later date. But you have to cancel a month in advance to get that.

TAMMY

Right. Well we need to make up our minds quickly then.

PAUL

You'd want to book a cabin too. We booked too late to get a cabin with a window. They're more expensive but much nicer than the inner cabins. You don't have to book a cabin at all but I think it's worth paying for. They also have luxury cabins, which are only for two people and have a TV – but I wouldn't bother with those.

TAMMY

No, I agree.

PAUL

The only other thing I can think of is to make sure you bring snacks for the kids. The selection on board is quite limited and not that healthy either.

TAMMY

Mmm. What about wifi on board? Is that any good?

PAUL

Not really. So it's best to bring some books for them.

TAMMY

OK. We may need to bring the dog if I can't get anyone to look after him.

PAUL

We brought ours and it was fine. The kennels on board are OK – they're quite big – you just need to provide a blanket.

TAMMY

Uhuh. Sounds good.

PAUL

It was all very easy really – and it was quite an adventure for the kids. They loved being on the sea at night and in the morning keeping a lookout for dolphins – we saw loads.

TAMMY

Oh, the kids would love that!

PAUL

One other thing. We arrived in Aberdeen hours before the ferry was due to leave so we decided to go somewhere else rather than hang around at the port for so long.

TAMMY

Where did you go?

PAUL

Drum Castle.

TAMMY

I've never heard of it. Is that spelt like the instrument?

PAUL

Yeah. It's really worth visiting. It's got an impressive tower and beautiful gardens and ancient woodland.

TAMMY

Sounds lovely. Does it have a restaurant?

PAUL

It's only got a coffee shop – no restaurant. We looked up restaurants in the area and found an Italian one in a village nearby. I can check the name of it for you if you're interested.

TAMMY

Oh thanks Paul that would be....

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