Enquiry about joining Youth Council: listening answers and explanations
Roger phones the Youth Council because he wants to stand for election. The administrator, Caroline, takes his details: where he's staying, his address, studies, job and hobbies, then books him a meeting with the Elections Officer.
One ten-gap note block in strict order, following Caroline's questions. Every answer comes from Roger. Questions 2, 3 and 10 are a spelled-out street name, a postcode and a phone number, so the end of the call is as demanding as the start.
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
Q
Your answer
Answer
Questions 1-10 · Note completion (ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER)
How to attack this block: Caroline's questions are your signposts: where do you live, what's the postcode, what are you studying, any hobbies. Expect a first answer that gets replaced (flat then hostel, courier then waiter) and be ready to write letters and numbers fast.
Question 1
Answer: hostelWhen Caroline asks 'where do you live?'
Where is Roger staying during the week?
At the moment I'm looking for a flat to rent here, so I'm in a hostel from Monday to Friday.
Question says → You hear
during the weekfrom Monday to Friday
Why: 'Monday to Friday' is the 'during the week' in the notes, and that's when he's in a hostel. The gap follows 'a', so a singular noun fits.
The trap: Flat comes first, but he's still looking for one. His parents' place is where he goes at the weekend.
Question 2
Answer: BuckleighWhen Caroline asks where to send information, and Roger says his parents' address
What is the name of the street in Roger's postal address?
Why: Roger gives the house number 17, then spells the street name. Write it exactly: Buckleigh, with a capital letter.
The trap: It's a spelling test. Buckley or Buckleigh with a missing letter loses the mark. Lincolnshire is the county, already shortened to 'Lincs' in the notes.
Question 3
Answer: PE9 7QTStraight after Caroline says she knows Stamford
What is Roger's postcode?
And what's the postcode?
Why: Roger answers with the postcode: PE9 7QT. It has letters and numbers mixed, so listen for which characters are digits: the nine and the seven.
The trap: The letter Q comes in the second half, not the first. The first half is P, E and the number nine, so PEQ is wrong. The second half is seven, Q, T.
Question 4
Answer: waiterWhen Caroline asks 'What do you do?'
What is Roger's part-time job?
I've just finished a short-term contract as a courier, and now I'm working as
Question says → You hear
part-time job as anow I'm working as
Why: 'Now' marks the current job: a waiter in one of the big hotels. The notes need what he does at the moment.
The trap: Courier is said first, but that contract has 'just finished'. Hotel is where he works, not his job.
Question 5
Answer: politicsWhen Caroline asks what he's studying
What is Roger's major subject?
My ambition is to go into parliament eventually … is politics
Question says → You hear
(major subject)is politics
Why: He wants to go into parliament, so his major subject is politics. The notes already give history as the minor subject.
The trap: Caroline suggests economics because many students take it, but Roger chose history for his minor. Neither is his major.
Question 6
Answer: cyclingWhen Caroline asks about other interests or hobbies
Which hobby does Roger do a lot of?
Well, I spend quite a lot of time cycling
Question says → You hear
does a lot ofspend quite a lot of time cycling
Why: 'Spend quite a lot of time' matches 'does a lot of'. The answer is cycling, with the -ing form.
The trap: London and 'long-distance' are details about where he cycles. They don't fit the gap.
Question 7
Answer: cinemaWhen Caroline asks 'Anything else?'
What else is Roger interested in?
For relaxation I'm also keen on the cinema
Question says → You hear
is interested in theI'm also keen on the cinema
Why: 'Keen on' matches 'interested in', and the notes keep 'the', so you need cinema.
The trap: He says he can't go as often now. That doesn't change the interest, and 'once a week' doesn't fit the gap.
Question 8
Answer: disabledWhen Caroline asks which part of the Council's work appeals to him
Which young people does Roger want to work with?
Well, my sister is blind, so I'm particularly interested in … with disabled young people, to try and improve the quality of their lives
Question says → You hear
wants to work with young people who aredisabled young people
Why: Because his sister is blind, he's interested in working with disabled young people. The gap is an adjective after 'who are': disabled.
The trap: Blind is said first, but it describes his sister. He wants to work with disabled young people in general.
Question 9
Answer: 4.30After Caroline says Jeffrey generally leaves around 5.30
Also accepted: 4:30 / half past four
What time is Roger's meeting with the Elections Officer?
He generally leaves around 5.30. … Well, would 4.30 be OK? My last class finishes at 4
Question says → You hear
next Monday at ... pmwould 4.30 be OK?
Why: Roger suggests 4.30 and Caroline says that's fine. Write 4.30 (4:30 and half past four are accepted too).
The trap: Three times in quick succession: 5.30 is when Jeffrey leaves, and 4 is when Roger's last class ends. Only 4.30 is agreed.
Question 10
Answer: 07788 136711The end of the call, when Caroline asks for a contact number
Also accepted: 07788136711
What is Roger's mobile number?
Oh, and could I have a phone number we can contact you on? … Yes, my mobile number's
Question says → You hear
Mobile numbermy mobile number's
Why: Roger reads out 07788 136711. Write all eleven digits; a space after 07788 is fine, and 07788136711 is accepted too.
The trap: Numbers said in groups are easy to drop a digit from. Write each group as you hear it, then count: five digits, then six.
Eleven digits read in two groups. Write 07788 136711 and check you have every digit: 07788 has two 7s and two 8s.
Words from this recording worth keeping
standing for election(Start of the call)
trying to be elected to a position
administrator(Start of the call)
a person who manages the office side of an organisation
local issues(Start of the call)
problems that matter in the area where you live
hostel(Personal details)
cheap shared accommodation
short-term contract(Occupation)
a job agreement for a limited time
courier(Occupation)
a person who delivers packages
ambition(Studies)
something you strongly want to achieve
nominated(Arranging the meeting)
formally suggested for a role
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The rest of Cambridge 11 Test 2 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're hereEnquiry about joining Youth Council
