Alex's Training: listening answers and explanations
Martha phones Alex for advice because she's applying for the same trainee scheme he did at a company called JPNW. He tells her about his own training, the benefits of the scheme, and gives her some tips for the interview.
One ten-gap note block in strict order, under three headings: Alex's own training (1-4), the benefits of JPNW (5-7) and interview advice (8-10). Alex gives every answer, except gap 3, where the subject comes from Martha. Alex's 'Have you got a date for your interview yet?' moves you to the last heading.
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: Alex often mentions two things where only one fits the note: two departments, two diplomas, several ages. Check the wording of each note ('At first', 'should have done', 'the youngest'). The interview tips all start with 'Don't' or 'Make sure', so listen for advice, not description.
Question 1
Answer: FinanceWhen Martha asks what Alex is doing now
Which department did Alex start his training in?
now I work in the customer services department but I did my initial training … Finance … I stayed there for the first two years and then moved to where I am now
Question says → You hear
At firstinitial training
Why: 'Initial training' matches 'At first'. He trained in Finance for two years and then moved. Use a capital F.
The trap: Customer services is said first, but it's where he works now. Martha is applying to that department, which makes it stick.
Question 2
Answer: MathsWhen Martha asks if he enjoyed it and he says he was nervous
Also accepted: Math / Mathematics
Which school subject didn't Alex get a qualification in?
I didn't do well in my exams at school and I was really worried because I failed Maths
Question says → You hear
didn't have a qualification from school inI failed Maths
Why: Failing Maths means he has no school qualification in it. Maths, Math and Mathematics are all accepted.
The trap: It didn't matter in the end because he did courses on the job. Don't let 'courses' replace the subject.
Question 3
Answer: businessWhen Martha asks about the diploma at the end of the trainee period
Which diploma does Alex think he should have taken?
I'm hoping to do the one in business skills. … I took the one on IT skills but I wish I'd
Question says → You hear
he should have done the diploma inI'm hoping to do the one in business skills … but I wish I'd
Why: Martha mentions the business skills diploma, and Alex says he took IT skills but wishes he'd done hers instead. 'Wish I'd' is 'should have done'. The gap is business.
The trap: IT is the only subject Alex says himself, and it's the one he regrets. Wrong diploma.
Question 4
Answer: 17When Martha asks how he got on with the other trainees
Also accepted: seventeen
How old was the youngest trainee?
I was 18 and there was only one person younger … who was 17. The rest were between 18 and 20.
Question says → You hear
the youngest wasonly one person younger … who was 17
Why: Only one person was younger than Alex, and that person was 17. Write the digits.
The trap: 18 is Alex's age and comes first; 20 is the oldest. About 20 is also the number of trainees.
Question 5
Answer: holidayWhen Martha asks about pay
Also accepted: holidays / vacation / vacations
What do trainees get the same amount of as permanent staff?
That's right - which isn't great. But you get the same number of days
Question says → You hear
the same amount of ... as permanent staffthe same number of days … as everyone else
Why: Pay is lower, 'But' trainees get the same number of days' holiday as everyone else. The key accepts holiday, holidays, vacation or vacations.
The trap: Pay is the topic Martha raises, but trainees get a lower minimum wage, so it's the opposite of 'the same'.
Question 6
Answer: collegeWhen Martha asks 'Do you have to spend any time in college?'
Where do trainees go one day a month?
Do you have to spend any time in college? … Yes, one day each month.
Question says → You hear
go to ... one day per monthany time in college? … Yes, one day each month
Why: Martha asks about college and Alex says yes, one day each month. The answer is in her question.
The trap: Tutor and manager come next, as people who support you. They aren't places.
Question 7
Answer: locationWhen Martha says the company is easy to get to
What is convenient about the company?
Yes, it's very close to the train station so the location's a real advantage.
Question says → You hear
The company is in a convenientthe location's a real advantage
Why: 'A real advantage' matches 'convenient'. The note needs a noun after 'a convenient': location.
The trap: Station is the tempting word, but the company isn't in a station. It's in a good location near one.
Question 8
Answer: jeansWhen Martha says she's not sure what to wear
What should Martha not wear to the interview?
Nothing too casual - like jeans, for example. If you've got a nice jacket, wear that with a skirt or trousers.
Question says → You hear
Don't wearNothing too casual - like jeans
Why: Jeans are the example of what's too casual. The note says 'Don't wear ...', so jeans.
The trap: Jacket, skirt and trousers are all said after, but they're what she should wear.
Question 9
Answer: lateWhen Martha asks 'Any other tips?'
What should Martha not be?
arrive in plenty of time. They hate people … are late
Question says → You hear
Don't bearrive in plenty of time. They hate people … are late
Why: Alex says to arrive in plenty of time because they hate people who are late. 'Don't be ...' needs an adjective: late.
The trap: 'Nervous' or 'terrified' fit 'Don't be', and fear comes up in the next tip. But Alex never tells her not to be nervous here.
Question 10
Answer: smileThe last tip, from advice his manager gave him
What does Alex say Martha must make sure she does?
feel terrified. It makes people respond better … I'll have to practise doing that in the mirror!
Question says → You hear
Make sure youIt makes people respond better
Why: In the recording, Alex's manager told him to smile, even if you feel terrified, because people respond better. Practising in the mirror confirms the answer is smile.
The trap: 'Make sure you know exactly where you have to get to' comes just before, but it goes with the punctuality tip. The gap needs one verb.
Alex took the IT skills diploma, and that's the subject he names. But he wishes he'd done the one Martha mentions instead: business skills. The answer comes from her line, not his.
Alex was 18, most trainees were between 18 and 20, and only one person was younger than him: 17. Three numbers in one breath, and you need the smallest.
This tip comes last and quickly, as advice his manager once gave him: smile, even if you feel terrified. Martha's reply about practising in the mirror confirms it.
Words from this recording worth keeping
initial(Alex's training)
first, at the beginning
on the job(Alex's training)
while working, not at school
diploma(Alex's training)
a certificate for completing a course
minimum wage(Benefits)
the lowest pay allowed by law
massively(Benefits)
by a very large amount
casual(Interview advice)
informal, relaxed
terrified(Interview advice)
very frightened
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The full Cambridge 13 Test 4 listening paper with the real audio: all four parts, played once, marked the moment you finish. Already done it? Take it again and listen for the traps this page showed you.
Cambridge IELTS 13, Test 4, Listening Part 1. The recording, transcript and questions belong to Cambridge University Press and are not reproduced here. We quote short extracts of the transcript only as evidence for our own commentary, and the answers are published for self-marking. Get the book for the full material, or sit the test on Langujet.
The rest of Cambridge 13 Test 4 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're hereAlex's Training
