South City Cycling Club: listening answers and explanations
A woman phones South City Cycling Club to ask about joining. Jim, the club secretary, explains the two types of membership, where to order the club kit, how the training rides work, and what to bring on a ride.
One ten-gap note block, in order, under three headings: membership (1-3), training rides (4-6) and further information (7-10). Jim gives every answer, often straight after one of the woman's questions, so let her questions tell you which gap is next.
Answer key and self-check
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Q
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Answer
Questions 1-10 · Note completion (ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER)
How to attack this block: Several gaps sit in lists of numbers or places, so you'll hear more than one candidate: three speeds for three levels, two meeting points for two days. Match the detail in the notes (level B, Tuesday, Thursday) before you write. One answer is a spelled-out company name.
Question 1
Answer: racesWhen Jim describes the Full membership for serious cyclists
Besides cycling, what does Full membership cover across Australia?
That costs 260 dollars and that covers … for races both here in the city and also in other parts
Question says → You hear
covers cycling and ... all over Australiacovers … for races both here in the city and also in other parts
Why: The $260 membership covers you for races in the city and in other parts of Australia. The notes need a plural noun: races.
The trap: The woman says she isn't up to that standard and chooses the other membership. That doesn't change this answer: the gap is about what Full membership covers.
Question 2
Answer: insuranceJust after Jim says the Recreational membership is paid quarterly
Apart from the club fee, what is included in the cost of membership?
Now both … club fee … OK, well, I'll go with the Recreational membership, I think.
Question says → You hear
includes the club fee andNow both … club fee
Why: In the recording, Jim says both types of membership include the club fee and insurance. The club fee is printed, so the gap is the other item: insurance.
The trap: Jim goes on to mention something she won't need, which makes some people cross out what they heard. Stay with the two things both memberships include. Upgrading to Full membership is an option, not part of the cost.
Question 3
Answer: JerrizAfter the woman asks if she can buy the green and white kit at the club
What is the name of the company that makes the club kit?
No, it's made to order by a company in Brisbane. … called Jerriz. That's J-E-R-R-I-Z.
Question says → You hear
made by a company calledmade to order by a company in Brisbane … called Jerriz
Why: Jim spells the name, which tells you it's the answer. Copy the letters exactly, with a capital J.
The trap: Brisbane is the city, not the company. And the double R and the Z at the end are where the spelling goes wrong.
Question 4
Answer: 25When Jim explains the three levels of training ride
Also accepted: twenty-five
How fast do riders in level B go?
Level A is pretty fast - you're looking at about 30 or 35 kilometres an hour, level B … level C are the novices, who stay at about 15 kilometres per hour
Question says → You hear
Level B: speed about ... kphlevel B
Why: In the recording Jim gives level B as about 25 kilometres an hour, between level A and level C. Write 25 in digits.
The trap: 30 or 35 is level A and 15 is level C. Both are said clearly, and both are wrong for level B.
Question 5
Answer: stadiumAfter the woman says she'd be level B and asks when the sessions are
Where do riders meet for the Tuesday session?
stadium - do you know where that is?
Question says → You hear
Tuesdays ... meet at thestadium - do you know where that is?
Why: The Tuesday early-morning session meets at the stadium. Jim checks that she knows where it is, and she says it's quite near her home.
The trap: Two meeting points come close together. The stadium is the first one, for Tuesday; the second one is for Thursday.
Question 6
Answer: parkWhen the woman asks 'how about the other one?'
Where do riders meet on Thursdays?
the park … Is that the one just past the shopping mall? … That's it
Question says → You hear
meet at the entrance to thethe park
Why: The Thursday session meets at the entrance to the park. The woman checks which park and Jim confirms.
The trap: The shopping mall is just a landmark the woman uses to identify the park. The meeting point is the park, not the mall.
Question 7
Answer: coffeeAfter Jim says the rides last about an hour and a half
What do members often have together after a ride?
quite a social event … for coffee afterwards
Question says → You hear
Members often have ... together afterwardsfor coffee afterwards
Why: Members often go somewhere for coffee afterwards, which makes the ride quite a social event. The gap needs a noun: coffee.
The trap: 'Work' is mentioned in the same stretch, as the reason the rides fit in before your job. It isn't something they have together.
Question 8
Answer: leaderWhen the woman asks 'And does each ride have a leader?'
What is not always with the group on rides?
And does each ride have a leader? … Sometimes, but not always. But you don't really need one
Question says → You hear
not always a ... with the groupSometimes, but not always
Why: The woman asks about a leader and Jim answers 'Sometimes, but not always'. The word comes from her question: leader.
The trap: The answer is in the question, not the reply. If you wait for Jim to say the noun, you'll miss it.
Question 9
Answer: routeWhen the woman asks 'How would we know where to go?'
What should you check and print from the website before a ride?
If you check the club website … print that out and … It's similar from one week to another, but it's not always exactly the same
Question says → You hear
Check and print the ... on the websiteIf you check the club website … print that out
Why: In the recording, Jim says the route is clearly marked on the website, so you can print it and take it with you. It changes a little each week, which is why you check it.
The trap: 'Map' is the word many people expect, but Jim talks about the route. Write the word he uses.
Question 10
Answer: lightsThe last item, after water and your phone
What must bikes have?
And in winter, it's well before sunrise when we set out … need to make sure your bike's got lights
Question says → You hear
Bikes must havemake sure your bike's got lights
Why: The rides start before sunrise in winter, so the bike needs lights. The key takes the plural, lights.
The trap: A bottle of water and your phone come first, but they're things you bring, not things the bike must have.
Jim gives speeds for all three levels: 30 or 35 for A, about 25 for B, and 15 for C. You need the middle one. Earlier the woman also says she's 25, which can confuse you if you lose your place.
The club fee is printed in the notes, so the gap is the other thing both memberships include: insurance. This stretch of the call is fast and cluttered with other details, so it's easy to miss.
Jim says the route is clearly marked on the website and she can print it out. People who expect 'map' write that, but the word Jim uses is route.
Words from this recording worth keeping
membership(Membership)
being a member of a club
quarterly(Membership)
every three months
upgrade(Membership)
change to a better, more expensive option
made to order(Club kit)
made specially for each customer
novices(Training rides)
beginners
level of fitness(Training rides)
how fit you are
set out(Further information)
start a journey
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The rest of Cambridge 13 Test 2 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're hereSouth City Cycling Club
