West Bay Hotel: listening answers and explanations
A man phones the West Bay Hotel about its newspaper advert for temporary staff. A receptionist gives him the main details: the job, shifts and time off, pay and meals, what to wear, the start date, and who to call next and when.
One ten-gap note block, strictly in order. The man asks most of the questions and the receptionist gives every answer. The order is job, time off, pay, meals, clothes, start date, then the contact details and the reference at the very end.
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 (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)
Note completion (NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)
Questions 1-10
How to attack this block: Almost every gap has a near-miss next to it: the cook job already taken, the shift you can't choose, the waistcoat you don't need, the date he is free. Listen for the detail that fits the note's wording, often the one after a 'but' or a correction.
Question 1
Answer: waitersHis first question, what kind of staff they are looking for
Also accepted: waiter
What job vacancies does the hotel have?
We're looking for waiters at the moment. There was one post … cook, but that's already been taken.
Question says → You hear
Vacancies forWe're looking for waiters at the moment
Why: The hotel is looking for waiters. 'Vacancies for' takes a plural, so waiters (waiter is also accepted).
The trap: A cook was needed, but 'that's already been taken', so it's no longer a vacancy.
Question 2
Answer: day offWhen he asks about time off, after the shifts
What can staff choose for themselves?
You get one day off and I think you can negotiate which one you want, it's more or less up to you, But it has to be the same one every week.
Question says → You hear
Can choose youryou can negotiate which one you want
must be the same each weekit has to be the same one every week
Why: You can pick which day off you want, as long as it's the same one each week. The answer is day off.
The trap: The shift is the first thing he asks about choosing, and the answer is 'Not normally': you alternate weekly.
Question 3
Answer: breakWhen he asks about the rates of pay
What is included in the hourly pay?
You get £5.50 an hour, and that includes a break.
Question says → You hear
including athat includes a break
Why: The £5.50 includes a break. One word after 'a': break.
The trap: Tips come up later, but they are extra, not part of the hourly rate.
Question 4
Answer: free mealWhen he asks if he has to go home to eat
Also accepted: meal
What is provided for staff in the hotel?
You can get a meal in the hotel if you want to, and there's no charge for it so you might as well.
Question says → You hear
provided in the hotelYou can get a meal in the hotel
Why: Staff get a meal in the hotel and 'there's no charge', so free meal (or just meal) fits 'A ... is provided'.
The trap: 'A' in the note means a singular noun: meal, not meals. 'Break' was the answer just before; don't mix them up.
Question 5
Answer: darkWhen he asks if there is a uniform
Also accepted: dark coloured / dark colored
What colour trousers must staff wear?
You need to wear a white shirt, just a plain one, and dark trousers. You know, not green or anything like that.
Why: Staff wear dark trousers. White is already printed for the shirt, so the gap is dark.
The trap: Green is said too, but as an example of what not to wear.
Question 6
Answer: jacketWhen he asks if he needs a waistcoat
Which item of clothing does the hotel supply?
Do I need a waistcoat or anything? … You have to wear a jacket, but the hotel lends you that.
Question says → You hear
(supplied)the hotel lends you that
Why: The hotel lends staff a jacket, which matches 'supplied'.
The trap: Waistcoat is his guess, and it isn't confirmed. The shirt and trousers are 'not supplied'.
Question 7
Answer: 28 JuneHis last question, the starting date
Also accepted: 28th June / June 28 / June 28th
When does the job start?
I think it's some time around the end of June. Yes, the 28th, in time for the summer. … I'm available from the 10th.
Question says → You hear
Starting datethe starting date
Why: The receptionist checks and gives the 28th, at the end of June. Write 28 June.
The trap: The 10th is when he's available, said straight after. 'End of June' alone isn't precise enough.
Question 8
Answer: UrwinWhen the receptionist tells him who to speak to next
What is the Service Manager's surname?
if you can call again you need to speak to the Service Manager. Her name's Jane Urwin
Why: The Service Manager is Jane Urwin. The note gives Jane, so write the surname: Urwin, U-R-W-I-N.
The trap: The receptionist spells it out after 'that's', which is your cue that spelling counts. Irwin or Erwin loses the mark.
The time is given as a reason: she 'starts checking the rooms at midday, so before then'. Midday or 12.00 is the answer, not a phone number or 'tomorrow'.
Words from this recording worth keeping
temporary staff(The advert)
workers employed for a short time only
post(Vacancies)
a job
shift(Hours of work)
a set period of work, e.g. day or night
alternate(Hours of work)
change from one to the other in turn
negotiate(Time off)
discuss to reach an agreement
tips(Pay)
extra money customers give for good service
direct line(Contact details)
a phone number that goes straight to one person
vouch for(Reference)
say that someone is honest and reliable
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The full Cambridge 8 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 8, 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 8 Test 4 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're hereWest Bay Hotel
