IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions | Example 1

Section 1 is a conversation between Fred and Mary about a farewell party.

Fred: Mary, thank God you’re here. We’ve a ton of work to do if we are going to get everything ready for tonight. Whose idea was it to have this going away party for Christ anyway?

Mary: It was your idea Fred, remember.

Fred: Hey, I suggested a small get together for a few close friends. I didn’t mean inviting half the university.

Mary: Well, it’s too late now. We have about 3 hours to get everything under control. Have you got that list of things we need to do?

Fred: Yes, it’s in my room. Hang on, I’d go get it. Ha, I can’t find it.

Mary: What do you mean you can’t find it?

Fred: I can’t find it. What do you think I mean? Damn, I remember, I left it in the library.

Mary: Okay, okay, cool down. We’ll manage. I can remember what’s on it. Let’s check the food and drinks situation. Did you arrange the beer?

Fred: Yeah. Jim said he’d bring 10 cases of cold Budweiser. I sent a couple of big bins to keep it cold. He says he’d get here around 5.

Mary: Huh, you know Jim, he’d probably turn up drunk around midnight.

Fred: No problem. I phoned him a few minutes ago. He’s at Jenny’s place. She’s keeping him away from alcohol until he’s delivered everything safe and sound. What about the wine, you said you’d look after it?

Mary: Oh my God, I completely forgot. What’s the time?

Fred: Half past 3.

Mary: Okay, I’d go to the liquor store and sort it out. Will they deliver?

Fred: No problem, but you’ll have to pay upfront.

Mary: I reckon about 60 people will turn up. Allow for half a bottle per person. That makes 30 bottles, half red, half white. What do you think?

Fred: uh, that should be enough. Better to have too much than too little. Why not make it 40. 25 reds and 15 white.

PAUSE

Mary: Yeah, I guess most people prefer red. Where is the nearest liquor store?

Fred: Not far. Go out the front door, turn right. Sorry left. Take the second street on your right and its 300 yards down on the left, just before you get to the park.

Mary: Okay, I’d go in a few minutes. Let’s first make a quick list to make sure we haven’t forgotten anything. Glasses. Glasses. What about glasses?

Fred: Sally borrowed a 100 beer glasses and a 100 wine glasses from the student bar. There in the cupboard. Should be enough.

Mary: Yeah should be. And what about the barbeques?

Fred: I’ve got two barbecues and plenty of charcoals out the back. Jane and I spent 3 hours yesterday getting the steaks, chicken legs and sausages ready. They’re all in the big fridge. Should taste terrific. Tons of garlic, pepper and soy sauce, no MSG.

Mary: Sounds good. What about plates and things?

Fred: Sally has looked after that as well. She’s borrowed them from the bar too. They’re in the cupboard with the glasses. You know Sally refuses to use throwaway things. Bad for the environment.

Mary: Good for her.

Fred: Oh, just remembered. Could you pick up another 20 loaves of French bread and a few packets of paper napkins?

Mary: No problem. Is there a shop on the way?

Fred: There is a supermarket just before you get to the liquor store. Can you manage everything or should I go with you?

Mary: I’ve got this huge rock sack. No problem. Damn, just remembered. I’m over my limit on my credit card. Have you got $500 on you? We’ll work out who owes who how much later.

Fred: No problem. I took out $1000 this morning. Here’s $500.

Mary: Ta. Okay, I’d get going. See you in a while.

Fred: Ciao. See you.

PAUSE

1. About three hours
2. In the library
3. Around 5
4. 25 red and 15 white

“Well, it’s too late now. We have about 3 hours to get everything under control. Have you got that list of things we need to do?”

For the second question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“I can’t find it. What do you think I mean? Damn, I remember, I left it in the library.”

For the third question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“Yeah. Jim said he’d bring 10 cases of cold Budweiser. I sent a couple of big bins to keep it cold. He says he’d get here around 5.”

For the fourth question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“uh, that should be enough. Better to have too much than too little. Why not make it 40. 25 reds and 15 white”