# A Botanic Garden Visitor Survey: answers and explanations

Testmigo Practice Test 3, Listening Part 1

Source: Written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Pryor | P, R, Y, O, R |
| 2 | tram | so this morning I took the tram instead |
| 3 | 8 | So that makes it eight. |
| 4 | sketch | these days I mainly come to sketch |
| 5 | Palm | my favourite has to be the Palm House |
| 6 | neighbour | it was my neighbour who told me about the place |
| 7 | more benches | I'd add more benches |
| 8 | plant labels | It's the plant labels I struggle with |
| 9 | bat walk | Maybe a bat walk |
| 10 | email | Email would be best |

## Why these answers are right

**1. Pryor.** The researcher reads the surname back as P, R, I, O, R, like the ordinary word prior. Megan says that is how everybody writes it, then spells her name with a Y: P, R, Y, O, R.

**2. tram.** Megan usually cycles to the garden, but her bike has a flat tyre, so this morning she took the tram instead. The form asks about today only, and the researcher repeats the tram to confirm it.

**3. 8.** Megan first guesses about six visits in the last year. She then remembers bringing her parents twice in the summer and adds those visits, giving a total of eight, which the researcher repeats.

The why and the trap for questions 4 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/a-botanic-garden-visitor-survey/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Part 1. You will hear a conversation between a researcher and a visitor at a city botanic garden. The researcher is asking the visitor questions for a survey.

**Announcer:** First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 6.

**Announcer:** Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 6.

**Declan:** Excuse me, sorry to stop you. I'm doing a visitor survey for Brackenmoor Botanic Garden.

**Declan:** Would you have five minutes to spare?

**Megan:** Sure, I'm in no hurry. I was about to sit down for a while anyway.

**Declan:** Grand, thanks a million. It's all anonymous, but we ask for a surname, because everyone who takes part goes into a prize draw.

**Megan:** Oh, nice. What's the prize?

**Declan:** A voucher for the café by the lake. So, could I have your surname?

**Megan:** Sure. It's Pryor.

**Declan:** Is that P, R, I, O, R, the same as in a prior arrangement?

**Megan:** Everybody writes it like that, but no. It's P, R, Y, O, R.

**Declan:** With a Y. Got it. And your first name?

**Megan:** Megan.

**Declan:** Thanks, Megan. And do you live here in the city?

**Megan:** I do. I moved over from Canada about three years ago, for my job.

**Declan:** Right so. The first proper question is how you got to the garden today.

**Megan:** Well, normally I cycle. It's only fifteen minutes from my apartment.

**Megan:** But my bike has a flat tyre at the moment, so this morning I took the tram instead.

**Declan:** The tram. And you didn't think about driving?

**Megan:** No, I don't even have a car here.

**Declan:** Next, roughly how many times have you visited in the last twelve months, counting today?

**Megan:** Hmm. About six, I'd say.

**Megan:** Oh, wait, I forgot about when my parents came over in the summer. I brought them here twice. So that makes it eight.

**Declan:** Eight visits. That's a good number. And what's your main reason for coming?

**Megan:** When I first arrived, it was mostly for the exercise. A long walk around the lake on a Sunday.

**Megan:** But these days I mainly come to sketch. I joined an art class last year, and plants are perfect subjects because they keep still.

**Declan:** Ha, they do. Is there one part of the garden you like best?

**Megan:** People always expect me to say the Butterfly House, and it really is gorgeous in June.

**Megan:** But my favourite has to be the Palm House. It's heated, so in the middle of January I can sit in there and pretend I'm somewhere tropical.

**Declan:** That's a popular answer in winter. And how did you first hear about the garden?

**Megan:** I think it was on the city council website. No, hang on, that's not right.

**Megan:** I checked the opening hours online, but it was my neighbour who told me about the place, the same week I moved in.

**Declan:** So your neighbour told you first. Lovely, I'll tick that box.

**Announcer:** Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10.

**Announcer:** Now listen and answer questions 7 to 10.

**Declan:** The second half is about improvements. Your opinions really do count.

**Megan:** OK, go ahead.

**Declan:** If the garden could add one thing, what would you choose?

**Megan:** A lot of people would probably say a gift shop, and I suppose that would bring in some money.

**Megan:** But honestly, I'd add more benches. When you walk all the way round the lake path, there's nowhere to sit down and rest.

**Declan:** I'll put that down. Quite a few people have said that.

**Declan:** Is there anything about the signs or information that you find difficult?

**Megan:** The big map at the main gate is fine. It's clear, and it's in colour.

**Megan:** It's the plant labels I struggle with. The print on them is tiny, and some are half hidden under leaves.

**Declan:** That's useful to know. Now, the garden would like to run more events. Is there a kind of event you'd come to?

**Megan:** You already have the plant sale in spring, which I always go to. And there are yoga classes on the lawn, but that's not really my thing.

**Megan:** What I'd love is something after dark. Maybe a bat walk, with a guide who knows about wildlife. Bats come out at night to catch insects, don't they?

**Declan:** They do, and there are a few living near the lake. A bat walk. I'll pass that on.

**Declan:** Last question. The garden sends out a newsletter four times a year. Would you like to receive it?

**Megan:** Yes, please. Not on paper, though. Anything that comes by post ends up straight in my recycling.

**Declan:** We can also send a text message with the main dates, if that suits you better.

**Megan:** Hmm, I'd probably miss a text among all the others. Email would be best. I do actually read my emails.

**Declan:** Email it is. Thanks very much for your time, Megan.

**Megan:** No problem. Good luck with the survey.

**Announcer:** That is the end of Part 1. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers.

[Practice A Botanic Garden Visitor Survey](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/a-botanic-garden-visitor-survey)