# Booking a Whale Watch Holiday with Dreamtime Travel: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 5, Test 1, Listening Part 1

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 5, Test 1, Listening Part 1. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | by minibus | Actually it's by minibus. |
| 2 | 15 | we only take up to 15 people on this tour |
| 3 | April 18th | There's one in three weeks' time, which is April the 18th |
| 4 | Pallisades | It's called the Pallisades. ... PALLISADES. |
| 5 | B, D | your guide will take anyone who is interested either on a bush walk. ... and there's no extra charge for that |
| 6 | B, D | there are table tennis tables downstairs, and they are part of the accommodation package |
| 7 | 280 | it's usually around $300 but let me check. ... Oh, it's actually $280. |
| 8 | 14 | we require all bookings to be made at least 14 days before you travel |
| 9 | 20% | And you also need to pay a 20% deposit, |
| 10 | 39745T | OK, it's 3 9 7 4 5 T, that's T for tango. |

## Why these answers are right

**1. by minibus.** The note asks for the type of transportation. The customer guesses the trip is by coach, but the receptionist corrects him: actually it's by minibus. The word actually signals the correction, so minibus is the answer and coach is only the customer's wrong guess.

**2. 15.** You need the maximum group size. The receptionist says the company only takes up to 15 people on this tour, and up to marks the upper limit. The figures 12 or 13 describe the smallest groups they will still run, so they are not the maximum.

**3. April 18th.** The note asks for the next tour date. The receptionist says the next one is in three weeks' time, on April the 18th, and that there is no other tour until June the second. Next points to the earlier date, so April the 18th goes in the gap.

The why and the trap for questions 4 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/booking-a-whale-watch-holiday-with-dreamtime-travel/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 1, you will hear a telephone conversation between a travel consultant and a customer.

**Announcer:** First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.

**Announcer:** You will see that there is an example which has been done for you.

**Announcer:** On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.

**Receptionist:** Good afternoon, Dreamtime Travel.

**Receptionist:** How can I help you?

**Customer:** Oh, hello. I'm interested in the holidays you offer along the coast near here.

**Receptionist:** Yes, we operate several tours up the coast.

**Receptionist:** Where in particular did you want to go?

**Customer:** Well, I like the sound of the holiday that mentioned whales.

**Customer:** Was it whale watching?

**Receptionist:** Oh, that's our whale watch experience, it's very popular.

**Receptionist:** And it's based in a lovely little town with nice beaches.

**Announcer:** The holiday is called Whale Watch experience.

**Announcer:** So Whale Watch experience has been written on the form.

**Announcer:** Now we shall begin.

**Announcer:** You should answer the questions as you listen, because you will not hear the recording a second time.

**Announcer:** Listen carefully, and answer questions 1 to 4.

**Receptionist:** Good afternoon, Dreamtime Travel.

**Receptionist:** How can I help you?

**Customer:** Oh, hello. I'm interested in the holidays you offer along the coast near here.

**Receptionist:** Yes, we operate several tours up the coast.

**Receptionist:** Where in particular did you want to go?

**Customer:** Well, I like the sound of the holiday that mentioned whales.

**Customer:** Was it whale watching?

**Receptionist:** Oh, that's our whale watch experience.

**Receptionist:** It's very popular.

**Receptionist:** And it's based in a lovely little town with nice beaches.

**Customer:** Oh, right.

**Customer:** And how long does it last?

**Receptionist:** It's 2 days, that includes 4 hours travel time each way from here.

**Customer:** Good, I don't want to be away any longer than that.

**Customer:** So is that by coach?

**Receptionist:** Actually it's by minibus.

**Receptionist:** We like to keep those tours small and personal, so we don't take a whole coach load of people. In fact, we only take up to 15 people on this tour, although we do run it with just 12 or 13.

**Customer:** Oh, right.

**Customer:** So do you run these tours often?

**Receptionist:** Well, it depends on the time of year.

**Receptionist:** Of course, in peak times like the summer holidays, we do them every weekend, but at the moment, it's usually once a month at most.

**Customer:** And when is the next one going?

**Receptionist:** Hmm. Let me see.

**Receptionist:** Uh. There's one in three weeks' time, which is April the 18th, and we don't have another one until June the second.

**Customer:** All right.

**Customer:** Um. And is April a good time to go?

**Receptionist:** Pretty good, though the really good time is later in the year.

**Receptionist:** I have to say though that the whale sighting is only one of the many things offered.

**Customer:** Really?

**Receptionist:** Yes, the hotel itself where you stay has great facilities.

**Receptionist:** It's called the Pallisades.

**Customer:** Uh. The Paris what?

**Receptionist:** No, it's actually the Pallisades.

**Receptionist:** PALLISADES.

**Receptionist:** It's right on the main beach there.

**Customer:** Oh, I see.

**Receptionist:** All of the rooms have nice views, and the food is really good there too.

**Customer:** Oh, right.

**Announcer:** Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 5 to 10.

**Announcer:** Now listen and answer questions 5 to 10.

**Customer:** And what about the other things?

**Customer:** Um. You know that are included in the price?

**Receptionist:** Oh, there are lots of things.

**Receptionist:** But if you don't want to do the whale watch cruise, your guide will take anyone who is interested either on a bush walk.

**Receptionist:** Through the national park near the hotel, and there's no extra charge for that, or on a fishing trip.

**Receptionist:** That's an extra $12 I think.

**Receptionist:** And there's also a reptile park in town, that costs more or less the same.

**Customer:** No, I think I'd prefer whales to snakes.

**Receptionist:** Yeah, and if you just want to relax, you're free to sit by the hotel pool or go down the beach.

**Receptionist:** Oh, and they also have tennis courts at the hotel, but you have to pay for those by the hour.

**Receptionist:** But there are table tennis tables downstairs, and they are part of the accommodation package, just speak to your guide.

**Customer:** Well, that sounds good.

**Customer:** Um. So how much is the basic tour price?

**Receptionist:** At this time of year, it's usually around $300 but let me check.

**Receptionist:** Um. Oh, it's actually $280.

**Customer:** And the next tour, are there any places on that one?

**Receptionist:** How many people is it for?

**Customer:** There are two of us.

**Receptionist:** Yes, that should be fine.

**Receptionist:** Uh. Can I just mention that we require all bookings to be made at least 14 days before you travel to avoid cancellations of tours?

**Receptionist:** And if you cancel within 7 days of departure, you will have to pay 50% of your total booking.

**Customer:** OK.

**Receptionist:** And you also need to pay a 20% deposit,

**Receptionist:** at the time of booking.

**Customer:** Can I pay that by credit card?

**Receptionist:** Yes, you can.

**Customer:** All right, uh, what I'll do is I'll talk to my partner and get back to you.

**Receptionist:** Fine.

**Receptionist:** So I'll make a provisional booking, shall I?

**Receptionist:** 2 for the whale Watch experience.

**Receptionist:** Uh. Let me issue you with a customer reference number for when you call back.

**Receptionist:** Do you have a pen?

**Customer:** Yes.

**Receptionist:** OK, it's 3 9 7 4 5 T, that's T for tango.

**Receptionist:** When you call back, ask to speak to the tour manager.

**Receptionist:** That's me, Tracy.

**Customer:** Fine, I will.

**Announcer:** That is the end of section 1.

**Announcer:** You now have half a minute to check your answers.

[Practice Booking a Whale Watch Holiday with Dreamtime Travel](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/booking-a-whale-watch-holiday-with-dreamtime-travel)