# Buying a Bicycle: Tips and Choices: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 1, Test 2, Listening Part 2

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 1, Test 2, Listening Part 2. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 11 | mountain | touring bikes, mountain bikes, or just plain ordinary bikes |
| 12 | quality | They vary enormously in two basic ways, price and quality. |
| 13 | 2,000 | you can spend anything from $50 to $2,000 on a bike. |
| 14 | short rides | are really only suited to short casual rides. |
| 15 | town riding | 3 speed cycles on the other hand are all that is really necessary for most town riding |
| 16 | serious touring | best suited to riding over long distances or hilly terrain, and to serious touring. |
| 17 | similar | the difference in price between a 5 and 10 speed cycle is usually very little ... So I would tend to recommend the 10 speed bike as the price is similar. |
| 18 | better quality | you'll be getting better quality components. |
| 19 | buying clothes | Buying a cycle is like buying clothes |
| 20 | frame | but by the size of the frame. |

## Why these answers are right

**11. mountain.** The list already shows racing, touring and ordinary bikes, so the gap needs the remaining kind. The presenter names racing bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes and plain ordinary bikes, which leaves "mountain" as the missing type in that order.

**12. quality.** The sentence says bikes vary in price and in one other way. The presenter states that they vary enormously in two basic ways, price and quality, so "quality" completes the pair, since price is already written in the note.

**13. 2,000.** The note gives the lower price of $50.00 and needs the upper limit. The presenter says you can spend anything from $50 to $2,000 on a bike, so the answer is 2,000; the dollar sign is already printed before the gap.

The why and the trap for questions 14 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/buying-a-bicycle-tips-and-choices/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 2, now listen to the first part of the talk, and complete the notes by filling in the numbered spaces 11 to 20.

**Radio Presenter:** Well, last week we talked about buying camping equipment, and today I'd like to talk to you about buying a bicycle.

**Radio Presenter:** A simple enough exercise you might imagine, but there are lots of things to look out for to make sure you get the best deal for your money.

**Radio Presenter:** Well, the range of bicycles is enormous.

**Radio Presenter:** There are racing bikes, touring bikes, mountain bikes, or just plain ordinary bikes for riding round town.

**Radio Presenter:** They vary enormously in two basic ways, price and quality.

**Radio Presenter:** This means that the choice you make will probably be determined by the amount of money you want to pay, your own personal needs, what is actually available, or a compromise of all three things.

**Radio Presenter:** However, in broad terms, you can spend anything from $50 to $2,000 on a bike.

**Radio Presenter:** So you'll need to know what you're looking for.

**Radio Presenter:** Single speed cycles, that is bikes with no gears, are really only suited to short casual rides.

**Radio Presenter:** Their attraction is their simplicity and reliability.

**Radio Presenter:** After years of neglect, they still manage to function, though not always too efficiently.

**Radio Presenter:** If it's basic transport you're after, then you can't go wrong.

**Radio Presenter:** 3 speed cycles on the other hand are all that is really necessary for most town riding, going to the shops and things like that.

**Radio Presenter:** Like the single speed bike, they're simple and reliable.

**Radio Presenter:** If you are going to be going up and down lots of hills, then you'll probably want something more efficient.

**Radio Presenter:** 5 and 10 speed bicycles are best suited to riding over long distances or hilly terrain, and to serious touring.

**Radio Presenter:** So, if it's serious touring you're interested in, get a 5 or 10 speed bike.

**Radio Presenter:** However, it's worth remembering that the difference in price between a 5 and 10 speed cycle is usually very little, and so it's well worth paying that little bit extra to get the 10 speed one.

**Radio Presenter:** So I would tend to recommend the 10 speed bike as the price is similar.

**Radio Presenter:** However, you'll be getting better quality components.

**Radio Presenter:** Now the next thing we need to look at is size.

**Radio Presenter:** Buying a cycle is like buying clothes, first of all you find the right size, and then you try it on to see if it fits.

**Radio Presenter:** Contrary to what you might imagine, the size of the cycle is not determined by the size of the wheels - except in children's cycles - but by the size of the frame.

**Radio Presenter:** So you'll need to measure the length of your legs and arms to get a frame that is the right size for you.

**Radio Presenter:** Well, that's all from Helpful Hints for today.

**Announcer:** That is the end of section 2.

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

[Practice Buying a Bicycle: Tips and Choices](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/buying-a-bicycle-tips-and-choices)