# Conversation about Caring for Elderly Mother and Council Support: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 2, Listening Part 1

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 2, 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 | break | and also that they sometimes need a break |
| 2 | time | the amount of time you spend looking after your mother every day |
| 3 | shower | I help her get into the shower in the morning |
| 4 | money | and whether she can cope using money |
| 5 | memory | quite bad problems with her memory |
| 6 | lifting | Lifting her for example? ... she's quite heavy, and I'm afraid of hurting my back |
| 7 | fall | how to avoid the possibility of your mom having a fall |
| 8 | taxi | if you have to get a taxi to take your mother for an appointment |
| 9 | insurance | So could I claim for the petrol? ... and you can claim for the insurance too |
| 10 | stress | you're under quite a bit of stress ... some advice on how to minimize it |

## Why these answers are right

**1. break.** Tom says the council understands that carers need time for their other responsibilities and also that they sometimes need a break. The notes already list time for other responsibilities, so the second benefit, a break, is the answer.

**2. time.** The assessment starts with the amount of time Carol spends looking after her mother every day. How much ___ the caring involves is a paraphrase of the amount of time, so the single word needed is time.

**3. shower.** Carol says she helps her mother with getting dressed and also helps her get into the shower in the morning. The notes say helping her have a, so the noun shower completes the task list.

The why and the trap for questions 4 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/conversation-about-caring-for-elderly-mother-and-council-support/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Part 1.

**Announcer:** You will hear a woman who is caring for her elderly mother talking to a friend.

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

**Announcer:** Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.

**Carol:** It's really good to see you, Tom.

**Carol:** Since I had to give up work, I feel I'm losing touch with my friends and colleagues.

**Tom:** We really miss you in the office.

**Tom:** We were all so sorry you had to leave.

**Tom:** But you must be relieved to have more time to look after your mother.

**Tom:** How is she?

**Carol:** Well, she's very cheerful, but she needs a lot of help.

**Tom:** Have you tried to get any support from the local council?

**Carol:** No, I didn't know I could.

**Tom:** Yes, they offer different kinds of practical support.

**Tom:** They realize that carers sometimes need time for all the other responsibilities they have apart from the person they're caring for, and also that they sometimes need a break.

**Carol:** uh Absolutely.

**Carol:** Ok, so tell me more.

**Carol:** How do I go about getting this support?

**Tom:** Well, you'd have to have an assessment of your mother's needs.

**Tom:** That means someone would come round and talk to you about the situation and what you need.

**Tom:** So for a start, they'd want to know the amount of time you spend looking after your mother every day.

**Carol:** OK.

**Tom:** Then they'll probably ask you what sorts of tasks you do for your mother during the day.

**Tom:** Things like if she needs help with getting dressed, for example.

**Carol:** Right, I help her with that, and also I help her get into the shower in the morning.

**Tom:** Yes, that sort of thing.

**Tom:** They'll probably ask you if you do the shopping for her, and help her at meal times, and whether she can cope using money.

**Carol:** Yes, that's becoming a bit of a problem.

**Carol:** She used to be very good at it, but uh not anymore.

**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.

**Tom:** And be ready to tell them about anything you find particularly difficult about caring for your mother.

**Carol:** So recently, I've noticed she started to have quite bad problems with her memory.

**Carol:** If I wasn't there, I think she'd forget to eat for example, and often she doesn't seem quite sure what day it is.

**Tom:** Yes, tell them about that.

**Tom:** And are there any physical difficulties you have caring for her?

**Tom:** Lifting her for example?

**Carol:** Yes, she's quite heavy, and I'm afraid of hurting my back.

**Carol:** I'd be in real trouble if that happened.

**Tom:** They can give you advice about that, and also about how to avoid the possibility of your mom having a fall.

**Carol:** Great.

**Carol:** So once they've done this assessment, if I'm eligible, uh what happens next?

**Tom:** Well, they might support you financially, so they might help you with transport costs, like if you have to get a taxi to take your mother for an appointment for example.

**Carol:** I usually drive her myself, actually.

**Carol:** So could I claim for the petrol?

**Tom:** You could, and you can claim for the insurance too.

**Carol:** Oh, right.

**Tom:** And if you need help with the housework, they can arrange for someone to come along once or twice a week.

**Tom:** And one other thing, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but it's important you look after yourself, and it seems to me you're under quite a bit of stress.

**Carol:** I am, yes.

**Tom:** Well tell the council, because they may be able to give you some advice on how to minimize it.

**Carol:** Really?

**Carol:** Though, actually, I feel so much better having talked to you.

**Carol:** I'll get in touch with the council straight away.

**Carol:** Now, shall we go for coffee or some?

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

**Announcer:** You now have one minute to check your answers to part 1.

[Practice Conversation about Caring for Elderly Mother and Council Support](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/conversation-about-caring-for-elderly-mother-and-council-support)