# Enquiry about renting a house: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 3, Test 1, Listening Part 1

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 3, 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 | city centre | the main areas we deal with are the city center itself. |
| 2 | 250 and 500 | It really ranges from 250 pounds per month. ... To about 500 pounds |
| 3 | garden | and then whether there's a garden. |
| 4 | 325 | which is GBP 325 a month. |
| 5 | water | that one just includes the water bill. |
| 6 | telephone | but it does include the telephone rental. |
| 7 | Wednesday | How about Wednesday afternoon? |
| 8 | employer | And then a reference letter from your employer. |
| 9 | 2 weeks' | we would need you to give two weeks' notice of moving in. |
| 10 | month rent | That's one month's rent, whatever the amount is. |

## Why these answers are right

**1. city centre.** The notes list two areas the agency covers, and north suburbs is already printed. Janice says the main areas they deal with are the city center itself and then the north suburbs, so the missing area is city centre, in either spelling.

**2. 250 and 500.** This gap needs the lowest and highest monthly rents, joined by and. Janice says prices range from 250 pounds per month to about 500 pounds, depending on several factors, so the answer is 250 and 500.

**3. garden.** Under the factors that change the rent, the notes need a feature whose availability matters. After the quality of the area, Janice adds whether there's a garden, and Jon confirms they want one, so garden fills the gap. Garage is printed separately below.

The why and the trap for questions 4 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/enquiry-about-renting-a-house/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 1.

**Announcer:** Listen to this telephone conversation between Janice Biggins, who works for a house renting agency, and Jon Anderson.

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

**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.

**Janice:** Hello, Flagstone.

**Jon:** Oh, hello.

**Jon:** Is that Flagstone properties?

**Janice:** Yes, that's right.

**Janice:** Flagstone here.

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

**Jon:** Hello, I'm ringing just to make inquiries about renting a house.

**Announcer:** The name of the agent is Flagstone, so Flagstone has been written in the notes.

**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 to the first part of the conversation, and answer questions 1 to 6.

**Janice:** Hello, Flagstone.

**Jon:** Oh, hello.

**Jon:** Is that Flagstone properties?

**Janice:** Yes, that's right.

**Janice:** Flagstone here.

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

**Jon:** Hello, I'm ringing just to make inquiries about renting a house.

**Jon:** My name's Jon Anderson.

**Janice:** Yes, Mr Anderson.

**Janice:** What sort of thing were you looking for?

**Jon:** Um. 2 bedroom house with garden.

**Janice:** Well, yes, sir.

**Janice:** That shouldn't be any problem.

**Janice:** Just to let you know that our main areas, uh, the main areas we deal with are the city center itself.

**Jon:** City center, uh huh.

**Janice:** And the north suburbs.

**Jon:** Oh, well, uh we were most interested in the northern areas, actually.

**Janice:** Right.

**Janice:** Yes.

**Janice:** What sort of price were you thinking of?

**Jon:** Well, uh, could you give me some idea?

**Janice:** Certainly.

**Janice:** It really ranges from 250 pounds per month.

**Jon:** Only 250 pounds?

**Janice:** Yes.

**Janice:** To about 500 pounds, depending on a number of different factors.

**Jon:** What does it depend on?

**Janice:** Well, obviously the quality of the area, and then whether there's a garden.

**Jon:** Well, as I said, we'd want a garden.

**Janice:** And a garage pushes up the price.

**Jon:** Right...

**Jon:** Well, we wouldn't necessarily need one.

**Jon:** I think about 350 pounds a month would be our limit.

**Janice:** OK, well, would you like to have a look at a couple of properties, sir?

**Jon:** Yes, that would be great.

**Janice:** Um. Looking at our files, I think we've got 2 which might suit you.

**Jon:** Oh, hang on, I'll just get a pen.

**Jon:** Uh. Right.

**Janice:** OK, well there's one on West Park Road, which is GBP 325 a month.

**Jon:** Uh huh. Are the bills included?

**Janice:** Well, that one just includes the water bill.

**Jon:** OK, right.

**Janice:** And the second house is in Tithe road.

**Janice:** I'll just spell that for you, OK?

**Jon:** Yep.

**Janice:** TITHE Road.

**Jon:** Uh. Yeah, got that.

**Jon:** And how much is that one?

**Janice:** That's 380 pounds.

**Jon:** 380.

**Jon:** Uh. Is that including water?

**Janice:** No, I'm afraid not, but it does include the telephone rental.

**Jon:** Oh, well, ha, that's not too bad then.

**Jon:** Uh. So.

**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.

**Janice:** So, when would you be available to see them?

**Jon:** Well, uh, I'll be in town next week, say Thursday.

**Janice:** No, I'm sorry.

**Janice:** We don't have any availability for Thursday.

**Janice:** How about Wednesday afternoon?

**Jon:** Uh. OK, that's fine.

**Jon:** Would 5 be OK?

**Janice:** Yes, fine.

**Janice:** 5:00 it is.

**Janice:** Just come to the Flagstone offices.

**Jon:** Oh, before I forget.

**Jon:** What sort of things do I need to get done to rent with you?

**Janice:** Well, the most important thing is a letter from your bank.

**Jon:** No problem.

**Janice:** And then a reference letter from your employer.

**Jon:** Yes.

**Jon:** That's OK.

**Janice:** Great.

**Janice:** And then we would need you to give two weeks' notice of moving in.

**Jon:** Right, uh, 2 weeks notice.

**Jon:** And what about a deposit?

**Janice:** That's one month's rent, whatever the amount is.

**Jon:** OK, 1 month, is that it?

**Janice:** No, sorry, one more, you will have to pay for the contract.

**Jon:** Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that.

**Jon:** OK, fine.

**Jon:** So I'll start arranging those, and I'll see you next week.

**Jon:** Yes, thanks very much.

**Jon:** Bye.

**Janice:** Goodbye.

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

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

[Practice Enquiry about renting a house](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/enquiry-about-renting-a-house)