# Report of a Stolen Briefcase: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 1, Test 1, Listening Part 1

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 1, 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 | A | it's a soft leather one, you know, not a heavy box type like a man's. ... It's got buckles at the front, two of them, they're gold plated ones. |
| 2 | C | It's on the back, at the bottom, in the left-hand corner. ... It's quite bad, but small, directly above the brand name. |
| 3 | D | Well, all my papers from college. ... I had my wallet in my pocket, so I didn't lose that. ... But there were also my pens which I got for my birthday, and a novel I was planning to read on the train. |
| 4 | D | I was standing on the platform, it was right next to me. ... I just put it down on the floor, but I could almost feel it beside me. ... I was watching for my tram because sometimes it comes early |
| 5 | C | It was it must have been about 5:20 no, a bit later. ... I'd say 5:30, because it was just getting crowded |
| 6 | Prescott | I'm Mary Prescott. ... Yes, it's PRESCOTT. |
| 7 | 41 | Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury. ... Fountain Road, yes, No. 41. |
| 8 | Fountain | Fountain Road, yes, No. 41. |
| 9 | 752239 | Yes, it's 752239. ... 752239. |
| 10 | 65 | I bought it last month for GBP 40 I suppose about 65 pounds. ... The contents are worth about 20 or 25 pounds at least. |

## Why these answers are right

**1. A.** The question asks which picture matches her briefcase. She calls it a soft leather one, not a heavy box type like a man's, and says it closes with two gold-plated buckles at the front. Only picture A shows a soft case fastened by two buckled straps.

**2. C.** You need the picture showing where the brand name and the scratch are. She places the name Sagi on the back, at the bottom, in the left-hand corner, then mentions a small scratch directly above that name. Picture C shows both marks in those positions.

**3. D.** The question asks what was inside the briefcase. She lists all her papers from college, the pens she got for her birthday and a novel for the train. Her wallet was in her pocket, so the full set of contents is papers, pens and novel, option D.

The why and the trap for questions 4 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/report-of-a-stolen-briefcase/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 1, you will hear a telephone conversation between a woman and a police officer.

**Announcer:** First look at questions 1 to 5.

**Announcer:** For each of the questions, four alternatives are given.

**Announcer:** Decide which of the alternatives a, b, c or d.

**Announcer:** Best fits what you hear on the tape, and circle the appropriate letter.

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

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

**Receptionist:** Good evening, City Police Station.

**Receptionist:** Can I help you?

**Woman:** Oh, hello.

**Woman:** I'd like to report a stolen briefcase, please.

**Receptionist:** Just a minute, and I'll put you through.

**Announcer:** The woman says she wants to report a stolen briefcase, so a has been circled.

**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:** Now listen carefully to the first part of the conversation, and answer questions 1 to 5.

**Receptionist:** Good evening, City Police Station.

**Receptionist:** Can I help you?

**Woman:** Oh, hello.

**Woman:** I'd like to report a stolen briefcase, please.

**Receptionist:** Just a minute, and I'll put you through.

**Police Officer:** Lost property, can I help you?

**Woman:** Oh, yes.

**Woman:** I've had my briefcase stolen.

**Police Officer:** OK, I'll take some details.

**Police Officer:** Tell me what it looks like first of all.

**Woman:** Well, it's a soft leather one, you know, not a heavy box type like a man's.

**Police Officer:** Hmm. And how does it close?

**Woman:** It's got buckles at the front, two of them, they're gold plated ones.

**Police Officer:** Fine.

**Police Officer:** Uh. Was it locked?

**Woman:** No, I'm afraid not.

**Police Officer:** Never mind.

**Police Officer:** Any distinguishing features?

**Woman:** Pardon?

**Police Officer:** Any marks or badges on it that make it stand out?

**Woman:** Uh. Only the brand name.

**Police Officer:** And where's that?

**Woman:** It's on the back, at the bottom, in the left-hand corner.

**Woman:** It's Sagi.

**Woman:** Oh, and there's a scratch.

**Woman:** It's quite bad, but small, directly above the brand name.

**Woman:** I did it recently putting it on my bike.

**Police Officer:** Right, got that.

**Police Officer:** So, what did you have inside the briefcase?

**Woman:** Well, all my papers from college.

**Woman:** It's so frustrating, but thank goodness for computers, I haven't lost them completely.

**Police Officer:** Yes, you're lucky.

**Woman:** I had my wallet in my pocket, so I didn't lose that.

**Woman:** But there were also my pens which I got for my birthday, and a novel I was planning to read on the train.

**Police Officer:** Right, where exactly did you lose the briefcase?

**Woman:** Well, I couldn't believe it.

**Woman:** I was standing on the platform, it was right next to me.

**Police Officer:** You were holding it?

**Woman:** I just put it down on the floor, but I could almost feel it beside me.

**Woman:** I was watching for my tram because sometimes it comes early, and then next time I looked, my briefcase wasn't there.

**Police Officer:** And what time was this?

**Woman:** It was it must have been about 5:20 no, a bit later.

**Woman:** I'd say 5:30, because it was just getting crowded, and the train normally comes at about 5:35 (twenty-five to six).

**Announcer:** Before they continue their conversation, look at questions 6 to 10.

**Announcer:** As you listen to the rest of the conversation, complete the form by filling in the numbered spaces 6 to 10.

**Police Officer:** Right, if you'll just give me some personal details.

**Woman:** Yes.

**Police Officer:** What name is it?

**Woman:** I'm Mary Prescott.

**Police Officer:** Can you spell that?

**Woman:** Yes, it's PRESCOTT.

**Police Officer:** And your address?

**Woman:** Flat 2, 41, Fountain Road, Canterbury.

**Police Officer:** Fountain Road, yes, No. 41.

**Police Officer:** And have you got a contact telephone number?

**Woman:** Yes, it's 752239.

**Police Officer:** 752239.

**Police Officer:** Fine.

**Police Officer:** Uh. One last question, what would you say the value of your briefcase is?

**Woman:** Including the contents?

**Police Officer:** Yes.

**Police Officer:** Just a rough estimate is fine.

**Woman:** Oh, I'm not sure.

**Woman:** Well, the briefcase itself is quite new.

**Woman:** I bought it last month for GBP 40 I suppose about 65 pounds.

**Woman:** The contents are worth about 20 or 25 pounds at least.

**Police Officer:** That's fine.

**Police Officer:** Well, um, if you could come down to the station tomorrow, you can sign this form and have a look at what we've got here.

**Woman:** OK, thanks.

**Woman:** Bye.

**Police Officer:** Goodbye.

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

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

[Practice Report of a Stolen Briefcase](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/report-of-a-stolen-briefcase)