# The Birth of Susan's Baby: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 3, Test 4, Listening Part 1

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 3, Test 4, 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 | 4.25 | He weighed four and a quarter kilos when he was born. |
| 2 | 46 | And he's long too, 46 centimeters. |
| 3 | A | Not exactly, it's next to a bank. ... The State Bank actually. |
| 4 | D | The library is opposite us, on the corner. |
| 5 | C | there's a garage on the other street corner |
| 6 | chocolates | And what about a big box of chocolates? ... OK, chocolates sound fine. |
| 7 | toy | Yes, a soft toy. ... What about a teddy bear? |
| 8 | market | I could get one early tomorrow at the market. ... And I could probably get the chocolates there too. |
| 9 | market | I could get one early tomorrow at the market. |
| 10 | 35 | And the toy would be around $35 or so |

## Why these answers are right

**1. 4.25.** The notes ask for the baby's weight in kilos. Sarah says he "weighed four and a quarter kilos when he was born", and John repeats the figure, so you write 4.25 (or four and a quarter) before the printed kgs.

**2. 46.** This line needs the baby's length in centimeters. Sarah adds that he is "long too, 46 centimeters", so the number 46 goes in the gap; John's guess that the boy will grow to over 2 meters is a joke about the future, not a measurement.

**3. A.** Building 3 sits right beside John's house. When Sarah guesses the house is next to the library, John corrects her: "it's next to a bank. The State Bank actually." So the building next door is the State Bank, letter A.

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

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 1.

**Announcer:** You will hear a conversation between two friends who are planning to visit a friend of theirs who has just had a baby.

**Announcer:** First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.

**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.

**Sarah:** John, I've just had some good news.

**Sarah:** Susan has had her baby.

**John:** Do you know when she had it?

**Sarah:** Yesterday, the tenth of August.

**John:** Oh.

**John:** My father was born on August the 10th.

**Announcer:** The baby was born on the tenth of August.

**Announcer:** So, August 10th 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 to the first part of the conversation, and answer questions 1 to 5.

**Sarah:** John, I've just had some good news.

**Sarah:** Susan has had her baby.

**John:** Do you know when she had it?

**Sarah:** Yesterday, the 10th of August.

**John:** Oh.

**John:** My father was born on August the 10th.

**John:** Give me the details, and I'll make a note for everyone at work.

**Sarah:** OK.

**John:** Well, was it a boy or a girl?

**Sarah:** It's a boy.

**John:** And what are they gonna call him?

**Sarah:** Tom Lightfoot.

**Sarah:** That sounds quite good, don't you think?

**John:** Yes, that has quite a good ring to it.

**Sarah:** You know he's quite a big baby.

**Sarah:** He weighed four and a quarter kilos when he was born.

**John:** Oh, that does sound big, four and a quarter kilos.

**Sarah:** And he's long too, 46 centimeters.

**John:** Hmm, tall parents.

**John:** He'll grow up to be over 2 meters I'd say.

**Sarah:** With masses of black hair, curly black hair.

**Sarah:** You know, we should go and visit them in hospital.

**Sarah:** What about tomorrow afternoon at around 1 pm?

**John:** Yes, OK.

**Sarah:** Where should we meet?

**Sarah:** Ah, I could come and pick you up at your house if you like.

**John:** Yes, that would be wonderful.

**John:** My car is still off the road.

**Sarah:** Just refresh my memory, uh, what's the address again?

**John:** It's 15 Chesterfield Road, Paddington.

**Sarah:** It's next to the library, isn't it?

**John:** Uh. Not exactly, it's next to a bank.

**John:** The State Bank actually. The library is opposite us, on the corner.

**Sarah:** That's right, and there's a garage on the other street corner, I remember now.

**Sarah:** Hmm.

**John:** So you'll pick me up at a quarter to 1, and we'll be there at 1 easily.

**Announcer:** Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.

**Announcer:** Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.

**Sarah:** Now, what should we take?

**Sarah:** We must take them something.

**John:** I always think flowers are good to take to someone in hospital, don't you?

**Sarah:** Well, not really.

**Sarah:** Everyone always brings flowers, and they don't last.

**Sarah:** I think it's much better to take a pot plant, so she can take it home with her.

**John:** Yes, but then she has to remember to water it.

**John:** And what about a big box of chocolates?

**Sarah:** OK, chocolates sound fine.

**Sarah:** We should get something for the baby too.

**Sarah:** What do you think?

**John:** Yes, you're right.

**John:** What do you think of something like baby shampoo or talcum powder?

**Sarah:** Or we could get a little hat or something like that.

**John:** We don't know the size, or the right color, do we?

**Sarah:** I think we should get something they wouldn't normally buy.

**Sarah:** What about a soft toy of some sort?

**John:** Yes, a soft toy.

**Sarah:** What about a teddy bear?

**John:** I could get one early tomorrow at the market.

**John:** And I could probably get the chocolates there too.

**Sarah:** Good.

**John:** So you'll pick me up at a quarter to 1 at my place, and I'll make sure that I've got the presents.

**Sarah:** You must remember how much you paid for the gifts.

**Sarah:** So I can pay you back for half, if they're going to be from both of us, I would like to go shares.

**John:** OK, I'd say the chocolates would be about $15 for something nice, and not too small.

**John:** And the toy would be around $35 or so, I think.

**Sarah:** Good, that'll be fine.

**Sarah:** About $25 each then.

**Sarah:** Good, I'll pick you up then on Sunday at 12:45.

**John:** OK.

**Sarah:** See you then.

**Sarah:** Bye.

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

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

[Practice The Birth of Susan's Baby](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/the-birth-of-susans-baby)