Tip #31 Listening Tip: How to Use the 30-second prep time

.

Tip: Use the 30-second prep time to:

1. Underline anchor words (must be said in the audio) to track question progress.
2. Circle synonyms (keywords that may be paraphrased).
3. Predict grammar (e.g., noun/verb/number) to avoid wrong word forms.
4. Note distractors (irrelevant details) to avoid traps.
   

Try this model first by listening and then check with the transcript beow

Travel Booking
Agent: Good afternoon, Global Getaways, how may I assist you today?
Customer: Hi, I’m interested in booking a return flight to Singapore.
Agent: Certainly! Let me just pull up the system… [keyboard sounds] Ah, yes. We have several options. May I ask your preferred departure city?
Customer: Sydney, please.
Agent: Got it. And when are you planning to set off?
Customer: Ideally March 12th, but I’m flexible if there’s a better deal.
Agent: Hmm, the direct flight on the 12th is QF 81, departing at 11:45 AM and arriving at 4:30 PM local time—that’s roughly 7 hours and 45 minutes.
Customer: Sounds good! What’s the luggage allowance?
Agent: You’re allowed one checked bag up to 23 kg, plus cabin luggage.
Customer: Perfect. I’ll also need accommodation—somewhere central with a gym.
Agent: I’d suggest the Marina Suites. It’s a 10-minute walk from the business district and has 24-hour fitness facilities.
Customer: Great! What’s their cancellation policy?
Agent: Free cancellation up to 48 hours before check-in, which starts at 2 PM.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (Full Sentences)
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

1. The customer wants to book a flight to ____________, with a total flight time of approximately ____________.
2. The departure date is ____________, and the flight number is ____________.
3. The luggage allowance includes one checked bag weighing up to ____________.
4. The customer prefers a hotel located ____________ and equipped with ____________.
5. The hotel’s cancellation policy allows free changes until ____________ before arrival.

[Look at end for answers]

Post-Listening Application of the Tip
How the Tip Helped Navigate Challenges:

1. Distractor Handling:
   • "I’m flexible if there’s a better deal" → Ignore; the answer is still March 12th (Q2).
   • "24-hour fitness facilities" → Paraphrase for "a gym" (Q4).
2. Synonym Tracking:
   • Q1: "Total flight time" → Audio says "roughly 7 hours and 45 minutes".
   • Q4: "Located central" → Audio: "10-minute walk from the business district".
3. Grammar Focus:
   • Q3: "Weighing up to ___" → Must be "23 kg" (not "23kgs" or "23 kilograms").
4. Anchor Words as Signposts:
   • After "flight number is QF 81" (Q2), the agent shifts to luggage (Q3).

Why This is Tricky (IELTS-Level Challenges)

• Extra details: Flight departure/arrival times are irrelevant to the questions.
• Paraphrasing:
  • "Set off" = departure date.
  • "24-hour fitness facilities" = "a gym."
• Strict word limits: "7 hours 45 minutes" (Q1) must include all three elements.

Common Traps & Fixes
Trap                                                                   Solution
Missed synonyms                                               Train for paraphrases (e.g., "fitness" = "gym").

Overwriting word limits                                 COUNT WORDS/NUMBERS before writing.

Distracted by extra info                                     Focus only on anchor words/keywords.

Final Answers:

1. Singapore, 7 hours 45 minutes
2. March 12th, QF 81
3. 23 kg
4. central, a gym
5. 48 hours
   

Need tutoring? Call us at 1 + 613-447-1622