Cambridge IELTS 20 Listening Test 1 answers are set out in full on this page, together with the official answer key for all 40 questions, clear explanations for every item, playable audio for each of the four parts, and complete transcripts you can read alongside the recordings.

The paper opens with a conversation about booking a birthday restaurant, moves to a potter’s tour of her workshop, then a student discussion on loneliness research, and closes with a lecture on cities built on rivers. Every explanation quotes the exact line from the recording that proves the answer, so you can see why each word or letter is right and why the distractors fail.

Before you press play, skim the gaps in Parts 1 and 4 and predict the word class each needs: the Section 1 strategy shows how for the restaurant notes, and the Section 4 strategy keeps you oriented through ten lecture questions without a single speaker change.

Section Walkthroughs

• Booking a Birthday Restaurant (Questions 1–10) — audio, answers and a full transcript for this section
• Pottery Workshop Tour (Questions 11–20) — audio, answers and a full transcript for this section
• Loneliness Research Discussion (Questions 21–30) — audio, answers and a full transcript for this section
• Cities Built on Rivers Lecture (Questions 31–40) — audio, answers and a full transcript for this section

Section 1 — Booking a Birthday Restaurant

Questions 1–10

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Section 1 Answer Explanations

1. fish — the note asks what The Junction is especially good for, and the man says “If you like fish, it’s probably the best restaurant in town”. Fresh and dishes are the traps, because they describe the food rather than name the speciality.

2. roof — the pre-dinner drink spot is caught by “go up on the roof and have a drink”. The spectacular views explain why the roof is popular, not what the note asks for.

3. Spanish — the woman checks “all the food they serve Spanish”, and the man confirms it with small dishes to share. Write the nationality adjective with a capital S.

4. vegetarian — the woman wants “a good choice of vegetarian dishes”. The man replies that “the selection of those would be quite limited”, which the note paraphrases.

5. Audley — the third restaurant is introduced with “Have you been to the Audley?”. The name is then spelt out letter by letter, so the capitalised form scores.

6. hotel — “It’s in that hotel near Baxter Bridge” names the building whose top floor the restaurant occupies. Baxter Bridge only locates it.

7. reviews — the reputation row is completed by “excellent reviews from all the newspapers”. The press itself is the trap the woman dismisses.

8. local — the chef “likes cooking with local products”. Everything is “sourced within a short distance”, so the ingredients are local.

9. 30 — the set lunch costs “£30 a head”, while “In the evening, I think it’d be more like £50”. The £ sign is printed in the notes, so the figure alone scores, and 30 or thirty both fit the word limit.

10. average — asked about “tiny portions”, the man answers “I imagine they’d be average”. That word completes the portion-size note.

Section 2 — Pottery Workshop Tour

Questions 11–16

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.

11. Heather says pottery differs from other art forms because It lasts longer in the ground. It is practised by more people. It can be repaired more easily.

• A — It lasts longer in the ground.
• B — It is practised by more people.
• C — It can be repaired more easily.

12. Archaeologists sometimes identify the use of ancient pottery from The clay it was made with. The marks that are on it. The basic shape of it.

• A — The clay it was made with.
• B — The marks that are on it.
• C — The basic shape of it.

13. Some people join Heather’s pottery class because they want to Create an item that looks very old. Find something that they are good at. Make something that will outlive them.

• A — Create an item that looks very old.
• B — Find something that they are good at.
• C — Make something that will outlive them.

14. What does Heather value most about being a potter? Its calming effect Its messy nature Its physical benefits

• A — Its calming effect
• B — Its messy nature
• C — Its physical benefits

15. Most of the visitors to Edelman Pottery Bring friends to join courses. Have never made a pot before. Try to learn techniques too quickly.

• A — Bring friends to join courses.
• B — Have never made a pot before.
• C — Try to learn techniques too quickly.

16. Heather reminds her visitors that they should Put on their aprons. Change their clothes. Take off their jewellery.

• A — Put on their aprons.
• B — Change their clothes.
• C — Take off their jewellery.

Questions 17–18

Choose TWO letters , A–E.

17–18. Which TWO things does Heather explain about kilns? What their function is When they were invented Ways of keeping them safe Where to put one in your home What some people use instead of one

• A — What their function is
• B — When they were invented
• C — Ways of keeping them safe
• D — Where to put one in your home
• E — What some people use instead of one

Questions 19–20

Choose TWO letters , A–E.

19–20. Which points does Heather make about a potter’s tools? Some are hard to hold. Some are worth buying. Some are essential items. Some have memorable names. Some are available for use by participants.

• A — Some are hard to hold.
• B — Some are worth buying.
• C — Some are essential items.
• D — Some have memorable names.
• E — Some are available for use by participants.

Section 2 Answer Explanations

11. A (It lasts longer in the ground) — “Things like baskets and pictures don’t survive in the earth in the same way that pots do” is the survival contrast. B is never compared, and C fails because pots “are found in small pieces”.

12. B (The marks that are on it) — use is read from “the impressions on the clay, the scratches from tools”. A fails because clay reveals only where pots came from, and C fails because “The shape of an artefact may have been lost”.

13. C (Make something that will outlive them) — “they hope that something they create will also last longer than they do”. The worth holds “whether it is good or not”, which rules out finding a talent.

14. A (Its calming effect) — “what I love most is the concentration you need to make a good pot”, and that focus “takes you away from the stresses of everyday life”. Messy belongs to children and the wrist exercise to the elderly.

15. B (Have never made a pot before) — “Like nearly everyone who comes here, I’m sure this is the first time you will have tried the art”. The session is kept simple because of the beginners, not because visitors rush.

16. C (Take off their jewellery) — “please remove any watches necklaces etc and put them somewhere safe”. Aprons come later from the studio, and clothes stay on.

17. A (What their function is) — a kiln is “a very hot oven where you fire the pottery” that “removes the water from clay at temperatures of around 1000 degrees Celsius”. Questions 17 and 18 accept the letters A and E in either order.

18. E (What some people use instead of one) — “Some people fire pottery in a fire pit outside”. Invention is mentioned without a date, safety is flagged without explanation, and a kiln is “hard to keep in a house or flat”.

19. C (Some are essential items) — “there are some basic tools that you will need to handle the clay on the wheel”. Questions 19 and 20 accept the letters C and E in either order.

20. E (Some are available for use by participants) — “We can provide these and I wouldn’t recommend spending money on them yet”. The names are hard to remember, which kills D, and hands work “without relying on a sculpting tool”, which kills A.

Section 3 — Loneliness Research Discussion

Questions 21–22

Choose TWO letters, A E.

21–22. Which TWO things do the students both believe are responsible for the increase in loneliness? Social media Smaller nuclear families Urban design Longer lifespans A mobile workforce

• A — Social media
• B — Smaller nuclear families
• C — Urban design
• D — Longer lifespans
• E — A mobile workforce

Questions 23–24

Choose TWO letters , A–E.

23–24. Which TWO health risks associated with loneliness do the students agree are based on solid evidence? A weakened immune system Dementia Cancer Obesity Cardiovascular disease

• A — A weakened immune system
• B — Dementia
• C — Cancer
• D — Obesity
• E — Cardiovascular disease

Questions 25–26

Choose TWO letters, A–E.

25–26. Which TWO opinions do both the students express about the evolutionary theory of loneliness? It has little practical relevance. It needs further investigation. It is misleading. It should be more widely accepted. It is difficult to understand.

• A — It has little practical relevance.
• B — It needs further investigation.
• C — It is misleading.
• D — It should be more widely accepted.
• E — It is difficult to understand.

Questions 27–30

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.

27. When comparing loneliness to depression, the students Doubt that there will ever be a medical cure for loneliness. Claim that the link between loneliness and mental health is overstated. Express frustration that loneliness is not taken more seriously.

• A — Doubt that there will ever be a medical cure for loneliness.
• B — Claim that the link between loneliness and mental health is overstated.
• C — Express frustration that loneliness is not taken more seriously.

28. Why do the students decide to start their presentation with an example from their own experience? To explain how difficult loneliness can be To highlight a situation that most students will recognise To emphasise that feeling lonely is more common for men than women

• A — To explain how difficult loneliness can be
• B — To highlight a situation that most students will recognise
• C — To emphasise that feeling lonely is more common for men than women

29. The students agree that talking to strangers is a good strategy for dealing with loneliness because It creates a sense of belonging. It builds self-confidence. It makes people feel more positive.

• A — It creates a sense of belonging.
• B — It builds self-confidence.
• C — It makes people feel more positive.

30. The students find it difficult to understand why solitude is considered to be Similar to loneliness. Necessary for mental health. An enjoyable experience.

• A — Similar to loneliness.
• B — Necessary for mental health.
• C — An enjoyable experience.

Section 3 Answer Explanations

21. C (Urban design) — “loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed”, with people in high flats rarely speaking to their neighbours, and Dev agrees. Questions 21 and 22 accept the letters C and E in either order.

22. E (A mobile workforce) — “people are having to move around for work” wins Dev’s “That’s true”. Social media “does more good than harm”, smaller families “all changed decades ago”, and longer lifespans are dismissed.

23. A (A weakened immune system) — “there’s no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system”, backed by “The data on that is sound”. Questions 23 and 24 accept the letters A and C in either order.

24. C (Cancer) — the Finnish study found loneliness “increased the risk of cancer by about 10%”, findings since “supported by other studies too”. Dementia results conflict and cardiovascular judgments were “too subjective”.

25. A (It has little practical relevance) — the theory is “not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today”. Questions 25 and 26 accept the letters A and B in either order.

26. B (It needs further investigation) — supporting studies exist, “but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed”. The core idea itself is “quite convincing”.

27. A (Doubt that there will ever be a medical cure for loneliness) — loneliness “has no recognised clinical form”. There is “no available diagnosis or effective treatment and that’s not likely to change”.

28. B (To highlight a situation that most students will recognise) — the opening anecdote works because “Everyone will be able to relate to that”. Recognition, not difficulty, is the purpose.

29. A (It creates a sense of belonging) — Tamara accepts the stranger chats only as something that makes people “more connected with their community”. The optimism claim draws “I don’t know about that”.

30. C (An enjoyable experience) — both find it strange that “some people can’t stand being by themselves while others love it”. Each avoids solitude — “I’d never choose to go on holiday alone”, “Me neither”.

Section 4 — Cities Built on Rivers Lecture

Questions 31–40

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Nearly all major cities were built on a river.

Rivers were traditionally used for transport, fishing, and recreation.

Industrial development and rising populations later led to:

-More sewage from houses being discharged into the river.

In Los Angeles, there are plans to:

Changes in shopping habits mean the number of deliveries that are made is increasing.

• Complete the notes below.
• Reclaiming Urban Rivers
• Historical Background
• -Pollution from 31 ………… on the river bank.
• In 1957, the River Thames in London was declared biologically 32 …………
• Recent Improvements
• Seals and even a 33 ………… have been seen in the River Thames.
• Riverside warehouses are converted to restaurants and 34 …………
• Build a riverside 35 …………
• Display 36 ………… projects.
• In Paris, 37 ………… are created on the sides of the river every summer.
• Transport Possibilities
• Over 2 billion passengers already travel by 38 ………… in cities around the world.
• Instead of road transport, goods can be transported by large freight barges and electric 39 ………… , or, in future, by 40 …………

Section 4 Answer Explanations

31. factories — pollution came from houses and then industry: “as factories were built beside the river and discharged their waste materials”. The plural scores.

32. dead — the 1957 declaration was that “the River Thames was dead in biological terms”. Filthy describes the water, not the verdict word.

33. whale — alongside seals, “recently people had to try to rescue a whale” that swam up from the sea. The failed rescue does not change the animal, so the singular whale completes the note.

34. apartments — warehouses are “converted into expensive restaurants and also into apartments with river views”. Restaurants is already printed, so the housing word scores.

35. park — the Los Angeles architect plans “to revitalise the banks of the river and to make a park there”. Sports facilities are what the park will provide.

36. art — the riverside could display “projects related to various kinds of art” made by local people. The note prints projects, leaving art.

37. beaches — every Paris summer, “the banks are transformed into beaches”. Deck chairs and palm trees furnish them but do not name them.

38. ferry — “more than two billion passengers use the ferry to travel in cities around the world”. The note prints passengers, so the means of travel is ferry.

39. bikes — the last kilometres go “on cargo bikes, electric ones of course”. The barge is already printed in the note.

40. drone — in future the final stage “could even be carried out by drone, although at present this isn’t allowed”. Barges and bikes are already in use, so the coming mode of delivery is drone.

Cambridge IELTS 20 Listening Test 1 Answers

Questions and Answers

Where two letters are shown for a single question, either order is accepted, exactly as in the official answer key.

Listening Transcripts

Section 1 Transcript

WOMAN: I’ve been meaning to ask you for some advice about restaurants. I need to book somewhere to celebrate my sister’s 30th birthday, and I liked the sound of that place you went to for your mum’s 50th.

MAN: The Junction. Yeah, I’d definitely recommend that for a special occasion. We had a great time there. Everyone really enjoyed it.

WOMAN: Where is it again? I can’t remember.

MAN: It on Grayson Street only about a two walk from the station

WOMAN: Oh that good I prefer not to have to drive anywhere But I don want to have to walk too far either.

MAN: Yes, the location’s perfect, but that’s not necessarily why I’d recommend it. The food’s amazing. If you like fish, it’s probably the best restaurant in town for that. It’s always really fresh and there are lots of interesting dishes to choose from But all the food is good there

WOMAN: Is it really expensive?

MAN: It’s certainly not cheap, but for a special occasion I think it’s fine It’s got a great atmosphere and before dinner you can go up on the roof and have a drink It’s really nice up there, but you need to book It’s very popular as the views are spectacular.

WOMAN: Sounds good. So that’s definitely a possibility then. Is there anywhere else you can think of?

MAN: If you want somewhere a bit less formal, then you could try Paloma.

WOMAN:Where’s that? I haven’t heard of it.

MAN: No, it’s quite new. It’s only been open a few months, but it’s got a great reputation already. It’s in a really beautiful old building on Bow Street.

WOMAN:Oh, I think I know where you mean. Right beside the cinema.

MAN: Yes, that’s it. I’ve only been there a couple of times, but I was really impressed. The chef used to work at Don Felipe’s, apparently. I was really sorry when that closed down.

WOMAN: So is all the food they serve Spanish, then?

MAN: Yeah. You can get lots of small dishes to share, which always works really well if you’re in a group.

WOMAN: Hmm. Worth thinking about.

MAN: Yeah. There’s a lively atmosphere and the waiters are really friendly. The only thing is that you need to pay a £50 deposit to book a table.

WOMAN: A lot of restaurants are doing that these days. I should have a look at the menu to check there a good choice of vegetarian dishes. A couple of my friends have stopped eating meat.

MAN: Not sure I say the selection of those would be quite limited.

————————————-

MAN: I’ve just thought of another idea. Have you been to the Audley?

WOMAN: No, don’t think I’ve heard of it. How’s it spelt?

MAN: A-U-D-L-E-Y. You must have heard of it. There’s been a lot about it in the press.

WOMAN: I don’t tend to pay much attention to that kind of thing. So where is it exactly?

MAN: It’s in that hotel near Baxter Bridge, on the top floor.

WOMAN: Oh, the views would be incredible from up there.

MAN: Yeah, I’d love to go. I can’t think of the chef’s name, but she was a judge on that TV cookery show recently. And she’s written a couple of cookery books.

WOMAN: Oh, Angela Frayne.

MAN: That’s the one. Anyway, it’s had excellent reviews from all the newspapers.

WOMAN: That would be a memorable place for a celebration.

MAN: Definitely. Obviously it’s worth going there just for the view, but the food is supposed to be really special.

WOMAN: She only likes cooking with local products doesn’t she?

MAN: Yes. Everything at the restaurant has to be sourced within a short distance and absolutely nothing flown in from abroad.

WOMAN: I imagine it’s really expensive, though.

MAN: Well, you could go for the set lunch. That’s quite reasonable for a top-class restaurant. £30 a head. In the evening, I think it’d be more like £50.

WOMAN: At least that, I should think. But I’m sure everyone would enjoy it. It’s not the kind of place you leave feeling hungry, though, is it? With tiny portions?

MAN: No, the reviews I’ve read didn’t mention that. I imagine they’d be average.

WOMAN: Well, that’s all great. Thanks so much.

Section 2 Transcript

Hello and welcome. My name’s Heather McCallum and I’m one of the potters who work here at Edelman Pottery. Before we go into the workshop, I just want to say a bit about the craft of pottery. Then we’ll have a look at the equipment and you can try making a pot of your own. Like many people, I’m sure you know that pottery as an art form is tens of thousands of years old. And we know this because it stands the test of time. Things like baskets and pictures don’t survive in the earth in the same way that pots do. and even if ancient pots are found in small pieces they still provide a lot of information about the past. There no doubt that pottery has given archaeologists a fascinating insight into how ancient hls lived The shape of an artefact may have been lost but archaeologists can tell whether the pots were for, say, storage or cooking by examining the impressions on the clay, the scratches from tools, and the clay itself can reveal where the pots came from. When I ask people why they want to take a pottery class with me, they sometimes talk about these things. Like our ancestors, they hope that something they create will also last longer than they do, that their work, whether it is good or not, might say something about humanity many years after their death. Of course, you will all have your own reasons for coming here. As far as I’m concerned, what I love most is the concentration you need to make a good pot. That focus takes you away from the stresses of everyday life. If you’re elderly, it’s also good exercise for hands and wrists and helps with arthritis. And of course, it’s a fun activity for children because it’s so messy. Here at Edelman Pottery, we show you some of the basic pottery techniques so that you can use these to create whatever you wish. A gift for a friend, perhaps. Like nearly everyone who comes here, I’m sure this is the first time you will have tried the art So we’ll keep things simple today Now, before we move on, can I just say a word about what you’re wearing? As we said in our email please remove any watches necklaces etc and put them somewhere safe If you have long hair do tie it back now We provide aprons later but I trust your clothes are old but comfortable not your favourite T-shirt or jeans.

—————

So now we’re in the workshop. Have a look around. There’s a lot going on. To make pottery that will last, you need a potter’s wheel, a kiln, which is basically a very hot oven where you fire the pottery, and some tools. So, first, the kiln. If you look over in the far corner, you’ll see one of ours. Since their invention, kilns have changed very little, though in the past 20 years a lot of progress has been made in temperature control. Basically, a kiln removes the water from clay at temperatures of around 1000 degrees Celsius. This allows anything you’ve made to set permanently in shape. It’s a pretty ugly heavy object that’s hard to keep in a house or flat, so most people don’t have one.

You may think, can’t I use my oven? Well, that’s possible, but domestic ovens don’t really get hot enough and eventually the clay will crack and fall apart. Some people fire pottery in a fire pit outside but bear in mind… that can be dangerous You also need to know about safety procedures for kilns as they release toxic compounds into the air Every potter needs a potter’s wheel. This machine is used to shape the clay into an object with circular walls or sides, such as a bowl. Its invention revolutionised the pottery industry, allowing multiple items to be produced in a day. Lastly, there are a number of different tools that potters use, depending on what they want to make. When you start, your hands can make all kinds of shapes and curves without relying on a sculpting tool. However, there are some basic tools that you will need to handle the clay on the wheel. Some look very strange and have even odder names that you may find hard to remember. Rather than go through them all now, I’ll just name a few tools as we go along. We can provide these and I wouldn’t recommend spending money on them yet. So, let’s try making a pot of your own. If you sit down…

Section 3 Transcript

TAMARA Shall we go through the notes we’ve made from our research into loneliness now, Dev?

DEV OK, Tamara. It’s been a real eye-opener. I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.

TAMARA I know. And it’s the same all over the world. The downside of a modern lifestyle, I guess.

DEV Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?

TAMARA Well, I’d assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly, but in fact it’s something which affects young people just as much.

DEV So nothing really to do with longer lifespans. What about social media? In my case, far from

making me feel isolated, it actually does the opposite. it?

TAMARA It definitely does more good than harm. I’d say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed. People living in high flats with not much opportunity to speak to their neighbours

DEV I think you right

TAMARA Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children and don live in large extended family groups.

DEV But in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago. And yet loneliness is a more recent problem.

TAMARA I suppose so. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.

DEV That’s true.

TAMARA Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

DEV Or similar to the risks caused by obesity. But I’m not sure there’s enough evidence for some of these claims.

TAMARA Well, what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about 10%? And those findings have been supported by other studies too.

DEV You’re right about that one. I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia. Some found no association between loneliness and dementia, and others found the opposite.

TAMARA Not exactly reliable, then. There’s been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease and whether loneliness contributes to that.

DEV Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgment, as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot, and the responses from participants were too subjective. But there’s no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system.

TAMARA Unquestionably. The data on that is sound.

DEV What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?

TAMARA Well I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people is quite convincing. Survival often depended on group cooperation.

DEV But I don’t think there is enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behaviour by making us feel bad when we’re alone.

TAMARA There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed.

DEV And anyway, this theory’s not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today.

TAMARA True.

——————————-

DEV Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?

TAMARA OK. So, loneliness and depression are clearly related and that’s been recognised by various governments around the world. But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognised clinical form.

DEV There’s no available diagnosis or effective treatment and that’s not likely to change.

TAMARA I don’t think so either I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience. I like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university being away from home for the first time and all that

DEV Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it.

TAMARA Yeah. We could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well, like just talking to strangers.

DEV Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.

TAMARA I don’t know about that, but it must make people feel more connected with their community.

DEV True, although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.

TAMARA Good point. We should say something about solitude and how being alone and being lonely aren’t the same thing. It’s strange the way some people can’t stand being by themselves while others love it.

DEV Yeah, the research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for wellbeing, which I appreciate, but being alone isn’t something I actually like. I’d never choose to go on holiday alone, for example.

TAMARA Me neither.

DEV Well, let’s not…

Section 4 Transcript

It’s quite hard to think of a city that doesn’t have a big river running through it. If you think about the major cities in the world, Shanghai, New York, Mumbai, London, they’re nearly all built on rivers. When these cities were established hundreds or even thousands of years ago, the rivers were a big part of people’s lives. In 16th century London, the quickest way to get from one part of the city to another was by river. But people also used the river for fishing, as the water then was relatively clean, and they would also go on boat trips up and down the river just for pleasure, as a relaxing escape from the noise and bustle of the city streets But as industries developed and populations increased city rivers suffered The rising number of people meant there was a huge increase in the amount of sewage discharged into the rivers. Rivers had always been used for this purpose, but when the number of inhabitants was so small, that wasn’t such a problem. However, as cities grew to over a million inhabitants, the impact on the rivers became more serious. In addition, other types of pollution increased, as factories were built beside the river and discharged their waste materials into the water. This got worse over time. As recently as 1957, scientists at London’s Natural History Museum declared that the River Thames was dead in biological terms, as the water was too filthy to support any kind of life. But in recent years, as rivers lost their industrial function, cities have begun to recognise their true value and to take steps to clean them up. For example, the River Thames is now cleaner than it’s been for 150 years. These days you can see seals swimming in the water, and recently people had to try to rescue a whale, which had got lost and swum up the river from the sea by mistake. Unfortunately, they didn’t succeed, but the problem was disorientation rather than the quality of the water. Then, all around the world, riverside areas are now seen as prime sites for development. Warehouses that were once used for storing goods are now being converted into expensive restaurants and also into apartments with river views, which are in great demand and sell for astronomical prices. In Los Angeles, on the west coast of the USA, an architect has plans to revitalise the banks of the river and to make a park there which can provide facilities for sports as well as a natural environment for relaxing in It also hoped that the riverside can be used for other purposes It’s been proposed that facilities could be provided for displaying projects related to various kinds of art that have been produced by local people, for example. In the city of Paris, During the summer months of July and August, all the traffic is banned from the roads by the sides of the river, and the banks are transformed into beaches, where people can relax in deck chairs under potted palm trees, sunbathe or buy a drink or a snack while enjoying the view. But to make the most of our rivers in our increasingly crowded cities, we need to allow them to regain their original purpose and be used as a means of transport, reclaiming our streets from cars and lorries. To do this, we’ll have to shift more traffic back to the river, but this time cleanly and silently, making the most of modern technology. Already, more than two billion passengers use the ferry to travel in cities around the world, like Istanbul, San Francisco and New York, and these numbers are set to rise further. Admittedly, it’s not a fast way of travelling, but neither is a car when it’s stuck in traffic. Of course, passenger traffic on roads might decrease as more people start working from home, but another recent development, the huge rise in online shopping, has meant that another form of urban traffic just keeps on growing, and that’s deliveries. Trucks and vans in the city pollute and double-park while dropping off parcels. Imagine using the immense capacity of shipping to take these trucks off the road One freight barge can replace 44 large trucks uses far less energy and causes less pollution When the barge docks at the riverside the parcels could be taken the last few kilometres to their final destination on cargo bikes, electric ones of course. This is already happening in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, and in future the final stage could even be carried out by drone, although at present this isn’t allowed. Wouldn’t it be great to unblock our city centres in this way? Looking further ahead…

Listening Band Score Conversion

Your raw score out of 40 converts to an IELTS band score using the official listening conversion table below.

Key Vocabulary and Spelling

Study Tips

Parts 1 and 4 are completion tasks with different word limits: Part 1 allows ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER, so Question 9 scores with 30 or with thirty, while Part 4 allows ONE WORD ONLY, so Question 31 must be the single word factories. Read every stem before the audio starts and decide whether the gap takes a noun, an adjective or a number, because the traps in this paper are grammatical as often as they are lexical.

Parts 2 and 3 load the paper with multiple choice and Choose TWO questions, and the wrong options borrow the recording’s own words. The pottery tour mentions kiln safety without explaining it and tool names only to call them hard to remember, while the loneliness discussion quotes optimistic findings that Tamara then refuses to endorse. Eliminate the options the speakers reject — the multiple choice strategy covers that routine step by step.

Ten questions in this paper come in either-order pairs: 17 and 18 take A and E, 19 and 20 take C and E, 21 and 22 take C and E, 23 and 24 take A and C, and 25 and 26 take A and B. Do not spend a second deciding which box a letter belongs in, because both orders score; spend it on eliminating the near-miss option instead.

Spelling and capitals decide marks across the paper: Spanish and Audley need capitals in Part 1, and single words like apartments, beaches and drone must be exact in Part 4. The listening spelling rules guide lists these traps and the plurals that catch candidates out most often.

Practice More Listening Tests

Mark all 40 answers honestly, review the explanation for every miss, and keep the momentum going with the free IELTS listening practice course from Simply IELTS, which drills every task type in this paper: note completion, multiple choice and Choose TWO questions. When you are ready for another full paper under timed conditions, try this interactive listening test: labyrinths first, then continue to the Cambridge IELTS 21 Listening Test 1 answers page for the next test in the series. Compare your raw score with the answer table above, and start a fresh paper only when spelling and either-order pairs stop costing you marks.