Cambridge IELTS Book 12 Listening Test 1 Answers with Explanation / Cambridge 12 Listening Test 1 Answers with Explanation

Cambridge IELTS Book 12 Listening Test 1

Part - 1

Cambridge IELTS 12 Listening Test 01, Section 1:

Question No.	Answer (in bold)	Keywords of the Question	Quotation from Audio	Synonyms/Equivalent Expressions	Explanation
1	mountains	photos of the ... that surround the lake	“Don’t forget to take pictures of the mountains. They’re all around you when you’re on the boat.”	mountains = surrounding landscape	The speaker clearly says mountains are all around and encourages taking photos of them.
2	horse	40-minute ride on a ...	“There’s also a 40-minute trek round the farm on a horse.”	ride = trek	The audio directly mentions a 40-minute trek on a horse.
3	gardens	walk in the farm’s ... by the lake	“There are some very beautiful gardens along the side of the lake which also belong to the farm.”	walk = explore; gardens = farm’s scenic area	Visitors are allowed to walk/explore the gardens by the lake.
4	lunch	... is available at extra cost	“You can, and it’s very good, though it’s not included in the basic cost.”	available at extra cost = not included	Lunch is available but not included in the basic cost, confirming it's extra.
5	map	A ... is provided	“They’ll give you a map when you get your ticket for the cruise – there’s no extra charge.”	provided = given; map = trail guide	A free map is given with the cruise ticket.
6	experience	cyclists who have some ...	“It needs someone who’s got a bit more experience.”	have = got; experience = skill level	The trail is only for cyclists with some experience.
7	Ratchesons	Bikes can be hired from ...	“It’s called Ratchesons. It’s just by the cruise ship terminal.”	hired = rented; from = at	Ratchesons is the name of the rental place near the cruise terminal.
8	helmet	a ... (can be hired)	“I assume I can rent a helmet? ... Sure, you should definitely get that.”	can be hired = rent; helmet = protective gear	A helmet is available for rent and is recommended.
9	shops	There are no ... or accommodation	“It’s very remote – you won’t see any shops round there, or anywhere to stay.”	no = won’t see any; accommodation = stay	The area has no shops or places to stay, confirming the word “shops.”
10	267	Total cost for whole family	“Then I’m afraid it’s $267 because she has to pay the adult fare.”	total = altogether; cost = fare	The total cost is $267 due to the daughter’s adult fare.

Part-2

Here is the complete table in your preferred format:

Question No.	Answer (in bold)	Keywords of the Question	Quotation from Audio (Answer Sentence)	Synonyms / Equivalent Expressions	Explanation
11	A	what do most people like about the job	“they’re pleased that they have so many different things to do”	variety of work = many different things	A is correct because the manager says they enjoy the variety of tasks. B (friendly atmosphere) and C (promotion) are not mentioned as main reasons people like the job.
12	A	concern about some of the new staff’s	“some of you’ll need to remove your rings and bracelets”	jewellery = rings and bracelets	A is correct. The manager expresses concern about jewellery for safety. B (hair) is fine. C (shoes) is okay as staff wore suitable footwear.
13	C	why the day is likely to be busy	“we don’t have any tables free for this evening, and only a few for lunch”	fully booked = no tables free	C is correct as the restaurant is almost fully booked. A (public holiday) and B (chef absence) are not the reasons given for a busy day.
14	C	only kitchen staff who are 18 or older can use	“the meat slicer is out of bounds”	out of bounds = not allowed	C is correct. Under-18s are restricted from using the meat slicer. A and B involve other equipment but are not specifically limited to those over 18.
15	A	what can make the job stressful	“when someone tells you to do something you need to do it straightaway”	follow orders immediately = do it straightaway	A is correct because the fast response requirement is stressful.
16	E	what can make the job stressful	“you’re on your feet all day long, lifting and carrying”	physically demanding = lifting and standing all day	E is correct because the job involves continuous physical effort.
17	F	Joy Parkins	“I decide who does what during the day and how long they work for”	timetables = who does what and when	F is correct. She handles scheduling and shift durations.
18	C	David Field	“he’ll make sure the incident is recorded and you get the appropriate treatment”	first aid = basic treatment for injuries	C is correct as he is responsible for injury reporting and first aid.
19	D	Dexter Wills	“he’s the person you need to see if you smash a plate or something like that”	breakages = smash a plate	D is correct because he handles items that are broken.
20	B	Mike Smith	“he takes care of all the stores of perishables”	food stocks = stores of perishables	B is correct. He manages inventory and perishables.

Part - 3

SECTION 3 – Paper on Public Libraries

Question No.	Answer	Keywords of the Question	Quotation from Audio	Synonyms / Equivalent Expressions	Explanation
21	B	Main topic of Trudie and Stewart’s paper	"...relate the changes in libraries to external developments, like the fact that far more people can read... and that the local population may speak lots of different languages."	changes in society = external developments	B is correct because they want to relate library changes to societal changes. A is briefly mentioned but not chosen. C is ruled out as they decide not to focus on funding.
22	C	Disadvantage of free digitalised books	"...the digitalised books that are available online for free are mostly out of copyright... So you won’t find the latest best-seller..."	generally old = out of copyright; free books = available online for free	C is correct. A and B are mentioned as personal experiences, not disadvantages of the books themselves.
23	C	Stewart's expectation about future libraries	"What I’m afraid will happen is that books and magazines will all disappear, and there’ll just be rows and rows of computers."	no longer contain any books = books and magazines will all disappear	C is correct as Stewart clearly expects no books in future libraries. A and B reflect Trudie’s views more than Stewart’s.
24	budget	Whether the library has a ... of its own	"...find out whether the library has its own budget, or if that’s controlled by the local council."	has its own = of its own	The word "budget" fits the gap perfectly and is directly mentioned.
25	employment	Affected by laws regarding all aspects of ...	"...how the library is affected by employment laws."	affected = influenced; laws = legal rules	The correct answer is "employment" as it is mentioned directly with "laws."
26	safety	Design needs to consider ... of customers	"...how customers use it... what measures does the library take to ensure their safety?"	safety = protection; ensure = make sure	Safety is the right word to describe what the design needs to consider.
27	insurance	What ... is required in case of accidents	"...the kind of insurance the library needs to have, in case anyone gets injured."	required = needed; in case of = if there are	Insurance is the appropriate word here for accident-related protection.
28	diary	Why a famous person’s ... is located in the library	"...they’ve got... the diary of a well-known politician... I wonder why it’s there."	located = kept/stored; diary = written personal record	The word "diary" is mentioned clearly as the object in question.
29	database	Whether it has a ... of local organisations	"...I wonder if they keep a database, or whether they just look online."	has = keep; of local organisations = about clubs, groups	"Database" fits grammatically and contextually.
30	museum	Different from a library in a ...	"...what the differences are between a library that’s open to the public and one that’s part of a museum."	different = contrast; library = public vs museum	"Museum" is the comparison point for the public library.

Part - 4

Question No.	Answer (in bold)	Keywords of the Question	Quotation from Audio	Synonyms/Equivalent Expressions	Explanation
31	damage	result in ______	“They can actually cause damage, which is not at all the intention.”	result in = cause	Business values can unintentionally lead to damage.
32	side effects	potential ______	“...understanding and managing the side effects that arise.”	potential = that may result	Managers need to handle unintended side effects.
33	bridge	build a ______	“...construct a bridge across a stream...”	build = construct	They were assigned to build a bridge during training.
34	confusion	experienced ______	“...descended into confusion, with everyone getting in each other’s way.”	experienced = descended into	Other teams faced confusion while collaborating.
35	smartphone	Sales of a ______	“In the case of a smartphone that a certain company launched...”	sales = launch of product	Mixed marketing focus led to poor smartphone sales.
36	resources	bad use of company ______	“...wastes the resources that companies value most – time and energy.”	use = waste; resources = time, energy	Hard work without direction wastes company resources.
37	unnecessary (also accepts: not necessary)	tasks that are ______	“...not to carry out unnecessary tasks.”	avoid = not carry out	‘Lazy’ employees avoid unneeded tasks – efficient behaviour.
38	chocolate bar	advertising campaign for a ______	“...with the launch of a chocolate bar: ... consumers remembered the adverts, but had no idea what was being advertised.”	product = chocolate bar	Creative ad for chocolate bar failed to improve sales.
39	problem	response to a ______	“Creativity needs to be targeted, to solve a problem that the company has identified.”	response = solve; issue = problem	Creativity is best used to solve identified problems.
40	market share	far higher ______	“...pioneers commanded an average market share of 29 percent...”	amount = share; proportion = market share	Pioneers outperformed followers in market share, despite quality.