IELTS Listening Short Answer Questions | Example 5

Section 1 is a conversation between Bud and Annie about their families.

Bud: Hi Annie, how are things?

Annie: Awful Bud, Awful!

Bud: Why? What’s happened?

Annie: It’s home. Mum’s ill and dad’s been laid off. So he’s in a really bad mood and Susan won’t be of any help.

Bud: Your sister always was lazy. But what’s wrong with your mum. She seemed fine the last time I saw her.

Annie: Everything. I think she’s really down because of dad and her Arthritis is playing up again. It seemed the new medicine was working fine but now she can still move her fingers but hardly work. Her toes hurt and her doctor says she needs a knee replacement.

Bud: Doesn’t sound too good. That’s expensive surgery. Got medical insurance?

Annie: She was covered by my dad’s but that’s finished since he lost his job and money is really tight. A new knee cost about 10, 000 bucks, so she’ll have to put up with it for a while.

Bud: Oh God, that’s awful. Maybe I should mention it to my uncle.

Annie: The one who used to work at the hospital. What could he do?

Bud: I don’t know. But he knows all the doctors and maybe there’s a way that your mum could get the operation done cheaply.

Annie: It’ll have to be really cheap because they have a problem paying the mortgage. And my sister won’t help out. She’s so selfish.

Bud: Okay, I’d give it a try. But what’s this problem with your sister?

Annie: Since she’s won that beauty competition she’s been acting so high and mighty. Won’t even help mum with the house work.

PAUSE 

Bud: Won’t help your mum?

Annie: No. Spends all her time in front of the mirror, trying on different lipsticks.

Bud: Sounds like my cousin. You know her I think, MaryAnn. Works at the Holiday Inn.

Annie: Yeah, I met her at your party, but she seemed very nice.

Bud: She is till you get to know her. Miss charming, but she’s really conceited especially since she got promoted. Always putting people down.

Annie: What about your dad’s company? Do you think he might have some work for my dad? Part time, anything?

Bud: He just got this big contract for the new supermarket so he might be looking for some people. And I know he likes your dad but all his workers have to be steelworkers union members.

Annie: I think dad’s kept his membership up. I’ll ask him.

Bud: Let me know and I’ll check with dad when he gets back from France.

Annie: France?

Bud: He took mum there as a 25 th wedding anniversary present.

Annie: Gosh, it’s 5:30pm, I’m late for work. Got to fly. See you bud.

Bud: See you.

1. He lost his job
2. Arthritis
3. Beauty competition
4. For the new supermarket

“It’s home. Mum’s ill and dad’s been laid off. So he’s in a really bad mood and Susan won’t be of any help.”

For the second question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“Everything. I think she’s really down because of dad and her Arthritis is playing up again. It seemed the new medicine was working fine but now she can still move her fingers but hardly work. Her toes hurt and her doctor says she needs a knee replacement. ”

For the third question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“Since she’s won that beauty competition she’s been acting so high and mighty. Won’t even help mum with the house work.”

For the fourth question, it is clear from the talk which goes thus:

“He just got this big contract for the new supermarket so he might be looking for some people. And I know he likes your dad but all his workers have to be steelworkers union members.”