Bicycles for the World - IELTS Listening Answers
Having trouble with IELTS Listening? Unlock the Bicycles for the World answers from Cambridge IELTS 5 Test 2—complete with audio, transcript & expert explanations!
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The IELTS Listening module has four sections, each having 10 questions. The first section is comparatively easy and the difficulty level increases with the other sections, making the fourth one more challenging than the others. However, practising IELTS Listening practice tests, like Bicycles for the World Listening Answers, will help you predict the type of questions or the audio that are provided in each of these sections.
Bicycles for the World Listening Answers, adapted from Cambridge IELTS 5 Listening Test 2, is the second part of the complete test. Here, you will hear a man called Dan Pearman, talking on the radio about Pedal Power, a UK charity which sends bicycles to people in developing countries. There are 10 questions in this IELTS Listening actual test, which includes two of the question types that are common in such tests. They are:
- IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions (Q. 11-15) & (Q. 18-20)
- Short-Answer Questions (Q. 16-17)
Join our free webinar to learn more about the question types in 'Bicycles for the World'!
Bicycles for the World Listening Answers Audio
Before you start solving the questions, listen carefully to the audio and make sure you understand the pronunciation properly.
Bicycles for the World IELTS Listening Answers Transcript
Click on the link below to download the transcript of Bicycle for the World IELTS Listening Answers audio in case you need more clarity.
Download Bicycles for the World Audio Transcription
Bicycles for the World Listening Answers Questions
Now have a look at the questions that you have to answer for the IELTS Listening section, Bicycles for the World.
Questions 11-15
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
11 In 1993 Dan Pearman went to Ecuador
A as a tourist guide.
B as part of his studies.
C as a voluntary worker.
12 Dan's neighbor was successful in business because he
A employed carpenters from the area.
B was the most skilled craftsman in the town.
C found it easy to reach customers.
13 Dan says the charity relies on
A getting enough bicycles to send regularly.
B finding new areas which need bicycles.
C charging for the bicycles it sends abroad.
14 What does Dan say about the town of Rivas?
A It has received the greatest number of bikes.
B It has almost as many bikes as Amsterdam.
C Its economy has been totally transformed.
15 What problem did the charity face in August 2000?
A It couldn't meet its overheads.
B It had to delay sending the bikes.
C It was criticized in the British media.
Questions 16-17
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.
16 How much money did the charity receive when it won an award? £ ………………
17 What is the charity currently hoping to buy? ………………
Questions 18-20
Choose THREE letters A-G.
Which THREE things can the general public do to help the charity Pedal Power?
A Organise a bicycle collection
B Repair the donated bikes
C Donate their unwanted tools
D Do voluntary work in its office
E Hold an event to raise money
F Identify areas that need bikes
G Write to the government
18 …………………………
19 …………………………
20 …………………………
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Bicycles for the World Listening Answers with Explanation
Check out the number of correct answers you got for the Bicycles for the World Listening Answers. By doing so, you will be able to judge how much more effort you will have to put in for a better IELTS band score.
11 Answer: C
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: The speaker says that after three years of studying, he joined a voluntary organization because he loved to travel. In 1993, he was sent to Ecuador as a voluntary worker and he got the idea of starting this charity from there. Hence, the answer is C (as a voluntary worker.).
12 Answer: C
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: Dan says that when he was in Ecuador, his neighbour had the only bicycle in the village. This made his business successful as he could go anywhere he wanted and found it easy to reach the customers due to his bicycle. Hence, the answer is C (found it easy to reach customers.).
13 Answer: A
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: Dan says that they give the bicycles at 5% of the market price. But to give them and carry on the charity, they need a constant supply of bicycles which they send every six months. Hence, the answer is A (getting enough bicycles to send regularly.).
14 Answer: C
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: Dan says that the town Rivas is the first place where they had sent the bicycles and the local economy has developed so much that it can’t be recognized now. Hence, the answer is C (Its economy has been totally transformed.).
15 Answer: A
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: Dan informs that in August 2000, the charity ran out of money. It was a terrible situation as they had bicycles to send, but could not pay the bills. Hence, the answer is A (It couldn't meet its overheads.).
16 Answer: 75,000/75000
Question Type: Short Answer Question
Answer Explanation: In the second half of the audio, Dan says that in October, 2001, when they won the Enterprise Award, they received a prize money of seventy-five thousand pounds. This money helped them to revive their charity. Hence, the answer is ‘75,000/75000’.
17 Answer: computers
Question Type: Short Answer Question
Answer Explanation: Dan informs that they are currently looking to invest in computers for office staff so that they can work better. Hence, the answer is ‘computers’.
18 Answer: C
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: The first thing that Dan wants the public to help with is unwanted tools. Besides donating bicycles, people can donate tools as they are expensive and are needed to repair or refurbish the broken bicycles. Hence, the answer is C (donate their unwanted tools).
19 Answer: E
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: The second way that Dan wants the public to help is by organizing activities to raise funds for the charity. He wants them to contact their voluntary staff, who will give them ideas for such fund-raising activities. Hence, the answer is E (hold an event to raise money).
20 Answer: F
Question Type: Multiple-Choice Question
Answer Explanation: Towards the end of the conversation, Dan also asks the listeners to identify areas that need bicycles and inform them so that the charity can send it. Hence, the answer is F (identify areas that need bikes).
Bicycles for the World Listening Answers - Tips for Multiple Choice Questions (Q. 11-15)
- Read the Questions & Options First – Skim them before listening to know what to focus on.
- Identify Keywords & Paraphrases – Listen for synonyms, as the wording may change.
- Listen for the Whole Context – The speaker may mention all options, but only one is correct.
- Be Aware of Distractors – The speaker may give misleading information before stating the correct answer.
- Don't Rush to Choose an Answer – Wait until the speaker fully explains before selecting.
Bicycles for the World Listening Answers - Tips for Short-Answer Questions (Q. 18-20)
- Check the Word Limit – Follow instructions (e.g., "No more than two words") to avoid losing marks.
- Focus on Specific Information – Listen for names, numbers, dates, or short factual details.
- Predict Possible Answers – Think about the type of word needed (noun, number, place) before listening.
- Listen for Synonyms & Rephrasings – The answer may be expressed differently from the question.
- Spell Words Correctly – Incorrect spelling will result in a wrong answer.
When you practice listening mock tests, you should be aware of concepts such as what is signposting and techniques such as distractors. Avoiding them will help you to improve your time management skills and increase the number of correct answers. So, even if you have mastered them yet, try practising the listening practice tests like Bicycles for the World Listening Answers on a daily basis for a good score.
Also check:
- Enquiry about Booking Hotel Room for Event - IELTS Listening Answers
- Summer Music Festival Booking Form - IELTS Listening Answers
- IELTS Listening Answer Sheet
- IELTS Listening tips
- IELTS Listening Vocabulary
- How to Improve IELTS Listening Section 3 and 4?
- How to Approach Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Listening?


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