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IELTS Practice Listening: Matching Features ID: #57334 Easy Homestay docs
Instructions ›
What docs Lisa say about each object? Complete the table as follows.
You will hear a conversation between a student and a Homestay Programme advisor about what to bring for a stay in the UK. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. Homestay language learning, Lisa McDowell here. How can I help you? Hello, my name's Dan. Hello, Dan. And I'm going to be living with a family in Edinburgh for three months. So I'd like some advice on what to bring with me. I'm flying in via Singapore on the 15th. Right. Well, perhaps most important of all are your documents. Vaccination certificate, sponsor's letter, and the certifying letter from us for immigration. Yes, I've got all those in order, I think. What I'm really wondering about are money and clothes and things for my room. Personal effects, in other words. OK, let's start with cash. You'll already have money in your bank account here, of course, but make sure when you get here you have some cash on you. Pounds, that is, not euros or dollars. How much do you suggest? I'd say fifty as an absolute minimum. OK. Now, the next thing is which clothes to bring. What do you think? Well, as I'm sure you know, it can get pretty cold here, so you will need some warm clothing. There are shops near here that sell winter clothes quite cheaply, so you really don't need to bring much. Do make sure, though, that you have at least one thick sweater and a jacket with you when you arrive here. The temperature's likely to be a lot lower than in Singapore. Thanks for the warning. Now, something else I'm not sure about is whether to bring my computer. It's a laptop, so it won't take up much room. Two problems. Firstly, it might not be compatible with the electricity supply in this country. And secondly, there's a risk of it getting broken in transit. Someone travelling here had hers smashed only last month. But surely I can carry it as hand luggage? Usually, yes, but because of all the tight security right now, you may have to check it in. So my advice is to leave yours at home. OK, I think I will. Is there anything else you'd advise against bringing? Well, you won't need household or cooking things. They'll all be provided. And importing food, of course, isn't allowed by customs, though I imagine you already knew that. Well, yes. But there are one or two things I'd suggest you find room for in your suitcase. Yes. Perhaps a few of your favourite cassettes or compact discs. Of course, you might be able to find them in the shops here, but then again you might not. That's a good idea. Anything else? Yes. Some photographs of people and places that are special to you could be nice. They can really make your room feel like home. It's just a thought. I'll see if I've got a few good ones.
A. if she says it is ESSENTIAL.
B. if she says it is RECOMMENDED.
C. if she says it is NOT RECOMMENDED.
A B C
1 Documents
2 At least £50
3 Warm clothing
4 Personal computer
5 Food from home
6 Favourite tapes or CDs
7 Photos from home
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.

Question Focus: Direct statement of importance

Why this is correct: The answer is ESSENTIAL because the speaker clearly says documents are the most important of all. She then lists specific documents needed for immigration.

Passage Reference: Well, perhaps most important of all are your documents. Vaccination certificate, sponsor's letter, and the certifying letter from us for immigration.

Common Mistake: Some students choose RECOMMENDED because they think advice sounds soft, but this is a Paraphrase trap. The phrase "most important" shows it is essential.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'most important of all are your documents' = Statement: 'Documents are essential'

Tips: Listen for strong importance phrases like 'most important' or 'you must'.

Key Vocabulary:

  • essential = very important
  • immigration = border control

Question Focus: Minimum requirement

Passage Reference: I'd say fifty as an absolute minimum. OK.

Why this is correct: The answer is ESSENTIAL because the speaker says fifty as an absolute minimum. A minimum amount means you must have it.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes choose RECOMMENDED, thinking it is just advice. This is a Number trap because 'minimum' means required, not optional.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'fifty as an absolute minimum' = Statement: 'At least £50 is essential'

Tips: When you hear 'minimum', think essential, not optional.

Key Vocabulary:

  • minimum = lowest allowed
  • cash = money

Question Focus: Clear necessity on arrival

Passage Reference: you will need some warm clothing. There are shops near here that sell winter clothes quite cheaply, so you really don't need to bring much. Do make sure, though, that you have at least one thick sweater and a jacket with you when you arrive here.

Why this is correct: The answer is ESSENTIAL because the speaker says you will need warm clothing and must have a sweater and jacket when you arrive.

Common Mistake: Some students choose RECOMMENDED because she says you do not need to bring much. This is a Partial truth trap. Not much does not mean not essential.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'you will need some warm clothing' = Statement: 'Warm clothing is essential'

Tips: Focus on modal verbs like 'will need' which show necessity.

Key Vocabulary:

  • thick = warm
  • arrive = first come

Question Focus: Advice against bringing an item

Passage Reference: So my advice is to leave yours at home. OK, I think I will.

Why this is correct: The answer is NOT RECOMMENDED because the speaker clearly advises Dan to leave the laptop at home due to risk and compatibility problems.

Common Mistake: Students choose RECOMMENDED because the student suggests hand luggage. This is a Sequence trap. The final advice is not to bring it.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'leave yours at home' = Statement: 'Personal computer is not recommended'

Tips: Always wait for the final advice after problems are discussed.

Key Vocabulary:

  • compatible = works with
  • transit = travel

Question Focus: Rules and prohibition

Passage Reference: And importing food, of course, isn't allowed by customs, though I imagine you already knew that. Well, yes. But there are one or two things I'd suggest you find room for in your suitcase. Yes. Perhaps

Why this is correct: The answer is NOT RECOMMENDED because the speaker says importing food isn't allowed by customs. That means you should not bring it.

Common Mistake: Some students think it is just advice and choose RECOMMENDED. This is a Negation trap. 'Isn't allowed' is a clear negative.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'isn't allowed by customs' = Statement: 'Food from home is not recommended'

Tips: Listen carefully for negatives like 'not allowed'.

Key Vocabulary:

  • customs = border checks
  • import = bring from another country

Question Focus: Suggestion language

Passage Reference: Perhaps a few of your favourite cassettes or compact discs. Of course, you might be able to find them in the shops here, but then again you might not. That's a good idea.

Why this is correct: The answer is RECOMMENDED because the speaker says perhaps bring them and I'd suggest finding room for them. This is friendly advice, not a requirement.

Common Mistake: Students choose ESSENTIAL because she gives reasons. This is an Extreme language trap. She never says you must bring them.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'I'd suggest you find room for' = Statement: 'Favourite tapes or CDs are recommended'

Tips: Words like 'perhaps' and 'suggest' usually mean recommended.

Key Vocabulary:

  • suggest = advise
  • find room = make space

Question Focus: Emotional benefit suggestion

Passage Reference: Some photographs of people and places that are special to you could be nice. They can really make your room feel like home. It's just a thought.

Why this is correct: The answer is RECOMMENDED because the speaker says photos could be nice and help the room feel like home. This is optional advice.

Common Mistake: Some students choose ESSENTIAL because it sounds important emotionally. This is a Paraphrase trap. Nice does not mean necessary.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'could be nice' = Statement: 'Photos from home are recommended'

Tips: Emotional benefits usually signal recommendation, not necessity.

Key Vocabulary:

  • photographs = photos
  • special = important to you

General Tips:

  • Listen for strength of language. Words like 'must' and 'minimum' mean essential.
  • Advice words like 'suggest' and 'perhaps' usually mean recommended.
  • Negative phrases like 'isn't allowed' clearly mean not recommended.
  • The speaker may explain and then give final advice. Always follow the final decision.
  • Matching questions often repeat the same category. Do not assume each option is used only once.

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