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IELTS Practice Listening: Note/Summary Completion ID: #57107 Easy Jack’s advice
Instructions ›

Complete the notes below.

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

you will hear a conversation about a surfing holiday in Ireland. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. Jack, I'm thinking of taking the kids to the seaside on a surfing holiday this summer, and I wanted to ask your advice, as I know you're such an expert. Well, I don't know about that, but yes, I've done a bit of surfing over the years, I'd thoroughly recommend it. I think it's the kind of holiday all the family can enjoy together. The thing about surfing is that it's great for all ages and all abilities. My youngest started when he was only three. Wow! But it's quite physically demanding, isn't it? I've heard you need to be pretty fit. Yes, you'll certainly learn more quickly and won't tire as easily. Well, that should be OK for us. You've been surfing a few times in Ireland, haven't you? Yes, there's some great surfing there, which people don't always realise. And which locations would you recommend? There seem to be quite a few. Yes, there are loads. Last year we went to County Donegal. There are several great places to surf there. What about in County Clare? I read that's also really good for surfing. Yes, it is. I've been there a few times. Most people go to Lahinch. My kids love it there. The waves aren't too challenging and the town is very lively. Are there good hotels there? Yes, some very nice ones. And there are also a few basic hostels and campsites. It's great if you need lessons, as the surf schools are excellent. Sounds good. Yes, and there's lots to see in the area, like those well-known cliffs. I've forgotten the name of them. Oh, don't worry. I can look them up. I've also been surfing in County Mayo, which is less well known for surfing, but we had a really good time. That was a few years ago when the kids were younger. There's a good surf school at Karaniski Beach. How do you spell that? C-A-R-R-O-W-N-I-S-K-E. Why? OK. I put the kids into the surf camp they run during the summer for 10- to 16-year-olds. Oh, right. How long was that for? Three hours every day for a week. It was perfect. They were so tired out after that. I can imagine. One thing we did while the kids were surfing was to rent some kayaks to have a look around the bay, which is nearby. It's really beautiful. Oh, I'd love to do that. Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 7 to 10. Now listen and answer questions 7 to 10. Now, the only time I went to Ireland, it rained practically every day. Yes, that can be a problem. But you can surf in the rain, you know? It doesn't have the same appeal somehow. Well, the weather's been fine the last couple of years when I've been there. But actually, it tends to rain more in August than in the spring or autumn. September's my favourite month because the water is warmer then. The only problem is that the kids are back to school then. I know. But one good thing about Irish summers is that it doesn't get too hot. The average temperature is about 19 degrees, and it usually doesn't go above 25 degrees. That sounds all right. Now, what about costs? Surfing is a pretty cheap holiday, really. The only cost is the hire of equipment. You can expect to pay a daily rate of about 30 EUR for the hire of a wetsuit and board. But you can save about 40 EUR if you hire by the week. That's not too bad. No. It's important to make sure you get good quality wetsuits. You'll all get too cold if you don't. and make sure you also get boots. They keep your feet warm and it's easier to surf with them on too. Okay, well, thanks very much for that.
10 blanks 1 word max

Advice on surfing holidays

Jack’s advice

  • Recommends surfing for  holidays in the summer
  • Need to be quite 

Irish surfing locations

  • County Clare

– Lahinch has some good quality  and surf schools

– There are famous cliffs nearby

  • County Mayo

– Good surf school at  beach

– Surf camp lasts for one 

– Can also explore the local  by kayak

Weather

  • Best month to go: 
  • Average temperature in summer: approx.  degrees

Costs

  • Equipment

– Wetsuit and surfboard:  euros per day

– Also advisable to hire  for warmth

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.

Question Focus: Synonym match - summary says 'family holidays' and Jack talks about all the family enjoying it

Correct Answer: family

Why this is correct: The speaker clearly says that surfing is something all the family can enjoy together. This directly matches the note about family holidays.

Passage Reference: I think it's the kind of holiday all the family can enjoy together.

Common Mistake: Some students write children, but Jack is talking about parents and kids together. This is a partial truth trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'all the family can enjoy together' = Summary: 'family holidays'

Tips: When you hear a clear group like 'all the family', expect a simple noun in the notes.

Key Vocabulary:

  • family = parents and children

Question Focus: Exact word match

Correct Answer: fit

Passage Reference: I've heard you need to be pretty fit. Yes, you'll certainly learn more quickly and won't tire as easily.

Why this is correct: Jack agrees that surfing is physically demanding and says you need to be pretty fit. The note shortens this to just fit.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write strong, but that word is not used by the speaker. This is a synonym trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'pretty fit' = Summary: 'quite fit'

Tips: Copy the exact word you hear, even if another word feels similar.

Key Vocabulary:

  • fit = in good physical condition

Question Focus: Synonym match - 'good quality' refers to accommodation

Correct Answer: hotels

Passage Reference: Are there good hotels there? Yes, some very nice ones. And there are also a few basic hostels and campsites.

Why this is correct: When asked about Lahinch, Jack confirms there are good hotels and even says some are very nice. This matches the note about good quality accommodation.

Common Mistake: Some students write hostels, but those are described as basic. This is a partial truth trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'some very nice ones' = Summary: 'good quality hotels'

Tips: Listen carefully to what is described as good quality versus basic.

Key Vocabulary:

  • hotel = place to stay

Question Focus: Spelling and place name

Correct Answer: carrowniskey

Passage Reference: There's a good surf school at Karaniski Beach. How do you spell that? C-A-R-R-O-W-N-I-S-K-E.

Why this is correct: Jack names the beach and then spells Carrowniskey clearly letter by letter. That spelling is what you must write.

Common Mistake: Students often spell it the way it sounds, like Karaniski. This is a number/spelling trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'Karaniski Beach' (spelled) = Summary: '... at ___ beach'

Tips: When a speaker spells a word, that is a strong signal it will be an answer.

Key Vocabulary:

  • beach = seaside area

Question Focus: Exact word match

Correct Answer: week

Passage Reference: How long was that for? Three hours every day for a week.

Why this is correct: Jack explains the surf camp lasted for a week. The note shortens this to one week.

Common Mistake: Some students write days, focusing on 'three hours every day'. This is a distractor trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'for a week' = Summary: 'lasts for one week'

Tips: Ignore extra details and listen for the total time period.

Key Vocabulary:

  • week = seven days

Question Focus: Exact word match

Correct Answer: bay

Passage Reference: to have a look around the bay, which is nearby. It's really beautiful.

Why this is correct: Jack says they kayaked around the bay, which is nearby. This matches the note exactly.

Common Mistake: Some students write sea, but that word is not used. This is a synonym trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'around the bay' = Summary: 'explore the local bay'

Tips: Place words like bay, beach, and town are often tested.

Key Vocabulary:

  • bay = part of the sea surrounded by land

Question Focus: Exact word match after comparison

Correct Answer: september

Passage Reference: September's my favourite month because the water is warmer then.

Why this is correct: Jack clearly states that September is his favourite month to go. This directly answers the question.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write August because it is mentioned first. This is a sequence trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'September's my favourite month' = Summary: 'Best month to go'

Tips: The correct answer often comes after words like 'but actually'.

Key Vocabulary:

  • favourite = best

Question Focus: Number listening

Correct Answer: 19

Passage Reference: The average temperature is about 19 degrees, and it usually doesn't go above 25 degrees.

Why this is correct: Jack says the average temperature is about 19 degrees. Both the number and the word form are accepted.

Common Mistake: Some students write 25, but that is the maximum, not the average. This is a partial truth trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'about 19 degrees' = Summary: 'Average temperature'

Tips: Always check whether a number is an average, maximum, or minimum.

Key Vocabulary:

  • average = usual

Question Focus: Number and cost detail

Correct Answer: 30

Passage Reference: You can expect to pay a daily rate of about 30 EUR for the hire of a wetsuit and board.

Why this is correct: Jack explains the daily hire cost is 30 euros for a wetsuit and board. This is the exact daily rate.

Common Mistake: Some students write 40, which is the saving for weekly hire. This is a distractor trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'pay a daily rate of about 30 EUR' = Summary: '30 euros per day'

Tips: Listen carefully to what each number refers to.

Key Vocabulary:

  • hire = rent

Question Focus: Exact word match

Correct Answer: boots

Passage Reference: and make sure you also get boots. They keep your feet warm and it's easier to surf with them on too.

Why this is correct: Jack advises hiring boots to keep feet warm and help with surfing. This directly fills the note.

Common Mistake: Some students write wetsuits, but those are already mentioned earlier. This is a context shift trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'make sure you also get boots' = Summary: 'advisable to hire boots'

Tips: Extra advice at the end of a section often becomes a test answer.

Key Vocabulary:

  • boots = footwear

General Tips:

  • FIB answers follow the order of the recording, so use each answer to predict where the next one will be.
  • Write only ONE word or number if that is the limit. Extra words are marked wrong.
  • Always copy the exact word you hear. Do not replace it with your own synonym.
  • Be careful with numbers. Check what each number refers to before you write it.
  • Listen for corrections and comparisons like 'but actually'. The final idea is often the answer.

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