House Free of Damp IELTS Listening Practice with Answers

Transcript for House Free of Damp

SIMON- Hello, this is Simon Marshall. I spoke to you the other day about renting flat 3A.

AGENT- Oh yes, hello Simon. What can I do for you?

SIMON- Well, there are a few health and safety things I'd like to run through if that's okay.

AGENT- Yes, fine. Right, well the first thing bearing in mind it's quite an old house is whether there's any damp. I'm thinking here of the exterior walls and the floor. AGENT-Well, I've never known any problems with damp there. It was alright last time I checked certainly though that was before the recent wet weather. I'd better have another look and get back to you on that.

SIMON- Okay, now the next thing is the gas supply. Do you have a safety certificate, a current one that is?

AGENT- We do. All the gas appliances have been checked by a registered engineer.

SIMON- Yes, I was going to ask about that. When did they actually do the inspection?

AGENT- Let me think. They sent an engineer to check something early last year but no, that wasn't the inspection. Oh, I remember now it was in the spring. In fact, I've got the certificate here somewhere. Yes, that's it. March 22nd, so it's just over five months ago.

SIMON- And the electricity, when was the last time all the wiring was inspected? I know it doesn't have to be checked as often as the gas, but it's still important, especially in older properties.

AGENT- As it happens, we had an electrician in when we redecorated flat 3A. If he looked at everything then, he would have charged us for it. I'll find the bill and check it if you like.

SIMON- Fine. And when was that?

AGENT- The decorators finished just before Easter, so that would be about 18 months ago.

SIMON- Just one more point on the electrics. Are there enough plug sockets in the flat?

AGENT- It depends what you mean by enough, really.

SIMON- Well, I've got quite a lot of electrical things, computer, radio, lamps, kitchen appliances and so on. And I'm wondering whether I could plug them all in without having cables trailing all over the place.

AGENT- I think there's one per room. That's fairly normal in older properties.

SIMON-I'll take that as a no then.

AGENT- Alright.

SIMON- Now, another safety point, is there a smoke alarm?

AGENT-Yes, there's one in the kitchen.

SIMON- And is it in good working order?

AGENT- I'll have to try it out and let you know.

SIMON- Right. Now, you mentioned the previous tenants. Do they, or anyone else who's lived in the flat, still have keys to the door?

AGENT- We're very strict about that. Everyone has to hand back the keys when they leave or we don't return the deposit.

SIMON-. Okay. Now, there are a few other practical details. Firstly, you mentioned a room where people can leave things like suitcases and bags and things. Where exactly is that? Is it next to 3A, which I take it is on the third floor?

AGENT- Well, the apartment's on the third, yes. But the store room's a little way away, just pass the second door to the right, under the stairs, in fact.

SIMON- But it's on the same floor, isn't it?

AGENT- Yes, it is. Fine.

SIMON- Now, another thing I want you to check is that there's hot water in the apartment.

AGENT- Oh, yes. It runs off the central heating. That was installed back in the 70s, I think, so there's a permanent supply.

SIMON- But is it really hot, not just warm or lukewarm?

AGENT- I suppose it depends what you mean by hot. But it's at a constant 60 degrees.

SIMON- Oh, that sounds fine.

AGENT- Yes, it used to be set at 55, but last year the tenants asked us to increase it, so we did.

SIMON- Oh, I'm glad about that. Okay.- Now, can you tell me a bit about the yard and the garden? How big are they?

AGENT- Well, the yard at the side of the house is about 20 square metres.

SIMON- Oh, so there's room for my motorbike, then. Actually, it's only a 50cc moped, but I like to keep it off the road at night.

AGENT-Yes, there's more than enough space there, even with all the wheelie bins. SIMON-And the garden?

AGENT- That's much bigger, about 150 square metres.

SIMON- Who looks after it, by the way?

AGENT-Old Mr Collins. He's almost 90, but he's out there every day.

SIMON-And the last point, the TV. What size screen is it?

AGENT- It's 70 centimetres wide, I think. No, sorry, that was the old one. This one's 80. You can get 90 odd channels on it, so I'm told.

SIMON- Really? So there's a satellite dish on the roof, is there?

AGENT- No, it's Cable TV here. It doesn't cost much between everyone, though. SIMON-Ah, that's very interesting. Okay, thanks for your help. I'll be in touch again soon.

AGENT- Thank you. Bye for now. Bye.

Questions for House Free of Damp Listening Test

Questions 1-6

Complete the summary below.

Write

A. If she says YES, DEFINITELY

B. If she says MAYBE

C. If she says DEFINITELY NOT

How does the owner answer?

House free of damp?

1. Current gas safety certificate?

2. Gas inspection within last twelve months?

3. Electricity checked in the last five years?

4. Sufficient electric sockets?

5. Fire detection equipment that works?

6. Previous tenants all returned keys?

Questions 7-10

Choose the correct letter A-C.

7. On which floor is the storeroom?

A. first

B. second

C. third

8. What is the temperature of the hot water?

A. 55

B. 60

C. 70

9. How big is the garden?

A. 20 m2

B. 90 m2

C. 150 m2

10. What size is the television?

A. 70 cm

B. 80 cm

C. 90 cm