A Monologue on Apsley House - IELTS Listening Sample Answer
The IELTS Listening section examines a candidate’s ability to properly listen to audio and answer the questions. IELTS Listening contains four sections and a total of 40 questions. This topic - A short introductory monologue on Apsley House is Section Two of IELTS Listening. Candidates will find different types of questions in IELTS Listening practice papers. This section contains many question types:
- Short answer questions
- Choose the correct answer
Audio Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to Apsley House. My name’s Henry James and I’m the proprietor of this, I must say, wonderful old house. My staff and I will do all that we can to ensure that your stay here at Apsley House is both informative and relaxing.
If you look at the schedule I’ve prepared you will see that we have planned a number of different activities for you. But what I’d like to do today is to introduce the house to you. So let’s first deal with the history of the house.
Apsley House is known as one of the finest houses in England. It was originally designed and constructed by the Scottish-born architect Robert Adam between the years 1771 and 1778, and from day one was the office of the Duke of Wellington. Back then it was a private house, but in 1987 it opened to the public for the first time.
The Duke of Wellington was an avid collector of art, and if you look to the room to your left… Can everyone see that alright? Yes? Good. You will see a rather large art gallery. The viewing gallery is 90 feet long and houses a wide range of art from all over Europe. Until recently, the gallery was closed to the public, but I’m pleased to say that it is now open and you are free to visit anytime you wish. If you take a look at the schedule you will see that I’ll be talking to you about the gallery tomorrow after breakfast, so if you’re interested in art please be here by 9 o'clock for the talk.
This room here, to your right, is the cafeteria. Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m, although you can request breakfast in your room if you prefer. The dining hall serves a traditional English breakfast, although vegetarian food is available on request. Just let the kitchen staff know the previous evening. Outside you will find a magnificent garden. A section of the garden was converted into a car park in 1990 to make way for the growing number of visitors. Nevertheless, much of it remains and is an ideal place for you to wander and enjoy the peace and quiet, or simply sit and read.
There are a lot of animals in the garden, including birds, squirrels, rabbits, oh, and not to forget Felix the cat. Now don’t be alarmed if the animals come up to you. They are used to people and very friendly. Anyway, dinner will be served at seven, so in the mean time please feel free to simply wander and enjoy the hospitality Apsley House has to offer.
Question 11.
Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS OR A NUMBER for the answer.
The house was built between 11_____________________
Answer: 1771-1778 /1771 and 1778
Explanation: As mentioned by the speaker, “It was originally designed and constructed by the Scottish-born architect Robert Adam between the years 1771 and 1778,” so the answer is ‘ 1771 and 1778’.
Also, check:
Question 12
Choose ONE letter A-C and write the answer next to 12 on your answer sheet.
It was originally constructed as a/an:
- family home
- office
- public house
Answer: B
Explanation: As mentioned by the speaker, “from day one was the office of the Duke of Wellington”. Hence the answer should be option B.
Questions 13-15
Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS for each answer.
The house contains art from: 13________________
Until recently, the art gallery was: 14________________
Tomorrow’s talk will be on: 15________________
Question 13.
Answer: all over Europe
Explanation: The speaker stated, “houses a wide range of art from all over Europe”. So the answer must be ‘all over Europe’.
Question 14.
Answer: closed to the public
Explanation: ‘Until recently, the gallery was closed to the public,’ as mentioned by the speaker. So the answer must be closed to the public.
Question 15.
Answer: the art gallery
Explanation: The speaker said, “I’ll be talking to you about the gallery tomorrow after breakfast,” the answer must be the art gallery.
Questions 16-20
Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS for each answer.
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria or: 16_________________
You can choose between an English breakfast or: 17__________________
A car park was built because of an increase in: 18_______________
The garden contains many: 19__________________
The animals at Apsley House are all: 20___________________
Question 16.
Answer: your room
Explanation: The Speaker mentioned, “Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m, although you can request breakfast in your room if you prefer”. Therefore the answer is your room.
Question 17.
Answer: vegetarian food
Explanation: The speaker informed, “The dining hall serves traditional English breakfast, although vegetarian food is available on request”. Thus the answer must be ‘vegetarian food’.
Question 18.
Answer: visitors
Explanation: It is mentioned in the introductory monologue that “A section of the garden was converted into a car park in 1990 to make way for the growing number of visitors”. Hence the answer is ‘visitors’.
Question 19.
Answer: animals
Explanation: The speaker explicitly says "there are a lot of animals". He even includes some examples like birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc. so the answer must be animals.
Question 20.
Answer: very friendly
Explanation: While talking about animals at Apsley House, the speaker mentioned that “They are used to people and very friendly”. So the answer must be very friendly.
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