A Monologue on How to Keep Out Burglars and Keep Your Home Safe - IELTS Listening Sample Answer

The IELTS Listening section comprises four sections with a total of 40 questions. The candidates need to properly listen to the IELTS Listening audio then proceed with the 10 questions. These audio recordings will be in the form of monologues or conversations between two or more people. This topic is section Two of IELTS listening and contains the following question types:

• Complete the table
• Choose the correct answer
• Multiple choice

Audio Transcript

Keep them out! There’s no fail-proof way to keep out a burglar, but every little bit of deterrence helps. Even if you can’t afford a security system, you can take a few minutes to make your home a little safer. Some relatively simple steps will greatly decrease the odds of a break-in, which means you can enjoy more peace of mind. And isn’t’ that what ‘home’ is all about?

Think like a burglar : If you were one, how would you get into your home? evaluate your home from the inside and out, day and night. You might even try a ’mock’ break-in, trying window jams and locks on the house’s perimeter . To keep out a burglar, the first thing to do is to secure the windows. Though windows are relatively easy to break, the loud noise of shattering glass will deter a thief if you’re near other houses.

Don’t leave your windows open during the night whether you’re at home or away. That’s a common-sense precaution, but a surprising number of people forget to do just that.

Use a pick proof locking device for your windows. Make sure the frames are solid.

If you’re beyond the earshot of your neighbours, they won’t hear the glass breaking. Consider installing a plexiglass sheet for the more accessible windows. This will make entry through them more difficult.

Your doors should also be secured . If you don’t have a peephole, install one in the front door. If you have one, make sure that you and your family are in the habit of using it. Don’t open the door to anyone you don’t know, especially at night. If the peephole is out of the reach of your children, keep a stepladder or stepping box by the door for them to use.

If there’s any glass within two feet of your front door lock, consider a locking device that would be out of reach if that glass is broken.

Now, a few tips on how to protect your valuables . Don’t leave your valuables (stereo, computer, jewellery, etc.) where they can be seen from the window. If you don’t want to hide everything from sight, consider blinds .

Make a valuables inventory . Keep a record of your expensive and personally significant items, not just a listing, but a photographic or video tape record if possible. Store this inventory at another location. This is helpful for both the police and the insurance agency to identify the stolen goods.

Use an engraving pen to mark these items with some kind of personal identifying information, such as your initials , in an inconspicuous place. This also helps record your possessions in case of any other mishap, such as fire or flood.

Don’t stop your security awareness at the outside walls of your house. Your yard areas (if any) also deserve your attention. In general, don’t leave anything around the yard that might help a burglar get into your house. Ladders, stackable boxes or any garden tools should be put away, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Install a light in your yard that is sensitive to movement. Place it high and out of reach.

Trim hedges or bushes that are near doors or windows. These can be good hiding places.

Don’t place outdoor furniture tables nearby the house. These could become an easy stepladder to the roof.

When you are on vacation , create the occupancy illusion . Maybe you laughed at your mother for leaving the lights on and the radio playing while she left for vacation, but she had the right idea. Those steps aren’t quite enough, so try these strategies :

Buy electronic timers that turn lights on and off at different times. Hook up a timer to your TV for a few hours each evening. Turn up the volumes, too- not enough to annoy the neighbors , just enough that a lurker at the windowsill couldn’t miss hearing it.

Have your newspaper and mail delivery suspended . If you don’t have time to do this, ask a neighbour to pick them up for you.

Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway or parking place.

Think about having someone house-sit your home. If he’s a relative or friend, he may cost you no more than the contents of your refrigerator. You can also find professional house-sitters, or house-sitting services, but find someone to stay while you’re away.

Leave your shades as they are normally, or at least don’t close up every one. One sign of a vacant house is closed shades during the day. Lock your garage door with a padlock.

Questions 11-16

Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

HOW TO KEEP OFF BURGLARS FROM YOUR HOME

Question 11.

Answer: Leave windows open

Explanation: The speaker mentioned, “Don’t leave your windows open during the night”. Since we need to give the answer in no more than three words we should write ‘leave windows open’.

Also check:

Question 12.

Answer: pick-proof locking device

Explanation: The speaker said, “Use a pick-proof locking device for your windows. Make sure the frames are solid”. So the correct answer must be “pickproof locking device”

Question 13.

Answer: you don’t know

Explanation: From the words given in the question it is easy to spot the answer, The speaker suggested “Don’t open the door to anyone you don’t know.” So the answer is ‘you don’t know.

Question 14.

Answer: (a) peephole

Explanation: The speaker advises installing a peephole if you don’t have one. So here the answer should be ‘peephole’.

Question 15.

Answer: from the window

Explanation: As stated by the speaker “Don’t leave your valuables (stereo, computer, jewelry, etc.) where they can be seen from the window.” Therefore “from the window” is the answer.

Question 16.

Answer: inventory

Explanation: From the keyword Valuable it is easy to spot the answer. As mentioned in the speech “Make a valuables inventory,” Therefore the answer should be ‘inventory’.

Questions 17-18

Circle the correct letter, A, B, or C, and write answers next 17-18 on your answer sheet.

17. To ensure safety in your courtyard, you should install a light _______

1. near the door.
2. near each of your windows.
3. somewhere high out of reach.

Answer: C

Explanation: As stated by the speaker, “Install a light in your yard that is sensitive to movement. Place it high and out of reach.” By this formation, it is clear that the answer should be C.

18. Why is there a need to trim hedges or bushes in your courtyard?

1. Because they may be used by burglars as good hiding places.
2. Because they do not help in creating an occupancy illusion.
3. Because they may block the views from the windows or peepholes.

Answer: A

Explanation: Following the conversation, we can hear “Trim hedges or bushes that are near doors or windows. These can be good hiding places.” Thus the answer is B.

Questions 19-20

Choose TWO letters, A-E, and write answers next to 19-20 on your answer sheet.

What may help in creating an occupancy illusion when one is on vacation?

1. Turn on your TV all day long.
2. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.
3. Close all your shades.
4. Unlock your garage door.
5. Have someone house*sit your home.

Question 19.

Answer: B

Explanation: B should be the answer since you will hear the speaker saying “Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place”.

Question 20.

Answer: E

Explanation: We can hear the speaker mentioning “Think about having someone house-sit your home”. Therefore E should be the answer.