Cambridge 20 Test 1 Listening Answers & Explanations

This post provides complete answers and clear explanations for Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Listening Test 1.

Each answer includes:

• Strategy
• Keywords
• Exact transcript location
• Explanation
• Correct answer

> Location note: Each answer includes the relevant listening part, transcript page and exact line range to help you find the evidence quickly.

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How This Guide Is Structured

Strategy

The strategy explains the best approach for each IELTS Listening question type.

Keywords

Keywords are the important words and phrases you should identify before the recording begins.

Exact Transcript Location

Each answer shows the listening part, transcript page and exact lines containing the answer.

Explanation

The explanation shows how the recording matches or paraphrases the question and highlights important distractors.

Correct Answer

The final answer appears after the explanation.

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Listening Part 1

Restaurant Recommendations

Questions 1–10: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

1. Read the table before listening.
2. Identify the restaurant name, location and other headings.
3. Predict the type of word needed for each blank.
4. Listen carefully for corrections and extra information.
5. Follow the conversation in order.
6. Check spelling and the word limit.

The instruction says:

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

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Question 1

The Junction is particularly good for people who are keen on ______.

Keywords

The Junction, food, especially keen on

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 215–217

Explanation

The man says the food at The Junction is excellent and adds that if someone likes fish, it is probably the best restaurant in town for that.

Here:

• especially keen on = really like
• The specific food mentioned is fish.

So, the answer is: fish

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Question 2

The ______ is a good place for a drink.

Keywords

drink, before dinner, views

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 219–221

Explanation

The man explains that before dinner guests can go up on the roof and have a drink.

He also mentions that the views from there are spectacular.

So, the answer is: roof

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Question 3

Paloma serves ______ food that is good for sharing.

Keywords

Paloma, food, small dishes, sharing

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 230–231

Explanation

The woman asks whether all the food at Paloma is Spanish.

The man confirms this and says diners can order lots of small dishes to share.

So, the answer is: Spanish

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Question 4

There is only a limited selection of ______ food.

Keywords

limited selection, food, friends stopped eating meat

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 238–240

Explanation

The woman wants to check whether there are enough dishes for friends who do not eat meat.

The man says the selection would probably be limited.

So, the answer is: vegetarian

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Question 5

The third restaurant recommended is The ______.

Keywords

another idea, restaurant name, spelling

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 242–244

Explanation

The man suggests another restaurant and spells its name:

A-U-D-L-E-Y

So, the answer is: Audley

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Question 6

The Audley is at the top of a ______.

Keywords

Audley, top floor, Baxter Bridge

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 245–247

Explanation

The man explains that the restaurant is inside a hotel near Baxter Bridge and is located on the top floor.

So, the answer is: hotel

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Question 7

All the ______ are very good.

Keywords

newspapers, excellent, restaurant

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 248–254

Explanation

The restaurant has received excellent reviews from newspapers.

The question paraphrases this by saying all the reviews are very good.

So, the answer is: reviews

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Question 8

The restaurant uses only ______ ingredients.

Keywords

ingredients, short distance, nothing from abroad

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 255–257

Explanation

Everything used in the restaurant must come from a short distance away.

Nothing is flown in from abroad.

This means the restaurant only uses local ingredients.

So, the answer is: local

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Question 9

The set lunch costs £______ per person.

Keywords

set lunch, price, per person

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 258–260

Explanation

The man says the set lunch is reasonably priced for such a high-quality restaurant.

The price is £30 per person.

So, the answer is: 30

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Question 10

The portions are probably ______ in size.

Keywords

portions, hungry, tiny

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 12, lines 261–263

Explanation

The woman asks whether the portions are tiny.

The man says he has not read anything suggesting that and expects them to be average.

So, the answer is: average

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Listening Part 2

Edelman Pottery

Questions 11–16: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For multiple-choice questions:

1. Read the question and all options before listening.
2. Identify what the question is specifically asking.
3. Listen for paraphrases rather than identical vocabulary.
4. Be careful when several options are mentioned.
5. Choose the speaker's final or central point.

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Question 11

Heather says pottery differs from other art forms because ______.

Keywords

pottery, art forms, survives, ground

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 272–274

Explanation

Heather says baskets and pictures do not survive underground in the same way that pottery does.

Even broken pieces of ancient pottery can remain for thousands of years.

So, the answer is: A — It lasts longer in the ground.

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Question 12

Archaeologists sometimes identify the use of ancient pottery from ______.

Keywords

archaeologists, use, pottery, marks

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 275–277

Explanation

Archaeologists can work out whether a pot was used for storage or cooking by looking at impressions and scratches on it.

These are marks left on the pottery.

So, the answer is: B — the marks that are on it

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Question 13

Some people take pottery classes because they want to ______.

Keywords

reason, pottery class, ancestors, last

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 278–280

Explanation

Some participants like the idea of producing something that will continue to exist after they die.

So, the answer is: C — make something that will outlive them

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Question 14

What does Heather value most about being a potter?

Keywords

love most, concentration, stress

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 281–283

Explanation

Heather says what she loves most is the concentration required to make a good pot.

This focus takes her mind away from everyday stress.

So, the answer is: A — its calming effect

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Question 15

Most visitors to Edelman Pottery ______.

Keywords

visitors, first time, pottery

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 284–286

Explanation

Heather says that, like nearly everyone who comes there, the current visitors are probably trying pottery for the first time.

So, the answer is: B — have never made a pot before

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Question 16

Heather reminds visitors that they should ______.

Keywords

wearing, watches, necklaces, remove

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 287–289

Explanation

Heather tells participants to remove watches, necklaces and similar items and place them somewhere safe.

So, the answer is: C — take off their jewellery

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Questions 17–18: Choose TWO Answers

Strategy

For questions requiring two answers:

1. Read all five choices first.
2. Identify the exact topic being discussed.
3. Listen for two separate pieces of information.
4. Do not select an option simply because it is mentioned nearby.

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Questions 17–18

Which TWO things does Heather explain about kilns?

Keywords

kiln, function, alternative, fire pottery

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 291–300

Explanation

Heather explains that a kiln is essentially a very hot oven used to fire pottery and permanently set its shape.

She also says some people use an outdoor fire pit instead of a kiln.

Therefore:

• A — what their function is
• E — what some people use instead of one

So, the answers are: A and E

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Questions 19–20: Choose TWO Answers

Questions 19–20

Which TWO points does Heather make about a potter’s tools?

Keywords

tools, basic, need, provide

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 13, lines 303–308

Explanation

Heather says some basic tools are necessary when handling clay on the wheel.

She also says the pottery centre provides these tools, so participants do not need to buy them yet.

Therefore:

• C — some are essential items
• E — some are available for use by participants

So, the answers are: C and E

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Listening Part 3

Research into Loneliness

Questions 21–22: Choose TWO Answers

Strategy

When the question asks what both students believe, listen for agreement.

Useful phrases include:

• “I think you’re right.”
• “That’s true.”
• “I agree.”
• “I suppose so.”

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Questions 21–22

Which TWO things do both students believe are responsible for increasing loneliness?

Keywords

increase, loneliness, cities, work, move

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 317–330

Explanation

Tamara argues that urban design can make it difficult for people to interact with neighbours, and Dev agrees.

She also says people frequently move for work and end up far from family and friends, and Dev again agrees.

Therefore:

• C — urban design
• E — a mobile workforce

So, the answers are: C and E

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Questions 23–24: Choose TWO Answers

Questions 23–24

Which TWO health risks associated with loneliness do the students agree are supported by solid evidence?

Keywords

health risks, evidence, immune system, cancer

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 331–344

Explanation

Tamara refers to research showing an increased risk of cancer and says other studies support those findings.

Both also agree that evidence connecting loneliness with a weakened immune system is strong.

Evidence about dementia and cardiovascular disease is described as uncertain.

So, the answers are: A and C

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Questions 25–26: Choose TWO Answers

Questions 25–26

Which TWO opinions do both students express about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?

Keywords

evolutionary theory, evidence, useful, problem

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript pages 14–15, lines 345–356

Explanation

Both students agree that the theory still requires stronger evidence.

They also agree that it is not particularly useful for solving loneliness today.

Therefore:

• A — It has little practical relevance.
• B — It needs further investigation.

So, the answers are: A and B

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Questions 27–30: Multiple Choice

Question 27

When comparing loneliness with depression, the students ______.

Keywords

loneliness, depression, diagnosis, treatment

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 15, lines 358–362

Explanation

The students note that depression has recognised clinical diagnosis and treatment, while loneliness does not.

They also believe this situation is unlikely to change.

So, the answer is: A — doubt that there will ever be a medical cure for loneliness

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Question 28

Why do the students want to begin their presentation with a personal example?

Keywords

own experience, presentation, students relate

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 15, lines 362–366

Explanation

Tamara plans to describe feeling lonely when she first started university.

Dev says everyone will be able to relate to that experience.

So, the answer is: B — to highlight a situation that most students will recognise

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Question 29

Why do the students think talking to strangers can help with loneliness?

Keywords

strangers, community, connected

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 15, lines 367–371

Explanation

Tamara says interactions with strangers can make people feel more connected to their community.

This creates a stronger sense of belonging.

So, the answer is: A — it creates a sense of belonging

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Question 30

The students find it difficult to understand why solitude is considered ______.

Keywords

solitude, alone, some people love it

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 15, lines 372–376

Explanation

The students understand that solitude can benefit wellbeing.

However, both personally dislike being alone and find it strange that some people enjoy it.

So, the answer is: C — an enjoyable experience

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Listening Part 4

Reclaiming Urban Rivers

Questions 31–40: Note Completion

Strategy

For Part 4 note-completion questions:

1. Read the headings before listening.
2. Predict whether each blank requires a place, object, animal or transport type.
3. Follow the lecture in order.
4. Listen for examples and changes over time.
5. Copy the exact word.
6. Check spelling.

The instruction says:

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

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Question 31

Pollution came from ______ on the river bank.

Keywords

pollution, river bank, industrial development

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 390–394

Explanation

As cities became more industrialised, factories were built beside rivers.

These factories discharged waste materials into the water.

So, the answer is: factories

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Question 32

In 1957, the River Thames was declared biologically ______.

Keywords

1957, River Thames, biological

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 393–394

Explanation

Scientists declared that the Thames was dead in biological terms because its polluted water could not support life.

So, the answer is: dead

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Question 33

Seals and even a ______ have recently been seen in the Thames.

Keywords

seals, Thames, rescue, animal

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 396–399

Explanation

The lecturer says seals can now be seen in the Thames and describes a recent attempt to rescue a whale that had entered the river.

So, the answer is: whale

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Question 34

Riverside warehouses are converted into restaurants and ______.

Keywords

warehouses, converted, river views

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 399–402

Explanation

Old riverside warehouses are being converted into expensive restaurants and apartments with river views.

So, the answer is: apartments

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Question 35

In Los Angeles, there are plans to build a riverside ______.

Keywords

Los Angeles, riverside, sports, relaxing

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 402–404

Explanation

An architect plans to revitalise the river banks by creating a park offering sports facilities and a natural place to relax.

So, the answer is: park

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Question 36

There are plans to display ______ projects.

Keywords

projects, display, local people

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 404–406

Explanation

The lecturer says facilities could be created to display projects involving different kinds of art produced by local people.

So, the answer is: art

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Question 37

In Paris, ______ are created beside the river every summer.

Keywords

Paris, summer, river banks

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 406–408

Explanation

During July and August, traffic is removed from roads beside the river and the banks are transformed into beaches.

So, the answer is: beaches

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Question 38

More than two billion passengers already travel by ______ in cities worldwide.

Keywords

two billion passengers, cities, transport

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 409–413

Explanation

The lecturer says more than two billion passengers use ferry services in cities such as Istanbul, San Francisco and New York.

So, the answer is: ferry

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Question 39

Goods could be transported from barges using electric ______.

Keywords

freight barges, final destination, electric

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 415–420

Explanation

After freight barges reach the riverside, parcels could travel the final few kilometres using electric cargo bikes.

Because only one word is allowed, the answer is bikes.

So, the answer is: bikes

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Question 40

In the future, deliveries could be completed by ______.

Keywords

future, final stage, delivery

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 16, lines 420–422

Explanation

The lecturer says the final stage of a delivery could eventually be carried out using a drone.

So, the answer is: drone

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Cambridge 20 Test 1 Listening Answer Key

Listening Part 1

1. fish
2. roof
3. Spanish
4. vegetarian
5. Audley
6. hotel
7. reviews
8. local
9. 30
10. average

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Listening Part 2

11. A
12. B
13. C
14. A
15. B
16. C 17–18. A and E 19–20. C and E

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Listening Part 3

21–22. C and E 23–24. A and C 25–26. A and B 27. A 28. B 29. A 30. C

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Listening Part 4

31. factories
32. dead
33. whale
34. apartments
35. park
36. art
37. beaches
38. ferry
39. bikes
40. drone

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Bonus IELTS Listening Tips

Follow the Word Limit

Always check whether the instruction says:

• ONE WORD ONLY
• ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER
• NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER

For example:

• Correct: 30
• Incorrect: £30 per person

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Look Out for Distractors

IELTS Listening often gives extra information before or after the answer.

For Question 9:

• Set lunch = £30
• Evening meal = around £50

The question specifically asks about the set lunch.

Therefore, 30 is correct.

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Listen for Paraphrases

Question wording	Recording wording
keen on	if you like
good place for a drink	go up on the roof and have a drink
limited selection	selection would be quite limited
famous chef	judge on a TV cookery show
only local ingredients	sourced within a short distance
calming effect	takes you away from everyday stress
never made a pot	first time you have tried the art
essential tools	basic tools that you will need
urban design	way cities are designed
mobile workforce	move around for work
solid evidence	data is sound
sense of belonging	connected with their community
biologically dead	dead in biological terms
riverside apartments	apartments with river views
ferry travel	use the ferry
electric bikes	cargo bikes, electric ones
future delivery	carried out by drone

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Listen for Agreement in Part 3

Questions asking what both speakers think require clear agreement.

Useful signals include:

• “That’s true.”
• “I think you’re right.”
• “True.”
• “Unquestionably.”
• “Me neither.”

Do not choose an idea mentioned by only one speaker.

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Be Careful with Multiple Choice

Several options can be mentioned in the recording.

For Question 14, Heather mentions:

• physical benefits for older people;
• messiness for children;
• concentration and stress relief.

But the question asks what she values most.

She specifically says she loves the concentration most.

Therefore, A is correct.

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Predict the Answer Type

Before listening, use the grammar around the blank.

Example:

> The ______ is a good place for a drink.

A singular noun is required.

Answer: roof

Another example:

> Set lunch costs £______.

A number is required.

Answer: 30

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Watch Singular and Plural Forms

Examples:

• factory would be wrong for Question 31 because the recording refers to factories.
• bike would not match the note grammar as naturally as bikes.
• beaches must be plural because the sentence says “are created”.

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Do Not Write Extra Words

Question 39 refers to electric cargo bikes in the recording.

But the instruction is:

ONE WORD ONLY

Therefore, write:

bikes

not:

cargo bikes

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Check Spelling

Review potentially difficult words such as:

• vegetarian
• Audley
• apartments
• factories
• beaches

Incorrect spelling can cost you the mark.

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Review Every Wrong Answer

After completing the listening test, identify why each mistake happened.

Common causes include:

• missing a distractor;
• choosing information mentioned by only one speaker;
• exceeding the word limit;
• missing a paraphrase;
• choosing the wrong singular or plural form;
• selecting the first number heard;
• spelling the answer incorrectly.