Cambridge 20 Test 3 Listening Answers & Explanations

12 August 2026

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Cambridge 20 Test 3 Listening Answers & Explanations

This post provides complete answers and clear explanations for Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Listening Test 3.

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 so you can quickly find the evidence.

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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 relevant lines containing the evidence.

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.

Listening Part 1

Furniture Rental Companies

Questions 1–10: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

Read the table before listening.
Predict whether each blank needs a number, adjective or noun.
Follow the companies in the order they are discussed.
Listen carefully for prices, conditions and special offers.
Watch for spelling of company names.
Follow the word limit exactly.

The instruction says:

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

Question 1

Peak Rentals prices range from $105 to $______ per room per month.

Keywords

Peak Rentals, monthly price, $105, maximum

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 10, lines 194–198

Explanation

The speaker says the monthly price starts at $105 and goes up to $239.

The question asks for the upper end of the price range.

So, the answer is: 239

Question 2

The furniture is very ______.

Keywords

Peak Rentals, furniture, positive feedback

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 10, lines 199–202

Explanation

The speaker says people have commented that Peak Rentals' furniture is more modern than that offered by other companies.

So, the answer is: modern

Question 3

Special offer: free ______ with every living-room set.

Keywords

special offer, living room furniture, no extra cost

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 10, lines 204–205

Explanation

The brochure says anyone renting living-room furniture receives a lamp at no extra cost.

So, the answer is: lamp

Question 4

______ and Oliver

Keywords

company name, Oliver, spelling

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 10, lines 207–209

Explanation

The second company is called Aaron and Oliver.

The speaker spells Aaron to make the name clear.

So, the answer is: Aaron

Question 5

12% monthly fee for ______.

Keywords

12%, extra fee, monthly

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 10, lines 210–212

Explanation

The company charges an extra 12% each month in case the furniture is damaged.

So, the answer is: damage

Question 6

Larch Furniture offers the cheapest prices for furniture and ______ items.

Keywords

Larch Furniture, cheapest, equipment

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 222–223

Explanation

Larch Furniture offers low prices for both furniture and electronic equipment.

Because the question already contains the word items, only electronic is needed.

So, the answer is: electronic

Question 7

Customers must have their own ______.

Keywords

Larch Furniture, organise yourself, furniture

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 226–227

Explanation

Customers must take out insurance on the furniture themselves.

So, the answer is: insurance

Question 8

______ Rentals

Keywords

another company, near the house

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 232–233

Explanation

The final company mentioned is Space Rentals.

So, the answer is: Space

Question 9

See the ______ for the most up-to-date prices.

Keywords

charges, latest prices, use

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 235–236

Explanation

The speaker does not have current pricing information and recommends using the company's app.

So, the answer is: app

Question 10

______ are allowed within seven days of delivery.

Keywords

don't like furniture, delivered, within a week

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 1, transcript page 11, lines 238–239

Explanation

If customers dislike the furniture after delivery, they can request exchanges within one week.

So, the answer is: exchanges

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Listening Part 2

Archaeological Community Project at Bidcaster

Questions 11–16: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For multiple-choice questions:

Read all three options before listening.
Identify exactly what the question asks.
Listen for distractors that are mentioned but rejected.
Pay attention to sequence words such as but, actually, and in the meantime.
Choose the final meaning rather than the first idea you hear.

Question 11

Who was responsible for starting the community project?

Keywords

community project, started, charity, council

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 11, lines 242–246

Explanation

The archaeologist works for the town council, but says he was asked to join the project by NHA, a charity that organises projects around the country.

So, the answer is: B — a national charity

Question 12

How was the gold coin found?

Keywords

gold coin, rainstorm, soil

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 250–253

Explanation

Metal detectors and rabbits are mentioned as common ways coins are found.

However, in this case, a walker found the coin after a rainstorm washed away some of the earth and sand.

So, the answer is: A — heavy rain had removed some of the soil

Question 13

What made archaeologists believe there had been an ancient village on the site?

Keywords

ancient village, evidence, maps, documents

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 254–257

Explanation

The team found old maps and documents showing drawings of ruined buildings in the area.

This evidence suggested that an ancient village had once existed there.

So, the answer is: A — the lucky discovery of old records

Question 14

What are the team still hoping to find?

Keywords

still waiting, find, jewellery

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 258–260

Explanation

They have already found broken pottery and animal-bone tools.

However, they are still waiting to uncover brooches or other jewellery.

So, the answer is: C — pieces of jewellery

Question 15

What was found on the other side of the river?

Keywords

other side of river, evidence, fields

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 261–263

Explanation

No houses or huts were found there.

Instead, the archaeologists identified the borders of an ancient field system.

So, the answer is: B — the outline of fields

Question 16

What do the team plan to do after work ends this summer?

Keywords

after summer, autumn, school groups

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 264–266

Explanation

The team plans to offer guided tours to school groups during the autumn.

So, the answer is: C — start to organise school visits

Questions 17–20: Map Labelling

Strategy

For map questions:

Study the starting point before the audio begins.
Identify fixed landmarks such as the river, castle wall and current dig.
Follow directional language carefully.
Listen for phrases such as:
- turn right
- north-west corner
- next to
- before you come out of the trees
Do not mentally rotate the map.

Question 17

Bridge foundations

Keywords

main path, bends left, smaller track right, river

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 268–274

Explanation

From the entrance, visitors follow the main path until it bends left, then take the smaller track to the right towards the river.

On the map, this location corresponds to B.

So, the answer is: B

Question 18

Rubbish pit

Keywords

castle walls, north-west corner

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 274–276

Explanation

The rubbish pit is very close to the castle walls in the north-west corner of the site.

On the map, that position is A.

So, the answer is: A

Question 19

Meeting hall

Keywords

largest structure, central area, current excavation

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 276–279

Explanation

The meeting hall is the largest structure in the central part of the site and is beside the current excavation area.

That corresponds to G.

So, the answer is: G

Question 20

Fish pond

Keywords

turn right, first information board, trees, right

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 2, transcript page 12, lines 279–282

Explanation

Visitors turn right at the first information board and follow the path into the trees.

Before leaving the trees, the pond is on the right.

On the map, this is E.

So, the answer is: E

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Listening Part 3

Research Project on Theatre Programmes

Questions 21–26: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For Part 3 multiple-choice questions:

Identify which student is expressing the opinion.
Listen for correction phrases such as contrary to what people think.
Separate historical facts from the students' own reactions.
Watch for comparison language such as unlike, superior, and more.
Choose the option matching the complete idea.

Question 21

Finn was pleased to discover that their topic ______.

Keywords

glad, topic, other students

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 12, lines 285–290

Explanation

Finn says useful websites were difficult to find, but he is glad they chose the subject because nobody else on the course is researching the same topic.

So, the answer is: B — had not been chosen by other students

Question 22

Maya says a mistaken belief about theatre programmes is that ______.

Keywords

contrary to what people think, companies, theatres

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 13, lines 294–300

Explanation

Maya says many people wrongly believe theatres hire companies to create programmes.

In reality, companies buy the right to publish them on behalf of theatres.

So, the answer is: A — theatres pay companies to produce them

Question 23

Finn was surprised that early British theatre programmes ______.

Keywords

famous actor, expected, agreement, refund

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 13, lines 301–309

Explanation

If a famous actor's name appeared in the programme, audiences expected that actor to perform.

If the actor did not appear, audiences could accuse the theatre of breaking its agreement with them.

So, the answer is: C — were seen as a kind of contract

Question 24

Maya thinks the project should explain why acting companies ______.

Keywords

illiterate, advertising plays, parade streets

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 13, lines 310–314

Explanation

Many ordinary people could not read, so printed programmes were not very useful for advertising.

Instead, actors paraded through the streets in costume, beating drums and announcing performances.

So, the answer is: A — promoted their own plays

Question 25

Compared with nineteenth-century programmes, eighteenth-century programmes ______.

Keywords

18th century, superior, information

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 13, lines 315–320

Explanation

Nineteenth-century programmes were more colourful and had more varied designs.

However, Finn and Maya agree that eighteenth-century programmes contained much more information about actors, writers, plots and the history of plays.

So, the answer is: C — were more informative

Question 26

Maya doesn't understand why twentieth-century British theatre programmes ______.

Keywords

after war, 25 years, no change

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript pages 13–14, lines 321–333

Explanation

Programmes were reduced during World War II because of paper restrictions.

Maya is puzzled that they remained in the same limited format for more than 25 years after the war.

So, the answer is: B — British theatre programmes failed to develop for so long

Questions 27–30: Matching

Strategy

For matching questions:

Focus on the specific theatre programme being discussed.
Identify the speaker's main comment about it.
Match meaning, not exact vocabulary.
Remember that descriptions such as decorative, museum, or digitised collection are strong clues.

Question 27

Ruy Blas

Keywords

decorative, frame, beautiful images

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 336–340

Explanation

The programme is described as so decorative and visually attractive that it could be framed and hung on a wall.

So, the answer is: F — it resembles an artwork

Question 28

Man of La Mancha

Keywords

articles, theatre company, production, feelings

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 341–343

Explanation

The programme contains articles by members of the theatre company explaining how the production was created and how the cast felt.

So, the answer is: E — it contains insights into the show

Question 29

The Tragedy of Jane Shore

Keywords

museum, Australia, first printing press

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 344–346

Explanation

The programme is described as the earliest surviving document printed on Australia's first printing press.

That makes it historically important to the country.

So, the answer is: B — it is historically significant for a country

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Question 30

The Sailors' Festival

Keywords

British Library, digitised collection, started recently

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 3, transcript page 14, lines 347–350

Explanation

The programme forms part of the British Library's digitised programme collection, a project that began only a few years earlier.

So, the answer is: D — it is included in a recent project

Listening Part 4

Inclusive Design

Questions 31–40: Note Completion

Strategy

For Part 4 note completion:

Read the complete notes first.
Predict the grammatical form required.
Follow the lecture in order.
Listen for examples after definitions.
Pay attention to cause-and-effect relationships.
Write ONE WORD ONLY.

Question 31

Products can be accessed without any ______ being required.

Keywords

accessible, original design, no changes

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 14, lines 352–355

Explanation

Inclusive design aims to make products accessible to many different people without requiring any change to the original design.

The speaker uses the word adaptation.

So, the answer is: adaptation

Question 32

Universal design includes people with ______ problems.

Keywords

universal design, difficulties, people

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 14, lines 356–358

Explanation

Universal design aims to work for everyone, including people who have cognitive difficulties.

So, the answer is: cognitive

Question 33

Adjustable ______ can help prevent back or neck problems.

Keywords

workplaces, adjustable, heights, wheelchair users

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 14, lines 359–361

Explanation

The speaker gives adjustable desks as an example of inclusive workplace design.

So, the answer is: desks

Question 34

______ in public toilets can be easier to use.

Keywords

public toilets, sensor, pressing, twisting

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 14, lines 361–363

Explanation

Sensor-operated taps are easier for people with dexterity or mobility issues because they require no pressing or twisting.

So, the answer is: taps

Question 35

Designers avoid using ______ in interfaces for elderly users.

Keywords

elderly, vision, similar colours, interfaces

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 368–370

Explanation

Older people may find it harder to distinguish similar colours, especially shades of blue.

For this reason, software designers often avoid blue in interfaces.

So, the answer is: blue

Question 36

Commands can be made using a mouse, keyboard or ______.

Keywords

mouse, keyboard, commands, access

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 371–373

Explanation

Because motor skills can decline with age, voice access has become a common way of issuing commands.

So, the answer is: voice

Question 37

Seatbelts are particularly problematic for ______ women.

Keywords

seatbelts, women, safety

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 377–380

Explanation

Crash-test dummies are generally based on average-sized men.

This creates particular safety problems for pregnant women because seatbelts are not designed around their needs.

So, the answer is: pregnant

Question 38

PPE jackets are often unsuitable because of the size of women's ______.

Keywords

PPE, jackets, small man, women, body size

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 382–386

Explanation

A woman may be tall but still have much smaller shoulders than an average man.

This can make PPE jackets fit badly.

So, the answer is: shoulders

Question 39

PPE for female ______ officers dealing with emergencies is the worst.

Keywords

emergency services, PPE, worst

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 386–387

Explanation

The report found the PPE problem was especially severe in the emergency services, particularly among police officers.

So, the answer is: police

Question 40

The ______ in offices is often too low for women.

Keywords

offices, air conditioning, 21 degrees, women

Exact Transcript Location

Listening Part 4, transcript page 15, lines 388–393

Explanation

Office air-conditioning standards are often designed around male metabolic rates.

As a result, many women find the office temperature too low.

So, the answer is: temperature

Cambridge 20 Test 3 Listening Answer Key

Listening Part 1

239
modern
lamp
Aaron
damage
electronic
insurance
Space
app
exchanges

Listening Part 2

Listening Part 3

Listening Part 4

adaptation
cognitive
desks
taps
blue
voice
pregnant
shoulders
police
temperature

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

For example:

Correct: 239
Incorrect: $239 per month

Watch for Distractors

Question 12 is a good example.

The recording mentions:

metal detectors;
rabbits;
heavy rain.

But only the heavy rain explains how this particular coin became visible.

Therefore, A is correct.

Pay Attention to Comparisons

For Question 25:

nineteenth-century programmes were more colourful;
nineteenth-century programmes had more varied designs;
eighteenth-century programmes contained more useful information.

The question asks for the students' comparison, so the answer is more informative.

Listen for Paraphrases

Question wording	Recording wording
maximum price	goes up to
free item	at no extra cost
charge for damage	extra 12% in case of damage
latest prices	use their app
exchanges allowed	request exchanges
heavy rain removed soil	rainstorm washed away earth and sand
old records	maps and documents
outline of fields	borders of an ancient field system
school visits	guided tours for school groups
kind of contract	breaking their agreement
more informative	told theatregoers many things
resembles artwork	good enough to frame
insights into show	thoughts and feelings of the cast
recent project	digitised collection started a few years ago
no changes required	without adaptation
commands by voice	voice access
unsuitable PPE	smaller shoulders
office too cold	temperature too low

Use Landmarks in Map Questions

Before the recording starts, identify:

entrance;
river;
castle walls;
current excavation;
information boards;
wooded area.

Then follow directions one step at a time.

Do not try to remember the whole route at once.

Listen for Correction Words

Words and phrases such as these often introduce the real answer:

but
however
in fact
contrary to
actually
instead

For Question 22:

> Many people think theatres hire programme companies.

Then Maya corrects this idea:

> In fact, companies buy the publishing rights.

Think Your Listening Is Sharp Enough?

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Separate What Is Mentioned from What Is Correct

In multiple-choice questions, all three options may appear in the recording.

Question 14 mentions:

broken pottery;
animal bones;
jewellery.

But pottery and animal-bone objects have already been found.

Jewellery is what archaeologists are still hoping to discover.

Therefore: C.

Use Grammar to Predict Note Answers

Example:

> The furniture is very ______.

An adjective is required.

Answer: modern

Another example:

> ______ are allowed within seven days.

A plural noun is required.

Answer: exchanges

Listen for Exact Location Language

Map questions often contain clear spatial phrases:

north-west corner
next to
on your right
before
after
bends left
straight ahead

These are more important than descriptive details.

Check Proper Names Carefully

Question 4 requires:

Aaron

The speaker spells the name.

When names are spelled in IELTS Listening, write them exactly as given.

Review Every Incorrect Answer

After finishing, identify why each mistake happened.

Common causes include:

choosing a distractor;
missing a correction;
misunderstanding map directions;
exceeding the word limit;
missing a comparison;
selecting an idea mentioned but already rejected;
spelling names incorrectly.

Think Your Listening Is Sharp Enough?

Try it free, beat the clock, and see how many answers you can get right.