Cambridge 21 Test 4 Listening Answers & Explanations

23 July 2026

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Cambridge 21 Test 4 Listening Answers & Explanations

This post provides the complete answers and clear explanations for Cambridge IELTS 21 Academic Listening Test 4.

Each answer includes:

Strategy
Keywords
Exact transcript location
Explanation
Correct answer

> Location note: The line references below follow the visible lines on the transcript pages. When a sentence continues onto another line or page, the full range is provided.

Listening Part 1

Survey About Shopping in Broadbeach

Questions 1–10: Form Completion

Strategy

For form-completion questions:

Read the heading and labels before the audio begins.
Predict what type of word is required.
Listen carefully for names, transport, objects, days and opinions.
Watch for corrections and distractors.
Follow the word limit exactly.

The instruction says:

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Question 1

Name: Martyn ______

Keywords

name, Martyn, family name, spelling

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 20–24.

Martyn gives his full name as Martyn Leigh. The interviewer first suggests the spelling “L-double-E”, but Martyn corrects her by spelling it:

L-E-I-G-H

The correction is important because the first suggested spelling is a distractor.

So, the answer is: Leigh

Question 2

Today’s journey to Broadbeach town centre: used his ______

Keywords

journey, Broadbeach, used his, transport

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 31–33.

Martyn says that he normally catches the bus, but today he is using his motorbike because he is going to work later.

Here:

normally catch the bus = distractor
on my motorbike today = answer to today’s journey

So, the answer is: motorbike

Question 3

Purpose of today’s trip: has visited the ______

Keywords

purpose, visited, today’s trip

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 35–37.

Martyn says:

> “I’ve just been to the hairdresser.”

The form uses has visited, while the speaker says has been to.

Here:

has been to = has visited

So, the answer is: hairdresser

Question 4

Looking for a new ______

Keywords

looking for, new, interview

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 39–42.

Martyn explains that he has a job interview and is now going to buy a suit to wear to it.

Here:

on my way to buy = looking for
a suit for the interview = the item required

So, the answer is: suit

Question 5

Collecting ______ after repair

Keywords

collecting, repair, fixed, ready

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 44–48.

Martyn says that he needs to pick up his laptop. It broke, so he took it to a shop to be fixed. It is now ready for collection.

Here:

pick up = collect
took it to the shop to get it fixed = after repair

So, the answer is: laptop

Question 6

Preferred day for shopping: ______

Keywords

preferred day, shopping, less busy

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 9, lines 50–54.

The interviewer mentions that it is Saturday, but Martyn says that when he is free on a Monday, he chooses to shop then because the shops are less busy.

Here:

Saturday = distractor
Monday = his preferred shopping day

So, the answer is: Monday

Question 7

Thinks there are too many places selling ______

Keywords

too many places, selling, recent changes

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 10, lines 18–22.

The interviewer asks about the large number of new coffee shops. Martyn replies that there are too many of them.

The form requires the product being sold, not the complete phrase coffee shops.

So, the answer is: coffee

Question 8

Would like more places to buy ______

Keywords

more places, buy, choice

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 10, lines 24–27.

Martyn says there are already enough clothing shops, but only one place currently sells books. He would like to have more choice.

Here:

clothing shops = distractor
only one place that sells books = reason he wants more bookshops

So, the answer is: books

Question 9

Likes the ______ best at the new shopping centre

Keywords

likes best, shopping centre, favourite

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 10, lines 29–36.

Martyn first says that the glass roof is impressive. However, he then says that his favourite feature is the plants around the building.

Here:

glass roof is impressive = distractor
my favourite thing is the plants = correct answer

So, the answer is: plants

Question 10

Believes the ______ is unnecessary

Keywords

unnecessary, entertainment facilities, no advantage

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 1, page 10, lines 38–40.

When the interviewer mentions the new cinema, Martyn says he cannot see any advantage in having it there because the cinema in town is bigger.

Here:

cannot see any advantage = believes it is unnecessary

So, the answer is: cinema

Listening Part 2

Annual Business Exhibition

Questions 11–12: Choose Two Answers

Strategy

For questions requiring two answers:

Read all options before listening.
Underline time references such as last year, this year and the first year.
Do not choose an option simply because it is mentioned.
Select only the options connected to the time or condition in the question.
The two letters may normally be written in either order.

Questions 11–12

In which TWO areas of the business exhibition did James Craig promote his company last year?

Keywords

two areas, James Craig, promote company, last year

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 10, lines 49–55.

James explains that his company used the Breakout area again last year. He also says that it sponsored the Business Connections Zone, which raised the company’s profile.

Here:

Breakout area = option C
Business Connections Zone = option E
Business Village was used in the first year, not last year.
The Digital Marketing Centre and TalkCon Zone are future possibilities.

So, the answers are: C and E

Questions 13–14: Choose Two Answers

Strategy

Listen for exact conditions. Be careful with:

minimum spending requirements;
percentages;
who is eligible;
types of shops included.

Words such as average, up to, every and over often create distractors.

Questions 13–14

Which TWO facts are given about discounts on popular brands available to exhibitors?

Keywords

discounts, popular brands, exhibitors, facts

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 11–15.

The speaker says the discounts apply to fashion and jewellery outlets as well as grocery chains.

This means they can be used for both:

clothing-related purchases;
food purchases.

The speaker also says that the scheme is available to every member of the exhibiting organisation.

Here:

every member of your organisation = option A
fashion outlets and grocery chains = option B
over £400 refers to the average saving, not a minimum spend.
Discounts range from 3.5% to 15%, so the percentage is not always the same.
Family members are not mentioned.

So, the answers are: A and B

Questions 15–20: Matching Speakers with Topics

Strategy

For speaker-matching questions:

Read all topics before listening.
Identify the main focus of each speaker, not every detail mentioned.
Listen for paraphrases rather than exact option wording.
Use elimination after matching the clearest answers.

Question 15

Jim Clowrie

Keywords

Jim Clowrie, restaurants, rapid growth, surprise

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 19–21.

Jim began by selling vegetables and later opened a small café. The café unexpectedly became very successful, and he opened 76 restaurants worldwide in a remarkably short time.

Here:

rather to his surprise = unexpectedly
in a remarkably short time = rapid expansion

So, the answer is: C — Effects of an unexpectedly rapid expansion

Question 16

David France

Keywords

David France, successful company, donations, organisations in need

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 23–26.

David built a successful company but also regularly donates money to organisations helping people in need in the UK and other countries.

Here:

business success = successful company
regular donations = contributions to charities

So, the answer is: G — Combining business success with contributions to charities

Question 17

Oliver Stanton

Keywords

Oliver Stanton, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, cultures

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 28–32.

Oliver has operated different businesses in Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong and the UK. His talk will cover what he learned about business practices in different cultures.

Here:

travels around the world = global range
business practices in different cultures = international business experiences

So, the answer is: D — A global range of business experiences

Question 18

Francesca Heptonstall

Keywords

Francesca, employment, jobs fair, focus of talk

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 34–37.

Francesca is passionate about helping people gain employment and organises an annual jobs fair. This will be the focus of her presentation.

Here:

helping people gain employment = supporting job seekers

So, the answer is: A — Supporting job seekers

Question 19

Salman Khan

Keywords

Salman Khan, publishing, digital marketing, flexibility, new directions

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 39–41.

Salman changed his company from a publishing business into a major digital marketing service provider. He will discuss the need for flexibility when business conditions change.

Here:

turned around the business = developed it in a new direction
cope with new directions = respond to changing markets

So, the answer is: F — Developing a company in response to changing markets

Question 20

Annie Craven

Keywords

Annie Craven, obstacles, personal lives, overcome problems

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 2, page 11, lines 43–46.

Annie’s session focuses on obstacles in people’s lives, not only in business. She discusses how people can overcome these difficulties.

Here:

obstacles in people’s own lives = personal problems
how to overcome them = dealing with those problems

So, the answer is: B — Dealing with personal problems

Listening Part 3

Presentation on Houses of the Future

Questions 21–23: Multiple Choice

Strategy

For multiple-choice questions:

Read the question and options before listening.
Identify who must agree: one speaker or both speakers.
Listen for changes of mind.
The first suggestion is not always the final answer.
Select the option confirmed at the end of the discussion.

Question 21

Which aspect of their presentation are Mia and Leo both concerned about?

Keywords

both concerned, presentation, examples, deadline, original ideas

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 5–13.

Mia initially worries about producing creative new ideas. Leo explains that original ideas are not required. However, he says they must support their points with specific cases and that finding these will require a lot of work. Mia agrees.

The deadline is not a concern because they have about six weeks.

Here:

specific cases = suitable examples
that’ll need a lot of work / I’m afraid so = both are concerned

So, the answer is: B — Finding suitable examples

Question 22

The students decide to focus their assignment on housing for ______

Keywords

decide, focus, housing, final choice

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 15–24.

The students discuss:

housing for different generations;
accommodation for one person;
housing for elderly people.

Leo finally chooses Mia’s suggestion about intergenerational living.

Here:

different generations living together = family groups
single people and elderly people = rejected alternatives

So, the answer is: A — Family groups

Question 23

How should demand for accommodation in urban areas be met?

Keywords

urban accommodation, demand, solution, agree

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 26–33.

Mia suggests adapting commercial buildings. Leo mentions creative ways of organising smaller homes but then says the solution is to design multi-storey apartment blocks. Mia agrees by saying, “Building up rather than out.”

Here:

multi-storey apartment blocks = tall buildings
building up rather than out = confirmation

So, the answer is: B — Constructing tall buildings

Questions 24–30: Matching Opinions

Strategy

For opinion-matching questions:

Focus on the evaluation of each feature.
Separate the feature itself from the opinion about it.
Listen for positive and negative language.
Match paraphrases carefully.
Use each answer only once unless instructed otherwise.

Question 24

Use of roof space for gardens

Keywords

roof gardens, urban high-rise, improve feelings

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 37–42.

Leo says roof gardens could be used on different types of buildings, but they would especially improve life for people living in urban high-rise buildings without balconies.

Here:

urban high-rise residents = city residents
greatly improve how you feel = especially beneficial

So, the answer is: B — This would be especially beneficial for city residents

Question 25

Shared working spaces

Keywords

shared workspace, interaction, new ideas

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 44–49.

Mia says shared working spaces would allow people to interact with workers from other professions. These conversations often generate new ideas.

Here:

new ideas get generated = encourage creativity

So, the answer is: E — This could encourage creativity

Question 26

Moveable internal walls

Keywords

moveable walls, changing needs, children, elderly relative

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 12, lines 51–54.

Moveable walls would allow a home to be adapted as the family’s needs change. They could provide suitable space for adult children who remain at home or an elderly relative who moves in.

Here:

needs change over time = supports existing household members
elderly relative moves in = supports new household members

So, the answer is: I — This would suit both existing and new members of a household

Question 27

Smart mirrors in bathrooms

Keywords

smart mirrors, illness, worry, serious conditions

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 13, lines 5–10.

The mirrors could detect possible health conditions and contact a doctor. However, Mia says people might worry about conditions that are not serious.

Here:

might worry unnecessarily = cause unnecessary anxiety

So, the answer is: A — This could cause unnecessary anxiety

Question 28

Bike sheds with charging points

Keywords

electric bikes, cycling, cars, planet

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 13, lines 12–15.

Mia says that secure charging facilities would encourage more people to cycle rather than use cars. She adds that this would be better for the planet.

Here:

better for the planet = environmental benefits

So, the answer is: D — This would have environmental benefits

Question 29

Restriction of cars to certain areas

Keywords

cars restricted, families, disabled, elderly

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 13, lines 17–21.

A pedestrianised centre would be useful for families with children. However, it could create difficulties for disabled or elderly people who cannot walk far.

Here:

great for families = helps some people
not good for disabled or elderly people = causes problems for others

So, the answer is: H — This would help some people but cause problems for others

Question 30

Communal vegetable plots

Keywords

vegetable plots, neighbours, older people, together

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 3, page 13, lines 25–29.

Mia says communal vegetable plots would allow neighbours to decide together what to grow. They would be especially useful for older people who no longer go to work.

Here:

older people = retired people
decide what to grow together = share a project

Listening Part 4

Music Therapy for Surgical Patients

Questions 31–40: Note Completion

Strategy

For note-completion questions:

Read the headings and notes before listening.
Predict whether each blank needs a noun, verb or adjective.
Follow the order of the lecture.
Listen for paraphrases between the notes and recording.
Copy one exact word from the recording.
Check spelling carefully.

The instruction says:

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Question 31

Patients may experience discomfort or unwelcome changes to their ______

Keywords

surgery, unwelcome changes, normally do, disturbed

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 13, lines 33–39; key information in lines 37–39.

The lecturer says patients may be negatively affected when their routine is disturbed because they cannot do their normal activities.

Here:

unwelcome changes to = something being disturbed
things they normally do = routine

So, the answer is: routine

Question 32

A study reviewed data from about 100 ______

Keywords

study, reviewed data, nearly one hundred

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 13, lines 46–48.

The research team identified nearly one hundred trials involving around seven thousand patients.

Here:

about 100 = nearly one hundred
studies reviewed = trials

So, the answer is: trials

Question 33

The patients listened to music with a ______ effect

Keywords

music, common factor, quality, effect

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 13, lines 53–55.

Different music styles were used, but the common factor was that the selected music had a calming quality.

Here:

calming quality = calming effect

So, the answer is: calming

Question 34

The music was mostly played through music ______

Keywords

mostly played, mode of delivery, music

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 5–6.

Some patients used headphones, but the lecturer says the music was more often delivered through music pillows.

Here:

headphones = less common distractor
more often = mostly
music pillows = answer

So, the answer is: pillows

Question 35

Patients reported an absence or low levels of ______

Keywords

absence, low levels, feelings, slight

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 10–12.

Patients who heard music said they either experienced no anxiety or only slight anxiety.

Here:

no feelings = absence
feelings were only slight = low levels

So, the answer is: anxiety

Question 36

Patients who heard music needed less ______

Keywords

medical records, needed less, pain

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 12–14.

The patients’ reports were checked against their medical records. Patients who listened to music needed less medication for pain than those who did not hear music.

Here:

didn’t need as much = needed less

So, the answer is: medication

Question 37

The best results were achieved when patients were ______

Keywords

best results, positive effects, general anaesthetic

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 15–17.

Music still had an effect when patients were under general anaesthetic. However, the positive effects were greater when they were awake.

Here:

positive effects were greater = best results
when patients were awake = answer

So, the answer is: awake

Question 38

Playing music was effective because it served as a ______

Keywords

effective, conclusion, worked by, forget problems

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 19–22.

The researchers concluded that music helped patients through distraction. It gave them something familiar to focus on instead of their problems.

Here:

worked on patients by distraction = served as a distraction

So, the answer is: distraction

Question 39

Researchers recommend playing either music or sounds from ______

Keywords

music or sounds, recordings, alternative

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 24–26.

The lecturer says patients should choose what they want to hear. Recordings taken from nature can be as effective as music.

Here:

recordings taken from nature = sounds from nature

So, the answer is: nature

Question 40

A future study will investigate the best ______ for the music

Keywords

future study, most appropriate, music

Location + Explanation

Transcript location: Part 4, page 14, lines 27–29.

The research team plans to investigate the most appropriate volume at which the music should be played.

Here:

most appropriate = best
volume to play the music at = volume for the music

So, the answer is: volume

Cambridge 21 Test 4 Listening Answer Key

Listening Part 1

Leigh
motorbike
hairdresser
suit
laptop
Monday
coffee
books
plants
cinema

Listening Part 2

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

Listening Part 3

Listening Part 4

routine
trials
calming
pillows
anxiety
medication
awake
distraction
nature
volume

Bonus IELTS Listening Tips

Follow the Word Limit

When the instruction says ONE WORD ONLY, writing two words will be marked incorrect.

For example:

Correct: motorbike
Incorrect: his motorbike

Expect Distractors and Corrections

Speakers often mention one answer and then correct or replace it.

Examples from this test:

Martyn normally takes the bus, but today he uses his motorbike.
The interviewer suggests the spelling L-double-E, but Martyn spells L-E-I-G-H.
The glass roof is impressive, but the plants are his favourite feature.
Some patients used headphones, but music was mostly played through pillows.

Always wait for the speaker’s final decision.

Listen for Paraphrases

Question wording	Recording wording
has visited	has been to
collecting after repair	pick up after getting it fixed
preferred day	when I choose to come
unnecessary	cannot see any advantage
rapid expansion	opened 76 restaurants in a short time
supporting job seekers	helping people gain employment
environmental benefits	better for the planet
low levels	feelings were only slight
best results	positive effects were greater

Read Ahead

Use the pause before each section to:

underline keywords;
identify the type of answer required;
predict possible vocabulary;
notice singular and plural forms;
compare the available options.

Check Singular and Plural Forms

The form or notes usually indicate whether the answer should be singular or plural.

Examples:

music pillows
nearly 100 trials
sounds from nature
a new suit

Be Careful with Names and Spelling

Names may be spelled aloud because several spellings are possible.

For Question 1, the speaker clearly spells:

L-E-I-G-H

Writing Lee or Leighs would be incorrect.

Focus on the Final Agreement

In conversations, speakers often discuss several ideas before making a final decision.

For example, Mia and Leo discuss:

housing for one person;
housing for elderly people;
intergenerational housing.

Their final decision is housing for family groups.

Do Not Choose an Option Only Because It Is Mentioned

In multiple-choice and matching questions, several options may appear in the recording.

For Questions 11–12:

The Business Village is mentioned, but it was used in the first year.
The Digital Marketing Centre is mentioned as a future plan.
The correct areas used last year are the Breakout area and Business Connections Zone.

Always match the option to the exact time or condition in the question.

Check Spelling at the End

Use the final checking time to review:

names;
days of the week;
plural endings;
compound words;
commonly confused spellings.

A correct idea with incorrect spelling may be marked wrong.