Part 1: Renting Accommodation in Sydney
Section 1 – Questions 1–10
Questions 1-10
Complete the notes.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Renting an apartment
Location
Description
- 1 ___________ apartment (for one or two people)
- approximately 34 square meters
- a shared 2 ___________
- on the fourteenth floor
- views of the 3 __________
- outdoor area 4 ____________
Tenants have
- a 5 ___________ (no charge for residents)
- an indoor pool
- two 6 __________ (reduced charge for residents)
- underground 7 ____________
- easy access to transport in the area
Rent
- $8 ___________ per month
- include 9 __________
Other details
- available from 10 _________ August
Keys
- studio
- laundry
- harbour
- balcony
- gym
- cinemas
- parking
- 580
- electricity
- 13th
Transcript
Part 1: You will hear a conversation between an Australian accommodation agent and an English woman who wants to rent a property in Sydney.
Agent: First you have some time to look at questions 1 to 4.
Agent: Thank you.
Agent: Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 4.
Agent: Hi Jessica, nice to meet you.
Agent: Have a seat.
Agent: So, you’re looking to rent an apartment in Sydney.
Jessica: That’s right, like I said on the phone, I am going to be working in a bank here for the next year.
Agent: Well, I’ve had a look around for you, and there’s one apartment I think might just suit you.
Agent: It’s in central Sydney, not out in a suburb.
Jessica: Okay, so what sort of apartment is it?
Agent: Well, it’s a studio, so basically it’s designed for a single person or a couple.
Agent: You’re looking at a total area of about 34 square metres.
Jessica: Right.
Agent: And then every
two apartments in the building share a separate laundry.
Agent: So that’s almost as if you’ve got your own.
Agent: But it means that’s not using up space in your apartment.
Agent: And of course, you don’t have the noise of the machines.
Jessica: Is it a modern building?
Agent: Sure, and the apartment’s nearly at the top of the building.
Agent: I think it’s on the 12th floor.
Agent: No, the 14th.
Jessica: Oh, you must get a good view from up there.
Agent: Yeah, and the great thing about this apartment is that you look right out over the harbour.
Agent: It’s a pretty awesome view.
Agent: And the apartment’s got huge windows, so you really appreciate it.
Jessica: One thing I’d really like is a garden so I can sit outside.
Jessica: Does the apartment block have one?
Agent: No, but your apartment has a balcony, so there’s room to sit out there.
Agent: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 5 to 10.
Agent: Thank you.
Agent: Now listen and answer questions 5 to 10.
Jessica: Okay well it all sounds good.
Jessica: Now does the apartment block have any special facilities for tenants like a gym?
Agent: Yeah, it does.
Agent: That’s on the first floor, and all residents have access to that free of charge.
Agent: And if you like swimming, you’ve got an indoor pool.
Jessica: Great.
Agent: And one special feature of the building is it even has a couple of cinemas.
Agent: They’re on the ground floor, so you can even take in a movie without leaving the building.
Agent: Of course, they’re open to the public, but I think residents get a reduction.
Jessica: Right.
Jessica: And what happens about parking?
Jessica: Is that underground?
Agent: That’s right.
Agent: Do you have a car?
Jessica: Not yet, but I’ll probably need one, I suppose.
Jessica: I’m wanting to do a bit of travelling while I’m here.
Agent: Well, one big plus of this location is the fact that it’s in an excellent situation as far as transport is concerned, so a lot of residents don’t bother to run a car.
Agent: You can always hire one if you’re planning a trip.
Agent: You can save a lot of money that way.
Jessica: Yeah.
Jessica: That’s not a bad idea.
Jessica: But, talking of money, you haven’t mentioned the rent yet.
Jessica: So, from the description of the property, I guess it might be quite expensive.
Jessica: I did say I didn’t want anything above six hundred dollars a month.
Agent: Well, I’m going to surprise you because this comes in at $580.
Agent: So you’re within your budget there, and I have to say, you’re getting a bargain.
Jessica: Hmm.
Jessica: Well, I’d have preferred to pay a bit less, but I suppose in this location…
Agent: Yeah.
Agent: And when you’re looking at the rent, in a lot of places you have to add on the cost of electricity, but in this case it’s all included, so you’re saving money that way.
Jessica: Right.
Jessica: Well, I’d definitely be interested in the property.
Jessica: When’s it available from?
Agent: Well, the current tenant moves out on the 8th of August, so let’s say it’ll be free from the 13th.
Agent: I’ll need to get the cleaners in on either the 10th or the 11th.
Jessica: Right, and what’s the address?
Agent: It’s number 220.
Agent: That is the end of Part 1.
Agent: You now have one minute to check your answers to Part 1.
