IELTS LISTENING
TRAIN INFORMATION
CUSTOMER: Hello. Um my family and I are staying here in Trebirch for a week or two and we wanted to know about the train services. We’re hoping to do a few local trips.
TUTOR: OK. Well, I can give you lots of details about all the trains going from Trebirch in the South West. This leaflet will be very helpful but I can tell you some of the main things. We’ve got two main train stations in the town. Q11 King Street is for local commuter lines and regional services.
Attempt full listening test…
CUSTOMER: What about trains to London? I’ll need to go there on business for one day.
TUTOR: Then you need to go to Q12 Central Station – that’s for all the national services. There are regular trains to London. They leave Trebirch every Q13 half hour on weekdays and every hour at weekends. It takes about two hours, a bit longer on Sundays. You’ve got a choice of first and second class and there’s a buffet car – though Q14 refreshments are included in the cost of a first class ticket.
CUSTOMER: Ah right. Um, and have you got any information on different ticket types?
TUTOR: Yes. There’s a range of ticket prices depending on when you travel and when you buy your ticket. There’s a standard open ticket which doesn’t have any restrictions. This can be bought in advance or on the day.
You can also get various discounted tickets. A popular one is called the Supersave and, er, this is OK for travel after 8.45. Then there is the Special ticket, which is valid for travel after Q15 10.15. The Special tickets are also valid for travel at weekends. The cheapest tickets are called Q16 Advance and you have to buy them at least six days ahead. Only a certain number are available and you have to make Q17 seat reservations for these.
CUSTOMER: Thanks. And are there lots of places to go to around here?
TUTOR: Oh yes. You can enjoy many days out. Um there’s the Merthyr Q18 Mining Museum, which is only half an hour from Trebirch by train. Your children will find it just as fascinating as any theme park and they can ride in the original miners’ lifts and on the coal trains. There are special excursion tickets which include entrance fees. Mainline trains also offer direct services to Bristol, where you can visit the docks or spend a great day out with the children in the Q19 zoo, which is set in the parkland that used to surround the old castle.
Er, special family awayday fares are available for this service now during the school holidays. Er, alternatively, you can be in Birmingham in only an hour and a half, where there’s lots to see and do including the new and internationally acclaimed Q20 climbing wall built on the site of the old aquarium. We will also be running a special service to Newport when the new science museum opens next year, as we anticipate a lot of visitors in the opening weeks. I’d advise you to call early to book your tickets. Is that OK?
CUSTOMER: Yes, thanks.