Launch of the Harborough Cycle-Hire Scheme: Listening Answers & Explanations
IELTS Listening practice test · 11 questionsPart 2medium
Haven't taken this test yet?
Looking at the answers first spoils the practice — you only get one honest first attempt at a recording. Take the test with the audio + 10 minutes to check, get an instant score and estimated band, then come back here to study every answer.
About this recording
The recording opens: “Good evening everyone, and welcome to this information session about Harborough's brand-new cycle-hire scheme, which launches next month. My name's Nathan, and I manage the scheme.”
- Transcript length: about 529 words
- Questions: 11
- Question types: Matching Information, Multiple Choice, Note Completion
“Launch of the Harborough Cycle-Hire Scheme” is an original IELTS-style practice recording written by IELTS-Bank. It is not taken from an official IELTS or Cambridge test, so these answers only apply to our version.
Answer key at a glance
Launch of the Harborough Cycle-Hire Scheme answers with explanations
Questions 1–5: Matching Information
Where is each docking station located?
Choose the correct location A–F for each docking station and select the correct letter.
- A. outside the railway station
- B. in the corner of the Market Square, by the fountain
- C. in the courtyard behind the library
- D. by the entrance to Riverside Park, next to the café
- E. at the hospital main reception
- F. outside the town hall
- 1
Station 1 (the biggest)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A — outside the railway station
Why: Station 1 is the biggest docking station, located right outside the railway station, as mentioned in the passage: "The first, and our biggest, is right outside the railway station.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 2 “The first, and our biggest, is right outside the railway station — you literally step off the train and there it is.”
- 2
Station 2
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B — in the corner of the Market Square, by the fountain
Why: The passage states that the second docking station is located in the Market Square, in the far corner beside the old fountain, which matches option B.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 3 “The second station is in the Market Square, in the far corner beside the old fountain.”
- 3
Station 3 (often the emptiest)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C — in the courtyard behind the library
Why: Station 3 is described as being "tucked behind the library, in the small courtyard," which matches location C, and is noted for often being the emptiest, indicating its correct identification.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 3 “The third is a little harder to spot — it's tucked behind the library, in the small courtyard you reach through the archway.”
- 4
Station 4
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D — by the entrance to Riverside Park, next to the café
Why: Station 4 is correctly matched to location D because the passage states it is "by the entrance to Riverside Park, right next to the café," which corresponds to the description given.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 4 “The fourth station is by the entrance to Riverside Park, right next to the café there — a lovely spot to start a leisurely ride.”
- 5
Station 5 (added for shift workers)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: E — at the hospital main reception
Why: Station 5 is located at the hospital by the main reception, added specifically for staff working shifts at odd hours, as mentioned in the passage.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 4 “And the fifth is up at the hospital, by the main reception, which we added specially for staff working shifts at odd hours.”
Question 6: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
How long is every trip free, regardless of which pass you buy?
- A. the first 30 minutes
- B. the first 24 hours
- C. the first hour
- 6
Each trip is free for
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A — the first 30 minutes
Why: The passage states that the first thirty minutes of every single trip are free, regardless of whether you buy a day pass or an annual membership.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 5 “Whichever you choose, remember this: the first thirty minutes of every single trip are free.”
Question 7: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Which item do riders have to provide themselves?
- A. lights
- B. a bell
- C. a helmet
- 7
Riders must bring their own
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C — a helmet
Why: The passage states that riders must bring their own helmet, as it is not provided by the cycle-hire scheme.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 1 “Good evening everyone, and welcome to this information session about Harborough's brand-new cycle-hire scheme, which launches next month.”
Questions 8–11: Note Completion
Costs and rules
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- 8
Price of a day pass: £______(max 2 words)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: 3 (also accepted: £3 / 3 pounds / three)
Why: The answer is found in the section where Nathan explains the payment options, stating that a day pass costs three pounds and allows unlimited short trips within a 24-hour period, provided each trip is under thirty minutes.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 5 “You can buy a day pass, which is three pounds and lets you take as many short trips as you like in twenty-four hours, as long as each trip is under thirty minutes.”
- 9
Annual membership costs £______ a year.(max 2 words)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: 90 (also accepted: £90 / 90 pounds / ninety)
Why: The answer is found in the section where Nathan explains the payment options, stating that an annual membership costs ninety pounds, which is more economical for frequent riders.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 5 “Or you can become an annual member for ninety pounds a year, which works out cheaper if you ride regularly.”
- 10
To report a faulty bike, press the red ______ on the handlebar.(max 1 word)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: button
Why: The answer is found in the passage where it states that if a bike has a fault, you should press the red button on the handlebar to mark it as out of service.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 8 “If a bike has a fault, don't just leave it; press the red button on the handlebar, which flags it as out of service so nobody else takes it.”
- 11
Riders must not cycle on the ______.(max 1 word)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: pavement
Why: The answer is found in the section where Nathan emphasizes safety rules, specifically stating that riding on the pavement is prohibited and can result in a fine.
What you hear · Transcript, paragraph 9 “Please stick to the roads and cycle lanes and, whatever you do, don't ride on the pavement — it's both dangerous and against the rules, and you can be fined.”
Estimated band score for this test
Your raw score out of 11 scaled to the 40-question IELTS Listening conversion table. This is the same estimate the practice page shows after you submit. A single recording is a small sample, so treat it as a guide.
| Correct answers | Estimated band |
|---|---|
| 11 / 11 | 9.0 |
| 10 / 11 | 8.0 |
| 9 / 11 | 7.5 |
| 8 / 11 | 6.5 |
| 7 / 11 | 6.0 |
| 5–6 / 11 | 5.5 |
| 4 / 11 | 4.5 |
| 3 / 11 | 4.0 |
| 2 / 11 | 3.0 |
| 1 / 11 | 2.5 |
| 0 / 11 | 0.0 |
Full-test score? Use the IELTS band calculator.
Tips for the question types in this test
Listening Part 2
- In the preparation pause, read the questions and mark the key difference between multiple-choice options, so you listen for meaning rather than matching words.
- For a map task, orient yourself before the audio starts: find the entrance or starting point, the compass if there is one, and every label already printed.
Common trap: Map disorientation: "on your left" is the speaker’s left along the route being described, not the left of the page.
Full Listening Part 2 strategyPractise “Launch of the Harborough Cycle-Hire Scheme” under exam conditions
Free, auto-marked, with the audio + 10 minutes to check and an instant band estimate.
Take this test first (with audio)More IELTS Listening tests with answers
Open Day at the Hillside Animal Rescue Centre
medium
Orientation Tour of the City Museum
medium
Placing a Party Catering Order
medium
Project Feedback: A River Restoration Study
medium
Registering at Fernbank Dental Practice
easy
Reporting a Broadband Fault
medium