All answers on this page include the question number, correct answer and a brief explanation of where to find it in the passage or audio. Use these alongside the original Cambridge IELTS books for the best practice experience.
Test 4 Listening Answers with Clear Explanations
Find all 40 Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 4 Listening answers with evidence-based explanations. The recording, questions and answer key are the same for Academic and General Training, so every answer link on this page supports both routes.
Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 4 Listening Answer Key
Use the key for quick marking, then read the explanations below. A slash separates accepted alternative forms. Where two letters are required, enter both letters across the two question numbers, in either order.
Part 1: Holiday rental
Questions 1 to 10Part 2: Local council report on traffic and highways
Questions 11 to 20Part 3: City bike-sharing schemes
Questions 21 to 30Part 4: The extinction of the dodo bird
Questions 31 to 40Part 1: Holiday rental
Questions 1-10. A caller asks about two holiday cottages and their facilities, prices and availability.
1Granary Cottage is available for the week beginning ____ May.
Answer: 28th
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as 28th. In the relevant exchange, what date did you have in mind? The week beginning the 14th, if possible. I'll just check ... I’m sorry, Tom, it’s already booked that week. It's free the week.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
2The cost for the week is £____.
Answer: 550
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as 550. In the relevant exchange, oh. Well, we could manage that, I think. We'd just need to change a couple of things. How much would it cost? SHIRLEY? That's the beginning of high season, so.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
3____ Cottage costs £480 for the week.
Answer: Chervil
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as Chervil. In the relevant exchange, £500 for accommodation. Well, we've just finished converting another building into a cottage, which we’re calling Chervil Cottage. Sorry? What was that again? Chervil. C-H-E-R-V for Victor Oh, that’s a.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
4The building was originally a ____.
Answer: garage
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as garage. In the relevant exchange, want for £480. OK. So could you tell me something about it, please? Of course. The building was built as a garage. It’s a little smaller than Granary Cottage. So.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
5Doors from the living room lead into a ____.
Answer: garden
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as garden. In the relevant exchange, so that must sleep two people, as well? That’s right. There’s a double bedroom. Does it have a garden? Yes, you get to it from the living room through French.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
6There are several ____ spaces at the front.
Answer: parking
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as parking. In the relevant exchange, guarantee it'll be finished by May. The front door opens onto the old farmyard, and parking isn’t a problem-there’s plenty of room at the front for that. There are some.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
7The central heating and stove burn ____.
Answer: wood
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as wood. In the relevant exchange, exactly. What about heating? It sometimes gets quite cool at that time of year. There’s central heating, and if you want to light a fire, there’s a stove. We can.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
8There are views of an old ____ from the living room.
Answer: bridge
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as bridge. In the relevant exchange, yes, we find we don’t want to go out when we've got the fire burning. There are some attractive views from the cottage, which I haven’t mentioned. There’s a famous.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
9There is a view of a hilltop ____ from the bedroom.
Answer: monument
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as monument. In the relevant exchange, the bedroom window looks in the opposite Qg direction, and has a lovely view of the hills and the monument at the top. This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
10The deadline for final payment is the end of ____.
Answer: March
Where to Listen: Part 1, questions 1 - 10
The recording gives the detail as March. In the relevant exchange, yes, we ask for thirty percent to secure your booking, so that'll be, um, £144. And when would you like the rest of the money? You're coming in May, so.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
Part 2: Local council report on traffic and highways
Questions 11-20. A local council representative reports on traffic, highways and proposed changes to a recreation ground.
11A survey found people’s main concern about traffic in the area was
Answer: C - changes in the type of traffic.
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 11 - 14
The speaker's final point is last month about traffic and road transport in the town. People were generally satisfied with the state of the roads. There were one or two complaints about potholes which will.... That meaning matches changes in the type of traffic.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
12Which change will shortly be made to the cycle path next to the river?
Answer: A - It will be widened.
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 11 - 14
The speaker's final point is the cycle path that runs alongside the river is very well used by both cyclists and pedestrians since the surface was improved last year, but overtaking can be a problem.... That meaning matches It will be widened.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
13Plans for a pedestrian crossing have been postponed because
Answer: B - the proposed location is unsafe.
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 11 - 14
The speaker's final point is we also have a new location for the cricket pitch. That meaning matches the proposed location is unsafe.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
14On Station Road, notices have been erected
Answer: B - asking motorists to switch off engines when waiting at the level crossing.
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 11 - 14
The speaker's final point is bend in the road there. So that'll need some more thought. On Station Road near the station and level crossing, drivers can face quite long waits if the level crossing’s.... That meaning matches asking motorists to switch off engines when waiting at the level crossing.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
15New car park
Answer: C
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is hall near the entrance from the road. At present, cars can park between the Community Hall and that line of trees to the east, but this is quite dangerous for.... That meaning matches C; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
16New cricket pitch
Answer: F
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is park on the opposite side of the Community Hall, right next to it. We also have a new location for the cricket pitch. As we've now purchased additional space to.... That meaning matches F; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
17Children’s playground
Answer: A
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is trees. This means there’s less danger of stray balls hitting cars or pedestrians. We've got plans for a children’s playground which will be accessible by a footpath from the Community.... That meaning matches A; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
18Skateboard ramp
Answer: I
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is the skateboard ramp is very popular with both younger and older children - we had considered moving this up towards the river, but in the end we decided to have.... That meaning matches I; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
19Pavilion
Answer: E
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is the end we decided to have it in the southeast corner near the road. The pavilion is very well used at present by both football players and cricketers. It will.... That meaning matches E; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
20Notice board
Answer: H
Where to Listen: Part 2, questions 15 - 20
The speaker's final point is and near to the river - handy for both the football and cricket pitches. And finally, we'll be getting a new notice board for local information, and that will be.... That meaning matches H; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
Part 3: City bike-sharing schemes
Questions 21-30. Two students discuss the benefits, requirements and performance of bike-sharing schemes in different cities.
21Which TWO benefits of city bike-sharing schemes do the students agree are the most important?
Answer: B + C (Either Order)
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 21 and 22
The speakers identify the two required points as reducing traffic congestion / improving air quality. The key exchange - driving, then because they're increasing the amount of physical activity they do, it’s good for their health. OK. But isn’t that of less importance? I mean, doesn’t the impact of... - confirms both selections, while the other options are rejected, corrected or not stated. Enter the two letters in either order.
22Which TWO benefits of city bike-sharing schemes do the students agree are the most important?
Answer: B + C (Either Order)
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 21 and 22
The speakers identify the two required points as improving air quality / reducing traffic congestion. The key exchange - driving, then because they're increasing the amount of physical activity they do, it’s good for their health. OK. But isn’t that of less importance? I mean, doesn’t the impact of... - confirms both selections, while the other options are rejected, corrected or not stated. Enter the two letters in either order.
23Which TWO things do the students think are necessary for successful bike-sharing schemes?
Answer: B + C (Either Order)
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 23 and 24
The speakers identify the two required points as The app should be easy to use. / Public awareness should be raised.. The key exchange - OK. Well, while I think it's nice to have really state-of-the art bikes with things like GPS, I wouldn’t say they're absolutely necessary. But some technical things are really important... - confirms both selections, while the other options are rejected, corrected or not stated. Enter the two letters in either order.
24Which TWO things do the students think are necessary for successful bike-sharing schemes?
Answer: B + C (Either Order)
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 23 and 24
The speakers identify the two required points as Public awareness should be raised. / The app should be easy to use.. The key exchange - OK. Well, while I think it's nice to have really state-of-the art bikes with things like GPS, I wouldn’t say they're absolutely necessary. But some technical things are really important... - confirms both selections, while the other options are rejected, corrected or not stated. Enter the two letters in either order.
25Amsterdam
Answer: C - They are surprised it has been so successful.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is the London scheme’s been quite successful. That meaning matches They are surprised it has been so successful.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
26Dublin
Answer: F - They disagree about the reasons for its success.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is and yet it’s one of the best-used schemes ... Dublin’s an interesting example of a success story. It must be because the public transport system's quite limited. Not really -.... That meaning matches They disagree about the reasons for its success.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
27London
Answer: D - They agree that more investment is required.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is the London scheme’s been quite successful. That meaning matches They agree that more investment is required.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
28Buenos Aires
Answer: E - They think the system has been well designed.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is well, while I think it's nice to have really state-of-the art bikes with things like GPS, I wouldn’t say they're absolutely necessary. That meaning matches They think the system has been well designed.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
29New York
Answer: B - They think it should be cheaper.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is they launched it, it was more than ten times the price of most other schemes. More than it costs to take a taxi. Crazy. I think the organisers lacked vision.... That meaning matches They think it should be cheaper.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
30Sydney
Answer: A - They agree it has been disappointing.
Where to Listen: Part 3, questions 25 - 30
The speaker's final point is sydney would be a good example to use. That meaning matches They agree it has been disappointing.; nearby alternatives are examples, earlier ideas or distractors.
Part 4: The extinction of the dodo bird
Questions 31-40. A lecture examines the history, physical characteristics and extinction of the dodo bird.
31In 1507, Portuguese ships transporting ____ stopped at Mauritius to collect food and water.
Answer: spices / spice
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as spices / spice. In the relevant exchange, trees that covered the island. Then in the year 1507 the first Portuguese ships stopped at the island. The sailors were carrying spices back to Europe, and found the island.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
32In 1638, the Dutch established a ____ on the island.
Answer: colony / settlement
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as colony / settlement. In the relevant exchange, carrying spices back to Europe, and found the island a convenient stopping place where they could stock up with food and water for the rest of the voyage, but they.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
33A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very ____.
Answer: fat
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as fat. In the relevant exchange, some written records from sailors, and a few pictures, but we don’t know how reliable these are. The best-known picture is a Dutch painting in which the bird appears to.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
34The only remaining soft tissue is a dried ____.
Answer: head
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as head. In the relevant exchange, specimen survives. In the early 17th century four dried parts of a bird were known to exist - of these, three have disappeared, so only one example of soft tissue.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
35Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid ____.
Answer: movement
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as movement. In the relevant exchange, that many of the earlier beliefs about dodos may have been incorrect. For example, early accounts of the birds mention how slow and clumsy it was, but scientists now believe.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
36It is thought they could use their small wings to maintain ____.
Answer: balance / balancing
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as balance / balancing. In the relevant exchange, actually quite fast. In fact, one 17th century sailor wrote that he found the birds hard to catch. It’s true that the dodo’s small wings wouldn't have allowed it to.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
37Their ____ was of average size.
Answer: brain
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as brain. In the relevant exchange, ground. Another group of scientists carried out analysis of the dodo’s skull. They found that the reports of the lack of intelligence of the dodo were not borne out by.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
38Their sense of ____ enabled them to find food.
Answer: smell
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as smell. In the relevant exchange, body size, it was similar to that of the pigeon, which is known to be a highly intelligent bird. The researchers also found that the structure of the bird’s skull.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
39____ also escaped onto the island and ate the birds’ eggs.
Answer: rats
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as rats. In the relevant exchange, by the sailors. These included dogs, which would have been a threat to the dodos, and also monkeys, which ate the fruit that was the main part of the dodos’.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
40The arrival of farming meant the ____ was destroyed.
Answer: forest
Where to Listen: Part 4, questions 31 - 40
The recording gives the detail as forest. In the relevant exchange, however, we now think that probably the main cause of the birds’ extinction was not the introduction of non-native species, but the introduction of agriculture. This meant that the forest.... This supplies the exact word or number required by the gap.
Academic and General Training Listening Answers
Are the Academic and GT Test 4 Listening Answers the Same?
Yes. Cambridge IELTS 16 Test 4 uses the same Listening questions, recording and answers for both routes. This single guide supports Academic and General Training candidates.
Which Practice Link Should I Use?
Choose the Academic or GT button for your test pathway. Both lead to the same Listening content. Reading and Writing are different, so choose the correct route for those skills.
How Do I Mark Two-Answer Questions?
Enter both required letters, one per question number. Either order is accepted. Repeating one correct letter does not supply the second required answer.
What to Do After Marking
Group your errors by misunderstanding, distractors, spelling and instructions. Review the difficult section, then try another complete test to check whether your accuracy improves.