What Is Harry's Problem IELTS Listening Practice Test with Answers
The IELTS listening section assesses your ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. It consists of four parts, each featuring a different audio recording, including conversations and monologues.
In this write-up, we will focus on the What is Harry's Problem listening answers, which require you to listen to a conversation between two students, Harry and Andrea, who have just finished their final exams. So, take a look at this sample test below.
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Transcripts for What is Harry's Problem
Harry: Hi Andrea, how are you feeling now that exams are over?
Andrea: It's fantastic to have finished, isn't it? And to sleep in every morning, what about you?
Harry: Well, I've been catching up on sleep too, but I've got a lot to do before I leave for England. Perhaps you could give me some advice. I've got a lot of things I can't possibly take back with me, but I don't know what to do with them.
Andrea: Well, it depends on what sort of things they are and whether you're thinking of giving them away or selling them.
Harry: Well, almost everything. Furniture, the fridge and other kitchen stuff that I bought from the previous tenant, but the new people have already got what they need, so they're not interested in buying stuff from me. I can't afford to give it away, but I'm not sure how to sell it all. Oh, and there are some clothes and books as well.
Andrea: Why can't you take them?
Harry: The books are really heavy. It's so expensive if you exceed the airline baggage allowance, and the clothes just won't all fit in my suitcase. It's amazing how much stuff I've accumulated since I've been here. Anyway, I don't think I'll need as many summer clothes in England as I have here in Australia.
Andrea: I see. Well, there are several alternatives. First of all, you could put up notices around the university about the books. You know, on the notice boards in the student union building and in the economics department. Anywhere, second and third year students will see them. People are always keen to buy cheap textbooks.
Harry: Okay, what should I say on the notices?
Andrea: Just put the titles, authors and price you want, your name, of course, and maybe put your phone number on those little tear-off tags.
Harry: That's a good idea. And what about the furniture?
Andrea: You could try doing the same thing, but usually students are away all summer, so they don't want to buy furniture now. Another place to try might be a second hand shop. Someone from the shop will usually come around and give you a free quote, and then you can decide. But you don't usually get much money for that sort of stuff.
Andrea: Another alternative is to put an advertisement in the trading post. Do you know that paper? It comes out every week advertising things people want to sell. You have to pay to put the advert in and then hope people phone. Give them as much information as possible. And if they're interested, invite them to come and have a look. The hard part is agreeing on a price.
Harry: No, I haven't seen the trading post, but I should have a look at it. And I could advertise the fridge, the microwave and the furniture. But the kitchen stuff isn't really that good. You know, old cutlery, a few pots and pans and some plates and things. What shall I do with them?
Andrea: Well, another option is to donate the kitchen things to a charity shop. You know, like the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul. Why don't you get a secondhand shop to give you a quote first?
Harry: Yes, I could do that, find out how much they'll give me and then decide whether to sell them or give them away. But I've still got the clothes.
Andrea: A charity shop will take them too, as long as they're in good condition. And even though you don't get any money, at least you know that someone who really deserves some help has benefited.
Harry: That's a good point. I'll advertise the expensive stuff, the furniture, and donate the clothes and kitchen stuff. Let's go and buy a trading post and you can help me write the advert.
Andrea: Well, actually, I'm interested in buying the fridge and the microwave, depending on the price, of course.
Harry: Okay, let's see how good you are at bargaining.
Questions for What is Harry's Problem Listening Test
Questions 1-5
Circle the correct letter A-C.
Example:
Andrea is feeling happy because…
She’s seen Harry.
She’s finished her exams.
She can sleep in.
1. What is Harry’s problem?
A. He doesn’t want to sell his things.
B. He needs to decide what to do with his possessions.
C. He wants to take everything to England.
2. Which of the items below does Harry want to sell?
A. A
B. B
C. C
3. Where is Harry going to advertise his book for sale?
A. In the university bookshop.
B. In the students newspaper.
C. In the economics department.
4. Andrea thinks it is unlikely students will buy the furniture because…
A. They’re all doing the same thing.
B. They live at home.
C. It’s the summer vacation.
5. Andrea thinks that a second-hand shop…
A. May not pay well.
B. May not take your goods.
C. May only take free goods.
Questions 6-10
Complete Harry’s notes using no more than two words
| Things to do |
|---|
| 6____________ furniture etc. in Trading post |
| 7___________ or sell kitchen things. |
| Get 8___________ first from second-hand shop. |
| Give clothes to 9_______ shop. |
| 10_________ fridge and microwave to Andrea. |
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Answers of What is Harry's Problem Listening Test
Below are the answers of What is Harry's Problem listening test. It will help you to improve your listening ability for the IELTS exam.
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3

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Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10

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From the above details, you have gone through the What is Harry's Problem IELTS listening answers. You also have listened to the audio. In the recording, you will hear a conversation between two students, Harry and Andrea, who have just finished their final exams. This is the short brief of the above audio.
After listening to the audio, you should have a clear understanding of Harry's problem. If you encounter any difficulties, consider enrolling in online IELTS coaching at Gradding. Their experts can help you enhance your skills for the IELTS exam.
Key Highlights of the IELTS Listening Section
- The IELTS listening examination follows a consistent structure for both the Academic and General Training versions:
- Students will listen to each audio recording only once.
- Each audio segment includes a total of 10 questions.
- The listening section is divided into four parts, with each part featuring one audio recording.
- This standardized format ensures a fair evaluation for all test takers.
Task Types in What is Harry's Problem IELTS Listening answers
The What is Harry's Problem listening answers include two types of questions:
Multiple Choice Questions
In this type of question, you will receive a prompt with three or four options. The question can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. Your task is to select the correct option: A, B, C, or D.
Note Completion
For this question type, you will need to fill in missing words or phrases within a set of notes based on the recording. The note completion question evaluates your ability to extract specific information and summarize key points. Make sure to read the guidelines carefully to understand the requirements.
If you're interested in more practice for the listening section, consider the IELTS self help kit, which offers valuable resources for effective preparation.
IELTS Listening Common Mistake
Test takers often make common mistakes during the IELTS listening test that can cost them points. Understanding these errors is crucial for achieving a high score. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Ignoring the Given Question Guidelines: With six different question types, it's easy to confuse them or overlook specific instructions. Pay attention to details such as word limits; for instance, if the prompt states "answer in three words," ensure you adhere to that requirement.
- Leaving Blank Spaces: Unlike the reading test, it's unhelpful to leave blank answers during the listening portion. Since there is no negative marking, any attempt to answer will potentially benefit your score.
- Neglecting Spelling and Grammar: Correct spelling is crucial, especially under time constraints. Common errors include forgetting to use plurals or using the wrong tense. Always take a moment to check your answers for accuracy, particularly when transferring them to the answer sheet.
IELTS Band Calculation for Listening Section
The IELTS listening section consists of 40 questions. Each correct answer is awarded one point. Your total score out of 40 is then converted to the IELTS band scale, with results reported in whole and half bands. For more details, refer to the conversion table.
| Band Score | Score / 40 |
|---|---|
| 9 | 39-40 |
| 8.5 | 37-38 |
| 8 | 35-36 |
| 7.5 | 33-34 |
| 7 | 30-32 |
| 6.5 | 27-29 |
| 6 | 23-26 |
| 5.5 | 19-22 |
| 5 | 15-18 |
| 4.5 | 13-14 |
| 4 | 10-12 |
| 3.5 | 8-9 |
| 3 | 6-7 |
| 2.5 | 4-5 |
Conclusion
In summary, the What is Harry's Problem listening answers provide valuable insight into the multiple-choice and note completion question types. By practicing this format, you can better prepare for the listening section. If you're looking for more engaging preparation, consider taking our IELTS listening mock test and exploring additional study materials.