Listening Answer Keys and Script

Tapescript
Rental Properties
Agent: Fairfield Rentals. Andrew Williams. How can I help you?
Woman: Oh hello. I'm calling from the UK - um, my family are moving to Canada early
next year, and we're hoping to find somewhere to rent in Fairfield for the first six
months while we settle in.
Agent: Right, I see. Well, let's get your details.
Woman: Yes, my name's Jane Ryder.
Agent: OK, Jane. And can I have a phone number - the best number to get you on?
Woman: Well, that'd probably be our home number - So 0044 for the UK, and then it's
208 613 2978.
Agent: Alright. And an email address, please, so we can send you out all the information
and forms.
Woman: I think it's best if I give you my husband's email - he's sitting in front of a
computer all day so he can print stuff off and get it back to you sooner than I could. It's
[email protected]. I'll just spell the company name for you.
Woman: That's V-I-S-I-O-N-T-E-C-H.
Agent:Great. And we have a question here about occupation.
Woman: Richard's an IT specialist for an advertising company. They're transferring him to
their Fairfield branch.
Agent: Actually, just your job for now, thanks.
Woman: Me? I'm a doctor at the hospital in our town.
Agent: OK, I'll put that down. Now, what kind of accommodation are you looking for?
House, apartment?
Woman: An apartment, probably, as long as it has two bedrooms. There'll be me, my
husband and our ten-year-old son.
Agent: And so with an apartment, you're less likely to get a garden.
Woman: That's OK
Agent: But what about a garage - is that something you'll want the apartment to have?
Woman: Yes, that's definitely important.
Agent: OK, just a moment, I'll just make a note of that.
Woman: But - er before we go on - I should probably say now that what we don't need
is any furniture - because we'll be shipping all that over, and I don't really want to pay
for storage while we're waiting to buy a house.
Agent: Not a problem. I'll make a note of that.
Woman: Actually, though, just thinking about the kitchen, what can I expect from a rental
property? I mean, what kind of equipment is provided?
Agent: Well, the normal thing is that you get a stove - I think that's a cooker in British
English.
Woman: OK, good to know, but how about a fridge? We'll be selling ours before we
come, so if possible, we'd like the apartment to have one for when we arrive.
Agent: I can certainly add that to the form. If there's any other whiteware that you need -
like a dishwasher for example, there are plenty of stores here that'll arrange delivery on
the same day as purchase.
Woman: Thanks. Hopefully we won't need to buy too many things.
Agent: Now, how about location? Have you done any research into the Fairfield area?
Woman: Not that much so far.
Agent: Well, you mentioned you have a boy - I imagine you'd like to be fairly close to a
school.
Woman: Good idea. That would help. What's public transport like in Fairfield? Is it easy to
get around?
Agent: The bus service is pretty comprehensive - there are plenty of local routes, services
into the city and out of town.
Woman: OK, and for a two-bedroom apartment - what sort of rent should we expect to
pay?
Agent: Well, looking at the properties we have at the moment, prices start from around
£730 per month, and - depending on the area - can go up to £1,200.
Woman: That's too much. Something halfway would be better.
Agent: So, would your limit be, say, £950?
Woman: I'd say so, yes.
Agent: Can I ask if you smoke or if you have any pets?
Woman: No to both questions. But I do have one more request, please.
Agent: Yes?
Woman: Well, I've also been offered a job - at Victoria General Hospital - and I suspect
I'll be working nights occasionally - so what I really need from any apartment is for it to
be quiet - so I can catch up on sleep if necessary during the day.
Agent: Congratulations on the job offer. I'll add your request to the form. Well, what I'll
do is compile a list of suitable properties for you and send them via email. Um, can I just
ask - how did you hear about us? Obviously not from our commercials if you're living in
the UK.
Woman: Actually, it was a friend of ours. He spent a few months in Fairfield a couple of
years ago and he pointed us in the direction of your website.
Agent: Well, it's good to be recommended. So, what I'll do is…
Job Enquiry