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Lesson

Listening Part 1: Joining a sports centre

A phone call to a sports centre. Practise form completion with names, numbers and dates, and learn to spot the "change of mind" traps in Part 1.

Listening Band 4–5 · A2–B1 11 questions Sign in to save

What happens in Part 1

You hear a conversation about an everyday situation, such as booking, joining or renting something. Usually you complete a form or notes with names, numbers, dates and prices.

Three things that lose easy marks

  • Spelling. Names are often spelled out letter by letter. Write each letter as you hear it.
  • Numbers. Phone numbers are read in groups, and "oh" means zero.
  • Changes of mind. Speakers often say one thing and then correct it. The first answer you hear isn't always the right one.
"Is Monday the third possible?" – "The third is a bank holiday… How about Tuesday the fourth?" – "That's perfect."
The answer is the fourth, not the third.

Before you listen

Read the form and guess what kind of answer each gap needs: a name, a number, a day or a price.

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Listening

A phone call to Parkside Sports Centre

Daniel calls a sports centre because he wants to become a member.

Show the transcript (try the questions first)

Receptionist: Good morning, Parkside Sports Centre. How can I help you?

Daniel: Hi. I'd like to become a member, please. Can I do that over the phone?

Receptionist: Yes, of course. I'll just need a few details. What's your name?

Daniel: It's Daniel Marsh.

Receptionist: Could you spell your surname for me?

Daniel: Yes. M, A, R, S, H.

Receptionist: Thank you. And what's your address, Daniel?

Daniel: I live at 42 Kingsley Road. That's K, I, N, G, S, L, E, Y.

Receptionist: Lovely. And a phone number?

Daniel: My mobile is oh seven nine four six, three one eight, five two two.

Receptionist: Thanks. Now, we have three types of membership. There's full membership, which is forty-five pounds a month and includes everything.

Receptionist: Then there's off-peak, which is twenty-nine pounds. With that you can use the centre before four o'clock on weekdays, and all day at the weekend. And finally there's swim-only, at eighteen pounds.

Daniel: I work until six most days, so off-peak won't work for me. And I don't only want to swim. I'll take the full membership.

Receptionist: Great. Is there a particular activity you're interested in? We run a lot of classes.

Daniel: I used to play badminton at school, and I'd love to start again.

Receptionist: We've got a beginners' badminton club on Wednesday evenings. Shall I put your name down?

Daniel: Actually, is there anything on Thursdays? I'm usually busy on Wednesdays.

Receptionist: Not badminton, I'm afraid. But the Wednesday group starts at eight, so you might still make it.

Daniel: Oh, eight is fine. Put me down for that.

Receptionist: Done. And when would you like your membership to start?

Daniel: As soon as possible. Is Monday the third possible?

Receptionist: Monday the third is a bank holiday, so we're closed. How about Tuesday the fourth?

Daniel: That's perfect.

Receptionist: There's a joining fee of twenty pounds, but if you pay for the first three months today, we don't charge it.

Daniel: Oh, I'll do that, then.

Receptionist: Lovely. And one last question. How did you hear about us?

Daniel: A friend of mine, Sam, told me about the centre. He comes here every week.

Receptionist: Brilliant. Please bring a photo with you on your first visit, for your membership card.

Daniel: Will do. Thanks for your help.

Questions 1–7: Membership form

Complete the form. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

  1. Surname:

  2. Address: 42 Road

  3. Mobile number:

  4. Type of membership:

  5. Cost per month: £

  6. Activity: beginners' club

  7. Start date: Tuesday the

Questions 8–11

Choose the correct answer, A, B or C.

  1. Why doesn't Daniel choose off-peak membership?

  2. When does the badminton group meet?

  3. How can Daniel avoid paying the joining fee?

  4. What must Daniel bring on his first visit?

More listening practice

See all listening resources