Question Focus: Time reference - when international driving licenses started being used
Correct Answer: since 1949
Passage Reference: They have been around since 1949, when the United Nations gave approval for their use.
Why this is correct: The speaker clearly gives the starting point in time. You hear since 1949, which matches the note saying they "have been used".
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write for over 50 years, which is also mentioned later, but that is a paraphrase trap because the notes ask for when they started, not how long in general.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'have been around since 1949' = Notes: 'have been used [GAP]'
Tips: Listen carefully for dates when you hear phrases like 'have been around'.
Key Vocabulary:
- around = existing
- since = from a time
Question Focus: Specific measurement from the booklet description
Correct Answer: 15.25
Passage Reference: As I said, it is a booklet about the size of a passport, 10.8 by 15.25 centimetres to be exact.
Why this is correct: The speaker gives the exact size and says 10.8 by 15.25 centimetres. The gap already shows 10.8 x, so you only need the second number.
Common Mistake: Some students write 15 or 15.2, which is a number trap. IELTS needs the exact number you hear.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: '10.8 by 15.25 centimetres' = Notes: '10.8 x [GAP] cm'
Tips: When you hear numbers, stop predicting and write exactly what you hear.
Key Vocabulary:
- exact = precise
- size = dimensions
Question Focus: Colour of the inside pages
Correct Answer: white
Passage Reference: All of the pages are coloured white, but the cover of the licence is grey.
Why this is correct: The speaker contrasts the pages and the cover. You hear pages are coloured white, which matches the gap about inside pages.
Common Mistake: Some students write grey, but that refers to the cover, not the pages. This is a context shift trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'pages are coloured white' = Notes: 'Colour of inside pages: [GAP]'
Tips: When you hear contrasts like 'but', check which detail belongs to which item.
Key Vocabulary:
- coloured = having a colour
- inside = internal
Question Focus: Identification features included in the licence
Correct Answer: signature
Passage Reference: because it includes a passport-sized photograph and the driver's signature.
Why this is correct: The speaker lists two things for identification: a photograph and the driver's signature. The gap already mentions the photograph, so signature completes it.
Common Mistake: Students may write photo, but that is already given. This is a partial truth trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'includes a passport-sized photograph and the driver's signature' = Notes: 'Has a photograph of the driver and their [GAP]'
Tips: Do not repeat information that is already written in the notes.
Key Vocabulary:
- includes = has
- signature = signed name
Question Focus: Where the licence can be obtained
Correct Answer: Internet
Passage Reference: but it can also be ordered on the internet.
Why this is correct: The speaker says it can be bought from travel associations and also ordered on the internet.
Common Mistake: Some students write travel agencies, which is already mentioned. This is a distractor trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'ordered on the internet' = Notes: 'authorized travel agencies and the [GAP]'
Tips: When two sources are listed, make sure you write the second one.
Key Vocabulary:
- ordered = bought
- internet = online
Question Focus: Cost calculation for a three-year licence
Correct Answer: $80
Passage Reference: whereas a three-year licence costs double that.
Why this is correct: The speaker says a one-year licence is about $40 and a three-year licence costs double that, which equals $80.
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write $40 because they miss the comparison. This is a sequence trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'three-year licence costs double that' = Notes: 'Cost of 3 year license: [GAP]'
Tips: Listen for comparison words like 'double' and calculate quickly.
Key Vocabulary:
- double = twice
- cost = price
Question Focus: Where the licence cannot be used
Correct Answer: home country
Passage Reference: Firstly, you cannot use an international licence in the country in which it is issued. It is for international travel only.
Why this is correct: The speaker clearly says you cannot use it in the country where it is issued, meaning your home country.
Common Mistake: Some students write international travel, which describes purpose, not location. This is a paraphrase trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'country in which it is issued' = Summary: 'home country'
Tips: Pay attention to negatives like 'cannot use'.
Key Vocabulary:
- issued = given officially
- home country = country of issue
Question Focus: Time restriction in some countries
Correct Answer: a year
Passage Reference: In Australia, for example, you can only use the international licence for a year.
Why this is correct: The speaker gives Australia as an example and says for a year. This fits the summary about limited use.
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write indefinitely, but the speaker says some countries do NOT allow that. This is a negation trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'for a year' = Summary: 'for [GAP]'
Tips: Examples often provide the exact words you need.
Key Vocabulary:
- limited = restricted
- period = length of time
Question Focus: Legal obligations while driving
Correct Answer: road rules
Passage Reference: drivers on international licences must abide by the road rules in the country that they are visiting.
Why this is correct: The speaker uses the exact phrase road rules, which matches the gap perfectly.
Common Mistake: Some students write laws or regulations, but you must copy the exact words. This is a synonym trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'abide by the road rules' = Summary: 'must obey the [GAP]'
Tips: Always prefer exact words you hear over your own synonyms.
Key Vocabulary:
- abide by = obey
- rules = laws
Question Focus: Consequences of breaking rules
Correct Answer: fined
Passage Reference: you will have to pay the penalty, usually a fine.
Why this is correct: The speaker explains that if you break the rules, you must pay a penalty, usually a fine, so fined fits grammatically.
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write punished, which changes the wording. This is a synonym trap.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'pay the penalty, usually a fine' = Summary: 'may be fined'
Tips: Check verb form carefully when you see 'may be' before a gap.
Key Vocabulary:
- penalty = punishment
- fine = money penalty
General Tips:
- FIB answers follow recording order. Use the previous answer to know where to listen next.
- Always check grammar clues around the gap to decide if you need a noun, verb, or number.
- Copy the exact words you hear from the speaker. Do not use your own synonyms.
- Listen carefully for negatives like 'cannot' or 'only'. Missing them changes the meaning.
- Be extra careful with numbers, dates, and prices. One small mistake makes the answer wrong.