NARRATOR:
You will hear a client calling a company about domestic cleaning services.
NARRATOR:
First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 5.
NARRATOR:
Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 5.
JACINTA:
Good morning, Easy Life Cleaning Services.
JACINTA:
Shacinta speaking.
CLIENT:
I'm trying to find someone to clean my apartment.
CLIENT:
Do you provide cleaning for private homes?
CLIENT:
It's only a one-bedroom flat.
CLIENT:
Is there a standard package I can book?
JACINTA:
A flat that size normally takes around two hours.
JACINTA:
We'd clean every surface properly in each room and polish anything that needs it.
JACINTA:
Have you got carpets in the apartment?
CLIENT:
No, there aren't any carpets, though the floor definitely needs to be cleaned.
JACINTA:
That's included, of course, and we'd clean the floor in every room.
JACINTA:
We'd also give the kitchen and bathroom a complete clean.
CLIENT:
That sounds fine.
JACINTA:
There are extra jobs you can add if you'd like.
JACINTA:
For instance, we could clean the oven each week.
CLIENT:
I hardly use the oven, actually.
CLIENT:
Could you do the fridge instead?
JACINTA:
Do you want the fridge cleaned weekly?
CLIENT:
And is ironing something else you can provide?
JACINTA:
Yes, that's available, too.
CLIENT:
There wouldn't be a lot.
CLIENT:
Only the shirts I need for work each week.
JACINTA:
We can also clean the microwave, if that would help.
CLIENT:
No, I wipe the microwave out quite often, so that won't be necessary.
JACINTA:
We have other extras that people usually request less frequently, perhaps once a month.
JACINTA:
We could wash the inside of all your windows, for example.
CLIENT:
Yes, I'd like that.
CLIENT:
The flat is on the 15th floor, so specialists regularly deal with the outside.
CLIENT:
But the windows do get dirty on the inside.
JACINTA:
We could arrange to have the curtains cleaned as well, whenever that is needed.
CLIENT:
The curtains are fine.
CLIENT:
The balcony is another matter, though.
CLIENT:
It's small and I rarely use it, but it could be washed down about once a month.
JACINTA:
Yes, we can use a pressure washer on the balcony.
NARRATOR:
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.
NARRATOR:
Now listen and answer questions 6 to 10.
JACINTA:
We also offer a few options connected with general home maintenance, if you're interested.
JACINTA:
If there is a water problem and you urgently need a plumber, for example, we can arrange for a reliable one to come straight away.
JACINTA:
We can do the same if you need an electrician.
CLIENT:
That's useful to know.
CLIENT:
I've only recently moved into the area, so I don't have contacts for people like that yet.
JACINTA:
Another service you might consider is our specialist vacuum system.
JACINTA:
It captures as much as 99% of the dust in the air, which improves air quality indoors.
JACINTA:
That can make a real difference for someone who suffers from allergies.
CLIENT:
I don't have allergies myself, fortunately, but I'll remember that.
CLIENT:
Could you tell me something about the people you employ as cleaners?
JACINTA:
We select our cleaners very carefully.
JACINTA:
Every applicant must pass a security check carried out with the police so we know there is no criminal background.
JACINTA:
And we require references too.
JACINTA:
If someone appears suitable, we provide two weeks of training, followed by a test.
JACINTA:
We employ only those who pass.
JACINTA:
After that, we keep a close eye on their work by asking each client to write a review after every visit and email it to us.
JACINTA:
That allows us to identify and deal with any problem immediately.
CLIENT:
Alright, that sounds reassuring.
CLIENT:
Would the same person come each time?
JACINTA:
We always try to give each customer one regular cleaner, and in most cases we're able to do that.
CLIENT:
Good, that's what I wanted.
CLIENT:
In that case, I'd like to go ahead and...
NARRATOR:
That is the end of part one.
NARRATOR:
You now have one minute to check your answers to part one.
