Selmore Public Library - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 1 Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–15 Map Labeling
Label the map below.
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-H, next to questions 11-15.
A. biography | B. fiction | C. magazines
D. newspapers | E. non-fiction | F. photocopiers
G. reference books | H. study area
Questions 16–20 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | B | If you stand between the information desk and the issue desk and look at the opposite wall, you will see shelves of books in the left-hand corner. This is where you will find a large number of novels and short stories | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes the location of corner 11 and says that this specific area is for novels and short stories, which are known as fiction. Answer Explanation: The answer is fiction, which means books that tell stories that are made up by the author, such as novels. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the guide explains that the bookshelf in the left-hand corner (marked as 11 on the map) holds novels and short stories. In library categories, these types of books are called 'fiction.' |
| Q12 | H | The next area, directly opposite the issue desk, is a section where people can study | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the area located right in front of the issue desk is a place where people can go to study. Answer Explanation: The answer is H, which means a "study area." This is a quiet spot in the library meant for reading and doing work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because the tour guide describes the library room by room. The guide points out that the space directly across from the issue desk—the counter where you check out books—is a section where people can study. They clarify that although there are public computers on another floor, this specific area is for visitors who bring their own laptops to work. This makes "study area" (H) the only correct label for that location. |
| Q13 | C | A selection of daily newspapers is always available there but you can also take magazines into the café to read while you have a drink. You will find these on the racks to the left of the café and there is a large selection | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that while newspapers are in the café, magazines are also allowed there. It then points out that the magazines are kept on the shelves to the left of the café. Answer Explanation: The answer is magazines. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is magazines because the speaker describes a place where newspapers and magazines are kept near the café. The speaker mentions that guests can read magazines in the café and explains that these magazines are located on the racks (shelves) to the left of the café, which is the location for question 13. |
| Q14 | E | The largest collection of books in the library is fiction and the next largest is non-fiction which is in the corner of this floor opposite the café | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the second biggest collection in the library is the non-fiction section, and it is located in a corner across from the café. Answer Explanation: The answer is E, which stands for non-fiction. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the audio guide describes the locations of different book sections. It mentions that after the fiction collection, the next largest group of books is non-fiction. These books are found in the corner of the floor across from the café. By identifying the location 'opposite the café' on the map, we can determine that this area belongs to the non-fiction category. |
| Q15 | A | To one side of the issue desk is a door leading onto a gallery. This was added to the library as a public space where talks are given once a week on a Saturday by visiting authors of both fiction and non-fiction. It also houses the biography section | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there is a room called a gallery near the desk where you borrow books. It states that the biography books are kept in this specific room. Answer Explanation: The answer A means that the location marked 15 on the map is where the biography books are kept. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker describes a special area called a gallery located next to the issue desk. The speaker explains that this room is used for author talks and that it also 'houses' (holds or stores) the biography section. Therefore, on the map, this area should be labeled with the biography category. |
| Q16 | A | After a period of two years, all readers are required to go to the desk with a document that has their name and current address on it so the library can keep up-to-date records of where people are living | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that after two years, members have to show a document that proves where they live so that the library's information is correct. Answer Explanation: The answer means that after being a member for two years, people must show an official paper that lists their home address. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Choice A because the text states that after a period of two years, members must go to the desk with a document showing their name and home address. This allows the library to keep their records correct. The speaker also mentions that there is 'no charge' for this process (making Choice B incorrect) and 'no need' to show a passport a second time (making Choice C incorrect). Important keywords to notice are 'document' and 'current address'. |
| Q17 | C | Either way, we notify you by phone or email when the item is available to be picked up. We will hold it for you for five days | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library will get in touch with you using your phone or email when the book is ready. They will then keep the book at the library for you for five days. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the library will send you a message or call you when the book you asked for is ready to be picked up. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the transcript says the library will notify (contact) you by phone or email once the reserved item is ready. Choice A is incorrect because the 'five days' mentioned refers to how long the library will keep the book for you, not how long it takes to become available. Choice B is incorrect because 'a week' is just a guess for books coming from other libraries; if someone else has the book, it could take much longer. The word 'notify' in the transcript is a synonym for 'contacted' in the answer choice. |
| Q18 | C | DVDs, both children's and adults', can only be borrowed for up to seven days | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that all types of DVDs can be borrowed for a maximum of seven days, which is the same as one week. Answer Explanation: The answer means that children's DVDs are the specific items that can be taken home from the library for 7 days (one week). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because one week is equal to seven days. According to the transcript, different library items have different rules for how long you can keep them. Books and CDs can be borrowed for fourteen days (two weeks). On the other hand, DVDs—for both children and adults—have a shorter limit of exactly seven days. Reference books have a very short limit of only one day. |
| Q19 | B | The library opening hours have been changed slightly. Instead of opening late on Wednesday evenings till 8pm, we will be closing at 6, as on other weekdays, but we will close at 7 instead of 5.30 on Saturdays and - a new development - we are going to open on Sunday mornings from next month - 9 to 1 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library used to close at 5:30 on Saturdays, but now it closes at 7. On Wednesdays, it used to be open until 8, but now it closes at 6, which is earlier. Answer Explanation: The answer is Saturday because it is the only day where the library now closes at a time that is later than before. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker mentions that the closing time for Saturday has changed from 5:30 to 7:00. This means the library is open longer on Saturdays than it was in the past. In contrast, the library now closes earlier on Wednesdays (at 6 instead of 8), and Sunday is simply a new day that they are starting to open, rather than an existing day with a later closing time. |
| Q20 | B | Before you go upstairs, please note that if you are going to the exhibition area on the third floor, large bags are not allowed. There are lockers beside the reference area on the second floor where you can deposit them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells visitors that big bags are not allowed on the third floor. It says there are lockers on the second floor where you can put ('deposit') your big bags while you visit other parts of the library. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that big bags must be left on the second floor of the library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the guide explains that visitors cannot bring large bags to the exhibition area on the third floor. Instead, people must put their bags in lockers, which are boxes used to keep things safe. The guide says these lockers are located on the second floor. The word 'deposit' is used here to mean 'leave' or 'put away'. |
Transcript
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now turn to section 2.
LISTENING SECTION 2
You will hear an audio guide to a public library. First you have some time to look at questions 11 to 15.
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 15.
Welcome to the Selmore Public Library which has just been reopened after major refurbishment. This tour will introduce you to the building and its services. At any time you can stop the tour. We enter by the café and our tour begins at the issue desk.
If you stand between the information desk and the issue desk and look at the opposite wall, you will see shelves of books in the left-hand corner. This is where you will find a large number of novels and short stories. They are arranged alphabetically. If you're looking for something in particular and it's not on the shelf you can reserve it. The next area, directly opposite the issue desk, is a section where people can study. The library provides computers for users free of charge on the next floor beside the reference books but this area is for people to use their own laptops. You should ask for the internet passcode at the information desk.
In the right-hand corner of this floor there is a café. A selection of daily newspapers is always available there but you can also take magazines into the café to read while you have a drink. You will find these on the racks to the left of the café and there is a large selection. They are for reference only and cannot be borrowed but you are welcome to photocopy any articles of interest. We ask you to return them when you have finished. You are not allowed to take fiction or any other books from the shelves into the café.
Next to the café is the exit door leading to the stairs and escalator to the other floors. The largest collection of books in the library is fiction and the next largest is non-fiction which is in the corner of this floor opposite the café. These can all be borrowed as opposed to the reference books on the next floor, most of which cannot be taken out of the library - but they can be photocopied. There are several photocopiers available for this purpose downstairs in the basement. To one side of the issue desk is a door leading onto a gallery. This was added to the library as a public space where talks are given once a week on a Saturday by visiting authors of both fiction and non-fiction. It also houses the biography section. There are notices advertising the talks in the study area.
Any books that you want to borrow should be taken to the issue desk. Before we leave this floor I will give you some information about using the library. There are also helpful notices by the information desk.
Before you hear the rest of the talk, you have some time to look at questions 16 to 20.
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now listen and answer questions 16 to 20.
To join the library and take books out, you need a membership card. Take your passport or identity card, as well as proof of your home address, to the information desk and you will be issued with a card. After a period of two years, all readers are required to go to the desk with a document that has their name and current address on it so the library can keep up-to-date records of where people are living. There's no need to show a passport again and there is no charge for this but any lost cards are charged at £5.
If you can't find the book you want on the shelves, you can reserve it. If it's in another library in the city, we can usually get it for you within a week. If someone else has borrowed it, it can take a few weeks. Either way, we notify you by phone or email when the item is available to be picked up. We will hold it for you for five days.
Books can be borrowed for fourteen days and can be renewed for a further two weeks. Children's books also have a two-week borrowing period. The same system exists for CD-ROMs and CDs but DVDs, both children's and adults', can only be borrowed for up to seven days. It isn't possible to renew them. Some reference books can be borrowed but normally only for one day, so 24 hours.
The library opening hours have been changed slightly. Instead of opening late on Wednesday evenings till 8pm, we will be closing at 6, as on other weekdays, but we will close at 7 instead of 5.30 on Saturdays and - a new development - we are going to open on Sunday mornings from next month - 9 to 1. We are closed on public holidays and notices are posted in the library about these.
Before you go upstairs, please note that if you are going to the exhibition area on the third floor, large bags are not allowed. There are lockers beside the reference area on the second floor where you can deposit them. If you need change, you can get that from the information desk on the first floor.
Now press 'pause' and proceed to the second floor. When you reach the top of the stairs press 'play'.
That is the end of section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers.