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Practice dictation & shadowing on the Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Part 3 Test 1.
Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 1 Part 3
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Total Correct Answers:
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Speaker 2 (1)
Okay, Stewart. We need to start planning our paper on public libraries. Have you thought of an angle yet?
Speaker 1 (2)
Well, there's so much we could look into.
Speaker 1 (3)
How libraries have changed over the centuries, for instance, or how different countries organise them.
Speaker 1 (4)
What do you think, Trudie?
Speaker 2 (5)
Maybe we should concentrate on this country and try and relate the changes in libraries to external developments, like the fact that far more people can read than a century ago.
Speaker 2 (6)
And that the local population may speak lots of different languages.
Speaker 1 (7)
We could include something about changes in the source of funding too.
Speaker 2 (8)
Yes. But remember we're only supposed to write a short paper, so it's probably best if we don't go into funding in any detail.
Speaker 1 (9)
Right. Well, shall we just brainstorm a few ideas to get started?
Speaker 2 (10)
Okay. We obviously need to look at the impact of new technology, particularly the Internet.
Speaker 2 (11)
Now that lots of books are being digitalised, people can access them from their own computers at home.
Speaker 1 (12)
And if everyone did that, libraries would be obsolete?
Speaker 2 (13)
Yes.
Speaker 1 (14)
But the digitalised books that are available online for free are mostly out of copyright, aren't they?
Speaker 1 (15)
And copyright in this country lasts for 70 years after the author dies, so you won't find the latest best seller or up to date information.
Speaker 2 (16)
That's an important point.
Speaker 2 (17)
Anyway, I find it hard to concentrate when I'm reading a long text on a screen.
Speaker 2 (18)
I'd much rather read a physical book.
Speaker 2 (19)
And it takes longer to read on a screen.
Speaker 1 (20)
Oh, I prefer it. I suppose it's just a personal preference.
Speaker 2 (21)
I expect the libraries will go on evolving in the next few years.
Speaker 2 (22)
Some have already become centres where community activities take place, like local clubs meeting there.
Speaker 2 (23)
I think that'll become even more common.
Speaker 1 (24)
I'd like to think so, and that they'll still be serving their traditional function, but I'm not so sure.
Speaker 1 (25)
There are financial implications after all.
Speaker 1 (26)
What I'm afraid will happen is that books and magazines will all disappear, and there'll just be rows and rows of computers.
Speaker 1 (27)
They won't look anything like the libraries we're used to.
Speaker 2 (28)
Well, we'll see.
Speaker 2 (29)
I've just had an idea. Why don't we make an in-depth study of our local public library as background to our paper?
Speaker 1 (30)
Yes. That'd be interesting, and raise all sorts of issues.
Speaker 1 (31)
Let's make a list of possible things we could ask about, then work out some sort of structure.
Speaker 1 (32)
For instance, we could interview some of the staff and find out whether the library has its own budget or if that's controlled by the local council.
Speaker 2 (33)
And what their policies are.
Speaker 2 (34)
I know they don't allow food, but I'd love to find out what types of noise they ban.
Speaker 2 (35)
There always seems to be a lot of talking, but never music.
Speaker 2 (36)
I don't know if that's a policy or it just happens.
Speaker 1 (37)
I've often wondered.
Speaker 1 (38)
Then there are things like how the library is affected by employment laws.
Speaker 1 (39)
I suppose there are rules about working hours, facilities for staff, and so on.
Speaker 2 (40)
Right. Then there are other issues relating to the design of the building and how customers use it, like, what measures does the library take to ensure their safety?
Speaker 2 (41)
They'd need floor coverings that aren't slippery and emergency exits, for instance.
Speaker 2 (42)
Oh, and another thing, there's the question of the kind of insurance the library needs to have in case anyone gets injured.
Speaker 1 (43)
Yes. That's something else to find out.
Speaker 1 (44)
You know something I've often wondered?
Speaker 2 (45)
What's that?
Speaker 1 (46)
Well, you know they've got an archive of local newspapers going back years.
Speaker 1 (47)
Well, next to it, they've got the diary of a well-known politician from the late 19th century.
Speaker 1 (48)
I wonder why it's there.
Speaker 1 (49)
Do you know what his connection was with this area?
Speaker 2 (50)
No idea. Let's add it to our list of things to find out.
Speaker 2 (51)
Well, I've just thought, you know people might ask in the library about local organisations, like sports clubs.
Speaker 1 (52)
Mhmm.
Speaker 2 (53)
Well, I wonder if they keep a database, or whether they just look online.
Speaker 1 (54)
Right. I quite fancy finding out what the differences are between a library that's open to the public and one that's part of a museum, for example.
Speaker 1 (55)
They must be very different.
Speaker 2 (56)
Then...