Learning Resource Centre - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 8 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–15 Plan Labeling
Label the plan below.
Write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 11–15.
Questions 16–20 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
New staff responsibilities
| Name | New responsibility |
|---|---|
| Jenny Reed | Buying 16 for the Centre |
| Phil Penshurst | Help with writing 17 for courses |
| Tom Salisbury | Information on topics related to the 18 |
| Saeed Aktar | Finding a 19 |
| Shilpa Desai | Help with 20 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | This means the newspapers are now just the other side of the stairs, near the study area | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the newspapers are now kept in a specific place: on the other side of the stairs, close to the area where people study. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that 'Newspapers' are located at position C on the plan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified because the speaker explains that the center decided to stop keeping magazines and newspapers together. She notes that because of this change, the newspapers have been moved to a new spot across from the stairs, close to the study area. This description allows the listener to find their location on the map. |
| Q12 | B | So they're now at the far side of the building on the right, in the corner overlooking the car park | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the computers are located in a corner on the right-hand side at the back of the building, where people can see the parking area. Answer Explanation: The answer B represents the spot on the map where the computers are located. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by the speaker's specific directions regarding the computers' new location. She explains that they were moved downstairs to the ground floor. They are positioned at the far back of the building on the right side, specifically in a corner area that faces the car park. In the context of a map, these details point to location B. |
| Q13 | A | You can see it right opposite the entrance, by the wall on the far side | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the photocopier is directly across from the front door and located against the wall that is furthest away from you. Answer Explanation: The answer is A because this letter shows exactly where the photocopier is located on the building map. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker clearly describes where the photocopier is on the ground floor. She says it is 'right opposite the entrance,' which means if you walk in the door and look straight ahead, you will see it. She also says it is 'by the wall on the far side,' which means it is against the back wall of the room. |
| Q14 | H | If you turn right as soon as you get past the desk, you'll see the door ahead of you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that by walking past the reception desk and turning to the right, you will see the entrance to the café right in front of you. Answer Explanation: The answer is the location marked H on the floor plan for the Café. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because the speaker provides specific walking directions to reach the café from the main entrance area. She mentions that visitors should pass the desk (which is located right inside the entrance) and immediately make a right turn. Following these steps, the door to the café will be directly in front of them. Pay attention to the keywords 'turn right', 'past the desk', and 'ahead of you' to find this location on a map. |
| Q15 | G | Oh yes, we've had so many requests for books on sport that we've bought a lot more, and they're all together immediately to the right of the entrance | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people asked for books on sport, so the library bought more and placed them right next to the door on the right side as you walk in. Answer Explanation: The answer is G, which is the spot on the map where you can find books about sports. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the speaker explains that they have gathered all the books about sport in one place. This place is located right next to the entrance door on the right-hand side. Key words to listen for are 'books on sport' and 'immediately to the right of the entrance'. |
| Q16 | films / movies | Jenny Reed is the person to see if there are any films you'd like us to stock, as she's taken over responsibility for purchasing those | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if anyone wants a specific movie added to the library's collection, they should talk to Jenny Reed because she is in charge of buying them. Answer Explanation: The answer is the kind of entertainment media that Jenny Reed is responsible for buying for the library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'films' because the transcript states that Jenny Reed handles the purchase of films for the Learning Resource Centre. The text uses the word 'purchasing,' which is a synonym for 'buying.' It also mentions 'stock,' which refers to the items the Centre keeps for people to use. |
| Q17 | reports | Phil Penshurst can help you to improve your writing if you need to produce reports for your course | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Phil Penshurst is there to help people write better, especially when they need to make reports for their classes. Answer Explanation: The answer is "reports," which are formal written papers students create for their classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "reports" because the speaker explains that Phil Penshurst is the staff member who helps students with their writing. Specifically, he assists those who need to write reports for their courses. |
| Q18 | region | Many people are interested in doing research or just reading about this region - the people, occupations, changes over the years, and so on. Tom is a specialist in this particular field, so if you want any help, he can point you in the right direction - we've got a large collection of relevant documents, from old maps to studies of the wildlife | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people are interested in learning about the local area (this region). It says that Tom is an expert in this subject and can help people find old maps or information about local people and nature. Answer Explanation: The answer "region" means a specific local area or part of the country that Tom Salisbury is an expert on. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is region because the speaker introduces Tom Salisbury as a specialist in topics about the local area. The transcript mentions that many people want to research or read about "this region," including its people, jobs, and history. Since the table asks for information on topics related to a specific place, "region" is the correct one-word answer from the text. |
| Q19 | job | If you're unemployed and want some advice on the practical aspects of looking for a job, Saeed is the person to talk to | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if you don't have work and need help with the details of finding a new position, Saeed is the right person to help you. Answer Explanation: The answer is "job," which is a word for the work someone does to earn money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "job" because the speaker explains that Saeed Aktar provides help to people who do not have work (unemployed). He gives them tips on how to go through the process of searching for and finding a job. The phrase used in the transcript is "looking for a job." |
| Q20 | housing | Shilpa now has the additional responsibility of giving information and advice on anything to do with housing, such as finding out what's available, or whether you're eligible for financial help | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that Shilpa’s new job involves giving tips and details regarding homes, including finding places to stay or finding out if someone can get money to help with the costs. Answer Explanation: The answer means Shilpa Desai's new job is to give people help and facts about things related to where they live. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "housing" because the speaker explains that Shilpa Desai has a new role. In this role, she helps people with information and advice about their homes or living situations. The word "housing" describes this specific subject. |
Transcript
Hello. As some of you know, I'm Elaine Marriott, the head of the college's Learning Resource Centre. We've invited all of you taking evening classes and leisure activities to come and see the changes we've made to the Centre in the last month.
One major change we've made here on the ground floor is to the layout - as you can see from looking around you. I'm sure you'll recognise the desk - that's still in the same place, as it has to be just inside the door. But you'll see that there are now periodicals on the shelves in the corner behind the desk. We've brought them nearer the entrance because so many people like to come in just to read magazines. We now stock a far wider range of periodicals than we used to, so we've decided to separate them from newspapers. This means the newspapers are now just the other side of the stairs, near the study area.
Now, another thing is that we've brought the computers downstairs - people used to complain about having to go upstairs to use them. So they're now at the far side of the building on the right, in the corner overlooking the car park.
We've now got an extra photocopier, so as well as the one upstairs, there's one down here. You can see it right opposite the entrance, by the wall on the far side.
The biggest change, though, and one I'm sure many of you will welcome, is that we now have a café at last - we've been asking for one for years. If you turn right as soon as you get past the desk, you'll see the door ahead of you. It became possible to have a café because the building has been extended, and we've now got a new office and storeroom area.
What else should I tell you about before we walk round? Oh yes, we've had so many requests for books on sport that we've bought a lot more, and they're all together immediately to the right of the entrance.
OK, that's enough on the new layout. We'll walk round in a moment, but before we do, something about the people who are here to help you. Of course all the staff will do their best to answer your questions, but now we're each going to specialise in certain areas. So if you ask a staff member about something, and they don't think they can help you enough, they'll direct you to our specialist.
Jenny Reed is the person to see if there are any films you'd like us to stock, as she's taken over responsibility for purchasing those. I'd better warn you that our budget is limited, so I'm afraid we can't promise to buy everything you ask for!
Phil Penshurst can help you to improve your writing if you need to produce reports for your course. You can book a half-hour session with Phil to start with, then if you want more help, he'll arrange follow-up sessions with you.
I must mention Tom Salisbury. Many people are interested in doing research or just reading about this region - the people, occupations, changes over the years, and so on. Tom is a specialist in this particular field, so if you want any help, he can point you in the right direction - we've got a large collection of relevant documents, from old maps to studies of the wildlife.
We have a new member of staff, Saeed Aktar. I'm sure you'll meet him soon, and will find him very helpful. If you're unemployed and want some advice on the practical aspects of looking for a job, Saeed is the person to talk to. He's also written a very useful book on the subject, which of course we've got on our shelves!
Many of you will know Shilpa Desai, who's been working here for about five years. Shilpa now has the additional responsibility of giving information and advice on anything to do with housing, such as finding out what's available, or whether you're eligible for financial help.
Right, well that's quite enough from me, so let's walk round the library.