Meere Green Library - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–13 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters, A-F.
Questions 14–16 Note Completion
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Which THREE events does the speaker say are taking place in September?
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Questions 17–18 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 19–20 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters A-E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | — | — | |
| Q12 | — | — | |
| Q13 | C / D / F | We've been able to replace all that old wooden shelving with a more modern style. The computers have been moved to a new designated IT room, and on the subject of technology, visitors can now order and return books and CDs on their own with our new automated system - so no more queuing to be served. Sadly, money ran out before we had the chance to decorate the meeting room but we're hoping to complete that next year. Oh, and the children's section now has some colourful new tables and chairs as well | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library replaced their old wooden shelves with modern ones. It mentions a new computer system so people can check out books without help. It also confirms that the children's area has new bright tables and chairs, while also noting that the meeting room was not yet painted. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies three specific improvements made to the library: they installed modern bookshelves, added a system for people to check out items by themselves, and bought new tables and chairs for the kid's area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C, D, and F because the speaker lists these specific changes. For choice C, she mentions replacing old wood "shelving" with a "modern style." For choice D, she describes a "new automated system" where visitors can borrow books "on their own," which is a self-service system. For choice F, she states the children's part of the library has "new tables and chairs," which are pieces of furniture. Other options are incorrect because the roof was only "repairing" (not replaced), the computers were just "moved" to a different room (not described as new), and the meeting room was not "decorate[d]" because they didn't have enough money. |
| Q14 | local history society / history society | The local History Society will be meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 as usual, and we'll be starting our Wednesday lunchtime Book Club at 1.00 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that starting in September, the local group focused on history will have its meeting on the first Monday of every month. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies a group of people interested in the history of their area who will hold a meeting at the library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section where Mary discusses the library's schedule for September. She states that after the library reopens in late August, they will begin their regular activities in September. She specifically mentions that the local History Society will have their meeting on the first Monday of the month. Since the first Monday of September falls within that month, it is one of the three events taking place. Notice the words 'meeting' and 'first Monday' which indicate a scheduled event. |
| Q15 | book club | Then we get down to business in September. The local History Society will be meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 as usual, and we'll be starting our Wednesday lunchtime Book Club at 1.00 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the library starts its main events in September, and it specifically mentions starting a book club on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM. Answer Explanation: The answer "book club" refers to a group meeting where people discuss books together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "book club" because it is one of the three activities the speaker, Mary, says will happen when the library begins its regular schedule in September. She explains that after the library opens in late August, they will start their normal programs, including a lunch meeting for people who enjoy reading. |
| Q16 | Ask the Author | And we're especially looking forward to welcoming a local writer, Sally Wainright, to a new event on 22nd September. This will be the first of a series of events we're calling 'Ask the Author' | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that a writer will visit the library on the 22nd of September. This visit is the start of a new program or group of meetings that the library is calling "Ask the Author." Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of a new series of library events starting in September where people can meet and talk to writers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is one of the three activities confirmed for the month of September. Mary explains that after the library re-opens at the end of August, they will start their events in September. She specifically mentions that on September 22nd, a local writer will visit for a new event named "Ask the Author." |
| Q17 | B | Our computer classes have become so popular over the past year that we're thinking about starting a second session and we'll need someone to run it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many people like the computer classes. Because so many people want to learn, the library wants to start a second class group and needs a teacher to lead it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the library is looking for a new teacher because they want to begin an extra class for students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript mentions that the computer classes are very popular and that many people attend them. Because of this high interest, the library plans to start a "second session," which is a synonym for an additional group or class. They need a new person to teach this new group alongside the current teacher. The current teacher is not leaving, so option A is wrong. Also, while some students are already at a high level, the main reason for needing a teacher is to manage the new, extra class group, making option C less accurate than B. |
| Q18 | B | We're also trying to do our bit to break down the generation gap and we've been inviting some of our older citizens in to talk to school groups about the past. The children range in age from seven to eleven | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the library brings older people (citizens) and school kids together. These kids are between 7 and 11 years old, which matches the description of 'young children'. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the library is looking for seniors to share their memories and stories about history with kids. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'young children' because the speaker explains that older citizens are invited to talk to 'school groups' about the past. She defines these groups by saying the students are between seven and eleven years old. In English-speaking schools, children in this age range are considered young children or primary school students. The speaker also specifically mentions that they have not started working with 'teenagers' yet, which makes that choice incorrect. |
| Q19 | — | — | |
| Q20 | B / E | Users can reserve books if the bus doesn't have anything that they feel like borrowing. There's a computer on board with access to the library database, so the librarian will be able to reserve one for you. Unfortunately, we don't stock newspapers or magazines on the bus as these tend to be for reference purposes only and can't be taken away. We're also pleased to be working with the local council, who've agreed to send someone from the community office on the bus. They'll be able to help you with any local issues you may have | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if the bus is missing a book a person wants, the librarian can use a computer to save (reserve) it for them. It also explains that a person from the local government (the council) will be on the bus to help people with problems or questions about their local area. Answer Explanation: The answer is a reservation service and community advice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and E because Mary talks about two extra things the library bus does besides carrying books. First, she says users can 'reserve' a book using a computer database if it is not currently on the bus. This is a reservation service. Second, she says someone from the 'community office' will be on the bus to help with 'local issues,' which is the same as providing community advice. |
Transcript
Presenter: ... and welcome back to the programme. Today I'm talking with Mary Littlejohn from Meere Green Library. As you'll all know, we've sadly been without our local library for the past three months but the good news is that it's about to open again. Great news, Mary.
Mary: It certainly is, Jonathan. Despite the fact that money's in short supply, I think visitors will be pleasantly surprised at how different - and hopefully better - everything is. Fortunately, we didn't need to replace the roof as we'd originally feared. It just needed repairing, so we were left with more money than we expected. We've been able to replace all that old wooden shelving with a more modern style. The computers have been moved to a new designated IT room, and on the subject of technology, visitors can now order and return books and CDs on their own with our new automated system - so no more queuing to be served. Sadly, money ran out before we had the chance to decorate the meeting room but we're hoping to complete that next year. Oh, and the children's section now has some colourful new tables and chairs as well.
Presenter: That all sounds fantastic. So, are you having a big re-opening party?
Mary: Well, the doors open on 28th August and we'll be serving tea, coffee and sandwiches at 12.30. Then we get down to business in September. The local History Society will be meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 as usual, and we'll be starting our Wednesday lunchtime Book Club at 1.00. Both of those events are in the meeting room. The Computer Club won't be running in September as we still need to complete work in the IT suite, but this will certainly be returning in October. And we're especially looking forward to welcoming a local writer, Sally Wainright, to a new event on 22nd September. This will be the first of a series of events we're calling 'Ask the Author'. Visitors will be able to hear authors read from their latest works, ask questions and even buy a copy of their book to take home.
Presenter: I might pop along to that one myself. Now, I understand you also have a request.
Mary: Yes, that's right. We're looking for anyone who has a few spare hours each week who would like to offer their services to the library. Our computer classes have become so popular over the past year that we're thinking about starting a second session and we'll need someone to run it. The current teacher will work with you, so you won't be left to sort things out on your own. We can promise the person a warm welcome and a class of very motivated people, many of whom are at quite a high level. We're also trying to do our bit to break down the generation gap and we've been inviting some of our older citizens in to talk to school groups about the past. The children range in age from seven to eleven - they're always accompanied by their teacher, by the way - but we haven't opened it up to teenagers yet. So, if you'd like to help out, please get in touch.
Presenter: And I also understand you've got good news for those who've been making use of the mobile library.
Mary: Yes. Because the library has been closed, we've been running a mobile library service and going out to people in the community. Well, feedback has been so positive about this, particularly amongst our elderly users, that we've decided to keep it going. Users can reserve books if the bus doesn't have anything that they feel like borrowing. There's a computer on board with access to the library database, so the librarian will be able to reserve one for you. Unfortunately, we don't stock newspapers or magazines on the bus as these tend to be for reference purposes only and can't be taken away. We're also pleased to be working with the local council, who've agreed to send someone from the community office on the bus. They'll be able to help you with any local issues you may have.
Presenter: Well, many thanks, Mary. I'm sure our listeners will be delighted to hear the service is fully up and running again.