Public library: listening answers and explanations
Paul phones his friend Susie, who has just started working at the newly reopened library. She tells him about its new sections, activities for children and adults, and other services like the shop and parking.
One ten-gap note block in order, all answered by Susie. The headings match the call: what the library now has (1-4), things for younger children (5), things for adults (6-8), and other information (9-10). Paul's comments about Greece, Carol's class and his mother lead into several answers.
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
How to attack this block: One word only, so pick the key noun and drop the rest. Many answers are what Susie says the library has 'now' or has 'introduced'. Paul's questions tell you which heading you're under, so use them to keep your place.
Question 1
Answer: travelAfter Paul says they're thinking of going to Greece
Also accepted: travelling / traveling
Which section of books has the library expanded?
we've got a much larger section of the library devoted to travel books now
Question says → You hear
an expanded sectiona much larger section
Why: 'A much larger section' matches 'an expanded section', and the books are travel books. Travelling is also accepted.
The trap: Greece is Paul's holiday plan. Susie isn't even sure there's anything specifically on Greece.
Question 2
Answer: historyWhen Paul mentions Carol's history project at school
What is the new local section about?
we've now got a new section with materials on the history of the town, and surrounding region
Question says → You hear
a new section on locala new section with materials on the history of the town
Why: The new section covers the history of the town and region, which is 'local history'. One word: history.
The trap: Town and region are said too, but 'local' in the note already covers them. The gap needs the subject, history.
Question 3
Answer: studyAfter Paul remembers the quiet reference room in the old library
What else can people do in the community room?
It can be hired out for meetings … to study.
Question says → You hear
community room for meetingsIt can be hired out for meetings
Why: The room can be hired for meetings, and at other times people can use it to study. Paul confirms he might use it because it's hard to find somewhere quiet at home.
The trap: Reference books were the old room's purpose. They've been moved to the main library, so 'read' or 'reference' doesn't fit.
Question 4
Answer: teenagersWhen Susie can't remember how old Paul's children are
Who is the new section of books for?
we've introduced a special section of fiction written specially for teenagers
Question says → You hear
a new section of books forintroduced a special section of fiction written specially for teenagers
Why: 'Introduced a special section' matches 'a new section', and it's for teenagers. Write the plural.
The trap: Paul's children are too young for it, which might make you think the section is for children. It isn't: children come under the next heading.
Question 5
Answer: kitchenWhen Susie mentions activities for younger children
Where do the Science Club's experiment materials come from?
they're going to be doing experiments with stuff that everyone has in the kitchen - sugar and flour and so on
Question says → You hear
things from yourstuff that everyone has in the kitchen
Why: 'Stuff that everyone has in the kitchen' becomes 'things from your ...'. The answer is kitchen.
The trap: Sugar and flour are examples of the things, not where they come from. And sugar is the answer to a later question.
Question 6
Answer: crimeWhen Susie moves on to activities for adults, 'On Friday'
What real event is the author's novel based on?
It's called 'Catch the Mouse' and she based the story on a crime
Question says → You hear
a novel based on a realshe based the story on a crime
Why: The author based the story on a crime that actually took place there years ago. 'Based on' is said in both. One word: crime.
The trap: The title, 'Catch the Mouse', is the name of the novel, not what it's based on.
Question 7
Answer: appointmentWhen Susie says 'this probably isn't for you'
Also accepted: booking
What isn't needed for IT support?
to make an appointment or anything, they just turn up
Question says → You hear
no ... is necessaryto make an appointment or anything, they just turn up
Why: People don't need to make an appointment for IT support; they just turn up. Booking is also accepted.
The trap: 'Tuesdays' is already in the note. And 'computer technology' is what the support is about, not what's unnecessary.
Question 8
Answer: sugarWhen Susie mentions a service you wouldn't expect from a library
What is checked in the blood along with cholesterol?
The hospital arranges for someone … and they check cholesterol levels
Question says → You hear
free check of blooda free medical check-up
Why: The hospital measures the level of sugar in your blood and checks cholesterol at the same time. The note already has cholesterol, so the gap is sugar.
The trap: Sugar was also mentioned earlier, in the Science Club. Don't let that make you doubt it, and don't write cholesterol, which is already given.
Question 9
Answer: stampsWhen Susie says 'What other information'
What does the shop sell besides wall-charts and cards?
we do have a little shop with things like wallcharts, and greetings cards, and also stamps so you can post the cards straightaway
Question says → You hear
sells wall-charts, cards andwallcharts, and greetings cards, and also stamps
Why: 'And also stamps' completes the list in the note. Keep the plural.
The trap: Wallcharts and cards are already in the note, so 'greetings' isn't the gap.
Question 10
Answer: parkingThe very end of the call, when Paul says he'll bring the car
What is free in the evenings and at weekends?
I'll be bringing the car, is there parking available?
Question says → You hear
is availableis there parking available
Why: Paul asks about parking, and Susie says yes, and it's free in the evenings and at weekends. The answer is the word in his question, parking.
The trap: The car is what Paul is bringing, not what's free.
Paul talks about going to Greece, so some people write Greece. But Susie says the library has a much larger section of travel books. The note wants the type of book, travel.
Words from this recording worth keeping
devoted to(New sections)
used only for one purpose
surrounding region(New sections)
the area around a place
hired out(Community room)
rented to people for a fee
certificate(For younger children)
an official document showing you achieved something
turn up(For adults)
arrive, especially without arranging it first
cholesterol(For adults)
a fatty substance in the blood
qualify(For adults)
meet the conditions to get something
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The full Cambridge 12 Test 7 listening paper with the real audio: all four parts, played once, marked the moment you finish. Already done it? Take it again and listen for the traps this page showed you.
Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 7, Listening Part 1. The recording, transcript and questions belong to Cambridge University Press and are not reproduced here. We quote short extracts of the transcript only as evidence for our own commentary, and the answers are published for self-marking. Get the book for the full material, or sit the test on Langujet.
The rest of Cambridge 12 Test 7 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're herePublic library
