North College Library: listening answers and explanations
A man who isn't a student phones North College Library to ask about joining as an outside member. The librarian explains what to bring, the fees, borrowing rules, fines, computer booking, newspapers, photocopying and a creative writing class.
One ten-gap note block in strict order, with every answer from the librarian. The man's questions are your signposts: 'what do I have to do to join', 'does it cost anything', 'how many books', 'what if I return them late', and so on to the writing class.
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.
Q
Your answer
Answer
Questions 1-10 · Note completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)
Note completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER)
Questions 1-10
How to attack this block: A number-heavy Part 1: fees, item limits, fines and hours. Almost every number comes in a pair (student and public, minimum and maximum, usual and earliest), so check which one the note asks for. Near the end there's a spelled name and a day that gets corrected.
Question 1
Answer: photosRight after he asks what he has to do to join
Also accepted: passport photos / photographs / passport photographs
What two items must he bring besides ID?
need to bring … passport photos with you.
Question says → You hear
must take: twoneed to bring … passport photos
Why: He needs two passport photos. 'Two' is printed, so write photos (or passport photos). Keep the plural.
The trap: The forms he fills out are mentioned first, but they're done at the library, not things he takes along.
Question 2
Answer: bank statementWhen he suggests a credit card
Also accepted: a bank statement
What second form of ID can he bring besides a driving licence?
it needs to have your address on … bank statement, would that do? … That'll be fine.
Question says → You hear
two forms of I.D.it needs to have your address on
Why: The second document must show his address. He suggests a bank statement and the librarian accepts it.
The trap: A credit card is his first idea, and the librarian rejects it because it doesn't show an address.
Question 3
Answer: 125When he asks if it costs anything to join
How much is a year's membership without a student card?
otherwise it's £125 per year or £25 if you've got
Question says → You hear
without current student cardotherwise it's £125 per year
Why: Without a current student card the fee is £125 a year. The £ is printed, so write 125.
The trap: £25 is the price with a student card from another college. He left Westerley College last year, so he doesn't have one.
Question 4
Answer: 8When he asks how many books he can borrow
Also accepted: eight
How many items can members of the public borrow?
We allow twelve items borrowed at any one time if you're a student … However, it's only … items for … members of the public.
Question says → You hear
(members of public)items for … members of the public
Why: 'However, it's only eight items for members of the public.' He isn't a student, so the answer is 8.
The trap: Twelve is said first and with more detail, but it's the student limit.
Question 5
Answer: 1.50When he asks what happens if he returns books late
What is the lowest fine?
The minimum fine is … but it can be much higher for some items up to £5 per week.
Question says → You hear
Fines start atThe minimum fine is
Why: 'Minimum fine' matches 'fines start at'. She says £1.50; write 1.50, since the £ is printed.
The trap: £5 per week is the top of the range for some items, not where fines start.
Question 6
Answer: 48When he asks if he has to book computers in advance
How far ahead can a computer be booked?
tend to book twenty-four hours in advance although sometimes you can get … the earliest you can book a computer is … hours before you need it
Question says → You hear
can be booked up to ... hours in advancethe earliest you can book a computer is … hours before you need it
Why: 'The earliest you can book' is forty-eight hours before you need it, which is the furthest in advance you can go. Write 48.
The trap: 24 hours is what most people do, and 6 hours is the shortest notice that sometimes works. Neither is the limit.
Question 7
Answer: local papersWhen he asks about national newspapers on the databases
Also accepted: local newspapers
What papers does the library hold all of?
We've got all the big nationals … all the local papers and a
Question says → You hear
Library holds most national papers, allall the local papers
Why: The note lists national papers, then 'all ...', then magazines. The librarian's middle item is all the local papers.
The trap: The national papers' names (The Guardian, The Times and so on) fill a lot of time but they're already in the note.
Question 8
Answer: cardRight after the prices for copies
Also accepted: a card / cards
What do you need to use the photocopier?
You can get a card … the counter here - it doesn't take coins
Question says → You hear
Need ... to use photocopierYou can get a card
Why: The photocopier takes a card, not coins. Write card.
The trap: Coins is said right next to it, but the machine doesn't take them. The prices (5p, 40p) are also nearby but don't fit 'need ...'.
Question 9
Answer: GrantinghamWhen he asks about writing classes
What is the writing tutor's surname?
Grantingham about that. He's our resident author.
Question says → You hear
tutor is JohnGrantingham about that. He's our resident author
Why: The man asks for a spelling and the librarian spells it out: G-R-A-N-T-I-N-G-H-A-M. Copy every letter with a capital G.
The trap: It's a long name said quickly. 'Grantham', 'Granting' or 'Grantingam' all lose the mark.
Question 10
Answer: FridayWhen he asks if the classes are at the library
Which evening is the class held?
Yes he's here on Thursday evenings, oh no sorry, Friday - he's just changed it.
Question says → You hear
held on ... eveningsoh no sorry, Friday
Why: She corrects herself: the class has just moved to Friday.
The trap: Thursday is said first, with 'evenings' attached, so it matches the note's wording perfectly. 'Oh no sorry' cancels it.
Three figures: most people book 24 hours ahead, you can sometimes get one with 6 hours' notice, and the earliest you can book is 48 hours ahead. 'Up to ... hours in advance' is the earliest: 48.
The librarian says Thursday and then corrects herself: 'oh no sorry, Friday'. The corrected day is the answer.
Words from this recording worth keeping
minimum joining age(Joining)
the youngest age at which you can become a member
external member(Cost)
a member who is not a student at the college
reference books(Cost)
books you look things up in, like dictionaries
renew(Fines)
extend the time you can keep a borrowed item
nominal charge(Computers)
a very small payment
advisable(Computers)
a good idea; recommended
resident author(Creative writing class)
a writer employed to work at a place
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The full Cambridge 5 Test 2 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.
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The rest of Cambridge 5 Test 2 Listening
Part 1 · Questions 1-10 · You're hereNorth College Library
