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IELTS Practice Listening: Choose Single Answer ID: #57104 Medium Yumi
Instructions ›
Choose the correct option for the following.
You will hear a conversation between two university students talking about libraries in Australia. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. What's wrong, Yumi? You look very serious. Oh, hi, Marianne. I've just been given the assessment guides for law, my major, and there are lots of assignments. You'll be spending a lot of time in the library, then. That's my problem. I don't know anything about libraries in Australia. Oh, don't worry about that, Yumi. Librarians here are really friendly, and most of them are extremely helpful. That's good to hear. My flatmate said I should join the local library. Do you think that I need to? Well, I think it'd be a good idea. They probably won't have many law books in the library, but you'll be surprised at what they do have. Australian libraries are generally very well resourced, and hey, if nothing else, you can get free internet access. Is it easy for international students to join? Yes. Li Yun has just joined. All you need is your student card or some other ID and an account or bill that has your Australian address on it. Like a phone bill or an electricity bill, would that be OK? Yeah, that's all. It's very easy. They encourage people to join the library. And you can borrow lots of books as well as video and audio tapes or CDs. The newspaper is available too if you've got time to stay at the library and read it. Will it cost much to join the library? Joining libraries here doesn't cost anything, but you'll have to pay a fine if you return your books after the due date. It's about 10 cents per book per day. How long can I borrow books for? The loan period for books is about a month, but you can easily extend the time for another month if you want to. You can even do it over the phone, but it has to be arranged before the due date. What about the university library? Haven't you been there yet? No, not yet. I was sick for the orientation week, and I missed out on the campus tour. Well, you me, I've got an hour before my next lecture.
1
Why is Yumi worried?
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.

Question Focus: Detail question - asks for Yumi's reason for being worried

Correct Answer: B

Why this is correct: The answer is she doesn't know very much about libraries because the speaker clearly says she does not know anything about libraries in Australia. This directly explains why she looks serious and worried.

Passage Reference: That's my problem. I don't know anything about libraries in Australia.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'I don't know anything about libraries in Australia' = Option: 'doesn't know very much about libraries'

Tips: Listen for sentences where the speaker explains a problem directly, especially after phrases like 'That's my problem'.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A: Students may choose this because Yumi is new in Australia. However, the speaker never says she is worried because she is a new student. This is a context shift trap.
  • C: Students may pick this because it sounds similar. However, Yumi does not say she hasn't used a library before, only that she doesn't know about libraries in Australia. This is a paraphrase trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • assessment guides = assignment instructions
  • major = main subject

Question Focus: Detail question - asks who suggested joining the local library

Correct Answer: C

Passage Reference: My flatmate said I should join the local library. Do you think that I need to? Well, I think it'd be a good idea.

Why this is correct: The correct answer is Mary Aim and Yumi's flatmate because first Yumi says her flatmate advised her, and then Marianne agrees and encourages her to join as well.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'My flatmate said I should join' and 'I think it'd be a good idea' = Option: 'Mary Aim and Yumi's flatmate'

Tips: When two people give advice, listen carefully and count how many advisors are mentioned.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • A: Students may choose this because the flatmate is clearly mentioned. However, Marianne also advises Yumi, so this answer is incomplete. This is a partial truth trap.
  • B: Students may pick this because librarians are discussed. However, the speaker never says a librarian advised Yumi to join. This is a distractor trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • flatmate = person you live with
  • local library = public library

Question Focus: Detail question - asks about the result of returning a book late

Correct Answer: A

Passage Reference: Joining libraries here doesn't cost anything, but you'll have to pay a fine if you return your books after the due date. It's about 10 cents per book per day.

Why this is correct: The answer is she will have to pay a fine because the speaker explains there is a daily charge if books are returned after the due date. Returning it two days late means a fine is required.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'you'll have to pay a fine' = Option: 'she will have to pay a fine'

Tips: Always listen for conditions like 'but' because important rules often come after them.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • B: Students may choose this because they hear '10 cents'. However, this is per book per day, not the total for two days. This is a number trap.
  • C: Students may pick this because joining is free. However, the speaker clearly says there is a fine for late returns. This is a negation trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • fine = money penalty
  • due date = return deadline

Question Focus: Detail question - asks why Yumi has not visited the university library

Correct Answer: A

Passage Reference: I was sick for the orientation week, and I missed out on the campus tour.

Why this is correct: The correct answer is she couldn't attend the orientation activities because Yumi explains she was sick during orientation week and missed the campus tour.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'sick for the orientation week' and 'missed out on the campus tour' = Option: 'couldn't attend the orientation activities'

Tips: Pay attention to past reasons. The speaker often explains them clearly with 'because' or by giving background.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • B: Students may choose this because Yumi mentions being sick. However, she does not say she was sick all week recently, only during orientation week. This is a partial truth trap.
  • C: Students may pick this because lectures are mentioned later. However, this is not the reason she gives for missing the library. This is a context shift trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • orientation week = introduction week
  • campus tour = guided visit

General Tips:

  • MCQ questions follow the order of the recording, so use the previous answer to know when the next one is coming.
  • Listen for signpost words like 'but' or 'that's my problem' because the key answer often comes right after.
  • Do not choose answers based on real life logic. Only choose what you actually hear.
  • Be careful with numbers and money. Small details like 'per day' often change the meaning.
  • If the speaker explains a reason in their own words, that sentence usually contains the answer.

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