Joy English · Level B1 · Studyjoy-english.com
At the library help desk
Name:Date:
A student and a university librarian talk about an essay he is writing.
Audio and answer checking: https://joy-english.com/listening/help-in-the-library
Understand the conversation
Listen to the conversation. Choose the best answer.
- What is Ravi's problem at the start of the conversation?
- What mistake did Ravi make when he searched yesterday?
- What does the librarian think about Ravi's deadline?
- What can Ravi find in the local history room?
- What is one disadvantage of the local history room?
- What does the librarian suggest doing after finding one good book?
- How does Ravi feel at the end?
Listen for details
Listen again and type the missing word or number. You can write numbers as words or digits.
- Ravi's essay is due in ___ weeks.
- The essay should be about ___ words long.
- The local history room is on the ___ floor.
- The librarian books a desk for Ravi on Thursday at ___.
- Students can borrow up to ___ books.
- Students can keep the books they borrow for ___ weeks.
Answer key
Understand the conversation
- b) He cannot find enough different information onlineHe says he keeps finding the same three websites, so he feels a bit lost.
- a) He searched with just one general wordHe only typed parks, which gives hundreds of results. The librarian suggests adding the city and a time period.
- c) He has enough time to do the workShe says that's plenty of time.
- d) Old maps and photographsThe room has old maps and photographs of the parks when they were being built.
- a) It is only open at certain timesIt is only open on two afternoons a week, and you need to book a desk.
- b) Check the list of sources at the back of itShe says to look at the list of sources at the back, because it will lead you to other books.
- c) Much more relaxedHe says he feels much less stressed now.
Listen for details
- two / 2Ravi says the essay is due in two weeks.
- two thousand / 2000 / 2,000 / 2 000It needs to be about two thousand words.
- second / 2ndThe librarian says it is on the second floor.
- two / 2 / two o'clock / 2 o'clock / 2pm / 2 pm / 2:00 / 2.00 / 14:00 / 14.00She offers Thursday at two, and Ravi accepts.
- eight / 8Students can borrow up to eight books.
- three / 3They can borrow books for three weeks.
Transcript
Ravi: Hi, sorry to bother you. I'm writing an essay about the history of parks in the city, and I'm a bit lost. I've searched online, but I keep finding the same three websites.
Librarian: Don't worry, that happens to a lot of students. When is it due?
Ravi: In two weeks. It needs to be about two thousand words.
Librarian: Okay, that's plenty of time. First, try our catalogue instead of a general search. If you just type parks, you'll get hundreds of results, so add the name of the city and a time period.
Ravi: Ah, I only typed parks yesterday. That explains a lot.
Librarian: Then I'd recommend the local history room on the second floor. It has old maps and photographs of the parks when they were being built. It's only open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, though, and you need to book a desk.
Ravi: Can I book one here?
Librarian: Yes, I can do that for you now. How about Thursday at two?
Ravi: Perfect. And how many books can I take out?
Librarian: Students can borrow up to eight books for three weeks. Here's a useful tip: when you find one good book, look at the list of sources at the back. It'll lead you to others.
Ravi: That's clever. I'd never thought of that.
Librarian: And write down where every idea comes from as you go. Students who leave it until the end always regret it.
Ravi: Thanks so much. I feel much less stressed now.