Shadowing Practice: IELTS Listening Section-3(Paper on Public Libraries) with answers - Learn English Speaking with Video

Choose a practice mode

Each mode opens a full-screen practice room.

79 sentences
If sentences are too short or too long, click Edit to adjust them.
1
Section 3 You will hear two students, called Trudy and Stuart, who are both studying to be librarians,
2
discussing a paper that they are going to write together.
3
First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 23.
4
Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 23.
5
OK, Stuart, we need to start planning our paper on public libraries.
6
Have you thought of an angle yet?
7
Well, there's so much we could look into.
8
How libraries have changed over the centuries, for instance, or how different countries organise them.
9
What do you think, Trudy?
10
Maybe we should concentrate on this country and try and relate the changes in libraries to external developments, like the fact that far more people can read than a century ago.
11
and that the local population may speak lots of different languages.
12
We could include something about changes in the source of funding too.
13
Yes, but remember we're only supposed to write a short paper, so it's probably best if we don't go into funding in any detail.
14
Right.
15
Well, shall we just brainstorm a few ideas to get started?
16
OK.
17
We obviously need to look at the impact of new technology, particularly the internet.
18
Now that lots of books have been digitalised, people can access them from their own computers at home.
19
And if everyone did that, libraries would be obsolete.
20
Yes.
21
But the digitalised books that are available online for free are mostly out of copyright, aren't they?
22
And copyright in this country lasts for 70 years after the author dies, so you won't find the latest bestseller or up-to-date information.
23
That's an important point.
24
Anyway, I find it hard to concentrate when I'm reading a long text on a screen.
25
I'd much rather read a physical book.
26
And it takes longer to read on a screen.
27
Oh, I prefer it.
28
I suppose it's just a personal preference.
29
I expect the libraries will go on evolving in the next few years.
30
Some have already become centres where community activities take place, like local clubs meeting there.
31
I think that'll become even more common.
32
I'd like to think so.
33
And that they'll still be serving their traditional function.
34
But I'm not so sure.
35
There are financial implications after all.
36
What I'm afraid will happen is that books and magazines will all disappear and there'll just be rows and rows of computers.
37
They won't look anything like the libraries we're used to.
38
Well, we'll see.
39
Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 24 to 30.
40
Thank you.
41
Now listen and answer questions 24 to 30.
42
I've just had an idea.
43
Why don't we make an in-depth study of our local public library as background to our paper?
44
Yes, that'd be interesting and raise all sorts of issues.
45
Let's make a list of possible things we could ask about, then work out some sort of structure.
46
For instance, we could interview some of the staff
47
and find out whether the library has its own budget or if that's controlled by the local council.
48
And what their policies are.
49
I know they don't allow food, but I'd love to find out what types of noise they ban.
50
There always seems to be a lot of talking, but never music.
51
I don't know if that's a policy or it just happens.
52
I've often wondered.
53
Then there are things like how the library is affected by employment laws.
54
I suppose there are rules about working hours, facilities for staff and so on.
55
Right.
56
Then there are other issues relating to the design of the building and how customers use it.
57
Like what measures does the library take to ensure their safety?
58
They'd need floor coverings that aren't slippery, and emergency exits for instance.
59
Oh, and another thing, there's the question of the kind of insurance the library needs to have, in case anyone gets injured.
60
Yes, that's something else to find out.
61
You know something I've often wondered?
62
What's that?
63
Well, you know they've got an archive of local newspapers going back years.
64
Well, next to it they've got the diary of a well-known politician from the late 19th century.
65
I wonder why it's there.
66
Do you know what his connection was with this area?
67
No idea.
68
Let's add it to our list of things to find out.
69
I've just thought, you know people might ask in the library about local organisations like sports clubs?
70
Well I wonder if they keep a database or whether they just look online?
71
Right.
72
I quite fancy finding out what the differences are between a library that's open to the public
73
and and one that's part of a museum, for example.
74
They must be very different.
75
Hmm.
76
Then something else I'd like to know is...
77
That is the end of Section 3.
78
You now have half a minute to check your answers.
79
Thank you.

Download App

Everything you need to speak fluently

AI PronunciationScore every sentence
IPA PracticeMaster every sound
VocabularyBuild your word bank
Vocab GameLearn while playing
Scan QR
Scan QR
Download on theApp StoreGet it onGoogle Play

Same Channel

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Visiting the Sheepmarket area) with answersB2
1

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Visiting the Sheepmarket area) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(fitness instructor talking on the radio) with answersB2
2

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(fitness instructor talking on the radio) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Section-4(Stoicism) with answersC1
5

IELTS Listening Section-4(Stoicism) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Alex's Training) with answersB1
2

IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Alex's Training) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Family Excursions) with answersB1
4

IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Family Excursions) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Information on company volunteering projects) with answersB1

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Information on company volunteering projects) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Cookery Classes)B1
2

IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Cookery Classes)

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Section-4(Noise in Cities) with answersC1
4

IELTS Listening Section-4(Noise in Cities) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Section-4(The History of Coffee) with answersB2
3

IELTS Listening Section-4(The History of Coffee) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Copying photos to digital format) with answersB1
5

IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Copying photos to digital format) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Cycle tour leader: Applicant enquiry) with answersC1
3

IELTS Listening Practice Section-1(Cycle tour leader: Applicant enquiry) with answers

IELTS PrepInterview EnglishUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Section-4(Health benefits of dance) with answersB2
10

IELTS Listening Section-4(Health benefits of dance) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Section-3(Labels giving nutritional information on food packaging) with answersB2
1

IELTS Listening Section-3(Labels giving nutritional information on food packaging) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(The Snow Centre) with answersB2
8

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(The Snow Centre) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Section-4(Four Business Values) with answersC1
2

IELTS Listening Section-4(Four Business Values) with answers

IELTS PrepBusiness EnglishUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Section-3(Assignment on sleep and dreams) with answersB2
8

IELTS Listening Section-3(Assignment on sleep and dreams) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Traffic Changes in Granford) with answersB2
3

IELTS Listening Practice Section-2(Traffic Changes in Granford) with answers

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
IELTS Listening Section-3(Planning a presentation on nanotechnology) with answersB2

IELTS Listening Section-3(Planning a presentation on nanotechnology) with answers

IELTS PrepCambridge Exam PrepUniversity Students
FOR YOU

Recommend Video

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Cities, Housing and TransportB2
209
34 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Cities, Housing and Transport

American AccentBritish AccentIELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
Luyện nghe chép chính tả Tiếng Anh - IELTS_#1B1
3
165 sentences

Luyện nghe chép chính tả Tiếng Anh - IELTS_#1

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepDaily Conversation
In her Home Country | IELTS LISTENING TEST | SECTION-3B2
2
79 sentences

In her Home Country | IELTS LISTENING TEST | SECTION-3

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Vol 3 - test 10 - section 4B2
3
48 sentences

Vol 3 - test 10 - section 4

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Speaking P3 audio 1B2
5
59 sentences

Speaking P3 audio 1

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepDaily Conversation
BARRON'S IELTS LISTENING TEST - 2 | barron's ielts listening test - 2 | IELTS | RUTVIK IELTS |B2
3
248 sentences

BARRON'S IELTS LISTENING TEST - 2 | barron's ielts listening test - 2 | IELTS | RUTVIK IELTS |

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Unit 3: Climate | Collins - Listening for IELTS.B2
5
237 sentences

Unit 3: Climate | Collins - Listening for IELTS.

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
CAM 19 | IELTS LISTENING TEST | TEST 4 - SECTION 3 #english #listening #ielts #education #iseeieltsB2
8
102 sentences

CAM 19 | IELTS LISTENING TEST | TEST 4 - SECTION 3 #english #listening #ielts #education #iseeielts

IELTS PrepUniversity StudentsWorking Adults
British Council - IELTS Listening Practice TestB2
3
245 sentences

British Council - IELTS Listening Practice Test

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Vol 3 - test 8 - section 3B2
5
79 sentences

Vol 3 - test 8 - section 3

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
Ielts Listening Section or Part 4 | Practice 1 - Real Ielts Listening Section or Part fourB2
3
52 sentences

Ielts Listening Section or Part 4 | Practice 1 - Real Ielts Listening Section or Part four

IELTS PrepTOEFL PrepUniversity Students
IELTS Speaking Part 1 – LibraryB2
2
130 sentences

IELTS Speaking Part 1 – Library

IELTS PrepUniversity Students

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This B2 speaking lesson is built on the video “IELTS Listening Section-3(Paper on Public Libraries) with answers”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: library, libraries, paper, instance, answer. This video has 79 sentences and 814 words to shadow. The speech runs for 6:13. The speaker talks at a steady 131 words per minute, a comfortable pace for shadowing. 88% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is easy to follow.

Key vocabulary in this video

The 15 most advanced words in the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

WordPronunciationMeaning
concentrate verb/ˈkɑn.sən.tɹeɪt/To bring to, or direct toward, a common center; to unite more closely; to gather into one body, mass, or force.
bestseller nounA book or other product that has sold in large numbers.
brainstorm noun/ˈbɹeɪnstɔɹm/A sudden thought, particularly one that solves a long-standing problem.
injure verb/ˈɪn.d͡ʒɚ/To wound or cause physical harm to a living creature.
organise verbNon-Oxford British standard spelling of organize.
implication noun/ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən/The act of implicating.
librarian noun/laɪˈbɹɛə̯ɹi.ən/The keeper, manager of a library.
slippery adjective/ˈslɪpəɹi/Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc.
obsolete adjective/ˈɑbsəlit/No longer in use or no longer useful; now disused or neglected (often in favour of something newer, better, or more fashionable); outmoded.
evolve verb/ɪˈvɑlv/To move (something) in regular procession through a system.
archive noun/ˈɑɹˌkaɪv/A repository or other place for storing material (such as documents and records) no longer in current use, and usually having historical value.
disappear verb/dɪsəˈpɪɹ/To vanish.
diary noun/ˈdaɪ.ə.ɹi/A daily log of experiences, especially those of the writer.
preference noun/ˈpɹɛf(ə)ɹ(ə)ns/The selection of one thing or person over others (with the main adposition being "for" in relation to the thing or person, but possibly also "of")
politician noun/ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/One engaged in politics, especially an elected or appointed government official.

Phrasal verbs you will hear

WordPronunciationMeaning
find out verbTo discover, as by asking or investigating.
go back verbTo return to a place or state after having been there at a previous time.
work out verb/ˌwɝk ˈaʊt/To calculate.

Sentences worth repeating

Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:

  • Have you thought of an angle yet?
  • I'd much rather read a physical book.
  • I suppose it's just a personal preference.
  • I think that'll become even more common.
  • You know something I've often wondered?

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowHave you thought · have changed · have been digitalised
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does ithave been digitalised · is affected

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 29 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, I'd, I've. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

  • The “sh” and “zh” sounds: implication /ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən/, politician /ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/
  • Long words — get the stress right: implication /ˌɪmpləˈkeɪʃən/, librarian /laɪˈbɹɛə̯ɹi.ən/, politician /ˌpɑ.ləˈtɪʃ.ən/

How to practise with this video

  1. Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
  2. Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
  3. Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like concentrate, bestseller, brainstorm.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →