IELTS Speaking – Vocabulary Focus: Libraries

Here are 10 words every IELTS student should know when they talk about Libraries. 

Vocabulary Table: “Libraries”

Word	Part of Speech	Definition
Library	Noun	A place where books and other materials are stored
Borrow	Verb	To take something temporarily with the intention of returning it
Return	Verb	To give something back to its original place
Catalogue	Noun	A list of books or other materials available in a library
Shelf	Noun	A flat board used to store books
Quiet	Adjective	Making little or no noise
Study	Verb	To spend time learning or reading about a subject
Research	Noun Verb	The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources To search for and find information in books and materials
Librarian	Noun	A person who works in a library
Membership	Noun	The status of being a member of a group or organization

Example Answers

See how I use these words in the example Part 1 answers below: 

• How often do you visit the library?

“I don’t use the library as often as I used to, but I still visit occasionally. When I borrow books, I always make sure to return them on time. Before I go, I usually check the online catalogue to see if they have what I’m looking for. When I’m there, I browse the shelves in quiet study, occasionally stopping to do some research for a project. The librarian is always available to help me find what I need, and I’m grateful for my library membership.”

• Did you visit the library much when you were younger?

“When I was younger, I used to visit the library a lot. I would borrow books from the catalogue and return them to their proper shelf when I was finished. The library was always quiet, which made it a great place to study and do research for school projects. The librarians were always helpful and friendly, and I eventually became a member of the library so that I could borrow books more easily. Overall, the library was a wonderful resource for me when I was growing up.”

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