IELTS quick check: find your starting band

Some people believe that public libraries are no longer necessary because most information is now available online. Others think libraries still play an important role in the community. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

With so much information now available on phones and laptops, it is sometimes argued that public libraries have become unnecessary. While I accept that the internet has changed how people find information, I believe libraries remain valuable, because they offer far more than books.

Those who think libraries are outdated point to the convenience of the internet. A student researching a topic can find articles, videos and online books in seconds, without travelling anywhere or waiting for a loan. From this point of view, spending public money on buildings full of printed books seems wasteful, especially when many libraries are quiet for much of the day. Some also argue that the money would be better spent on providing free internet access in homes and schools.

However, this view overlooks the role libraries play as public spaces. For people who cannot afford a computer or a reliable connection, the local library is often the only place to apply for jobs, complete government forms or study in a quiet environment. Libraries also run programmes that the internet cannot easily replace, such as reading sessions for young children, English classes for new migrants and help for older people learning to use technology. These services bring together people who might otherwise have little contact with each other.

In conclusion, although online information has reduced the need to visit a library simply to find facts, I believe libraries are still important. Their value now lies less in their books than in the free space, support and sense of community they provide.

Describe a place in your town or city where people like to spend time. You should say: where it is, what people do there, when it is busiest, and explain why people like going there. (1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak.)

I'd like to talk about the waterfront in my city, which is a long path along the river, about ten minutes' walk from the centre. It's lined with trees and benches, and there are a few cafés and a small playground near the main bridge.

People do all sorts of things there. In the early morning you see a lot of runners and cyclists, and people walking their dogs before work. During the day it's quieter, mostly parents with young children and older people sitting in the sun. Then in the evening, especially in summer, it gets really lively: families have picnics on the grass, groups of friends meet for a coffee, and there are sometimes street musicians near the bridge.

It's busiest on weekend afternoons when the weather's good. On a sunny Sunday it can be hard to find a free bench, and the cafés usually have queues.

I think people like going there for a few reasons. First, it's free, so anyone can enjoy it, whatever their budget. It's also one of the few places in the city where you can be close to nature without driving anywhere. And I think the river itself has a calming effect: after a stressful week, walking beside the water for half an hour really helps me relax. For me personally, it's also where I meet my friends most often, so it has a lot of good memories.

Why do you think some cities have more public spaces, such as parks and squares, than others?

I think it's partly about history and partly about planning. Older cities that grew quickly during industrial times often filled every space with factories and housing, so there's very little land left now. Newer cities, or ones that were planned carefully, usually set aside land for parks from the start. Money matters too: land in a city centre is extremely expensive, so a council has to decide whether a park is worth more than, say, an apartment building. That said, some crowded cities have managed to create new spaces, for example by turning old railway lines into walking paths, so I think political will is just as important as space.

Do you think people spend less time in public places now than in the past? Why?

In some ways, yes. A lot of things people used to do in public, like shopping, watching films or meeting friends, can now be done at home or online, so there's less reason to go out. Longer working hours probably play a part as well. On the other hand, I've noticed that places like markets, beaches and outdoor events are often very crowded, so perhaps people haven't stopped using public spaces; they just use them differently, more for relaxing and socialising than for everyday errands. So I'd say the reasons for going out have changed more than the amount of time.