Listen for meaning.
Notice the detail.
Try a short original dialogue read aloud by your browser. Learn to recognise paraphrases and corrected information.
Three habits that help.
Predict the information type, listen for changes and spell answers accurately.
Predict
Is the missing answer likely a date, a place, a number or a noun?
Track corrections
Speakers often change or clarify a detail after first mentioning it.
Check form
Use the word limit, correct spelling and appropriate grammar.
Booking a community language workshop
Listen to the sample conversation. Answer five questions below. You may replay it.
Show accessible transcript
Receptionist: Good afternoon, Westbrook Learning Centre.
Student: Hello. I'm calling about the weekend language workshop. Is it on Saturday?
Receptionist: It was originally planned for Saturday, but it's now on Sunday, the 18th of May.
Student: Okay. And does it start at nine?
Receptionist: Registration opens at nine, but the workshop begins at nine thirty.
Student: How much is the fee?
Receptionist: It's 25 dollars, which includes a workbook and refreshments.
Student: Where exactly is it?
Receptionist: Room 204 at the Riverside Centre. Please bring a notebook as well.
Student: Thanks. I'll register online this evening.
Four recordings. 40 questions. You hear each one once.
The test takes about 30 minutes. On a computer you type answers while you listen, so there is no transfer time at the end.
| Part | Recording | Typical focus |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | A conversation in an everyday situation | Specific details: names, numbers, dates, addresses |
| Part 2 | A monologue in an everyday situation | Facts and directions, such as a tour or announcement |
| Part 3 | A conversation in an education or training context | Opinions, agreement and disagreement between speakers |
| Part 4 | A monologue on an academic subject | Following the structure of a lecture and noting key points |
Six formats to recognise.
Multiple choice
Speakers often mention every option; wait for the one they confirm.
Matching
Read the list of options before the recording starts.
Plan, map or diagram labelling
Find your starting point and follow directions such as "opposite" and "to the left of".
Form, note, table or summary completion
Predict the word type and check the word limit.
Sentence completion
Your answer must make the sentence grammatically correct.
Short-answer questions
Listen for the exact detail asked: who, where, when or how many.
Listening FAQs
Does spelling count?
Yes. Misspelt answers are marked wrong, and both British and American spellings are accepted.
Which accents will I hear?
A range of English accents, including British, Australian, North American, Irish and New Zealand.
What if I miss an answer?
Let it go and focus on the next question. Chasing a missed answer usually costs you the next two.
Can I write numbers as digits?
Yes. Digits such as "15" are usually the safest choice.