Listening
What this paper tests
This paper tests your ability to understand spoken English in a variety of contexts: monologues, conversations, interviews, and discussions. You need to understand gist, detail, function, attitude, and opinion.
Overall structure
The paper has 4 parts with 30 questions total. You hear each recording TWICE.
- Each correct answer is worth 1 mark.
- Part 1: 8 marks. Part 2: 10 marks. Part 3: 5 marks. Part 4: 7 marks.
- Total: 30 marks.
What makes this paper difficult
The recordings are played at natural speed with authentic accents. Distractors are built into the audio — speakers may mention multiple options but only one is the correct answer. You must listen for precise meaning, not just familiar words.
- Read the questions BEFORE the audio plays — use the pause time effectively.
- On the first listening, try to answer as many questions as possible.
- On the second listening, check and complete your answers.
- Don't get stuck on one question — if you miss it, move on and listen for the next answer.
- Write your answers on the question paper first, then transfer to the answer sheet at the end.
- Pay attention to the speaker's tone — it can indicate opinion or attitude.
Jump to a part
Part 1: Multiple Choice (Short Extracts)
What you need to do
Listen to 8 short, unrelated recordings (monologues or conversations). For each recording, answer one multiple-choice question with three options (A, B, or C).
You will hear a woman talking about a restaurant she visited. Choose the best answer (A, B or C).
You can play it twice, like the real exam.
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What is the woman's overall opinion of the restaurant?
Select an option for each gap.
- Before the audio plays, read the question and all three options carefully.
- Listen for the overall message, not just individual words.
- Beware of distractors: the speaker may mention something related to wrong answers.
- Pay attention to qualifying words like "but", "however", "although" — they often signal the real answer.
- On the second listening, confirm your answer and check any questions you were unsure about.
- The correct answer is usually expressed indirectly — listen for paraphrases.
- If two options seem possible, the one that captures the OVERALL meaning is usually correct.
- Practise listening to short podcasts and summarising the main point.
Part 2: Sentence Completion
What you need to do
Listen to a monologue (a talk, lecture, or presentation) lasting about 3 minutes. Complete 10 sentences by writing a word or short phrase (1–3 words) in each gap.
You will hear a woman talking about starting a community garden. Complete the sentence with a word or short phrase.
You can play it twice, like the real exam.
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Type your answers, then check.
- Read all 10 sentences before the audio starts. Predict what type of word might fit each gap.
- The sentences follow the order of the recording.
- Listen for the exact information — the answer will be heard in the audio.
- Write the exact word(s) you hear. Don't paraphrase.
- Spelling must be correct. If you're unsure, write what you hear phonetically and fix it later.
- On the second listening, focus on any gaps you couldn't fill.
- The gap is usually a noun, a number, or a short noun phrase.
- Read the sentence grammar carefully — it tells you what type of word is needed.
- Practise dictation exercises to improve your ability to catch specific words.
Part 3: Multiple Matching
What you need to do
Listen to 5 short, related monologues (each about 30 seconds). Match each speaker to one of 8 statements (A–H). Three statements are extra and don't match anyone.
You will hear a person talking about why they decided to learn a new language. Choose from the list (A–E) the reason the speaker gives.
You can play it twice, like the real exam.
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Why did the speaker decide to learn a new language?
Select an option for each gap.
- Read all 8 statements carefully before listening.
- Underline key words in each statement.
- On the first listening, make your best match for each speaker.
- On the second listening, confirm your choices and reconsider any you were unsure about.
- Each speaker matches only ONE statement. If you've used a statement once, cross it out.
- Focus on the MAIN point each speaker makes, not secondary details.
- The speakers often paraphrase the statements — listen for meaning, not exact words.
- Work by elimination: match the ones you're sure about first.
- This part moves quickly — stay focused and don't dwell on a speaker you've missed.
Part 4: Multiple Choice (Long Recording)
What you need to do
Listen to a conversation or interview between two or more speakers lasting about 3–4 minutes. Answer 7 multiple-choice questions, each with three options (A, B, or C).
You will hear an interview with a wildlife photographer called James. Choose the best answer (A, B or C).
You can play it twice, like the real exam.
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What does James say first attracted him to wildlife photography?
Select an option for each gap.
- Read all 7 questions and options before the audio starts.
- Questions follow the order of the conversation.
- Listen for what speakers actually say, not what seems logical.
- Watch out for speakers who change their mind or qualify their statements.
- Pay attention to both speakers — the interviewer's questions can help you locate answers.
- On the second listening, verify your answers and fill any gaps.
- This is the longest and most challenging listening part — stay concentrated.
- Look for "signal" words: "actually", "in fact", "what I really think is" — these often precede the correct answer.
- Practise with longer podcasts and interviews to build stamina.