CAE

Exam Practice Online

The Listening Paper

What do you
remember about
the Listening
Paper?
 The Listening Paper
Part Number of Task Types Focus Format
questions

1 6 Multiple
choice
Feeling, attitude, opinion,
purpose, function,
Three short extracts from
exchanges between interacting
agreement, course of speakers with two multiple-
action, gist, detail, etc choice questions on each extract.

2 8 Sentence
completion
Specific information, stated
opinion
A monologue lasting 3 minutes.
Candidates are required to
complete the sentences with
information from the recording.

3
Attitude, opinion, Conversation between two or
6 Multiple
choice agreement, gist, feeling, more speakers of approximately
speaker purpose, function, 4 minutes. There are six
detail multiple-choice questions, each
with four options.

4 Multiple Gist, attitude and opinion, Five short themed monologues,

10 matching main points, speaker of approximately 30 seconds
purpose, feeling, each. Each multiple-matching
interpreting context. task requires selection of the
correct options from a list of 8.
 Part 1
Multiple choice
 Part 1: General Information

• Part 1 consists of three short recordings, each with two multiple

choice questions. Each question has three alternatives.

• Each recording lasts about one minute and is played twice.

• The topics are unrelated and include a range of styles, delivery

and voices.

• There is more than one speaker in each recording

• The questions focus on a variety of aspects. For instance, detail,

gist, speakers’ opinions, feeling, attitude, purpose, function, etc.
 Part 1 - Tips
If you miss the answer to a question, leave it and
listen for the answer to the next question.
1. Preparation time
Check the answers to the questions you answered
and try to choose an option for the questions you
2. First time you listen have missed.

Underline key words in the questions and options.

3. Second time you listen
Do not leave any answers blank. Make a guess if you
are not sure.
4. At the end of Part 1
Try to choose the correct alternative. You can check
the second time you listen.

Read questions and think about possible answers.

Part 1: You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1-6 choose the answer (A, B or C) which
fits best according to what you hear. There are two questions for each extract.

Extract Three
Extract One
You hear a man in conversation with a woman
You hear a woman and a man talking about social media.
novelist about fiction,
1. What is the musician’s main reason for refusing to
5. What does the woman say that she does in her
subscribe to social media?
novels?
A. He is sure that it would be a waste of time.
A. She exposes hidden aspects of human behaviour.
B. He feels that it would be a threat to his privacy.
B. She imagines what will happen to society in the
C. He doubts he would find a network to suit his needs.
future.
C. She writes the sort of fiction that appeals to busy
2. According to the man, what is the general attitude to
people.
social media?
A. People criticise them but still use them obsessively.
6. The speakers think that historical novels
B. People are soon disappointed by their limitations.
written today
C. People see them as a revolutionary advance in communication.
A. may give information that is inaccurate in detail.
B. offer limited insight into the life of the past.
Extract Two C. are often written in an invented style of language.
You hear two students talking about their summer job
working on a fruit farm.
3. What do the students discuss?
A. the discomfort of living conditions on the farm.
B. the farmer’s methods of harvesting the fruit.
C. the amount they are learning on the farm.

4. When the man tells the woman about the party on

Friday evening, she
A. expresses surprise that it is taking place.
B. offers to help prepare the food.
C. explains her non-attendance.
Part 2
Sentence
completion
 Part 2: General Information

• In Part 2, candidates listen to a monologue (a talk, a lecture or a

broadcast) which provides factual information and opinion.

• The recording lasts approximately three minutes and is played twice.

• The task includes eight sentences about the recording, each with a gap.

• The sentences focus on specific information and stated opinions in the

recording.

• The gaps must be completed with a word or short phrase from the
recording.

• Questions follow the order of information in the recording.

• The words must be spelled correctly. British and American spelling are
accepted.
 Part 2 - Tips

1. Read the introduction and the title. This will help you understand the
_____________________ and the topic.
2. Use the preparation time to read the questions before you listen.
3. Try to predict what ______________ of word is needed in each gap.
4. The answers will come in the _______________ of the questions.
5. The anwers are short –usually one to _____________ words –and are
often nouns.
6. Do not make any ________________ to the words you hear.
7. _________________ leave a blank. Make a guess if necessary.
8. Check the _________________ and grammar at the end of the task.
Part 2: You will hear part of a talk on the history of Central Park in New York City. For
questions 7-14, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.

In Central Park the paths go around (7) ………………………………………… and lakes.

In the mid-nineteenth century, an architect and a (8) ………………………………………… led the

campaign for a park in New York City.

A great deal of (9) ………………………………………… was used to clear the site for the park.

New Jersey provided (10) ………………………………………… for the park.

A number of (11) ………………………………………, all decorated in different ways, were

commissioned.

Soon after the park opened, plants began to die and (12) ………………………………………… was left
in the pleasure buildings.

In the 1970s, the park was affected by the (13) …………………………………………

In recent times, (14) ………………………………………… have cleaned up the park.

Part 3
Multiple
choice
 Part 3: General Information

• In Part 2, candidates listen to a recording with two or more speakers

involved in an interview or discussion.

• The recording lasts approximately four minutes and is played twice.

• Candidates answer six four multiple-choice questions. Each question has

four options.

• The questions focus on the speakers’ feelings, attitudes and opinions.

• The questions follow the order of the recording.

 Part 3 - Tips
1. ________ USE PREPARATION TIME TO READ QUESTIONS AND THINK OF
POSSIBLE ANSWERS.

2. ________ UNDERLINE KEY WORDS IN THE QUESTION OR STATEMENT

INTRODUCING THE OPTIONS TO HELP YOU FOCUS ON WHAT YOU HAVE TO
LISTEN FOR.

3. ________ CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWERS YOU CAN THE FIRST TIME YOU
LISTEN TO THE RECORDING.

4. ________ WORRY ABOUT MISSING A QUESTION: LEAVE IT AND LISTEN FOR

THE ANSWER TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

5. ________ CHECK YOUR ANSWERS WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE RECORDING

THE SECOND TIME. ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE MISSED.

6. ________ LEAVE ANY ANSWERS BLANK. GUESS, IF NECESSARY.

Part 3: You will hear part of a radio discussion programme in which two science journalists
called Lydia Peters and Sam Douglas are talking about science writing. For questions 15-20
choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you hear.

15. Lydia says her lack of a scientific background 18. In Lydia’s opinion, what is the key to
A. makes her more aware of expert readers. interviewing a scientist?
B. can be regarded as an advantage in her current A. not being too direct in your questions
role. B. keeping everything under tight control
C. has occasionally been evident in what she’s written. C. letting them do most of the talking
D. once deterred her from undertaking an ambitious D. impressing them enough to gain their respect
project
19. Lydia and Sam agree that aspiring science
16. How does Sam describe a good science journalists need
article? A. to write something in the style of a particular
A. It allows the reader to draw their own conclusions. newspaper.
B. It gives the readers a sense of personal relevance. B. to be tough enough to accept criticism.
C. It leaves the readers feeling fully informed. C. the determination not to deviate from the goal.
D. It mentions a variety of reputable sources. D. a desire to improve their use of language.

17. Sam dislikes the way science editors 20. Sam says that in a science magazine, the use
sometimes force him to of paraphrase
A. make exaggerated claims that he does not agree A. may lead to inaccuracy
with. B. will appeal to the readership.
B. engage with topics that don’t interest him. C. can provide a different perspective.
C. accept unwanted changes to his work. D. is sometimes a fundamental requirement.
D. dispute new research findings.
Part 4
Multiple
matching
 Part 4: General Information

• Candidates listen to five short monologues. Each monologue lasts about 30

seconds. You will hear the recording twice.

• The monologues are all on a related topic.

• There are two multiple matching tasks, which must be done at the same
time.

• In each task, candidates will find five questions and they have to select the
correct option from a set of eight.

• Candidates must select the correct options to match with each monologue.

• The answers in each monologue can be in any order. For instance, you may
hear the answer to Task 2 before the answer to Task 1.
 Part 4 - Tips
1. What should you do in the preparation time?

2. What should you do before listening?

3. Should you try to answer the questions in both tasks while you are listening?

4. What should you do if you cannot answer one of the questions on your first
listening?

5. Will the speaker use the same words as the options?

 Part 4: You will hear five short extracts in which people are talking about starting a business.

TASK ONE TASK TWO

For questions 21-25, choose from the list (A-H) the For questions 26-30, choose from the list (A-H) what
reason each speaker gives for starting a business. advice each speaker says about running their business.

While you listen, you must complete both tasks

A. I was left some money. A. It is a steep learning curve.

B. My responsibilities were reduced. Speaker 1 (21)….. B. I wish I’d set up the business Speaker 1 (26)…..
sooner.
C. It had always been my ambition. Speaker 2 (22)…..
C. I may expand the business. Speaker 2 (27)…..
D. My job was boring. Speaker 3 (23)…..
D. I am pleased to have assistants. Speaker 3 (28)…..
E. I moved house. Speaker 4 (24)…..
E. My family is supportive. Speaker 4 (29)…..
F. I needed extra money. Speaker 5 (25)…..
F. I decided to give up. Speaker 5 (30)…..
G. My friends persuaded me.
G. It is harder work than being an employee.
H. There were no suitable jobs for me.
H. It surprises me how competitive I am.
The Listening Paper

Which part do
you think is the
most difficult to
deal with?
Which part is
the easiest?

Why?