Guide & Tips

#1. Problem Solving

Listening Part 1 of the CELPIP test is designed to evaluate your ability to understand and respond to everyday problem-solving situations. This section is the easiest in the listening test, so it’s a great opportunity to build confidence and score well early on.

🧩 Overview of Listening Part 1

  • Type: Conversational dialogue between two people (always one man and one woman).
  • Relationship: They are strangers — one has a problem, and the other offers help.
  • Structure:
    • Divided into 3 short audio segments (each 40–90 seconds).
    • After each segment, you answer 2–3 multiple choice questions.
    • Audio plays once only.
    • Questions are read aloud once — no text on screen during reading.

🎧 Key Listening Skills

To succeed, focus on:

  1. Understanding the context — who is speaking and what the situation is.
  2. Identifying the problem and solution.
  3. Following the order of events — questions often follow the sequence of the conversation.
  4. Noticing tone and emphasis — helps with inference-based questions.

📝 How to Take Efficient Notes

1. Set Up Your Note Page

Use a simple T-chart format:

Man Woman (notes) (notes)

  • Label each side with “Man” and “Woman” to track who says what.
  • Use the introductory statement and picture shown before the audio to know who’s who (e.g., customer/server).

2. Use Smart Shortcuts

  • Don't write full sentences.
  • Use:
    • Abbreviations (e.g., appt for appointment),
    • Symbols (e.g., $ for money),
    • Question marks for things being asked,
    • "vs" for comparisons.

3. Capture Key Points

Listen for and note the 5Ws:

  • Who is speaking?
  • What is the issue or topic?
  • Where is it happening?
  • When is something happening (times, days)?
  • Why is something being said or done?

📚 Types of Questions to Expect

1. General Meaning Questions

  • Ask about the overall purpose or main idea.
  • Example: “What is the main reason for the conversation?”

2. Specific Information Questions

  • Focus on a detail or fact (e.g., a time, choice, price, name).
  • Often answerable from one word or phrase.

3. Inference Questions

  • Require you to read between the lines.
  • The answer is not stated directly — you must combine clues from the dialogue.
  • Example: “Why does the person ask so many questions?”

🧠 Test Strategies

  • Use the image and description before the audio to understand the situation.
  • Prepare your notes setup before the audio begins.
  • Listen actively — don’t daydream.
  • Keep your notes short but meaningful.
  • Review your notes immediately after the audio ends — before the questions are asked.
  • Match answers logically to your notes — use elimination to discard clearly wrong choices.
  • Guess if unsure — there is no penalty for wrong answers.

🛎 Final Reminders

  • You’ll only hear each audio clip once.
  • Questions are read aloud only once — you cannot replay them.
  • Organize your notes clearly and consistently.
  • Be ready for questions that require literal memory and ones that require logical deduction.
  • Practice note-taking using real audio samples so your ear gets used to focusing and writing quickly.