Listening to Problem Solving is Part 1 of the CELPIP General Listening test. It has 8 questions. This guide explains the task, how it is scored, a plan you can use, and a short example I wrote for this guide. It is written for learners aiming for CLB 6 to 9.
1.What the task is
The task is called Listening to Problem Solving. It is Part 1 of the Listening test and has 8 questions. The audio plays once, so you cannot hear it again. All questions are multiple choice.
From the name, expect to follow a problem and how people deal with it. Your job is to catch what the problem is, what ideas come up, and what is finally decided.
2.How it is scored
- Each question is marked right or wrong.
- There is no penalty for a wrong answer. Never leave a question empty.
- The Listening test has 38 scored items in total.
- Levels 4 to 12 map one to one to CLB 4 to 12.
3.A plan that fits most tasks
- Get ready before you start. Relax, and focus only on listening. You will not hear the audio again.
- Find the problem. Ask yourself what is wrong or what needs to be solved.
- Follow the ideas. People may suggest several solutions. Note who says what, but expect some ideas to be dropped.
- Wait for the decision. The final plan is often different from the first idea. Listen for words like "so", "then", "let's" and "I'll".
- Check each choice against what you heard. A wrong choice is often something that was mentioned but rejected.
- Answer every question. A guess costs nothing. If you miss a detail, let it go and listen for the next one.
4.A worked example
Audio script (written for this guide, not from the real test):
Maya: Hi Tom. The projector in Room B is not working, and the client meeting starts at two.
Tom: Did you try a different cable?
Maya: Yes. Nothing happened.
Tom: Room A is free until three, but it only seats six. How many people are coming?
Maya: Eight.
Tom: Then let's move the meeting to the lounge and use the big TV there. I'll bring my laptop adapter.
Maya: Great. I'll tell the client about the new room.
Question: What will Maya and Tom do?
- A. Try another cable in Room B
- B. Hold the meeting in Room A
- C. Hold the meeting in the lounge
- D. Move the meeting to a later time
Answer: C. The problem is a broken projector. Another cable was already tried, so A is wrong. Room A was suggested, but it seats six and eight people are coming, so B is wrong. Nobody talks about a later time, so D is wrong. Tom gives the final plan: the lounge and its big TV.
5.Common mistakes
- Choosing the first solution you hear. It is often rejected later.
- Picking an answer because a word from the audio appears in it. Check the meaning too.
- Stopping to think about a missed detail and then missing the next answer.
- Leaving a question blank. There is no penalty for a wrong answer.
- Practising only with replay. The real audio plays once, so practise that way.
6.Next step
Practise with the audio played once: Try a free Listening to Problem Solving set. After each set, review every wrong answer and find the exact words that gave the answer.
Practice results are estimates, not official results.