Listening to Viewpoints is Listening Part 6. It has 6 questions, and all of them are multiple choice. The audio plays once, so you get one chance to catch what people think and why. This guide gives you a plan, an example I wrote myself, and the mistakes to avoid.
1.What the task is
- The task name is Listening to Viewpoints. It is number 6 in the Listening part of CELPIP General.
- It has 6 questions.
- The questions are multiple choice.
- The audio plays once.
- The Listening test has 38 scored items.
As the name says, the task is about viewpoints. Think about what a person believes, what reasons they give, and how they feel about it.
2.How it is scored
- Each question is right or wrong.
- There is no penalty for a wrong answer. Always choose an answer, even if you are not sure.
- CELPIP levels 4 to 12 map one to one to CLB 4 to 12. The level number and the CLB number are the same.
Because each question is simply right or wrong, one missed question does not cost you the next one. Let it go and keep listening.
3.A plan that fits most tasks
- Find the main viewpoint first. Ask yourself what the person thinks about the topic. Is it for, against, or somewhere in between?
- Catch the reasons. A viewpoint usually comes with one or more reasons or examples. Questions often ask why.
- Listen for turning words. Words like "but", "however", "although" and "I'm afraid" can change the meaning of a sentence.
- Notice the feeling. Tone words such as worried, pleased, doubtful or hopeful help you pick the right answer.
- Match the meaning, not the words. The correct answer may say the same idea in different words.
- Answer, then move on. Pick your best choice and refocus right away. The audio plays once, so you cannot go back.
If you have no idea, guess. A guess cannot lower your score.
4.A worked example
Script (written for this guide): "I understand why the city wants to close Market Street to cars on weekends. It would be quieter and safer for families. But I run a bakery, and many of my customers drive in from other towns. If they cannot park nearby, I'm afraid they will stop coming. I would support the plan if the city added a free shuttle bus."
Question 1. What does the speaker think about the plan?
- A. She is strongly against it.
- B. She would support it if one thing changed.
- C. She fully supports it.
- D. She has no opinion about it.
Answer: B. The speaker starts with good points, then says "But". Her last sentence gives a condition: "I would support the plan if the city added a free shuttle bus." She is not strongly against it, so A is wrong. She is not fully for it, so C is wrong. She clearly has an opinion, so D is wrong.
Question 2. Why is she worried?
- A. The street will be too noisy.
- B. Her customers may not be able to park.
- C. Families will not feel safe.
- D. The shuttle bus will be too expensive.
Answer: B. She says customers drive in from other towns and "cannot park nearby". The other options use ideas from the script but do not match her worry. She says the street would be quieter and safer, and the shuttle bus is her suggestion.
5.Common mistakes
- Choosing an answer only because it repeats a word you heard. Check that the meaning matches.
- Missing the word "but" and picking the first opinion you heard instead of the final one.
- Mixing up a fact the person mentions with the viewpoint they hold.
- Thinking about a missed question for too long and missing the next one.
- Leaving a question empty. There is no penalty for a wrong answer.
6.Next step
Practice with the audio playing once, the way you will need to listen on test day: Try a free Listening to Viewpoints set.