Get experience of the computer-delivered Listening test with the six different types of example questions below.

For each question, click on the link and follow the instructions. You will have some time before the recording starts to read over the question.

To check your answers, see the ‘Answers and transcripts’ section at the bottom of the page. Full transcripts are provided with the answers.

Questions:

1. Multiple choice with one answer

You will hear an extract from a recording in which a student called Judy is discussing her research with her tutor and fellow students.

 Start your Listening practice test.

2. Multiple choice with more than one answer

You will hear an extract from a recording in which two people are discussing a guide to a library.

 Start your Listening practice test.

3. Matching

You will hear an extract from a recording in which a woman is talking to new staff at a children’s summer camp.

Start your Listening practice test.

4.  Labelling on a map

You will hear an extract from the test in which a tour guide describes different places in a US town.

Start your Listening practice test.

5. Fill in the gaps

You will hear an extract from a recording in which two people are discussing second-hand furniture. 

Start your Listening practice test.

6. Fill in the gaps: short answers

You will hear an extract from a recording of the test in which a representative from a clothing company is giving a talk to high school students.

Start your Listening practice test.

Answers and transcripts:

Answer 1

  1. She wanted to understand her own background.
  2. interviews
  3. organising what she had collected

Transcript: 

M1: Right, Judy, this week it’s your turn to bring us up to date on your dissertation. So?

F1: I’ve finished the basic research and planning, and the first draft, and hopefully I can

start writing the final version now.

M1: Good. Not everyone knows your subject, so you’d better introduce it.

F1: Oh, I’ve chosen to study everyday life in the East End of London in the early

twentieth century. Lots of books have been published about the East End, covering

everything from health to how roads and districts got their names, so you might

think it’s an obvious subject to pick. But in fact I was brought up there, and I’ve

always been interested in finding out how the area shaped my upbringing.

F2: What materials did you use in your research?

F1: As I said, a lot’s been written about the area, and I used some of it to get an idea of

what to cover. But the bulk of my work is based on the elderly people from the area

who I managed to contact and arrange to meet, and then recorded as they talked to

me. And when they referred to any specific events, I looked them up in local

newspapers from the time.

M2: Was it difficult to get enough source material?

F1: Not a bit. The problems started when I thought I had enough material, and sat

down to devise a workable filing system. It took ages, but I was really glad of it

when I came to writing the draft; otherwise it would have been impossible.

Answer 2

In any order:

  • book reservation
  • location of room
  • 3 café

Transcript:

M1: Right, Judy, this week it’s your turn to bring us up to date on your dissertation. So?

F1: I’ve finished the basic research and planning, and the first draft, and hopefully I can start writing the final version now.

M1: Good. Not everyone knows your subject, so you’d better introduce it.

F1: Oh, I’ve chosen to study everyday life in the East End of London in the early twentieth century. Lots of books have been published about the East End, covering everything from health to how roads and districts got their names, so you might think it’s an obvious subject to pick. But in fact I was brought up there, and I’ve always been interested in finding out how the area shaped my upbringing.

F2: What materials did you use in your research?

F1: As I said, a lot’s been written about the area, and I used some of it to get an idea of what to cover. But the bulk of my work is based on the elderly people from the area who I managed to contact and arrange to meet, and then recorded as they talked to me. And when they referred to any specific events, I looked them up in local newspapers from the time.

M2: Was it difficult to get enough source material?

F1: Not a bit. The problems started when I thought I had enough material, and sat down to devise a workable filing system. It took ages, but I was really glad of it when I came to writing the draft; otherwise it would have been impossible.

Answer 3

  1. Rooms
  2. Food
  3. Trips
  4. Sport
  5. Kids’ Counselling

Transcript:

Good morning everyone. Welcome to all our staff on this summer’s Kids’ Camp. It’s nice to see some familiar faces back from last year. Let’s hope this year’s camp is as much fun for the kids as last year.

In our orientation programme this morning I will introduce you to all the people you need to know at the camp. They each have a different responsibility in the centre so it’s a good idea to make a note of who does what.

Well first of all, you all know me, Jill Andrews. I am the co-ordinator here. The next person you need to know is Mary Brown; she’s our accommodation officer, so she deals with all the housekeeping matters concerning both the children’s dormitories and your own accommodation wing.

Next, we have John Stevens, who is our catering manager and he organises all the menus. If you have any special dietary requirements, speak to John and he’ll do his best to accommodate you. We sometimes find that the children complain about not liking certain meals so if there’s a real problem, you should get John involved.

Then we have Alison Jones. She plans all the excursions and does all the bookings for the tour buses etc. Alison also accompanies the children on the excursions and is responsible for making sure that the same number of children return to the centre as leave it!

Tim Smith is in charge of physical education. He’ll organise the big athletics carnival that we have at the end of the camp, but he’ll also plan the individual training sessions for the kids. We have to remember that exercise is one of the key features of this camp.

Last but not least is our wonderful Jenny James. She looks after any of the children who are homesick or have problems getting on with other kids here. So don’t feel you have to deal with those problems yourself, a chat with Jenny usually does the trick. You’ll notice that this year we don’t have a resident first aid person; instead we have a qualified nurse on call at all times should anyone fall ill.

Answer 4

  1. H
  2. A
  3. C

Transcript:

All right, those of you who want to go on the ride, please just wait a moment while I give some directions to the rest of the group.

You’ll notice that the Welcome Centre, where we are, is located on the southwest corner of Elm and Main Streets. For those of you interested in doing a little shopping ... on the other side of Main Street you can see a wonderful quilt shop. These are handmade blankets which are usually made from patches of left over material. They make wonderful gifts, but let me warn you, it will be hard to leave that shop, so you may want to save that for last.

The next street up Main is Ash Street. On the Southside of Ash, is a handicrafts museum worth a look. You’ll be amazed at the variety of handmade crafts there. On Main Street, in the middle of the block past Ash but before Oak Street is a traditional one-room school house. Please be as quiet as possible and do not take photographs, as school is in session.

Answer 5

  1. round
  2. 12 years
  3. 4
  4. green
  5. reasonable
  6. 1.20 metres
  7. lock

Transcript:

M: 348831

F: Oh hello… I’m calling about your advertisement in the local paper.

M: Oh well, there were two ads actually. Was it the one for second-hand furniture?

F: That’s right, yes. Last Thursday…

M: Oh yes… Some of it’s already gone I’m afraid, but… what exactly were you interested in?

F: Mainly the dining room furniture, specially the table. Has that gone yet?

M: Not yet.

F: Oh good. Can you tell me a bit about it?

M: Well, it’s round. I’m not sure of the exact measurements, but it’s medium sized. It seats about six.

F: And how old is it?

M: Mmmm. Mm let’s see…ten years? No it must be twelve by now.

F: And the advertisement said you were asking £25 for that?

M: That’s right.

F: And do you still have the dining chairs?

M: Yes. It’s a set of four chairs – there were two more but over the years a couple have disappeared.

F: What are they like?

M: Quite nice – they’ve got upholstered seats – you know they’re covered in material to make them more comfortable to sit on. That’s green – but you could change it of course, if you wanted something different.

F: What sort of condition are they in?

M: I’d say reasonable – they’ve had a bit of wear. And we’re asking £20 for those.

F: Right. And the other thing I wanted to ask about was the desk. Can you tell me roughly how long the top is, so I know if it’ll fit in my room?

M: Let’s see…It’s 75 cm high I know, and the length’s err 1 metre 20. And it’s 40 cm deep. It’s got 3 drawers – the top one’s got a lock so you can keep your valuables there.

F: And you were asking £50.00 for that?

M: Yes, it’s a bit more because it’s in good condition. But if you want to take the other things too, I could let you have it for forty.

Answer 6

In any order:

  • scientist(s)
  • engineer(s)
  • accountant(s)

Transcript:

Good afternoon everybody and thank you for giving me your time today. Firstly I’d like to talk to you about a career in the fashion industry, then about the kind of people we’re looking for at Pacific Clothing, and finally I’d like to tell you what we offer you if you come to work for us.

All kinds of people work in a wide range of jobs in the clothing industry, from drivers to office workers and artists. At the moment we’re looking to recruit new staff from several professions. Right now we’re on the lookout for scientists, particularly to work with the dyes we use to colour fabrics. And to design the patterns and choose the colours which are going to appeal to consumers, we have a strong design team. We’re not looking for any new designers at present but vacancies may arise in future. However, at the moment we are looking for engineers to work in the production department. Just like any company, we too need practically-minded people to make sure that we’re not spending more than we’re earning, so we’re currently recruiting accountants. They’re not usually associated with fashion but let me tell you, they perform a vital task. But that’s not to say that, if you have qualifications in another field, such as management or sales, we won’t be needing someone like you in the future.

See also