What to do
Extracts

What to do

In this part of the Listening exam, you listen to three or six (depending on the level) short extracts and answer two multiple-choice questions on each one.

You can listen to each extract twice.

Watch out for distractors = pieces of information to try and distract your attention from the real answer.

To avoid these ‘distractors’, focus on the question and write down what you think is the answer.

After this, look at the options and see if one option is more appropriate.

You won’t usually hear the answer in exactly the same words as in the question. The keywords that give you the answer will usually be a paraphrase of the words used in the question.

What is paraphrased language? Well, it’s expressing the same thing in a different way by using different vocabulary, grammar and even word order.

Strategy

1. Before you listen, read the statement that introduces each extract and the two questions that follow.
2. You may hear monologues or dialogues from real-life situations: a conversation overheard on a bus, or someone talking on the radio, for example.
3. Listen for gist the first time, noting the options you think are correct. Watch out for traps: some words or expressions may be misleading and two of the options are there to confuse you.
4. The second time you listen, check your answers carefully.
5. Don’t choose an option because you hear the same word.