Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving
Format
- 8 questions, about 30 seconds per question.
- A conversation between two people about a specific problem. One person describes issues, and together they discuss possible solutions. You must identify the problem, the solutions considered, and the final decision.
- Audio plays in 3 segments. After each segment, you listen to and answer multiple-choice questions. The questions are also audio-only and not displayed on screen.
- Example scenarios: returning a defective laptop, resolving a hotel booking issue, handling a car rental problem, dealing with a furniture delivery mix-up.
Strategies
1
Identify the problem in the first exchange
The problem is almost always introduced in the first 20-30 seconds. Listen for phrases like "The thing is…", "I'm having trouble with…", or "I need help with…"
2
Track all solutions mentioned, then pick the final one
Multiple solutions are typically discussed. Earlier suggestions are often dismissed ("That won't work because…"). The correct answer usually relates to the last agreed-upon solution.
3
Pay attention to agreement cues
Listen for "That's a great idea," "Let's do that," "I think that would work." These phrases signal the final decision.
4
Note conditions and qualifications
Sometimes the final solution comes with conditions ("We can do X, but only if Y"). Questions often test whether you caught these nuances.
Example
Note: In the real exam, the audio plays once with no replay and no pause. The questions are also audio-only and will not appear as text on screen.
You will hear a conversation in 3 sections. The conversation is between a sales associate and a customer at an electronics store. The customer is returning a recently purchased item.
Listen to the conversation.
How to apply the strategies
- Strategy #1 (Identify the problem early): The customer states the problem in the first exchange: "The battery just doesn't hold a charge anymore." This directly maps to option B.
- Options A, C, and D are distractors that sound related to laptop issues but don't match the specific complaint.
- The audio uses the word "battery" while the correct answer rephrases it as "power source." The test often paraphrases key details like this.
Practice Listening Now
Apply these strategies with real CELPIP-style listening questions.
Start Practicing