CELPIP Listening Part 1 — Problem Solving — tips, template & practice

• 8 questions, 1 point each.
• Multiple choice — 4 options per question.
• Questions follow the audio order.
• No transfer time — answer as you go.

The pre-question scan (15 seconds before audio):

1. Read all 8 questions quickly. 2. Underline keywords (names, topics, action verbs). 3. Predict what kind of answer each question expects.

During audio: listen for opinion changes, agreements, and decisions. The FINAL decision is usually the answer to 'What will they do?' questions.

• Follow question order — answers come in sequence.
• Watch for distractor traps: an option mentioned and rejected. The REJECTED option is wrong.
• Listen for decision verbs: 'Let's', 'Why don't we', 'I think we should'.
• If two people disagree, the final compromise is usually the answer.
• Never leave blank — guess if needed.

• Picking the first mentioned option without waiting for the final decision.
• Hesitating on a missed question and missing the next one too.
• Not using the pre-question scan window.
• Confusing speaker A with speaker B in 2-speaker dialogues.