CELPIP Listening Test 2026 | Practice Questions & Audio Tips

🎯

Test Structure

✅ Duration: 47-55 minutes
✅ Sections: 6 different parts
✅ Questions: 38 total questions
✅ Format: Multiple choice
✅ Playback: Audio plays only once

📈

Scoring Levels

CLB 9-10 Advanced

CLB 7-8 Intermediate+

CLB 5-6 Intermediate

CLB 3-4 Basic

📅 Test Timeline & Parts

Part 1: Problem Solving

8 questions

Listen to conversations about everyday problems and solutions

⏱️ ~8-10 minutes

Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

5 questions

Listen to casual conversations about daily activities

⏱️ ~5-6 minutes

Part 3: Information

6 questions

Listen to instructional or informational monologues

⏱️ ~6-7 minutes

Part 4: News Item

5 questions

Listen to news reports and broadcasts

⏱️ ~5-6 minutes

Part 5: Discussion

8 questions

Listen to group discussions and meetings

⏱️ ~10-12 minutes

Part 6: Viewpoints

6 questions

Listen to a single speaker defending a viewpoint with evidence.

⏱️ ~8-10 minutes

Explore Part 6 strategies

🎧 Detailed Guide: All 6 Parts

🔧 Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

8 questions 8-10 min

📋 What to Expect:

• Conversations about workplace problems
• Customer service scenarios
• Planning and scheduling issues
• Technical difficulties and solutions

🎯 Key Strategies:

• Focus on problems and solutions
• Note who suggests what
• Listen for decision-making language
• Pay attention to reasons and consequences

💡 Note-Taking Tips:

Problem: WiFi down

Solution 1: Call IT (Person A)

Solution 2: Use mobile data (Person B)

Decision: Call IT + backup plan

⚠️ Common Traps:

• Multiple solutions mentioned
• Changed decisions
• Similar-sounding options

💬 Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

5 questions 5-6 min

📋 What to Expect:

• Casual conversations between friends
• Family discussions
• Social plans and arrangements
• Personal experiences and stories

🎯 Key Strategies:

• Listen for emotions and attitudes
• Note relationship between speakers
• Focus on plans and arrangements
• Catch implied meanings

💡 Note-Taking Template:

Who: Sarah & Mike

Topic: Weekend plans

Problem: Weather bad

Solution: Indoor activities

Feeling: Disappointed but flexible

⚠️ Watch Out For:

• Sarcasm and humor
• Changed plans mid-conversation
• Indirect suggestions

📚 Part 3: Listening for Information

6 questions 6-7 min

📋 What to Expect:

• Instructional monologues
• How-to explanations
• Procedural information
• Announcements and notices

🎯 Key Strategies:

• Focus on sequence and steps
• Note specific details (numbers, dates)
• Listen for transition words
• Identify main points vs. details

💡 Sequential Notes:

Topic: Library registration

Step 1: Fill form online

Step 2: Bring ID + proof address

Step 3: Photo taken

Note: Valid 2 years

🔑 Signal Words:

First Then Finally Remember

📰 Part 4: News Item

5 questions 5-6 min

📋 What to Expect:

• Broadcast-style reports featuring anchors and field clips
• Dense clusters of statistics, quotes, and place names
• Coverage focused on what happened, why it matters, and next steps
• Questions blending main idea, detail, inference, and tone

🎯 Key Strategies:

• Split notes into “headline” vs. “supporting facts” columns
• Mark comparison phrases (more than, fewer than) before numbers pass by
• Track tone shifts when witnesses or experts are quoted
• Anticipate newsroom sequencing: what → why → impact → next

📝 Note-Taking Framework:

Headline: City unveils zero-emission buses

Key Stat: 18 routes by Nov

Impact: Commute shorter + cleaner air

Tone: Optimistic, forward-looking

Next: Evaluate results in March

📻 Practice Focus:

• Pause local news clips to paraphrase the main takeaway
• Tag every number with its unit (%, $, km) to prevent mix-ups
• Summarise each speaker’s attitude with a single adjective

Go to Part 4 guide

👥 Part 5: Discussion

8 questions 10-12 min

📋 What to Expect:

• Moderated workplace or community discussions
• Two or three speakers weighing options and proposing conditions
• Polite disagreement, hedging, and concessions before decisions
• Questions probing who supports which solution and why

🎯 Key Strategies:

• Assign each speaker initials plus stance (support, oppose, unsure)
• Map proposals along the left side and tick who backs or rejects each one
• Flag hedging words (might, could, prefer) to catch tentative agreements
• Listen for moderator summaries confirming next steps or unresolved issues

🗂️ Discussion Map Template:

Proposal: Extend garden hours

A (Liaison): Support -- pilot with volunteers

B (Resident): Unsure -- needs lighting budget

C (Resident): Support if quiet hours kept

Outcome: Test evenings for 4 weeks

🎧 Practice Focus:

• Rephrase each speaker's reason in five words or fewer
• Circle any conditions tied to agreement before choosing answers
• Predict the moderator's wrap-up to prepare for outcome questions

Go to Part 5 guide

📰 Part 4: News Item

5 questions • News reports, weather, traffic

Focus: Main facts, who/what/when/where

Strategy: Note key information quickly

👥 Part 5: Discussion

8 questions • Group meetings, debates

Focus: Multiple speakers, different views

Strategy: Track who says what

💭 Part 6: Viewpoints

6 questions • Viewpoint monologues, persuasive arguments

Focus: Speaker stance, tone shifts, evidence quality

Strategy: Track main claim, support, and conditions

Go to Part 6 guide

📝 Master Note-Taking Strategies

✍️ Essential Symbols & Abbreviations

Common Symbols:

& = and

w/ = with

w/o = without

→ = leads to

∵ = because

∴ = therefore

≠ = not equal

+ = positive/good

- = negative/bad

Time & Numbers:

@ = at

b4 = before

2day = today

2moro = tomorrow

wknd = weekend

yr = year

mo = month

1st, 2nd = first, second

🎯 Note-Taking Templates

Problem-Solution Template:

Problem: ________________

Cause: _________________

Solution 1: _____________

Solution 2: _____________

Decision: _______________

Information Template:

Topic: _________________

Step 1: ________________

Step 2: ________________

Step 3: ________________

Important: ______________

🚀 Pro Note-Taking Tips

✅ Write while listening - don't wait for pauses
✅ Use your own shorthand - whatever works for you
✅ Focus on key words - not complete sentences
✅ Draw connections - use arrows and lines
✅ Mark important points - use *, !, or highlighting
✅ Practice regularly - speed comes with practice

🗣️ Common Accents in CELPIP

🍁

Canadian English

Common Features:

• "About" sounds like "aboot"
• "Process" = PRO-cess
• Ending "-ing" clear
• "Sorry" = "sore-ee"

🇬🇧

British English

Common Features:

• Non-rhotic "r" sounds
• "Can't" = "caant"
• "Schedule" = "shed-yule"
• "Been" = "bean"

🇺🇸

American English

Common Features:

• Strong "r" sounds
• "Can't" = "cant"
• "Schedule" = "sked-yule"
• "Been" = "bin"

🎧 Accent Preparation Strategies

📱 Practice Resources:

• CBC Radio (Canadian content)
• BBC World Service (British)
• NPR podcasts (American)
• YouTube channels from different regions
• CELPIP practice tests

💡 Adaptation Tips:

• Focus on context clues
• Don't panic if accent is unfamiliar
• Listen for key words, not every word
• Practice with various speed recordings
• Use subtitles initially, then remove them

💡 Essential Listening Tips

⏰ Before the Audio Starts

1

Read questions quickly

Identify what information you need

2

Predict possible answers

Think about what you might hear

3

Prepare your notes template

Set up your note-taking structure

🎧 During the Audio

1

Stay calm and focused

Don't panic if you miss something

2

Listen for keywords

Focus on main ideas and specific details

3

Take strategic notes

Write key points, not everything

🚨 What to Do When You're Lost

😰

Don't Panic

Stay calm and keep listening for the next question

⏭️

Move Forward

Focus on the next question rather than dwelling on what you missed

🎯

Use Context

Use surrounding information to make educated guesses

⚡ Speed Training Tips

Start with music: Listen to English songs and try to catch lyrics
📺 Watch with subtitles: Gradually remove subtitles as you improve
🗣️ Practice with different speeds: Use YouTube playback speed controls
📻 Listen to podcasts: Start with topics you're interested in
Join conversation groups: Practice listening in real conversations

📊 CELPIP Listening Scoring

CLB Level Breakdown

CLB Level	CELPIP Score	Description	Typical Performance
CLB 10	10	Advanced	Understands complex discussions, implied meanings
CLB 9	9	Advanced	Understands most content, minor gaps acceptable
CLB 8	8	Intermediate High	Good comprehension, some complex structures missed
CLB 7	7	Intermediate High	Understands main ideas and most details
CLB 6	6	Intermediate	Understands main ideas, struggles with details
CLB 5	5	Intermediate	Basic comprehension of familiar topics
CLB 4	4	Basic	Limited comprehension, misses key information

🎯 Score Improvement Strategies

For CLB 9-10 (Advanced):

• Master inference and implication questions
• Practice with complex academic content
• Work on speed and accuracy together
• Focus on nuanced language understanding

For CLB 7-8 (Intermediate+):

• Strengthen note-taking skills
• Practice with different accents
• Focus on detail questions
• Build vocabulary for specific topics

For CLB 5-6 (Intermediate):

• Focus on main idea identification
• Practice basic note-taking
• Work on common vocabulary
• Use prediction strategies

📈 Practice Schedule

Daily (15-20 minutes):

Listen to English audio (news, podcasts, conversations)

3x per week (30 minutes):

Practice with CELPIP-style questions

Weekly (45 minutes):

Complete practice test or focus on weak areas

Bi-weekly:

Assess progress and adjust study plan

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🎧 Can I adjust the volume during the test?

Yes, you can adjust the volume at the beginning of each section. Make sure to set it at a comfortable level during the volume check.

🔄 Will the audio be repeated?

No, each audio clip is played only once. This is why note-taking and active listening are crucial for success.

📝 Can I take notes on paper?

Yes, you'll be provided with erasable note board and marker. Use it strategically to write down key information.

⏰ What if I finish early?

You can review your answers if you finish before time runs out. Use this time to double-check any uncertain answers.

🤔 Should I guess if I don't know?

Yes, there's no penalty for wrong answers. If you're unsure, eliminate obviously wrong options and make an educated guess.

🗣️ What accents can I expect?

Primarily Canadian, American, and British accents. The test reflects the multicultural nature of Canadian English.

📊 How is the score calculated?

Your score is based on the number of correct answers. Each part contributes equally to your final listening score (CLB 3-10).

What's a good listening score?

For immigration purposes, CLB 7+ is typically required. For citizenship, CLB 4+ is usually sufficient. Check specific requirements for your situation.

Test Structure

Scoring Levels

📅 Test Timeline & Parts

Part 1: Problem Solving

Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

Part 3: Information

Part 4: News Item

Part 5: Discussion

Part 6: Viewpoints

🎧 Detailed Guide: All 6 Parts

🔧 Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

📋 What to Expect:

🎯 Key Strategies:

💡 Note-Taking Tips:

⚠️ Common Traps:

💬 Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

📋 What to Expect:

🎯 Key Strategies:

💡 Note-Taking Template:

⚠️ Watch Out For:

📚 Part 3: Listening for Information

📋 What to Expect:

🎯 Key Strategies:

💡 Sequential Notes:

🔑 Signal Words:

📰 Part 4: News Item

📋 What to Expect:

🎯 Key Strategies:

📝 Note-Taking Framework:

📻 Practice Focus:

👥 Part 5: Discussion

📋 What to Expect:

🎯 Key Strategies:

🗂️ Discussion Map Template:

🎧 Practice Focus:

📰 Part 4: News Item

👥 Part 5: Discussion

💭 Part 6: Viewpoints

📝 Master Note-Taking Strategies

✍️ Essential Symbols & Abbreviations

🎯 Note-Taking Templates

🚀 Pro Note-Taking Tips

🗣️ Common Accents in CELPIP

Canadian English

British English

American English

🎧 Accent Preparation Strategies

📱 Practice Resources:

💡 Adaptation Tips:

💡 Essential Listening Tips

⏰ Before the Audio Starts

🎧 During the Audio

🚨 What to Do When You're Lost

Don't Panic

Move Forward

Use Context

⚡ Speed Training Tips

📊 CELPIP Listening Scoring

CLB Level Breakdown

🎯 Score Improvement Strategies

For CLB 9-10 (Advanced):

For CLB 7-8 (Intermediate+):

For CLB 5-6 (Intermediate):

📈 Practice Schedule

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🎧 Can I adjust the volume during the test?

🔄 Will the audio be repeated?

📝 Can I take notes on paper?

⏰ What if I finish early?

🤔 Should I guess if I don't know?

🗣️ What accents can I expect?

📊 How is the score calculated?

What's a good listening score?

Ready to Master CELPIP Listening?