Format & Timing
Know the rhythm so you can preview, focus, and confirm answers in seconds.
| Component | What to Expect | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Audio length | One everyday conversation with two or three speakers | About 60 seconds |
| Question count | Multiple-choice items covering details, intent, and best follow-up | 5 questions (~45 seconds total) |
| Playback | No repeats, so note key turns during the first listen | Single play |
| Primary focus | Selecting the most accurate interpretation or response | Immediate after audio |
Casual Register: Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Fillers
Daily Life Conversations sound informal, so expect shortened phrases and relaxed pacing. Treat idioms like in a pinch, make it happen, or no worries as signals of attitude. Track phrasal verbs such as sort out, drop by, and pick up on; they often point to the agreed action. Soft fillers—you know, kind of, right?—can show hesitation or a request for confirmation, helping you pinpoint which option reflects the speaker's true stance.
Build a phrase bank with three columns: idiom or phrasal verb, literal meaning, and likely test implication. For example, list "run it by" with the note "ask for approval" so you remember that the correct answer probably involves permission. Add a final column for tone markers such as a rising question or drawn out vowel. Reviewing this grid before timed practice keeps casual language fresh and teaches you to spot when an upbeat phrase hides subtle disappointment.
Turn-Taking & Tone Inference
Tone shifts rarely arrive as explicit statements, so rely on delivery.
- Notice who leads each topic change—decision makers often reframe ideas in their own words before agreeing.
- Mark pace changes: clipped answers can show impatience, while a relaxed laugh may soften a refusal.
- If a speaker echoes another's words, it can confirm approval or underline doubt; use that echo to narrow the answer.
- When a speaker pauses or adds a filler before agreeing, expect the correct option to include a condition or compromise.
Practice with transcripts by marking who initiates each solution and how their wording either softens or escalates tension. During review sessions, replay similar clips and say aloud the implied feelings so your ear links tone markers with likely follow-up actions. As you gain confidence, draft a short summary that states the surface message plus the implied meaning; comparing the two keeps your attention on the emotional subtext that often guides CELPIP answer choices.
Common Distractors in Conversations
- Keyword traps: An option may recycle the final nouns you heard but ignore the agreed plan.
- Half solutions: Answers that capture the problem yet skip the fix are tempting but incomplete.
- Third-party confusion: A neighbour or supervisor might be mentioned; ensure the option matches the speakers' decision, not a bystander's idea.
- Future leap: Beware of answers that jump ahead to steps no one confirmed in the conversation.
You can expose distractors quickly by rewriting each option as a short if-then sentence. If the statement does not honour the constraint you heard, strike it out. Build a habit of tagging the exact line in your notes that confirms the correct choice; when you cannot find one, assume the option is a distractor masquerading as a friendly suggestion. This cross-checking routine slows you down by only a second but prevents the common error of picking the answer that mirrors vocabulary instead of intent.
Step-by-Step Strategy
Pre-listening Preview
- Skim answer choices to predict the context—delivery, schedule swap, neighbour favour.
- Underline repeated verbs or time markers; they flag constraints you must verify later.
- Decide which emotions to monitor (frustration, relief, urgency) so you can verify tone-based questions.
While-listening Focus
- Track transitions like "actually," "instead," or "so what you can do"—they often introduce the correct answer.
- Note who has authority to finalise the plan and mark any limits they cannot break.
- Capture tone cues (sighs, chuckles, raised pitch) alongside each idea to connect feelings with actions.
Quick Review
- Match each question to the exact moment in your notes before you read the options.
- Eliminate answers that ignore the final decision maker's priorities.
- If unsure, pick the option that honours the constraint or tone you noted—it is likelier to align with the conversation's outcome.
After you finish answering, debrief in two steps: first, check whether your notes captured every decision shift; second, rewrite the conversation in three sentences (problem, rejected idea, final solution). This reflection reinforces the storyline you need to recognise next time. When you later review official scoring descriptors, note how CLB 9 requires accurate inference; pair that insight with your debrief to confirm you are monitoring both words and underlying intentions.
Practice Micro-Dialogues
Use the micro-dialogues as mini drills: listen to a comparable audio clip, pause after each turn, and predict the question that could follow. Once you have written a question, compare it with the samples below. If your prediction differs, review which tone or fact you missed. This deliberate exercise strengthens your ability to anticipate exam prompts and keeps your mind active during timed sets.
Dialogue 1
Speaker A: "Hey, could you cover my shift Saturday afternoon?"
Speaker B: "I promised my sister I'd help her move, but I can swap my Monday morning with you."
Speaker A: "That works. I'll clear it with the manager."
Sample questions
- What does Speaker B propose?
- Which task still needs confirmation?
Dialogue 2
Customer: "My order says delivered, yet there's nothing on my porch."
Courier: "I left it with the neighbour at 22A because of the rain. I'll text you a drop-off photo."
Customer: "Thanks, I'll pick it up tonight."
Sample questions
- Why did the courier leave the parcel next door?
- What is the customer's next step?
Dialogue 3
Roommate 1: "Is the internet glitching again? I can't upload my report."
Roommate 2: "The modem update is running. Give it five minutes, then reboot the router."
Roommate 1: "Fine, but I'll hotspot if it's still down."
Sample questions
- What solution does Roommate 2 suggest first?
- What fallback plan does Roommate 1 mention?
Practice Mini-Quiz
- A grocery clerk offers to order an item for tomorrow pick-up. What is the most likely purpose of the customer's visit?
- Two co-workers debate staying late; one cites a deadline, the other has childcare duties. Which consideration decides their plan?
- A tenant requests a repair, and the superintendent asks for photos. What should the tenant do next?
- During a volunteer meeting, someone says, "Let's split the route—north for you, south for me." What outcome should you expect?
- A friend says, "If you can't make brunch, at least call Nana." What implied expectation is being set?
Ready to practise?
Boost your Daily Life Conversation accuracy with drills that repeat the exact timing and tone cues you just studied. Track your answers, compare transcripts, and build confidence before test day.
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Start free practice in the portal →FAQs
How long does Listening Part 2 usually last?
The audio runs for roughly a minute, and you answer five questions within about two minutes overall. The tight window rewards quick note anchors and decisive choices.
Can I take notes during the conversation?
Yes—jot short keywords while listening. Separate speakers with initials and capture tone cues so you remember who agreed to what.
What types of speakers appear in Daily Life Conversations?
Expect neighbours, service staff, friends, or colleagues coordinating everyday tasks. Their casual tone can hide important decisions, so track both mood and message.
How do I handle unfamiliar idioms?
Use the context and the response that follows to decode the meaning. Even if the phrase is new, the action that results will steer you to the correct option.
Are distractors based on misheard words?
They usually repeat accurate vocabulary but twist the outcome. Verify how the speakers resolved the issue before selecting an answer.
How often can I replay the audio?
CELPIP offers a single playback, so train with one-play recordings. This builds your attention to tone and detail the first time through.
Do tone and emotion affect scoring?
Indirectly—they guide you toward answers that match implied meaning. Recognising frustration, relief, or insistence keeps you aligned with the speakers' real intentions.
Is there a penalty for guessing?
No. If you are unsure, use your notes on constraints and tone to make an informed choice rather than leaving the item blank.