Format & Timing
Part 6 delivers one viewpoint monologue followed by eight questions. Use the checkpoints below to script what you will capture before the audio begins. Think of the timeline as a storyboard: every square you map beforehand reduces panic when the speaker pivots toward a concession or shares data you did not expect.
| Segment | Time & Questions | Listening Priority | Expert Cue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preview screen | 8 seconds | Scan answer options; highlight extremes such as full support or rejection. | Pre-write "Goal / Support / Reservations" so the columns are ready before audio starts. |
| Opening hook | 25-30 seconds | Identify the speaker's role, stake, and initial claim. | Titles hint at default biases toward budgets, safety, or convenience; capture them. |
| Evidence cluster | 40-50 seconds | Log whether the speaker cites statistics, anecdotes, or external input. | Use shorthand "E=" and underline anything quantified to avoid confusing it with viewpoint statements that are actually subjective claims. |
| Counterpoint + close | 20-30 seconds | Catch concessions, calls to action, or final recommendations. | Write transition markers ("however", "ultimately") because questions target them for inference. |
Do a dry run with a blank sheet: sketch the four phases, then force yourself to jot a one-line prediction for what kind of information usually lands there. Repeating this micro-drill five times trains your brain to listen for shifts rather than isolated sentences.
Reminder: question writers love the pivot that happens 15 seconds before the audio ends. Leave a final bullet on your page labelled "last hook" so you do not overlook the closing condition or recommendation.
Stance Detection & Persuasive Language
Label tone first (optimistic, frustrated, cautious) and then decide whether the speaker wants change, delay, or endorsement. Capture persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, analogies, scarcity language ("limited funding"), or appeals to authority. When the speaker hedges ("I'm not against the idea, but..."), jot what they reject along with the conditions required for support. Prioritise verbs that signal urgency - "prioritise", "postpone", "redirect" - because they often align with correct answers.
- Track modal verbs: "Should", "must", or "could" show how strongly the speaker wants action. Pair them with the noun they modify to avoid misquoting intent.
- Note emotion words: Expressions such as "thrilled", "worried", or "skeptical" often point to questions about attitude or tone. Highlight them so they stand out when scanning notes.
- Flag comparisons: Anytime the speaker contrasts current plans with prior attempts, mark which option they prefer and why. These comparisons usually anchor detail questions.
If you struggle to describe tone quickly, rehearse paraphrasing podcasts in a single adjective plus one verb ("cautiously endorses pilot"). Building that muscle makes it easier to justify answer choices that refer to subtle approval, reluctant support, or conditional rejection.
Evidence vs Anecdotes; Recognising Fallacies
Split your notes into two columns: "Evidence" for verifiable data and "Anecdote" for personal memories. When a claim lacks proof, mark it with "?" to avoid answer choices that inflate it into fact. Watch for these fallacies:
- False cause: Linking events without proof ("ever since the park opened, traffic exploded").
- Straw person: Misstating an opposing idea ("critics say we must double the budget") to dismiss it.
- Either-or framing: Presenting only two outcomes to force agreement.
- Emotional overreach: Leaning on fear or nostalgia instead of actionable data.
Add shorthand labels beside each reference so you can separate facts from storytelling at a glance: "S" for statistics, "P" for policy citations, "XP" for personal experience. During review, challenge yourself to rewrite every anecdote into a neutral sentence; if you cannot, it is likely a distractor waiting to appear in the questions.
When evaluating evidence, ask three questions: Is the source trustworthy? Does the claim directly support the recommendation? Did the speaker acknowledge any limitations? These mini-checks sharpen your ability to reject answer options that exaggerate or misattribute support.
Strategy Before/During/After Listening
Before the clip
- Map each answer option to shorthand (A, B, C...) and predict whether it targets main idea, purpose, or tone.
- Choose a layout such as "Claim / Reason / Evidence / Caveat" so the monologue flows into tidy columns.
- Skim the answer stems for recurring nouns (budget, schedule, training). These words usually preview what the speaker will emphasize, so you can prepare icons or abbreviations for them.
Spend at least one practice session rehearsing silence: close your eyes, visualise the topic hints, and plan how to document contrasts. This deliberate calm makes the eight-second preview feel longer because you enter it with a script.
During the clip
- Record verbs and qualifiers rather than full sentences to stay present for perspective shifts.
- Use arrows to show whether each new point advances or contradicts the opening stance.
- Circle contrasts ("while", "however", "even though") because they precede question-worthy pivots.
- Annotate tone changes with quick emojis or symbols (+, -, ?). Visual cues help you revisit emotional beats faster when answering questions out of order.
If you miss a sentence, do not chase it. Anchor yourself by underlining the last phrase you understood and wait for the speaker to confirm or challenge it. Panic scribbles waste more comprehension than a calm pause.
After the clip
- Spend the first seconds reordering notes to match question order, linking related points.
- Answer inference or tone questions while the attitude is vivid, then tackle factual recall.
- When unsure, eliminate options that contradict your qualifiers before making an educated guess.
- Mark guesses with a check so you can analyse them later; patterns in your guesses reveal which sub-skills need more drills.
Set a timer when practising. Give yourself 20 seconds after each audio to clean up notes, because that is roughly all you will get on test day. Ending practice runs with realistic timing locks in discipline.
CLB Scoring Hints
CLB descriptors judge how consistently you understand both explicit information and implied meaning. Track progress with a mini dashboard: overall accuracy, tone accuracy, detail accuracy, and confidence level. Update it weekly so you can see which habits boost or drag your results.
- CLB 9+ answers show precise grasp of implied meaning; practise paraphrasing the speaker's purpose in under ten words.
- CLB 8 rewards accuracy, so aim for error-free detail questions even if tone items feel subjective.
- CLB 7 recognises partial comprehension; if numbers slip by, focus on cause-effect and recommendation-condition links.
- Track accuracy by sub-skill (main idea, detail, inference) and close the weakest column to nudge your descriptor upward.
- Review every mistake by restating the audio proof that invalidates your answer. This reflection hardwires the reasoning style examiners expect from CLB 9 candidates.
Viewpoint Monologue Lab
Monologue 1: Cycling Lane Reallocation
A city transportation planner argues for converting a downtown lane into a protected cycling corridor, citing hospital data and commuter surveys while acknowledging delivery-driver concerns. Focus on how the planner distinguishes between short-term disruption and long-term safety gains; that contrast typically fuels an inference question.
- Which reason does the planner prioritise when justifying the reallocation?
- What condition must be met before the planner supports night-time deliveries?
Practice tip: draw a mini T-chart with "Safety Gains" and "Logistics Risk" headers. Fill it during the audio so you can visualise how the planner balances community sentiment against business needs.
Monologue 2: Workplace Wellness App Subscription
An HR consultant weighs the pros and cons of paying for a mindfulness app, referencing burnout metrics, privacy worries, and a phased pilot proposal. Listen for how the consultant frames staff objections; they often paraphrase an employee's worry before rebutting it, which is gold for detail questions.
- Why does the consultant argue for a pilot instead of a full rollout?
- Which objection from staff does the consultant address most directly?
After answering, rewrite each question from memory and explain which sentence in the audio justified your choice. This quick debrief builds the explain-your-answer muscles needed for CLB 9.
Practice Mini-Quiz
Use these prompts after every practice recording. Answer in writing, then compare your response to your notes to see whether you captured enough detail to justify each decision. Rotate between typing and handwriting so you stay flexible under exam conditions.
- Which two note columns keep evidence and anecdotes separated in Part 6?
- How can you spot a straw-person argument in a single-speaker clip?
- Which audio segment usually reveals the best clue for tone-based questions?
- What is your first action after the clip ends to prevent decision fatigue?
- Which CLB descriptor are you targeting this week, and which question type blocks that goal most often?
Set a timer for three minutes to answer all five. Compressing your reflections improves retrieval speed and simulates the mental sprint required to review answers before time expires.
Ready to practise?
Unlock timed Listening Part 6 sets that mirror the exact interface and official instructions.
Compare annotated answer keys to see how high scorers paraphrase stances and justify selections.
Join accountability nudges so you actually complete two viewpoint drills per week.
Inside the portal you will also find tracking dashboards, vocabulary refreshers, and peer benchmarks so you can measure progress in real time.
Start free practice in the portal →FAQs
How long is the CELPIP Listening Part 6 audio?
Expect a 90-120 second monologue followed by eight questions that must be answered within roughly four minutes. There are no replays, so concise note-taking is critical.
Can I pause or rewind the audio?
No. CELPIP delivers each Listening clip once without playback controls. Train with single-pass podcasts or newscasts and summarise them immediately afterward.
What note-taking layout works best for viewpoint tasks?
Use a three-column grid labelled "Claim / Proof / Caveat" so you can tie every question back to one of those anchors. Add arrows or symbols instead of full sentences.
How do I tell if an answer choice exaggerates the speaker's view?
Compare it to the qualifiers in your notes. If an option removes conditions ("supports funding" vs "supports funding if grants arrive"), it likely misrepresents the stance.
Which fallacies appear most in Part 6?
False cause, straw-person summaries, and either-or framing mirror real civic debates. Mark them so you can recognise distractors that reward critical thinking.
How is Part 6 weighted in the CLB score?
Part 6 feeds into the overall Listening descriptor, so accurate responses can offset minor misses in earlier sections. Consistently answering six or more questions keeps you within CLB 8-9 expectations.
How often should I practise Part 6?
Plan two focused sessions per week: one for timed drills, one for slow-motion analysis. In the second session, pause after each paragraph to label tone and evidence so you can see exactly where you lose precision.
Can I rely on transcripts or AI summaries?
Use transcripts only after you have attempted the questions. Comparing your notes to the official text is a powerful way to spot missing qualifiers, but reading first trains the wrong skill and dulls your single-pass listening reflex.