Listening skill and its tasks

The CELPIP Listening section takes 47–55 minutes and contains 6 parts with a total of 38 questions. All questions are multiple-choice. You hear audio clips once only — there's no rewind. The audio features a variety of Canadian accents and everyday speech patterns.

Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving (6 questions)

You hear a conversation between two people who are working through a problem. Questions focus on the nature of the problem, the solutions discussed, and who suggests what.

• Audio type — Dialogue between two speakers
• What it tests — Identifying the problem, understanding each speaker's perspective and proposed solution

Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Situation (5 questions)

You hear a phone call, voicemail, or radio announcement. Questions ask about specific details, the purpose of the message, and key information the listener is expected to act on.

• Audio type — Phone call, voicemail, or radio message
• What it tests — Specific details, purpose of communication, actionable information

Part 3: Listening for Information (5 questions)

You hear an instructional or informational audio — a tour guide, a trainer giving instructions, or someone explaining a process. Questions test your ability to follow steps, note facts, and understand the sequence of information.

• Audio type — Instructional monologue or guided explanation
• What it tests — Sequence, specific facts, understanding steps or rules

Part 4: Listening to a News Item (5 questions)

You hear a radio or television news report. Questions focus on who, what, when, where, and why — typical journalism-style comprehension.

• Audio type — News broadcast or documentary-style report
• What it tests — Key facts, cause-and-effect relationships, understanding news language

Part 5: Listening to a Discussion (8 questions)

You hear a conversation between two or more people discussing a topic — often a decision or debate. Questions test your understanding of each speaker's opinion, their reasons, and points of agreement or disagreement.

• Audio type — Multi-speaker discussion or debate
• What it tests — Opinions, attitudes, supporting evidence, speakers' agreements and disagreements

Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints (8 questions)

You hear a longer monologue or lecture — a presentation, a community talk, or an opinion piece. This is the most challenging listening part: questions test the main argument, supporting evidence, and the conclusions the speaker draws.

• Audio type — Extended talk, lecture, or opinion presentation
• What it tests — Main argument, evidence, conclusions, speaker's tone and attitude