CPE LISTENING PRACTICE #1

STRATEGY MULTIPLE CHOICE

Tip #1: Identify the key words

Underline the content words in each option and use them to grasp the general meaning.

Tip #2: Analyse the options

It can be extremely difficult to simultaneously read the options and listen to the recording so it is
important that the key difference between the options, if there is any, be identified beforehand.
Then rephrase the options in your own words to better understand them.

All three options will have their key words mentioned but only one is the correct answer. Do not
rely on your intuition. Try to understand the meaning of the recording in its entirety.

Tip #3: Eliminate the wrong options

An important part of doing multiple choice questions is leaving out the wrong options as soon as
you hear a piece of information that allows you to do so. This increases your chance of success.

Tip #4: The question/stem always comes first

In the recording, the information often includes an exact key word from the question/stem to
“prime” you for the answer. Use this to navigate your way as the recording plays.

Tip #5: Allocate your energy logically

There are sentences that only serve to give additional information but do not actually contribute
to our search for the answer. Ease yourself during these sentences and heighten your focus
when the keywords show up.

MINI-PRACTICE MULTIPLE CHOICE

Extract 1
You will hear a woman describing her personality.
1. The woman says that
A. her attitude to her personality has changed.
B. people have changed the way they see her.
C. her personality has changed.

2. She believes that extroverts

A. are more valued by society than introverts.
B. have more strengths than introverts.
C. should behave more like introverts.

Extract 2
You will hear an interview with a sociologist about crowd behaviour.
3. The Contagion theory suggests that
A. individuals cannot resist the emotions of a crowd.
B. like-minded people form crowds.
C. individuals cannot be held responsible for their behaviour.

4. The Convergence effect supports the idea that

A. crowds change what individuals believe.
B. crowds attract people with similar beliefs.

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 C. individuals lose their identity in crowds.

FULL PRACTICE MULTIPLE CHOICE

You will hear three different extracts.

For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, B or C) which fits best according to what you hear.
There are two questions for each extract.

Extract One
You hear two careers advisers discussing whether students should take a year off after
graduation to go travelling.
1. When mentioning recent statistics on graduates taking gap years, the man reveals
A. his scepticism about the value of rushing to get a job after university.
B. his doubts about the validity of some research.
C. his understanding of the anxiety that prevents them from travelling.

2. What do the two careers advisers agree about a gap year?

A. Some employers consider it a lazy option.
B. The way graduates present it at interview is crucial.
C. Graduates should spend it doing something relevant to their career.

Extract Two
You hear a sociologist talking about consumer buying behaviour.
3. What does the sociologist say about the ‘information search stage’ of decision making?
A. It arouses a desire for a better situation.
B. It is likely to be incomplete.
C. It is a lengthy process.

4. According to the sociologist, how do marketing professionals most successfully influence

people’s choice of product?
A. They aim to create new aspirations in people.
B. They offer updated designs that increase customer satisfaction.
C. They improve websites to make buying their products easy.

Extract Three
You hear a man who has an internet company talking about selling goods online.
5. In the man’s opinion, what is most needed when selling goods online?
A. an appreciation of how it differs from shop-based selling
B. a willingness to adapt quickly to new circumstances
C. an awareness of how to make a website attractive

6. What is the man doing in answer to the interviewer’s question about growing an online
business?
A. comparing the advantages of two business theories
B. warning of the dangers of inadequate funding
C. suggesting the use of external consultants

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PART 2
You will hear a student, Hannah Jorden, giving a short talk on the topic of soil.
For questions 7-15, complete the sentences with a word or short phrase.

Hannah has found out that people have used soil as a (7) __________ for thousands of years.

Hannah says that the increase in (8) __________ is putting pressure on the way we use soil.

Pollutants from waste in the soil can enter the (9)__________ and can affect both plants and
humans.

Hannah has found evidence showing that waste pollution reduces the number of (10) __________
in the soil.

The main cause of inorganic pollution is the (11)__________ which takes place in many countries.

Hannah is interested in the fact that organic pollutants can directly affect the (12) __________ in
humans

Hannah gives the example of (13)__________ as a natural cause of acid rain.

Hannah has found that soil erosion caused by (14) __________ has been of interest to the media.

Soil has become less fertile owing to the method known as (15) __________.

PART 3
You will hear part of a discussion programme, in which a teacher called Simon and a
business journalist called Trina are talking about the issue of change.
For questions 16-20, choose the answer (A, B, C or D) which fits best according to what you
hear.

16. What does Simon say about change when discussing linguistic expressions?
A. It is an inevitable part of life.
B. It is generally perceived as unwelcome.
C. Its significance has altered over time.
D. It brings improvements when they're least expected.

17. What do they agree about change in the business community?

A. It ls regarded as synonymous with progress.
B. It is seen as unfortunate but necessary.
C. It never seems to be questioned.
D. It can lead to undesirable results.

18. What does Trina dislike about feedback forms?

A. the scale of the reaction they can provoke
B. the disharmony they can create within organisations
C. the extent of their use in the world of education
D. the justification they give to managers who want to introduce changes

19. When discussing day-to-day routines, Simon and Trina agree that people
A. make too much fuss about small-scale changes.
B. find that changes in the workplace mirror those in daily life.
C. only like change that clearly benefits them personally.
D. experience an ongoing cycle of resisting and accepting change.

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20. In Simon's view, people will really enjoy an activity if
A. they do it on a regular basis.
B. they keep on changing it slightly.
C. it represents a change for them.
D. it coincides with their expectations.

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PART 4
TASK ONE
For questions 21-25, choose from the list (A-H) what special feature of the project each
speaker mentions.

A. a combination of old and new methods 21. Speaker 1 ____

B. the involvement of community leaders 22. Speaker 2 ____
C. the recycling of local resources 23. Speaker 3 ____
D. the adaptation of space technology 24. Speaker 4 ____
E. an idea copied from another part of the world 25. Speaker 5 ____
F. the use of different material
G. a method based on an accidental discovery
H. the development of a single multi-purpose system

TASK TWO
For questions 26-30, choose from the list (A-H) what each speaker gained as a result of
doing the course.

A. Advanced technology was donated. 26. Speaker 1 ____

B. The original idea was improved. 27. Speaker 2 ____
C. Critics of the project were silenced. 28. Speaker 3 ____
D. The attitude of local people changed. 29. Speaker 4 ____
E. Related information could be shared. 30. Speaker 5 ____
F. More staff were taken onto the project.
G. Awareness of endangered species was increased.
H. The economy of the region was developed.

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