Part 2 practice course: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
Follow a casual conversation between two people and answer questions about what happened, what they plan and what they really mean. Work through six short steps, from how the part works to a timed test, about 40 minutes in all. New to this part? Read the Part 2 format and strategy first.
Learn the part
How the part works, how to use your time, the traps it sets and the signal words, then a quick check.
One chat, five questions
You hear one everyday conversation, for example between friends, co-workers or a parent and a coach. It plays once, then five questions follow, mostly in the order of the conversation.
How did the woman hurt herself?
- Listen for the story's key event.
- Note where and when it happened.
- Watch for a correction: "No, it was afterwards..."
- Pick the option that matches the real event.
What does the man advise the woman to do next time?
- Listen for "next time", "you should", "why don't you".
- Note the exact action and the time.
- Check the option says the same action, not a similar one.
What does the man mean by his last comment?
- Think about the situation, not just the words.
- Jokes and polite phrases often mean something else.
- Choose the meaning that fits the whole conversation.
Part 2 cheat sheet
The key points of the course on one screen, to read again just before your test.
How to listen to a casual conversation
- Read the context: who the two people are.
- Expect a story, a problem and some advice or a plan.
- Set up a T-chart: one column for each speaker.
- Note what happened, in order, in a few words.
- Write down any advice, offer or plan, and who made it.
- Mark feelings: happy, worried, annoyed, unsure.
- Read all the options before you choose.
- Use your notes to check who said what.
- For "how does she feel" questions, think about her whole reply.
The traps this part sets
- Choosing an option because it repeats words from the chat. Match the meaning to the question, not just the words.
- Choosing something that sounds natural but wasn't said. Ask yourself which line proves it. No line, no answer.
- Giving one person's words or plan to the other. Note who says each idea, and read the question for whose plan or feeling it asks about.
Signal words to listen for
- Contrast (the answer often follows): “but”, “though”, “actually”, “the worst part was”, “well”
- A correction: “no, no”, “not exactly”, “close”, “I assumed”, “it isn't actually”
- Advice: “next time”, “you should”, “why don't you”, “here's my rule”, “please don't”
- Real feelings: “honestly”, “I have to be honest”, “if you say so”, “I kind of want”, “I wish”
Questions about Part 2
How does CELPIP Listening Part 2 work?
You hear one everyday conversation, for example between friends, co-workers or a parent and a coach. It plays once, then five questions follow, mostly in the order of the conversation. What happened or why: Listen for the story's key event.; Note where and when it happened.; Watch for a correction: "No, it was afterwards..."; Pick the option that matches the real event.. Advice or a plan: Listen for "next time", "you should", "why don't you".; Note the exact action and the time.; Check the option says the same action, not a similar one.. What a speaker means: Think about the situation, not just the words.; Jokes and polite phrases often mean something else.; Choose the meaning that fits the whole conversation..
How should I use my time in CELPIP Listening Part 2?
Before you listen: Read the context: who the two people are. Expect a story, a problem and some advice or a plan. Set up a T-chart: one column for each speaker. While you listen: Note what happened, in order, in a few words. Write down any advice, offer or plan, and who made it. Mark feelings: happy, worried, annoyed, unsure. When the questions come: Read all the options before you choose. Use your notes to check who said what. For "how does she feel" questions, think about her whole reply.
What traps does CELPIP Listening Part 2 set?
Choosing an option because it repeats words from the chat. People in casual talk mention many things, and the wrong options reuse them. Instead: Match the meaning to the question, not just the words. Choosing something that sounds natural but wasn't said. The option fits the story so well that you think you heard it. Instead: Ask yourself which line proves it. No line, no answer. Giving one person's words or plan to the other. Two people talk quickly and both mention the same topics. Instead: Note who says each idea, and read the question for whose plan or feeling it asks about.
Is this Part 2 course free?
Yes. Every step is free and needs no account, and nothing you do leaves your browser. With a free CELPass account, your wrong answers are saved with the trap they fell for and turned into daily drills.
Keep practising Part 2
- Part 2 sample tests with the answer key, played like the real test
- Part 2 vocabulary: words and phrases for listening to a daily life conversation
- Part 2 format and strategy
More free practice courses
- Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice
- Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene
- Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions
- Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions
- Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
- Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
- Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
- Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence
- Reading Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram
- Reading Part 3: Reading for Information
- Reading Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints
- Listening Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving
- Listening Part 3: Listening for Information
- Listening Part 4: Listening to a News Item
- Listening Part 5: Listening to a Discussion
- Listening Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.