Part 4: Listening to a News Item

What happens in Part 4

• You hear a news report of about one and a half to two minutes.
• Questions ask about what happened, who was involved and what comes next.

Tips for a higher score

• News reports put the main point first. Note it before the details start.
• Keep track of each person quoted and their role.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up the numbers in the report (dates, costs, how many people).

Step-by-step strategy for Part 4

1. Prepare a simple news layout. Leave a line at the top for the main point, then space for people, numbers and what comes next. A news report has one speaker, so you do not need speaker columns here.
2. Capture the headline. The first sentence or two usually states what happened, where and when. Write it in a few words before the details begin.
   • Residents of ... are ...
   • A new ... will ...
   • Officials announced today that ...
   • An unusual sight greeted ...
3. List each person quoted and their role. Write the role first (mayor, organizer, local resident) and their view in a few words. Questions often ask what a particular person said or thinks.
   • According to ...
   • ... told reporters that ...
   • Organizer ... says ...
   • One resident described ...
4. Note numbers with what they refer to. Always pair a figure with its meaning, such as "$40,000 = repairs" or "300 = volunteers". A bare number is easy to match to the wrong option.
5. Listen for what happens next. Reports often end with next steps, a deadline or an open question. Note it, because the last question frequently asks about it.
   • The decision is expected ...
   • Council will vote on ...
   • It's not yet clear whether ...
   • Residents can ...

Part 4 vocabulary and signal words

Part 4 sample tests (30 free practice tests)

Each test has the full text, every question and the answer key. Choose your answers and check them on the page.

• Art Contest
• Bike Sharing Program Launch
• Canadian President Begins Diplomatic Visit to South Korea
• Charity Marathon
• City Council Approves New Affordable Housing Project
• City Introduces New Downtown Traffic Plan
• City Launches New Recycling Guidelines
• Cyberattack Exposes Thousands of City Residents’ Data
• Federal Government Introduces National Flood Insurance Program
• Gas Prices Hit Record Highs Across the Province
• Heat Warning Issued Across Southern Ontario
• Heritage Preservation

All 30 Part 4 sample tests · Full-length Listening practice tests (all parts, 38 questions)

Practice ideas for Part 4

1. A town opens its first outdoor skating trail built by volunteers. Expect questions on who built it, how it was funded and when it will be open.
2. A city council debates a by-law limiting gas-powered leaf blowers. Expect questions on the reason for the proposal, a resident's objection and when the vote takes place.
3. A family's lost dog is found 50 kilometres from home after two weeks. Expect questions on how it was found, who was involved and one surprising detail.
4. A local food bank reports record demand and changes its opening hours. Expect questions on the numbers, the reason for the change and how people can help.
5. A high school robotics team wins a national competition. Expect questions on what the team built, what a teacher said and what the students plan next.

Listening Part 4 questions, answered

More CELPIP Listening

• Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving
• Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
• Part 3: Listening for Information
• Part 5: Listening to a Discussion (next)
• Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints