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CELPIP Listening · Part 4

Part 4 practice course: Listening to a News Item

Follow a short news report once, note who did what and why, and pick answers that match what the reporter actually said. 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 4 format and strategy first.

6 stepsabout 5 minutes · 5 questionsFree · no account needed
Illustration: listening to a news item in daily life
Step 1 of 6

Learn the part

How the part works, how to use your time, the traps it sets and the signal words, then a quick check.

Part 1 of 5

One short story, five questions

You hear one news report of about a minute and a half, read by a single voice. It tells a local story: what happened, why it started, who helped, a problem, and what comes next. Then you answer five questions.

Cause or reason

Why did the shop owner start giving away coffee?

  1. Listen for how the story began: "started when", "after noticing".
  2. Note the first reason, not the later results.
  3. Pick the option that says that reason in other words.
Who did what

Who chose the date of the opening?

  1. Write each name with a short role: owner, mayor, volunteers.
  2. Link each action to a person on your notes.
  3. Check the option gives the action to the right person.
Inference or attitude

What does the owner's last comment suggest?

  1. Note the speaker's exact words near the end.
  2. Ask what they mean, not what they literally say.
  3. Reject options that go further than the words.

Part 4 cheat sheet

The key points of the course on one screen, to read again just before your test.

How to use the report

Before you listen
  • Read the one-line introduction: it names the topic.
  • Draw a quick T-chart: people on the left, facts on the right.
  • Expect the usual order: event, origin, details, problem, future.
While you listen
  • Write names, numbers and places as short notes.
  • Mark the reason the story began with an arrow or "why".
  • Note any "but" or "however": a problem or change follows.
When the questions come
  • Find the part of your notes each question is about.
  • Choose the option that means the same, even with new words.
  • Be careful with options that repeat words you heard.

The traps this part sets

  • Choosing an option because it uses words from the report. Ask: does the report say this answers this question? Matching words is not enough.
  • Mixing up the start of the story with what happened later. Keep the order on your notes: first, then, now, next.
  • Picking an answer that sounds sensible but was never said. Only choose what you can point to in your notes.

Signal words to listen for

  • Cause and origin: “began when”, “after noticing”, “was prompted by”, “the idea came from”, “because of”
  • Contrast (the answer often follows): “but”, “however”, “although”, “despite”, “not everyone”
  • Results and change: “since then”, “as a result”, “within a week”, “now stands at”, “has grown”
  • Plans and future: “intends to”, “plans to”, “will”, “next week”, “looks forward to”

Questions about Part 4

How does CELPIP Listening Part 4 work?

You hear one news report of about a minute and a half, read by a single voice. It tells a local story: what happened, why it started, who helped, a problem, and what comes next. Then you answer five questions. Cause or reason: Listen for how the story began: "started when", "after noticing".; Note the first reason, not the later results.; Pick the option that says that reason in other words.. Who did what: Write each name with a short role: owner, mayor, volunteers.; Link each action to a person on your notes.; Check the option gives the action to the right person.. Inference or attitude: Note the speaker's exact words near the end.; Ask what they mean, not what they literally say.; Reject options that go further than the words..

How should I use my time in CELPIP Listening Part 4?

Before you listen: Read the one-line introduction: it names the topic. Draw a quick T-chart: people on the left, facts on the right. Expect the usual order: event, origin, details, problem, future. While you listen: Write names, numbers and places as short notes. Mark the reason the story began with an arrow or "why". Note any "but" or "however": a problem or change follows. When the questions come: Find the part of your notes each question is about. Choose the option that means the same, even with new words. Be careful with options that repeat words you heard.

What traps does CELPIP Listening Part 4 set?

Choosing an option because it uses words from the report. Wrong options often reuse a place or detail you heard, but attach it to the wrong question. Instead: Ask: does the report say this answers this question? Matching words is not enough. Mixing up the start of the story with what happened later. News items jump between the origin, the results and the plans, so a later event can sound like the cause. Instead: Keep the order on your notes: first, then, now, next. Picking an answer that sounds sensible but was never said. Some options fit the story so well that you fill the gap yourself. Instead: Only choose what you can point to in your notes.

Is this Part 4 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.

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