CELPIP Listening Part 5 Practice Test: Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

Tara: So, the city council is considering a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, and they’ve asked for community input. We need to decide if our neighborhood association should support the proposal.

James: My first thought is about the noise. Those machines are so loud that you can’t hear yourself think. The electric ones are quieter and still get the job done.

Omar: True, but electric models are weaker. Landscapers might have to spend more time clearing leaves, which could drive up costs.

Tara: That’s one concern. There’s also the environmental angle. Gas blowers produce a surprising amount of emissions for such small engines.

James: Exactly—air quality matters. I’ve read that running a gas blower for an hour produces as much pollution as driving a car hundreds of kilometers.

Omar: But we can’t ignore the practical side. In fall, when leaves pile up, electric blowers might need recharging mid-job. That’s not ideal for large yards or commercial work.

Tara: Maybe the solution is a phased approach—ban gas blowers during summer when leaf volume is low, but allow them in peak leaf season.

James: I’m not sure partial bans work well. They’re harder to enforce. If we’re going to support the change, we should go all-in and suggest incentives for landscapers to switch to electric.

Omar: Incentives could help, like rebates for buying new equipment. That way, we’re not putting all the burden on small businesses.

Tara: And we could recommend a transition period, say one year, before the ban takes full effect.

James: That sounds reasonable. We support the ban in principle, but with financial and time support for those affected.

Omar: Okay, I can get behind that. Let’s draft our position letter with those points.

1. What is the main issue being discussed? B. Banning gas-powered leaf blowers
2. What is James’s main concern about gas-powered leaf blowers? D. They produce excessive noise
3. What practical drawback does Omar mention about electric blowers? A. They require frequent charging
4. What compromise does Tara initially suggest? A. Allowing gas blowers only in autumn
5. Why does James dislike partial bans? A. They are harder to enforce
6. What solution do they all agree on in the end? C. Support the ban with incentives and a transition period
7. What kind of support might be offered to landscapers? C. Equipment rebates
8. How long of a transition period does Tara suggest? D. One year