CELPIP Listening Practice Test 1

Lisa: I’m exhausted from staring at screens all day, Mark. I’m thinking about a digital detox this weekend. Any ideas?

Mark: Absolutely, a break sounds perfect! You could go camping—no Wi-Fi, just nature. Or maybe stay home and read physical books. Another option is a board game marathon with friends.

Lisa: Camping’s tempting, but I don’t have gear, and it’s pricey to rent. Books sound nice, but I might get bored. Games could work, though—I love social stuff. What’s practical?

Mark: Games are affordable and fun. You could host at home. What do you think?

Lisa: Hmm, I’m leaning toward that.

Lisa: Okay, I like the board game idea, but I’m worried about logistics. Should I invite a big group or keep it small?

Mark: A small group’s easier—less chaos, fewer snacks to prepare. You could invite three or four close friends. Also, pick games everyone knows to avoid explaining rules.

Lisa: Good point. I’ll keep it intimate. I’m thinking classic games like Scrabble or Uno. Should I plan food, too?

Mark: Definitely, simple snacks will do.

Lisa: I’m set on a small game night, Mark. I’ll invite Sarah, Tom, and Emma. Scrabble and Uno are perfect—everyone knows them. I’ll get snacks like chips and popcorn.

Mark: Sounds great! Why’d you pick those games?

Lisa: They’re fun, quick, and don’t need much setup. Plus, no screens involved! I’ll text everyone to confirm they’re free Saturday night.

Mark: Smart choice. Want me to bring anything?

Lisa: Just yourself! I’ll handle the rest and confirm by tomorrow evening.

Customer: Hi, I’m thinking of joining your gym. Do you offer any kind of trial pass?

Receptionist: Yes, we have a free three-day trial that includes access to all group classes.

Customer: That sounds great. Do I need to book in advance?

Receptionist: Just bring a valid ID and fill out a waiver form when you arrive.

Customer: Got it. I’ll come by this weekend.

Receptionist: Perfect—we’re open 8 to 8 on weekends.

Guest: Hi, I think I lost my room key while I was out.

Receptionist: No problem. Can I see some ID for verification?

Guest: Sure, here’s my license.

Receptionist: Thanks. You’re in Room 406, right?

Guest: Yes. Can I get two keys this time?

Receptionist: Of course. Here you go—just be sure to return both at checkout.

Guest: Will do!

Person 1: Hi, I’m a university student looking to volunteer. Do you have any roles available?

Person 2: Absolutely. We need help with food sorting, deliveries, and registration at the front desk.

Person 1: I’m available mostly on weekends.

Person 2: Great. We have Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon shifts.

Person 1: Do I need to attend any training beforehand?

Person 2: Yes, a short 30-minute orientation, either online or in person.

Person 1: Perfect. I’ll sign up for Saturday mornings then.

Person 1: Hi, I saw a job posting for a part-time receptionist. Can I apply in person?

Person 2: Actually, we only accept online applications through our careers page.

Person 1: Okay. Do I need to include anything specific?

Person 2: Yes—your resume and a short cover letter.

Person 1: Got it. Is there a deadline?

Person 2: Yes, applications close next Friday at 5 p.m.

Person 1: Perfect. I’ll apply later today.

News Anchor: The City of Brooksville has announced a new traffic management plan aimed at reducing congestion in the downtown core. Starting next Monday, several main streets will become one-way routes during rush hours, and additional bike lanes will be added along 4th Avenue and Wellington Street. Mayor Angela Dawson explained that the changes are based on a recent traffic study that showed a 35% increase in vehicle volume over the past two years. She emphasized that the plan will also improve pedestrian safety, with longer crossing times at key intersections. While some business owners have expressed concern about reduced parking, the city has promised to add two new public parking lots on the edges of the downtown zone. The full plan will be tested for three months before being made permanent.

David: Okay, team, we need to plan a professional development workshop for our department next quarter. It should help improve our skills and keep everyone engaged. Any ideas on the focus?

Emma: I think a leadership training session would be great. It could help us develop better management skills, especially for those eyeing promotions.

Liam: That’s a solid idea, Emma, but not everyone’s aiming for a leadership role. What about a workshop on time management? It’s something everyone could benefit from, regardless of their position.

David: Time management is practical, Liam, but it might feel a bit dry. I’m wondering if we could do something more interactive, like a problem-solving workshop. It could include group activities to make it engaging.

Emma: I like the problem-solving idea, but it could be hard to design activities that suit everyone’s skill level. What if we combine ideas? Maybe a workshop on effective communication? It covers leadership, time management, and teamwork, and it’s relevant for all roles.

Liam: That’s a great compromise, Emma. Communication skills are universal, and we could include role-playing or group discussions to keep it lively. My only concern is finding a good facilitator.

David: Good point. We’d need someone experienced to lead it. I know a consultant who specializes in communication workshops. She’s engaging and keeps things practical. The downside is her fee might be a bit high.

Emma: We could ask HR to allocate part of the training budget for this. If we emphasize how it benefits the whole team, they might approve it. Alternatively, we could look for an in-house trainer, but the quality might not be as good.

Liam: I’d rather invest in the consultant if she’s highly recommended. A top-notch workshop will have more impact. We could also keep costs down by hosting it in our conference room instead of renting a venue.

David: That makes sense. Let’s go with the communication workshop led by the consultant. It’s practical, engaging, and benefits everyone. Emma, can you reach out to HR about the budget?

Emma: Absolutely, I’ll draft a proposal today.

Liam: And I’ll check the conference room availability for next quarter.

David: Perfect. Let’s aim to finalize the details by next week. This workshop is going to be a hit!

Speaker: Today, we’ll explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming education, a topic generating lively debate among educators and technologists. As AI tools become more prevalent in classrooms, opinions differ on their benefits and drawbacks. Dr. Clara Thompson, an education researcher, champions AI’s potential to personalize learning. She argues that AI platforms can adapt lessons to individual student needs, improving engagement and outcomes. Thompson cites studies showing that students using AI-driven tutoring systems score 15% higher on standardized tests than peers in traditional settings. She believes AI can reduce teacher workload by automating grading, allowing educators to focus on mentoring. Conversely, Michael Reynolds, a high school principal, expresses concerns about over-reliance on AI. Reynolds acknowledges its efficiency but warns that it may weaken critical thinking skills. He argues that AI often provides ready-made answers, reducing opportunities for students to grapple with complex problems. Reynolds also highlights the risk of data privacy breaches, as AI systems collect sensitive student information, potentially exposing schools to legal challenges. Balancing these views, Priya Sharma, a technology consultant, advocates for a blended approach. Sharma suggests integrating AI tools with traditional teaching to maximize benefits while minimizing risks. She points to successful pilot programs in Singapore, where AI assists with personalized homework while teachers lead collaborative projects. Sharma emphasizes the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect student data and ensure ethical AI use. However, Dr. Leo Martinez, a child psychologist, raises concerns about AI’s impact on student well-being. Martinez argues that excessive screen time with AI tools can increase anxiety and reduce social interaction. He cites research linking prolonged digital exposure to lower emotional resilience in adolescents. Martinez recommends strict usage limits and prioritizing face-to-face learning to maintain healthy development. In conclusion, AI in education sparks diverse perspectives. Dr. Thompson sees it as a game-changer for personalized learning, while Michael Reynolds fears it may hinder critical thinking. Priya Sharma supports a balanced integration, and Dr. Martinez warns of well-being risks. I believe AI can enhance education if used thoughtfully, with clear guidelines to protect privacy and prioritize student health. Schools must weigh these viewpoints to ensure AI serves as a tool for empowerment, not a barrier to holistic learning.

1. What is the primary issue Lisa and Mark are discussing? B. Organizing a digital detox
2. Why is camping not selected? B. Lisa lacks equipment and it’s costly
3. What does Lisa seem most interested in? B. Hosting a board game marathon
4. What issue does Lisa raise regarding the board game marathon? A. Deciding the size of the group
5. What decision do they ultimately make? C. Keep the group small
6. Why are Scrabble and Uno the best choices? C. They are quick and screen-free
7. What are the next steps Lisa plans to take? B. Confirm availability with friends
8. When does Lisa plan to finalize her decision? B. By tomorrow evening
9. What is the caller asking about? C. Trying the gym before joining
10. What does the receptionist ask the caller to bring? D. A valid ID
11. What issue is the guest reporting? B. They lost their room key
12. What does the receptionist ask for? C. An ID for verification
13. What request does the guest make? C. Two replacement keys
14. What is the speaker looking for? D. A volunteer opportunity
15. When is the speaker available to help? B. Weekends only
16. What must the volunteer do before starting? B. Complete a short orientation
17. What kind of job is the man asking about? B. Part-time receptionist
18. How must he submit his application? D. Through a careers webpage
19. What is the deadline to apply? A. Next Friday at 5 p.m.
20. What is the purpose of the city’s new plan? B. To reduce downtown traffic congestion
21. When will the changes take effect? C. Next Monday
22. What change will be made to 4th Avenue? D. A bike lane will be added
23. How long will the plan be tested before it becomes permanent? C. Three months
24. What concern did some business owners raise? C. Less available parking
25. What are the speakers discussing? B. Organizing a professional development workshop
26. What is Emma’s initial suggestion for the workshop? B. Leadership training
27. What concern does Liam raise about Emma’s suggestion? D. It’s not relevant for everyone
28. What alternative does David propose? A. A problem-solving workshop
29. What is the main advantage of the communication workshop, according to Emma? C. It covers multiple skills and is relevant for all roles
30. What concern does David raise about the communication workshop? D. The facilitator’s fee could be high
31. How does Liam suggest reducing costs for the workshop? A. Hosting it in the conference room
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? C. To host a communication workshop
33. According to Dr. Clara Thompson, AI in education primarily improves: B. personalized learning
34. Michael Reynolds’ main concern about AI is that it may: B. weaken critical thinking
35. Priya Sharma advocates for: D. blending AI with traditional teaching
36. Dr. Leo Martinez is primarily concerned about AI’s impact on: A. student well-being
37. The speaker mentions Singapore as an example of: C. successful AI integration
38. The speaker concludes that AI in education should be D. used with clear guidelines