CELPIP Listening Practice Test 14

Sam: I’m thinking of starting a community book club, Lila. Any ideas to get it going?

Lila: You could host it at the library for free space. Or try a café for a cozy feel, though it might cost. Another option is online, but it’s less personal.

Sam: Online feels distant. Cafés are nice but pricey. The library sounds perfect. How do I arrange it?

Lila: Contact the library to reserve a room. Promote it with flyers or social media.

Sam: I’ll call the library. That’s a great starting point.

Sam: I’m hosting at the library, Lila, but should I pick one book or let members vote?

Lila: Voting’s better—it gets everyone involved. Suggest a few genres to start, like fiction or mystery.

Sam: Voting sounds engaging. I’ll propose three books and let members choose. Should I limit the group size?

Lila: Keep it small, maybe 10 people, for good discussions.

Sam: I’ll draft a flyer with those details tonight.

Sam: I’m set on the library book club, Lila. Members will vote on three book options, and I’ll cap it at 10 people.

Lila: Nice! Why’d you go with voting?

Sam: It makes everyone feel included, and a small group keeps it lively. I’ll call the library tomorrow to book a room and post flyers by evening.

Lila: Sounds fun! Need help with the flyers?

Sam: I’ve got it, thanks. I’ll share the club details tomorrow night.

Friend 1: Yo, Tara, I saw this pottery workshop at Clay Haven. You in?

Friend 2: Ooh, spinning clay sounds fun, Raj. What’s the deal?

Friend 1: It’s a two-hour session this Saturday at 3 p.m. You make a bowl or mug.

Friend 2: Cool. I’ve never tried pottery. Is it beginner-friendly?

Friend 1: Totally. The instructor guides you step-by-step. They even fire your piece in a kiln afterward.

Friend 2: Nice! How much is it? I’m on a budget.

Friend 1: It’s $40, including materials. You just need to wear old clothes—clay gets messy.

Friend 2: I can swing that. Do we need to book in advance?

Friend 1: Yeah, spots fill up fast. I can reserve us both online if you’re free.

Friend 2: I’m good for Saturday. What happens to our creations after?

Friend 1: They glaze and fire them. We pick them up in two weeks.

Friend 2: That’s so exciting. Should we grab coffee after the workshop?

Friend 1: For sure. There’s a café next door. I’ll book us now—want a morning slot instead?

Friend 2: Nah, 3 p.m.’s perfect. Thanks for the idea, Raj!

Friend 1: No prob, Tara. Get ready to get your hands dirty!

Person 1: Hi, I heard about the street busking festival downtown this weekend. Can you tell me how to participate as a performer?

Person 2: Hey there! The BuskFest is a blast, with musicians, jugglers, and more. It’s happening Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. along Main Street. To perform, you need to register as a busker and pick a performance slot.

Person 1: Awesome! What’s the registration process, and is there a fee?

Person 2: Registration is online through our festival website. It’s $25 to secure a 45-minute slot, and you’ll need to submit a short video of your act—nothing fancy, just a sample. We review it to ensure it’s family-friendly. You’ll hear back within 24 hours.

Person 1: Cool. Do I need to bring anything specific for the performance?

Person 2: You’re responsible for your own equipment, like instruments or props. Battery-powered amps are allowed, but no generators. We provide a marked performance space and a sign with your name. Wear something eye-catching to stand out in the crowd!

Person 1: Got it. Can I collect tips, and are there any rules?

Person 2: Absolutely, you keep all your tips! Just follow our guidelines: no blocking sidewalks, and keep performances under 85 decibels. We’ll have volunteers patrolling to help with any issues.

Person 1: Nice! Are there any perks for performers?

Person 2: Yep, registered buskers get a free festival T-shirt and a $10 food voucher for the food trucks. Plus, the crowd votes for a “Fan Favorite” award, and the winner gets a $200 prize.

Person 1: That’s exciting! I’ll sign up today. Thanks!

Person 2: Can’t wait to see your act light up the street!

News Anchor: A new high-tech innovation hub has officially opened in downtown Halifax, aiming to support local startups and attract global investors. The 10-storey facility, called The Launch Centre, includes shared workspaces, labs, and event areas designed to help new tech companies grow. The project is a joint effort between the Nova Scotia government and several private sector partners, with over $60 million in funding. Premier Madison Clarke called the hub a major milestone in the province’s efforts to diversify the economy and create high-paying jobs. More than 50 companies have already signed up to use the space, including several in the artificial intelligence and green energy sectors. The centre will also offer mentorship, legal advice, and networking events for entrepreneurs.

Claire: Alright, arts council, we need to plan a community art exhibition to showcase local talent. It should be inclusive and draw a crowd. Any ideas?

Ryan: I think we should host it at the community center and feature all mediums—paintings, sculptures, photography. It’s a big space and free to use.

James: The community center’s convenient, Ryan, but it’s a bit plain for an art show. What about the city library? It has a modern gallery space that would elevate the exhibit.

Claire: The library’s elegant, but it charges a rental fee, which could strain our budget. What if we compromise? We could use the community center but transform it with lighting and decor to make it feel like a gallery.

Ryan: I like that, Claire, but decorating could get expensive. We’d need to be creative to keep costs down while making it look professional.

James: We could ask local artists to donate temporary decor, like fabric panels or plants, in exchange for free booth space. It’s a low-cost way to enhance the vibe.

Claire: That’s a great idea, James! It supports artists and saves money. My concern is promotion—how do we ensure a good turnout?

Ryan: We could partner with local cafes to display posters and create a social media contest where people share their favorite local artwork for free tickets.

James: I’m sold on the community center with artist decor and a big promo push. Let’s also include a kids’ art corner to make it family-friendly.

Claire: Perfect. Let’s go with the art exhibition at the community center. Ryan, can you reach out to cafes about posters?

Ryan: Sure, I’ll contact them tomorrow.

James: I’ll talk to artists about donating decor.

Claire: Great. I’ll design the contest and book the community center. This exhibition is going to shine!

Speaker: Let’s discuss remote learning for K-12 students, a practice that surged during the pandemic. This topic prompts varied perspectives from educators, parents, and researchers about its role in modern education. Dr. Elena Torres, an education professor, supports remote learning’s flexibility. She argues it accommodates diverse student needs, like those with health issues or unconventional schedules. Torres cites studies showing that remote learning platforms improve attendance by 15% for at-risk students. She believes it can supplement traditional classrooms with tailored resources. In contrast, Michael Grant, a parent advocate, raises concerns about socialization. Grant acknowledges flexibility but argues that remote learning limits peer interaction, critical for emotional development. He points to surveys showing 30% of remote students feel isolated. Grant suggests hybrid models to balance flexibility with in-person engagement. Offering a balanced perspective, Dr. Amina Saleh, a curriculum designer, advocates for blended learning. Saleh proposes combining online modules with classroom activities to maximize engagement and access. She highlights Finland’s success, where blended programs have improved student outcomes. Saleh emphasizes the need for teacher training to deliver effective remote instruction. However, Professor Clara Wu, a child psychologist, warns about learning disparities. Wu supports remote learning but notes that students in low-income households often lack reliable internet or devices, widening achievement gaps. She cites data showing 20% of rural students struggle with access. Wu recommends subsidies for technology to ensure equity. In conclusion, remote learning divides opinions. Dr. Torres sees it as a flexible tool, while Michael Grant focuses on social drawbacks. Dr. Saleh favors blended models, and Professor Wu highlights access inequities. I believe remote learning can enhance education if paired with equity measures and teacher support, balancing flexibility with social and academic needs.

1. What is Sam trying to organize? C. A community book club
2. Why does Sam reject hosting in a café? B. It’s too expensive
3. What location does Sam prefer? C. The library
4. What concern does Sam raise about the book club? A. Deciding how to select books
5. What does Lila suggest? B. Let members vote
6. Why is voting for books the best choice? C. It encourages member involvement
7. What are Sam’s next steps? D. Book a room and post flyers
8. When will Sam share the club details? B. Tomorrow night
9. What are Tara and Raj planning to do? A. Join a pottery workshop
10. What can participants make at the workshop? B. A bowl or mug
11. What does Raj advise Tara to wear? C. Old clothes
12. What will happen to their pottery pieces? D. They’ll be glazed and fired
13. When is the pottery workshop scheduled? A. Saturday at 3 p.m.
14. What is Person 1 inquiring about? D. Performing at BuskFest
15. What is required for registration? C. A video of the act
16. What equipment must performers bring? D. Their own instruments or props
17. How much is the registration fee? B. $25
18. What perk do registered buskers receive? A. A festival T-shirt and food voucher
19. What is the prize for the “Fan Favorite” award? A. $100
20. What is the main purpose of the new facility? C. To support technology startups
21. Where is the new hub located? D. Halifax
22. How tall is the new building? C. 10 storeys
23. How much funding went into the project? C. $60 million
24. What additional services will the centre offer? B. Legal advice and mentorship
25. What are the speakers planning? B. A community art exhibition
26. What is Ryan’s initial suggestion for the venue? B. The community center
27. What concern does James raise about Ryan’s suggestion? A. It’s too plain for an art show
28. What alternative does Claire propose? B. Decorating the community center
29. What concern does Ryan raise about Claire’s suggestion? D. It’s not professional
30. What is the main advantage of artist-donated decor, according to James? A. It’s low-cost and supportive
31. How do the speakers plan to promote the exhibition? B. Through cafe posters and a social media contest
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? C. To use the community center with decor
33. Dr. Elena Torres argues that remote learning primarily benefits: D. student flexibility
34. Michael Grant’s main concern about remote learning is: B. limited socialization
35. Dr. Amina Saleh supports: A. eliminating remote learning
36. Professor Clara Wu is concerned about remote learning’s: A. access disparities
37. The speaker mentions Finland as an example of: B. successful blended programs
38. The speaker concludes that remote learning should: B. include equity and teacher support