CELPIP Listening Practice Test 15

Tara: I want to start a backyard vegetable garden, Omar. Where do I begin?

Omar: You could plant in raised beds for better soil control. Or try containers if space is tight. Another option is a full ground plot, but it’s labor-intensive.

Tara: A ground plot’s too much work. Containers might limit variety. Raised beds sound manageable. Are they hard to build?

Omar: Not really—buy pre-made ones or follow online tutorials. Start with easy crops like tomatoes.

Tara: I’ll go with raised beds. That seems practical.

Tara: I’m set on raised beds, Omar, but should I buy them or build my own?

Omar: Buying’s faster, but building’s cheaper if you’re handy. Use cedar wood for durability.

Tara: I’m not great with tools, so I’ll buy pre-made beds. Should I start with many crops?

Omar: Start small—tomatoes and lettuce are easy. Expand later.

Tara: I’ll order beds online tonight and stick to two crops. Thanks for the tip!

Tara: I’m buying pre-made raised beds, Omar, and planting tomatoes and lettuce. It’s simple to start.

Omar: Great choice! Why pre-made beds?

Tara: They’re easier since I’m not handy, and I can focus on growing. I’ll order the beds tomorrow and buy seeds this weekend.

Omar: Nice plan! Need help setting them up?

Tara: I’m good, thanks. I’ll update you tomorrow evening after ordering and planning the layout.

Colleague 1: Hey, Nina, I’m itching for a break. Wanna go camping this weekend?

Colleague 2: Whoa, Sam, that’s sudden! Where are you thinking?

Colleague 1: Lakewood Park. It’s two hours away, has great trails and a lake.

Colleague 2: Tempting. Is it pricey to camp there?

Colleague 1: Nah, it’s $15 per night for a tent site. We’d just need sleeping bags and food.

Colleague 2: I’ve got a sleeping bag. Can we rent a tent?

Colleague 1: The park rents them for $10. I’ll book one if you’re in.

Colleague 2: Count me in. Should we leave Saturday morning?

Colleague 1: Yeah, let’s hit the road by 8 a.m. I’ll drive if you pack snacks.

Colleague 2: Deal. What food should I bring?

Colleague 1: Sandwiches, chips, maybe marshmallows for a campfire. I’ll get water and a cooler.

Colleague 2: Love it. Do we need to reserve a spot?

Colleague 1: Good call. I’ll call the park tonight to confirm. Any other gear we need?

Colleague 2: Just bug spray and a flashlight. I’m pumped, Sam!

Colleague 1: Same, Nina. It’s gonna be a chill getaway!

Person 1: Hello, I’m calling about the summer kids’ camp at the community playground. Can you share details about the program?

Person 2: Hi! Our Sunny Days Camp runs at the playground every weekday in July, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for kids aged 5 to 10. It’s packed with games, crafts, and outdoor activities, all supervised by trained counselors.

Person 1: Sounds fun! What’s included, and do parents need to provide anything?

Person 2: The camp fee covers all activities, a daily snack, and a camp T-shirt. Kids should bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat for sun protection. If your child has allergies, pack a lunch; otherwise, we offer a basic lunch option for $5 a day.

Person 1: Great. How much is the camp, and how do I enroll?

Person 2: It’s $150 per week per child. You can sign up online or at the community center. We need a health form and a $50 deposit to hold the spot. Spaces fill quickly, so I’d suggest registering soon.

Person 1: Good to know. Is there a schedule or specific activities?

Person 2: Each day includes playground games, art projects, and a nature walk. On Fridays, we have a mini talent show and water balloon games. We send a weekly schedule to parents so you know what’s planned.

Person 1: My kid will love that! Are there any discounts for siblings?

Person 2: Yes, if you enroll two or more kids, you get 10% off the total. Just note it during registration.

Person 1: Perfect, I’ll sign up my two kids. Thanks!

Person 2: Wonderful! They’re in for a sunny adventure!

News Anchor: In response to rising concerns about climate change and extreme weather events, the federal government has announced the launch of a new national flood insurance program. The initiative is designed to help Canadians in high-risk areas who have previously been unable to access affordable coverage. Minister of Public Safety, Harjit Randhawa, stated that the program will be rolled out in phases starting this summer, with full implementation by the end of 2026. The insurance will cover damage to homes caused by river floods, flash floods, and coastal storm surges. Homeowners will be able to purchase policies through their existing insurance providers, with the government covering part of the cost. Experts say this could reduce recovery times and financial hardship after major flooding events.

Noah: Alright, teachers, we need to start a coding club for students to build tech skills. It should be fun and accessible. Any ideas?

Lily: I think we should focus on game development. Kids love games, and it’s a great way to learn coding through projects like building apps.

Ethan: Game development’s cool, Lily, but it might be too advanced for beginners. What about a general coding club? We could teach basics like Python or Scratch for all skill levels.

Noah: A general club is inclusive, but it might lack a clear focus. What if we offer themed modules? Start with Scratch for beginners, then move to game development or web design for advanced students.

Lily: I like the modular idea, Noah, but we’d need enough mentors to teach different topics. Finding volunteers with coding expertise could be tough.

Ethan: True. We could partner with a local tech company. They might send employees to mentor, and it’d give students real-world insights.

Noah: Great idea, Ethan. A tech partnership would add credibility. My concern is the meeting space—our computer lab is small and often booked.

Lily: What about the library’s tech room? It has computers and is free for school programs. We’d just need to reserve it in advance.

Ethan: I’m sold on the modular club with a tech partnership. Let’s also offer virtual sessions for students who can’t attend in person.

Noah: Perfect. Let’s go with the modular coding club in the library’s tech room. Lily, can you check the room’s availability?

Lily: Sure, I’ll call tomorrow.

Ethan: I’ll reach out to tech companies about mentoring.

Noah: Great. I’ll design the club curriculum and promote it to students. This coding club is going to spark creativity!

Speaker: Today, we’ll explore carbon capture technologies, which trap and store carbon dioxide to combat climate change. This innovation prompts diverse perspectives from scientists, industry leaders, and economists about its potential and limitations. Dr. Lucas Bennett, a climate scientist, strongly supports carbon capture. He argues it can significantly reduce emissions from industries like power plants, citing projects that capture 90% of CO2 outputs. Bennett points to Norway’s carbon storage facilities, which safely store millions of tons underground. He believes it’s a critical tool for meeting global climate targets. In contrast, Emily Stone, an energy industry executive, highlights scalability challenges. Stone acknowledges the technology’s promise but argues that current systems are too expensive and energy-intensive to deploy widely. She notes that capturing one ton of CO2 can cost $100, straining budgets. Stone suggests focusing on renewable energy as a more immediate solution. Offering a balanced view, Dr. Fatima Ali, an environmental engineer, advocates for integrated climate strategies. Ali proposes combining carbon capture with renewables and efficiency measures to maximize impact. She highlights Canada’s success, where hybrid approaches have cut industrial emissions. Ali emphasizes the need for government funding to scale up capture technologies. However, Professor Daniel Park, an economist, raises concerns about long-term costs. Park supports carbon capture but warns that maintaining storage sites for centuries could burden future generations. He cites estimates suggesting monitoring costs could reach billions. Park recommends transparent cost-benefit analyses to ensure economic viability. In conclusion, carbon capture sparks varied opinions. Dr. Bennett sees it as a climate solution, while Emily Stone focuses on scalability issues. Dr. Ali favors integrated strategies, and Professor Park highlights long-term costs. I believe carbon capture can play a role if paired with funding and complementary measures, balancing innovation with economic and environmental realities.

1. What is Tara planning? B. Starting a vegetable garden
2. Why does Tara reject a ground plot? B. It’s too labor-intensive
3. What option does Tara choose? C. Building raised beds
4. What issue does Tara raise about raised beds? A. Buying or building them
5. What does Omar suggest? D. Buy pre-made beds or build with cedar
6. Why are pre-made raised beds the best choice? C. They’re easier for Tara
7. What are Tara’s next steps? D. Order beds and buy seeds
8. When will Tara update Omar? A. Tomorrow evening
9. What is Sam proposing to Nina? C. A camping trip
10. Where are they planning to go? A. Lakewood Park
11. What does Nina agree to bring? D. Snacks
12. How much is the tent rental at the park? B. $10
13. When do they plan to leave? A. Saturday at 8 a.m.
14. What is Person 1 asking about? D. Kids’ summer camp
15. What does the camp fee include? A. Activities, a snack, and a T-shirt
16. What should kids bring to camp? D. A water bottle, sunscreen, and hat
17. How much is the camp per week? B. $150
18. What special activity happens on Fridays? A. A talent show and water games
19. What discount is offered for multiple kids? A. 10% off the total
20. What is the main purpose of the new program? B. To provide insurance for flooding
21. Who will benefit most from this initiative? A. People in high-risk flood zones
22. When will the program begin to roll out? B. This summer
23. What types of flooding will be covered? A. Flash floods, storm surges, and river floods
24. How will the program be delivered to homeowners? C. Through private insurance companies
25. What are the speakers planning? C. A school coding club
26. What is Lily’s initial suggestion for the club? D. Game development
27. What concern does Ethan raise about Lily’s suggestion? B. It’s too advanced for beginners
28. What alternative does Noah propose? A. Themed modules
29. What concern does Lily raise about Noah’s suggestion? C. It requires enough mentors
30. What is the main advantage of a tech partnership, according to Ethan? B. It provides real-world insights
31. Why do the speakers choose the library’s tech room? A. It has computers and is free
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? C. To plan a modular coding club
33. Dr. Lucas Bennett argues that carbon capture primarily reduces: A. industrial emissions
34. Emily Stone’s main concern about carbon capture is: B. high costs and scalability
35. Dr. Fatima Ali supports: B. integrated climate strategies
36. Professor Daniel Park is concerned about carbon capture’s: C. long-term maintenance costs
37. The speaker mentions Norway as an example of: D. successful storage facilities
38. The speaker concludes that carbon capture should: A. include funding and complementary measures