CELPIP Listening Practice Test 17

Ava: I just switched to a new smartphone OS, Leo, and I’m lost. Any advice?

Leo: You could watch online tutorials to learn features. Or visit a store for hands-on help. Another option is sticking to basic functions, but you’ll miss out.

Ava: Store visits take time. Basics are too limiting. Tutorials sound helpful. Are they easy to find?

Leo: Tons are on YouTube—just search your OS version. Start with short ones on key features.

Ava: I’ll check YouTube. That’s a good way to start.

Ava: I’m watching tutorials, Leo, but should I focus on one app at a time or the whole system?

Leo: One app at a time’s easier—you’ll master basics like messaging first. Search for app-specific videos.

Ava: That sounds less overwhelming. I’ll start with messaging and email apps. Should I take notes?

Leo: Yes, jot down key steps to remember them.

Ava: I’ll watch videos and take notes tonight. Thanks for the advice!

Ava: I’m learning one app at a time, Leo, starting with messaging and email. I’ll watch tutorials and take notes.

Leo: Great approach! Why one app at a time?

Ava: It’s less confusing and helps me build confidence. I’ll start tonight and master those apps by tomorrow.

Leo: Smart! Need help finding videos?

Ava: I’m good, thanks. I’ll update you tomorrow evening after practicing with the apps.

Neighbor 1: Morning, Lisa! I noticed our shared fence got damaged in the windstorm. Shall we fix it?

Neighbor 2: Hey, Dan, yeah, I saw that gap yesterday. It’s letting my dog sneak out.

Neighbor 1: Same with my cat! I’ve got some wood planks in my shed. Do you have tools?

Neighbor 2: I’ve got a hammer and nails, but we might need a saw to cut the planks.

Neighbor 1: I can borrow one from a friend. Can we tackle this tomorrow morning?

Neighbor 2: Tomorrow at 9 a.m. works. Should we split the paint cost to spruce it up afterward?

Neighbor 1: Good call. I’d say white matches the rest. A gallon should be about $30.

Neighbor 2: I’ll chip in $15. Do we need help hauling the planks?

Neighbor 1: Nah, they’re light. Just bring the nails and your energy.

Neighbor 2: Deal. Should we check the rest of the fence for weak spots?

Neighbor 1: Smart. Let’s inspect it while we’re at it to avoid future fixes.

Neighbor 2: Perfect. I’ll bring coffee to keep us going. Anything else?

Neighbor 1: Nope, that covers it. Thanks for teaming up, Lisa!

Neighbor 2: Happy to pitch in, Dan. Let’s get that fence sorted!

Person 1: Hi, I want to set up a stall at the weekend farmers’ market. Can you explain how to get involved?

Person 2: Sure! Our market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the city square, buzzing with local vendors. We welcome farmers, bakers, and artisans selling fresh produce, baked goods, or handmade items.

Person 1: Sounds lively! What’s the process to become a vendor?

Person 2: You’ll need to apply online with a description of your products. There’s a $50 application fee, and we review submissions to ensure variety—no duplicates like five honey stalls. Approved vendors pay a $75 stall fee per market day.

Person 1: Okay. Do I need to bring my own setup?

Person 2: Yes, bring your own table, canopy, and signage. We provide a 10x10-foot space and access to a shared power outlet if needed. You’ll also need a city vendor permit, which costs $20 and takes a day to process online.

Person 1: Got it. Are there any specific rules for vendors?

Person 2: All products must be locally made or grown. You’re responsible for cleanup, and no amplified music is allowed to keep the vibe friendly. We have inspectors checking for compliance.

Person 1: Fair enough. Any benefits for vendors?

Person 2: Vendors get featured on our market website, and we promote you on social media. If you commit to 10 market days, the stall fee drops to $60 per day.

Person 1: I’ll apply today. Thanks for breaking it down!

Person 2: Great! Hope to see your stall soon!

News Anchor: A heat warning has been issued for much of southern Ontario, with temperatures expected to reach 35°C by midweek. Humidex values could make it feel closer to 42°C, prompting public health officials to advise caution. Environment Canada says the high-pressure system bringing the extreme heat will remain in place for at least five days. Nighttime temperatures are expected to stay above 20°C, increasing the risk of heat-related illness, especially among seniors and young children. Cooling centres have been opened in Toronto, Hamilton, and Mississauga, and several outdoor events have been rescheduled or moved indoors. Residents are urged to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during peak hours, and check on vulnerable neighbours.

Rachel: Alright, library board, we need to plan a book sale to raise funds for new resources. It should attract bargain hunters and clear our excess inventory. Any ideas?

David: I think a weekend sale in the library parking lot would work. We could set up tables with books sorted by genre and offer low prices to draw a crowd.

Sam: A parking lot sale is great, David, but it’s vulnerable to weather. What about an indoor sale in the library’s community room? It’s climate-controlled and spacious.

Rachel: The community room’s convenient, but it’s smaller, so we’d have less space for displays. What if we use both? An indoor sale for valuable books and an outdoor sale for bulk items, with a tent for weather protection.

David: I like the hybrid idea, Rachel, but managing two areas could stretch our volunteers. We’d need a clear plan to keep things organized.

Sam: True. We could assign specific teams to each area and use color-coded price tags to simplify checkout. It’d make the sale run smoothly.

Rachel: Good call, Sam. My concern is promotion—how do we ensure a big turnout?

David: We could advertise on social media and partner with local bookstores to spread the word. Offering a “fill a bag for $5” deal would also attract bargain hunters.

Sam: I’m sold on the hybrid sale with clear organization and strong promotion. Let’s also include a kids’ book section to make it family-friendly.

Rachel: Perfect. Let’s go with the indoor-outdoor book sale. David, can you arrange the tent rental?

David: Sure, I’ll get quotes tomorrow.

Sam: I’ll create the social media ads and contact bookstores.

Rachel: Great. I’ll organize the volunteer teams and price tags. This book sale is going to be a success!

Speaker: Today, we’ll explore smart city technologies, like IoT sensors and AI, aimed at improving urban efficiency. This topic prompts varied perspectives from urban planners, technologists, and community advocates about its potential and challenges. Dr. Noah Patel, an urban planner, strongly supports smart cities. He argues they optimize resources, reducing energy use by 15% through smart grids. Patel cites Singapore’s smart traffic systems, which cut commuting times by 20%. He believes these technologies enhance livability and sustainability in growing cities. In contrast, Lisa Morgan, a cybersecurity expert, highlights privacy risks. Morgan acknowledges efficiency gains but argues that widespread sensors collect sensitive data, risking breaches. She points to incidents where smart city systems were hacked, exposing resident information. Morgan suggests robust encryption and regulations to protect privacy. Offering a balanced view, Dr. Sofia Mendes, a technology researcher, advocates for inclusive smart city designs. Mendes proposes involving communities in planning to ensure technologies meet local needs. She highlights Toronto’s smart waterfront project, which incorporates resident feedback. Mendes emphasizes the need for equitable access to avoid marginalizing low-income groups. However, Professor Amir Khan, an economist, raises concerns about costs. Khan supports smart cities but warns that high implementation expenses can strain city budgets, potentially raising taxes. He cites estimates showing projects can cost billions. Khan recommends public-private partnerships to share financial burdens. In conclusion, smart city technologies divide opinions. Dr. Patel sees them as efficiency boosters, while Lisa Morgan focuses on privacy risks. Dr. Mendes favors inclusive designs, and Professor Khan highlights costs. I believe smart cities can succeed with community input and strong privacy measures, balancing innovation with affordability and fairness.

1. What is Ava trying to do? D. Adapt to a new smartphone OS
2. Why does Ava reject sticking to basic functions? A. It’s too limiting
3. What option does Ava choose? D. Watching tutorials
4. What issue does Ava raise about tutorials? B. Choosing what to learn first
5. What does Leo suggest? C. Focus on one app at a time
6. Why is learning one app at a time the best choice? B. It’s less confusing
7. What are Ava’s next steps? C. Watch tutorials and practice apps
8. When will Ava update Leo? D. Tomorrow evening
9. What are Dan and Lisa planning to repair? D. A shared fence
10. What caused the damage to the fence? A. A windstorm
11. What does Dan offer to provide? C. Wood planks and a saw
12. What does Lisa agree to contribute? B. $15 for paint and nails
13. When are they scheduling the repair work? C. Tomorrow at 9 a.m.
14. What is Person 1 asking about? C. Becoming a vendor
15. What is required to apply as a vendor? C. A product description and $50 fee
16. What must vendors bring? C. A table, canopy, and signage
17. How much is the stall fee per market day? C. $75
18. What rule applies to vendors’ products? D. Must be locally made or grown
19. What benefit is offered for long-term vendors? D. Reduced stall fee to $60 per day
20. What weather condition is the focus of the report? B. A heat wave
21. How high could temperatures feel with the humidex? C. 42°C
22. Why are nighttime temperatures a concern? C. They remain high and can increase health risks
23. What action has been taken in response to the heat? B. Cooling centres have opened
24. What advice is given to residents? D. Stay hydrated and check on others
25. What are the speakers planning? B. A book sale fundraiser
26. What is David’s initial suggestion for the sale? B. A parking lot sale
27. What concern does Sam raise about David’s suggestion? B. It’s vulnerable to weather
28. What alternative does Rachel propose? C. A hybrid indoor-outdoor sale
29. What concern does David raise about Rachel’s suggestion? B. It could stretch volunteers
30. What is the main advantage of color-coded price tags, according to Sam? B. They simplify checkout
31. How do the speakers plan to promote the sale? A. Through social media and bookstores
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? C. To plan a hybrid book sale
33. Dr. Noah Patel argues that smart cities primarily improve: D. urban efficiency
34. Lisa Morgan’s main concern about smart cities is: D. privacy risks from data collection
35. Dr. Sofia Mendes supports: C. inclusive smart city designs
36. Professor Amir Khan is concerned about smart cities’: A. high implementation costs
37. The speaker mentions Singapore as an example of: A. successful traffic systems
38. The speaker concludes that smart cities should: B. include privacy and inclusivity measures