CELPIP Listening Practice Test 23

Sophie: The office thermostat is causing arguments. Some want it warmer, others cooler. Ideas, Tom?

Tom: We could set a fixed temperature, like 22°C, but that might not please everyone.

Sophie: Right, it’s too rigid. What about a rotating schedule for temperature settings?

Tom: That’s creative, but tracking it could be a hassle. How about a smart thermostat? It adjusts based on room occupancy.

Sophie: Sounds efficient, but they’re pricey. Let’s weigh the smart thermostat against the schedule idea to find the best fit.

Tom: So, the smart thermostat costs $200, which is steep. The schedule idea is free but needs agreement.

Sohpie: Yeah, the cost is a concern. What if the thermostat has a trial period?

Tom: Good point. Let’s try a budget-friendly smart thermostat with a return option. If it doesn’t work, we’ll switch to the schedule. Can you research models by tomorrow?

Sophie: Tom, I found a $100 smart thermostat with a 30-day trial. It adjusts automatically and saves energy.

Tom: That’s perfect! It’s affordable and solves the temperature fights. Let’s order it today.

Sophie: Agreed. I’ll install it Monday and show everyone how it works. We’ll check feedback after two weeks. If it’s not ideal, we can return it and try the schedule.

Tom: Great plan. Let’s confirm the purchase by tomorrow to get it shipped.

Customer: Hi, I got your catering quote for my 20-person party. It’s $550, a bit high. Can we adjust it?

Caterer: Let’s review. It covers appetizers, mains, and desserts. Where can we save?

Customer: Maybe cut the appetizers? We don’t need three types.

Caterer: Dropping to one appetizer lowers it to $480. How’s that?

Customer: Better. Can you include drinks in that?

Caterer: Drinks are $3 per person extra, but I can add soft drinks free if you confirm today.

Customer: Nice! What’s the deposit?

Caterer: 30%, so $144, with the rest due at the event.

Customer: Sounds good. It’s for next Saturday at 6 p.m. Delivery included?

Caterer: Yes, for local addresses. Confirm the venue by Wednesday.

Customer: I’ll email it tonight. Thanks for the flexibility!

Caterer: Happy to help. Looking forward to your party!

Person 1: Hi, I noticed a few streetlights on my street aren’t working. Can you tell me how to report streetlight outages in the city?

Person 2: Absolutely, I can help with that. The city has a straightforward process for reporting streetlight outages. You can report them online through the municipal website or by calling the Public Works hotline. Both options are available 24/7.

Person 1: That’s convenient. What information do I need to provide when reporting?

Person 2: You’ll need to give the exact location of the streetlight, like the nearest address or intersection. It’s also helpful to provide the pole number, which is usually on a metal tag at the base of the pole. If you can, note whether the light is completely out, flickering, or staying on during the day. That helps the repair team diagnose the issue faster.

Person 1: Got it. How long does it usually take to get them fixed?

Person 2: It depends on the issue, but most outages are repaired within 5 to 7 business days. If it’s an emergency, like a light causing a safety hazard, you can mark it as urgent, and they’ll prioritize it, usually fixing it within 48 hours.

Person 1: That’s good to know. Is there a way to track the status of my report?

Person 2: Yes, if you report online, you’ll get a confirmation email with a tracking number. You can use that on the website to check the status. If you call, they’ll give you a reference number over the phone. The website also has a map showing all reported outages, so you can see if others have reported the same light.

Person 1: That’s helpful. Are there any costs for residents, or does the city cover it?

Person 2: The city covers all repair costs since streetlights are part of public infrastructure. You won’t be charged for reporting or repairs. They’re funded through taxes to keep the streets safe.

Person 1: Great. One last thing—are there any community programs to help monitor streetlights?

Person 2: Yes, the city has a volunteer program called LightWatch. Residents can sign up to report outages regularly in their area. Volunteers get a short training session and a small annual stipend of $50 for their efforts. You can apply through the same website.

Person 1: That’s interesting! I might look into that. Thanks for all the information!

Person 2: No problem at all. Let me know if you need the website or hotline number. Stay safe!

News Anchor: The spirit of solidarity was palpable as Elmwood hosted its largest charity marathon yet for cancer research, drawing 6,500 runners and spectators on Saturday. Organized by the Elm Cancer Alliance, the event offered a full 42-kilometer marathon, 21K half, and 10K walk, raising an impressive $900,000 toward clinical trials and support services. Under sunny conditions, the race started at the waterfront, weaving through vibrant neighborhoods. Alliance president Laura Nguyen highlighted how proceeds will fund gene therapy research, inspired by 1,500 local diagnoses last year. Celebrity participants, including actor Tim Vargas, shared personal stories, boosting morale. Corporate sponsors doubled contributions, enhancing the total. Safety measures featured medical tents every 5 kilometers and volunteer marshals, preventing any serious mishaps despite minor dehydration cases. Road closures caused brief delays, but locals cheered enthusiastically. While organizers celebrate the turnout, feedback includes calls for more wheelchair-accessible paths. In response, next year's route will be adjusted accordingly. The marathon's growth—up 40% from prior events—underscores community commitment, with funds expected to accelerate breakthroughs in treatments. Educational booths informed on prevention, reaching 2,000 attendees. Looking ahead, expansion to include virtual runs is on the table for global participation. Elmwood's marathon not only fuels hope but unites the fight against cancer, proving every step counts toward cures. Register early for the next one.

Nina: Thanks for joining, both of you. Our condo board wants us to finalize a fair schedule for the shared EV charging station.

Caleb: We’ve had a few complaints lately. Some residents say the charger is occupied for hours, and others can’t plug in when they need to.

Sophia: Yeah, I’ve noticed that. It’s tricky because charging times vary depending on battery size and starting level.

Nina: That’s why I suggest setting fixed time slots—say, three hours per booking—so everyone gets a turn.

Caleb: That’s a start, but what if someone needs a full charge for a road trip? Three hours might not be enough.

Sophia: Maybe we could allow extended bookings for special cases, but they’d have to be approved in advance.

Nina: I like that idea. Also, we should have an online sign-up sheet so people can see availability and avoid conflicts.

Caleb: Agreed. Another issue is overnight charging. Should we allow it? It would mean fewer people get to use the charger in a 24-hour period.

Sophia: I think overnight use should be allowed but limited—maybe one night per week per household.

Nina: That’s reasonable. And if someone doesn’t move their car when their slot is up, there should be a small fine.

Caleb: That could motivate people to be punctual. We also need to consider peak hours. Maybe reserve mornings for short charges and evenings for longer ones.

Sophia: Okay, so we’re looking at: three-hour slots, extended bookings with approval, one overnight slot per week, and penalties for overstaying.

Nina: Plus an online booking system and peak-hour guidelines. Sounds like a plan to me.

Caleb: Same here. I’ll draft the proposal and send it to the board for approval.

Speaker: Social media has transformed the way communities organize and advocate for causes, but its role in activism is both celebrated and criticized. Emily Zhang, a digital communications specialist, argues that social media has made activism more inclusive and far-reaching. She points out that platforms like Twitter and Instagram allow people to share information instantly, mobilizing support for causes across the globe. Emily cites examples where online campaigns successfully raised funds for disaster relief in record time. However, David Sinclair, a political science professor, warns of “clicktivism.” He explains that while liking or sharing posts creates the illusion of involvement, it may not lead to meaningful action. David emphasizes that long-term change requires sustained offline efforts, such as community meetings and policy advocacy, not just online engagement. From another angle, Aisha Khan, a grassroots organizer, sees social media as a tool for amplifying marginalized voices. She recalls organizing an online campaign that brought attention to a local housing crisis, which eventually led to city council action. Aisha believes social media can level the playing field by giving smaller groups visibility they might not get through traditional media. Still, cybersecurity analyst Jordan Lee highlights the risks. He warns that activists can become targets for harassment or misinformation campaigns, and that false information can spread rapidly. Jordan suggests activists receive training in online safety and fact-checking to protect themselves and their causes. In summary, Emily Zhang values reach and inclusivity, David Sinclair questions the depth of online engagement, Aisha Khan focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices, and Jordan Lee stresses the importance of safety and accuracy. Social media clearly has immense potential for activism, but its impact depends on how it is used.

1. What is the primary issue they are addressing? C. Resolving thermostat disputes
2. Why is the fixed temperature option less appealing? B. It won’t satisfy everyone
3. What do they decide to explore further? A. Using a smart thermostat or schedule
4. What concern does Tom raise about the smart thermostat? D. It’s expensive
5. What decision do they make? C. Try a budget-friendly smart thermostat
6. Why is the smart thermostat the best choice? A. It’s affordable and adjusts automatically
7. What are the next steps they plan to take? C. Install the thermostat and train staff
8. When do they plan to confirm the purchase? B. By tomorrow
9. What is the customer’s main goal? D. To negotiate a lower catering price
10. How does the caterer reduce the price? B. Reduces appetizers to one
11. What does the caterer offer for free? B. Soft drinks
12. What is the deposit amount? B. $144
13. When must the customer confirm the venue? D. By Wednesday
14. What is the primary information Person 1 is asking for? D. Procedures for reporting streetlight outages
15. What information is needed when reporting a streetlight outage? B. The pole number and light condition
16. How long does it typically take to repair a streetlight outage? A. 5–7 business days
17. How can residents track the status of their outage report? B. Using a tracking number on the website
18. Who covers the cost of streetlight repairs? A. The city through taxes
19. What is offered to volunteers in the LightWatch program? C. A $50 annual stipend
20. What is the key event in the coverage? B. A charity marathon for cancer research
21. How much was raised at the event? B. $900,000
22. What race options were available? D. Full marathon, half, and 10K walk
23. What feedback was given about the event? A. Need for more wheelchair-accessible paths
24. How will the raised funds be used? B. Funding gene therapy research
25. What is the main topic of the discussion? C. Organizing a schedule for EV charging
26. How long does Nina suggest for each booking? B. Three hours
27. What exception is discussed for longer charging times? A. Approved special cases
28. What tool do they want to implement to avoid scheduling conflicts? C. An online booking sheet
29. How often would overnight charging be allowed per household? A. Once a week
30. What penalty is suggested for not moving a car on time? D. A monetary fine
31. Which period might be reserved for shorter charges? D. Early mornings
32. Who will finalize the proposal for the board? B. Caleb
33. Emily Zhang believes social media has made activism: D. Faster and more inclusive.
34. David Sinclair’s main criticism of social media activism is that it: C. Encourages shallow participation without real action.
35. Aisha Khan uses social media to: A. Give marginalized groups greater visibility.
36. Jordan Lee warns activists about: B. Online harassment and misinformation risks.
37. Aisha’s housing crisis campaign eventually: B. Led to action by the city council.
38. The speaker concludes that social media activism’s effectiveness depends on: A. How it is used.