CELPIP Listening Practice Test 4

Maya: My home office is a mess, Liam. I need a clutter-free workspace. Any advice?

Liam: Definitely! You could get a desk organizer for papers and pens. Or try a minimalist approach—keep only essentials on your desk. Another option is adding shelves for storage.

Maya: Shelves sound great, but my space is tiny. A desk organizer might be too bulky. Minimalism could work—I don’t need much. How do I start?

Liam: Clear everything off, then only put back what you use daily. It’s simple and effective.

Maya: I like that. I’ll try minimalism.

Maya: I’m going minimalist, Liam, but should I store extra items or donate them?

Liam: Donating is better—less clutter long-term. Keep only what you use weekly, like your laptop and notepad. Store sentimental stuff elsewhere.

Maya: Good idea. I’ll donate old papers and gadgets I don’t need. I’ll start sorting tonight. Should I get storage bins for the rest?

Liam: Only if you need them. Try clearing first.

Maya: I’m set on minimalism, Liam. I’ll donate old papers and unused gadgets tomorrow. My desk will just have my laptop, notepad, and a pen.

Liam: Nice! Why’d you pick donating?

Maya: It reduces clutter permanently, and I don’t need most of it. I’ll sort everything tonight and drop donations off tomorrow afternoon.

Liam: Smart move. Need help sorting?

Maya: I’m good, but thanks. I’ll text you a photo of my clean desk tomorrow!

Parent: Hi, I’m looking for some help with my son’s bike. He’s struggling to learn how to ride it.

Employee: No problem! How old is your son, and what’s the issue?

Parent: He’s seven. He keeps losing balance and gets scared when I let go of the bike.

Employee: That’s common. Does his bike have training wheels?

Parent: It did, but we took them off last week. Now he’s too nervous to try.

Employee: Got it. We offer a beginner’s class here on Saturdays. An instructor works with kids to build confidence and balance.

Parent: Oh, that sounds perfect. How long is the class?

Employee: It’s an hour, and we provide bikes if needed. The cost is $20, and we limit it to five kids for personal attention.

Parent: Great. Is there space this Saturday?

Employee: Let me check… Yes, we have two spots left at 10 a.m. Want to sign him up?

Parent: Definitely. Can I stay and watch the class?

Employee: Of course, parents are welcome to observe. We also give tips on how to practice at home.

Parent: That’s helpful. Should I bring anything for him?

Employee: Just a helmet and water. We’ll provide the rest. Oh, and arrive 10 minutes early to get him settled.

Parent: Sounds good. I’ll sign him up for 10 a.m. Thanks so much!

Employee: You’re welcome. We’ll get him riding in no time!

Student: Hi, I just moved here for school and I’m wondering if you offer student discounts for transit passes.

Representative: Yes, we do. You’ll need to show a valid student ID to purchase a discounted monthly pass.

Student: How much is the student pass?

Representative: It’s $55 per month. The regular adult fare is $95, so it’s quite a saving.

Student: Can I buy it online?

Representative: Yes, either online or at any of our station kiosks.

Parent: Hi, I saw something about a reading program for children. Can you tell me more about it?

Librarian: Sure! It’s called the Summer Reading Challenge and it runs for six weeks.

Parent: What ages is it for?

Librarian: It’s open to children aged 6 to 12.

Parent: Is there a cost to participate?

Librarian: No, it’s completely free. Registration opens this Friday at 10 a.m.

Parent: Great! We’ll sign up as soon as it opens.

News Anchor: The provincial government of Alberta has announced that the minimum wage will rise from $15 to $16.20 per hour starting September 1st. This marks the first increase in four years and is aimed at helping workers keep up with inflation and rising living costs. Labour Minister Carla Jennings stated that the decision was based on data from Statistics Canada, which showed a 6% cost-of-living increase over the past year. Small business groups have expressed concern about how the wage hike might affect staffing and pricing, but many workers welcomed the move. The province says it will monitor economic impacts closely and may introduce support programs for affected businesses.

Lucas: Alright, we need to plan a field trip for the 8th-grade class. It should be educational and fun to keep the kids engaged. Any ideas?

Maya: I think a visit to the science museum would be perfect. They have interactive exhibits, and it ties into their curriculum.

Jacob: The science museum’s great, Maya, but it’s a bit far, and the bus rental could be costly. What about the local history museum? It’s closer and still educational.

Lucas: The history museum is a good option, but some kids might find it less exciting. What if we try something outdoors, like a trip to the botanical gardens? It’s educational and more interactive.

Maya: I like the botanical gardens, Lucas, but we’d need to plan for allergies or bad weather. A museum is safer since it’s indoors. What about a compromise? The planetarium has shows that are both fun and science-focused.

Jacob: The planetarium’s a great idea! It’s engaging, and the kids love the star shows. My only concern is the group size—they might limit how many students can attend at once.

Lucas: That’s a valid point. We could split the class into two groups and do morning and afternoon sessions. That way, everyone gets to go, and it’s manageable for the planetarium staff.

Maya: I’m on board with that. The planetarium is affordable, too, and we can request a guided tour to make it more educational. We just need to confirm the bus schedule.

Jacob: Agreed. Let’s go with the planetarium. We can also ask parents to volunteer as chaperones to keep the kids in check.

Lucas: Perfect. Maya, can you contact the planetarium to book the sessions?

Maya: Sure, I’ll call them this afternoon.

Jacob: I’ll work on the permission slips and reach out to parents for volunteers.

Lucas: Great. I’ll handle the bus rental and coordinate the schedule. This field trip is going to be a blast!

Speaker: Let’s discuss urban farming, the practice of growing food in cities through community gardens and vertical farms. This movement prompts varied opinions from agricultural experts and urban planners about its potential to enhance food security and sustainability. Dr. Lila Patel, an agronomist, enthusiastically supports urban farming. She argues it increases access to fresh produce, improving nutrition in underserved areas. Patel cites studies showing that urban farms in Detroit have reduced food insecurity by 20%. She also notes that local farming cuts transportation emissions, contributing to climate goals and fostering community pride. However, Gregory Holt, a city planner, highlights logistical challenges. Holt acknowledges urban farming’s benefits but argues that limited space in dense cities makes large-scale projects impractical. He points out that land used for farms could address housing shortages, a pressing issue in cities like San Francisco. Holt suggests integrating small-scale farms into building designs, like rooftop gardens, to balance competing needs. Offering a different angle, Sofia Alvarez, a nutritionist, emphasizes urban farming’s educational value. Alvarez argues that community gardens teach children and adults about sustainable food systems, promoting healthier diets. She references programs in Tokyo, where school gardens have increased students’ vegetable consumption. However, Alvarez warns that without proper training, urban farmers may struggle with soil contamination, risking food safety. Meanwhile, Dr. Amir Khan, an environmental engineer, raises concerns about resource use. Khan supports urban farming but cautions that it can strain water and energy supplies, especially in vertical farms requiring artificial lighting. He cites data showing some indoor farms use 10 times more energy than traditional agriculture. Khan recommends investing in energy-efficient technologies to make urban farming sustainable. In conclusion, urban farming sparks diverse viewpoints. Dr. Patel sees it as a tool for food security, while Gregory Holt prioritizes urban space constraints. Sofia Alvarez values its educational impact, and Dr. Amir Khan urges resource efficiency. I believe urban farming can thrive with innovative designs and community engagement, balancing food production with urban and environmental needs.

1. What is Maya trying to achieve? C. Creating a clutter-free workspace
2. Why does Maya reject shelves? A. Her office is too small
3. What approach does Maya favor? C. Adopting a minimalist approach
4. What issue does Maya raise about the minimalist approach? B. Deciding whether to store or donate items
5. What does Liam suggest? B. Donate unnecessary items
6. Why is donating the best choice for Maya? C. It permanently reduces clutter
7. What are Maya’s next steps? D. Sort items and donate tomorrow
8. When will Maya complete her donations? A. Tomorrow afternoon
9. What is the main reason the parent contacts the bike shop? C. To get help for their son learning to ride
10. What issue is the parent’s son facing? C. He keeps losing balance
11. What service does the employee suggest? D. A beginner’s riding class
12. What does the parent plan to do after the conversation? B. Sign their son up for the class
13. What does the employee ask the parent to bring? A. A helmet and water
14. What is the student asking about? C. Student transit passes
15. What is the monthly cost of the student pass? B. $55
16. Where can the pass be purchased? D. Only at the transit office
17. What is the topic of the conversation? C. A children’s reading program
18. What age group is the program for? B. 6 to 12
19. When does registration open? D. Friday at 10 a.m.
20. What change has been announced by the Alberta government? C. An increase in the minimum wage
21. When will the change take effect? C. September 1st
22. What is the new minimum wage rate? B. $16.20
23. What concern was raised by small business groups? A. Price increases and staffing issues
24. What does the government plan to do following the wage increase? D. Monitor the economic effects
25. What are the speakers planning? B. A class field trip
26. What is Maya’s initial suggestion for the field trip? A. The science museum
27. What concern does Jacob raise about the science museum? B. It’s too far and costly
28. What alternative does Lucas propose? C. The botanical gardens
29. What concern does Maya raise about the botanical gardens? C. Weather and allergies could be issues
30. What is the main advantage of the planetarium, according to Jacob? A. It’s engaging for students
31. How do the speakers plan to address the group size limit at the planetarium? D. By splitting the class into two sessions
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? A. To book the planetarium
33. Dr. Lila Patel argues urban farming primarily improves: A. food security and nutrition
34. Gregory Holt’s main concern about urban farming is: A. limited urban space
35. Sofia Alvarez believes urban farming benefits: A. real estate markets
36. Dr. Amir Khan is concerned about urban farming’s: C. high resource consumption
37. The speaker mentions Detroit as an example of: B. reducing food insecurity
38. The speaker concludes that urban farming should: D. use innovative and efficient designs