CELPIP Listening Practice Test 8

Lila: My parents are aging, and I’m far away, Chen. How can I support them?

Chen: That’s tough. You could hire a local caregiver for daily help. Or set up regular video calls to check in. Another option is moving them closer, but that’s a big change.

Lila: Moving them is too disruptive. Caregivers are expensive, and I’m on a budget. Video calls sound manageable. How often should I call?

Chen: Weekly calls keep you connected without overwhelming them. Use Zoom for ease.

Lila: I’ll try that. It feels personal and affordable.

Lila: I’m going with video calls, Chen, but should I call daily or weekly?

Chen: Weekly is better—daily might feel intrusive. Schedule a fixed time, like Sunday evenings, for consistency. Also, teach them Zoom if they’re not tech-savvy.

Lila: Sundays work. I’ll show them Zoom next call. Should I involve my siblings?

Chen: Yes, share the responsibility. Maybe alternate weeks.

Lila: Good idea. I’ll talk to them tonight about joining the calls.

Lila: I’m set on weekly Zoom calls, Chen, every Sunday evening. I’ll teach my parents Zoom and get my siblings to alternate weeks.

Chen: That’s a great plan! Why weekly calls?

Lila: They’re consistent but not overwhelming, and sharing with siblings makes it easier. I’ll call my parents tomorrow to set it up and email my siblings tonight.

Chen: Nice! Need help explaining Zoom?

Lila: I’ve got it, thanks. I’ll confirm the schedule by tomorrow night.

Tom: Hey, Lisa, are you ready for your big presentation tomorrow?

Lisa: Almost, Tom. I’m nervous about speaking to 50 people! Is the room set up?

Tom: Don’t worry, you’ll do great. The conference room is booked, and the projector’s ready.

Lisa: Good. I need my slides on a USB drive. Can you check if the laptop is compatible?

Tom: I tested it this morning; it’s all set. Do you want a microphone? The room’s pretty big.

Lisa: Yes, please. My voice doesn’t carry well. Can we get a handheld one?

Tom: Sure, I’ll grab one from the AV team. Also, I arranged for water and notepads for the audience.

Lisa: Thanks, that’s thoughtful. What time should I get there?

Tom: The presentation’s at 2 p.m., so arrive by 1:30 to test everything. I’ll be there to help.

Lisa: Great. Should I bring printed handouts, or is digital okay?

Tom: Digital’s fine; we’ll share the slides online after. Anything else you need?

Lisa: Just one thing—can we dim the lights so the slides are clearer?

Tom: No problem, I’ll adjust the settings. Oh, and I’ll introduce you to kick things off.

Lisa: That’s a relief. Thanks for all the help, Tom.

Tom: Happy to help. You’ve got this, Lisa!

Person 1: Hi, I just moved here. How do I sign up for a library card?

Librarian: It’s easy! Just bring a piece of ID and proof of your current address.

Person 1: Can I register online?

Librarian: You can start online, but you’ll need to visit a branch in person to complete the process.

Person 1: And is there a fee?

Librarian: No, library cards are completely free for residents.

Customer: Hi, my laptop keeps freezing. Can I bring it in for tech support?

Staff: Yes. We offer in-store diagnostics by appointment.

Customer: How soon can I come in?

Staff: We have an opening tomorrow at 11 a.m.

Customer: That works. Is there a fee for the diagnostic?

Staff: It’s $25, but it goes toward any repair cost if you proceed.

Customer: Okay, I’ll book that time.

News Anchor: In a surprising move, BrighterTech, one of the region’s largest software firms, has announced it will lay off approximately 600 employees over the next two months. The company cited rising operational costs and a slowdown in international contracts as key reasons for the restructuring. CEO Natalie Chung stated in a press release that the decision was difficult but necessary to keep the company financially stable moving forward. BrighterTech plans to provide severance packages, extended healthcare coverage, and career counselling to affected workers. The provincial government has also said it will assist with re-employment services through local job centers.

Noah: Alright, team, we need to plan a training session for our new volunteers at the food bank. It should prepare them for their roles and be engaging. Any ideas?

Lily: I think a hands-on workshop would work best. We could set up stations to practice tasks like sorting donations and packing boxes.

Ethan: That’s a good idea, Lily, but it might be chaotic with a big group. What about a lecture-style session? We could cover all the basics in a presentation and answer questions.

Noah: A lecture’s efficient, but it could be boring for volunteers. What if we do a mix? A short presentation to explain the basics, followed by small group activities to practice skills.

Lily: I like that, Noah. It’s structured but still interactive. My concern is time—we’d need at least three hours to cover everything without rushing.

Ethan: Three hours is doable, but we should keep it engaging. We could add a Q&A with experienced volunteers to share tips and make it more relatable.

Noah: Great idea, Ethan. The Q&A would add a personal touch. The only issue is the venue—our usual meeting room might be too small for group activities.

Lily: What about the community center? They have a large hall with breakout rooms, perfect for both the presentation and activities. It’s not free, but the cost is reasonable.

Ethan: I’m on board with the community center. We could also provide snacks to keep everyone energized. Volunteers appreciate small gestures like that.

Noah: Agreed. Let’s go with the mixed training session at the community center, with a Q&A and snacks. Lily, can you book the hall and check availability?

Lily: Sure, I’ll call them tomorrow.

Ethan: I’ll reach out to some veteran volunteers for the Q&A panel.

Noah: Perfect. I’ll prepare the presentation and coordinate the snacks. This training is going to set our volunteers up for success!

Speaker: Let’s discuss the rise of online learning platforms, offering courses on diverse subjects. This trend prompts varied perspectives from educators, employers, and researchers about its impact on education and workforce development. Dr. Alan Foster, an education professor, strongly supports online learning. He argues it democratizes education, providing affordable access to global learners. Foster cites data showing that platforms like Coursera have enrolled millions from underserved regions. He believes online courses enhance skills, helping workers adapt to changing job markets. In contrast, Emily Harper, a corporate trainer, raises concerns about engagement. Harper acknowledges access benefits but argues that online platforms often lack the interaction of traditional classrooms, leading to lower completion rates. She points to studies showing only 15% of online learners finish courses. Harper suggests incorporating live sessions to boost engagement. Offering a balanced view, Dr. Sanjay Patel, a workforce development expert, advocates for hybrid learning models. Patel proposes blending online courses with in-person workshops to combine flexibility with interaction. He highlights successful programs in India, where hybrid models have upskilled thousands. Patel emphasizes the need for quality control to ensure course credibility. However, Laura Kim, a labor economist, warns about equity issues. Kim supports online learning but notes that low-income learners may lack reliable internet or devices, limiting access. She cites surveys showing 25% of rural students struggle with connectivity. Kim recommends subsidies for technology to ensure inclusivity. In conclusion, online learning platforms spark diverse opinions. Dr. Foster sees them as tools for accessibility, while Emily Harper questions engagement. Dr. Patel favors hybrid models, and Laura Kim highlights equity concerns. I believe online learning can transform education if paired with engagement strategies and equitable access, balancing flexibility with quality.

1. What is Lila’s main concern? D. Supporting her aging parents remotely
2. Why does Lila reject hiring a caregiver? A. It’s too expensive
3. What option does Lila favor? C. Setting up video calls
4. What issue does Lila raise about video calls? B. Deciding how often to call
5. What does Chen suggest? B. Schedule weekly calls
6. Why are weekly calls the best choice? D. They’re consistent and manageable
7. What are Lila’s next steps? C. Call parents and email siblings
8. When will Lila confirm the schedule? A. Tomorrow night
9. What is the main topic of Lisa and Tom’s conversation? C. Arranging a presentation setup
10. Why is Lisa nervous? C. She’s speaking to a large audience
11. What equipment does Lisa request? B. A handheld microphone
12. What does Tom plan to do before the presentation? A. Introduce Lisa
13. What time should Lisa arrive at the conference room? A. 1:30 p.m.
14. What does the person want to do? C. Sign up for a library card
15. What documents are needed to register? C. Proof of address and ID
16. Can the process be completed entirely online? B. No
17. What issue is the customer experiencing? B. Freezing laptop
18. When is the earliest available appointment? B. Tomorrow at 11 a.m.
19. What is the cost of the diagnostic? B. $25
20. What major announcement did BrighterTech make? C. It plans to lay off employees
21. What reason was given for the layoffs? D. High costs and reduced contracts
22. How many employees will be affected? C. 600
23. What support will laid-off workers receive? B. Healthcare, severance, and career support
24. How will the government respond to the layoffs? B. It will offer job placement assistance
25. What are the speakers planning? B. A training session for volunteers
26. What is Lily’s initial suggestion for the training? D. A hands-on workshop
27. What concern does Ethan raise about Lily’s suggestion? B. It might be chaotic
28. What alternative does Noah propose? C. A mixed presentation and activities
29. What concern does Lily raise about Noah’s suggestion? C. It requires a lot of time
30. What is the main advantage of the Q&A, according to Ethan? C. It makes the session relatable
31. Why do the speakers choose the community center? A. It has a large hall and breakout rooms
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? D. To plan a mixed training session
33. Dr. Alan Foster believes online learning primarily improves: B. access to education
34. Emily Harper’s main concern about online learning is: C. low engagement levels
35. Dr. Sanjay Patel supports: B. hybrid learning models
36. Laura Kim is concerned about online learning’s: C. accessibility for low-income learners
37. The speaker mentions India as an example of: D. successful hybrid programs
38. The speaker concludes that online learning should: A. include engagement and access solutions