CELPIP Listening Practice Test 9

Tara: Holiday shopping is coming up, Leo, but I always overspend. How can I budget?

Leo: You could set a total spending limit and stick to it. Or try a gift list with price caps per person. Another idea is buying in bulk to save money.

Tara: Bulk buying’s tricky—I don’t need multiples. A total limit feels vague. A gift list with caps sounds practical. How do I set it up?

Leo: List everyone you’re buying for and assign a dollar amount. Track expenses.

Tara: I’ll try the list approach.

Tara: I’m using a gift list with price caps, Leo, but should I shop online or in-store?

Leo: Online’s often cheaper with deals, but in-store lets you see quality. Compare prices first.

Tara: Online sounds easier. I’ll set a $20 cap per gift and check sales. Should I start now?

Leo: Yes, early shopping avoids price hikes. Use a budgeting app to track.

Tara: I’ll download an app and start browsing tonight.

Tara: I’m set on the gift list, Leo, with a $20 cap per person. I’ll shop online for deals and track with a budgeting app.

Leo: Solid choice! Why online with an app?

Tara: It’s cheaper, and the app keeps me on track. I’ll start browsing tonight and aim to finish by next week.

Leo: Smart. Need help finding deals?

Tara: I’m good, but thanks. I’ll share my progress tomorrow evening after setting up the app.

Sophie: Hey, Mark, have you heard from Jenna? She’s been really down since her job loss.

Mark: Yeah, I talked to her yesterday. She’s feeling overwhelmed. I want to cheer her up.

Sophie: Same. Maybe we could visit her this weekend?

Mark: Good idea. I was thinking we could bring her favorite coffee and some snacks.

Sophie: She loves those cinnamon pastries from the café on Oak Street. I can grab some.

Mark: Perfect. I’ll get her a latte. Should we meet at her place Saturday morning?

Sophie: Yeah, maybe 10 a.m.? I’ll text her to make sure she’s free but keep it casual so she doesn’t feel pressured.

Mark: Smart. I also thought we could invite her for a walk in the park. Fresh air might help.

Sophie: Great idea. There’s a nice trail near her house. Should we bring anything else?

Mark: Maybe a small gift, like a journal. She loves writing to clear her mind.

Sophie: I’ll pick one up. Should we plan to stay for lunch?

Mark: Let’s play it by ear. If she’s up for it, we can order takeout.

Sophie: Sounds good. I’ll confirm with her today and let you know.

Mark: Thanks, Sophie. Let’s make sure she knows we’re here for her.

Sophie: Absolutely. See you Saturday, Mark.

Man: Hi, I think I left my jacket here after my swim yesterday. Is there a lost and found?

Staff: Yes, we keep all lost items for 14 days behind the front desk.

Man: It’s a black windbreaker with white stripes on the sleeves.

Staff: Let me check… Yes, I believe we have it. You can pick it up anytime today until 9 p.m.

Man: Perfect. Do I need to show anything?

Staff: Just a quick description and your ID.

Woman: Hi, I saw your flyer about a composting workshop. Is it still open for registration?

Staff: Yes, we have a few spots left. The next session is this Saturday at 2 p.m.

Woman: How long is it?

Staff: It’s about 90 minutes, including a short Q&A at the end.

Woman: Is there a fee?

Staff: No, it’s part of our city’s environmental outreach program, so it’s free.

Woman: Awesome—I’ll sign up now.

News Anchor: The government of Manitoba has announced new funding to expand mental health services in public schools. The $12 million initiative will support the hiring of over 80 new school counsellors and social workers over the next year. Education Minister Brian Halley says the program is a response to growing concerns about student well-being, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. The additional staff will help provide one-on-one counselling, group support sessions, and mental health education for students from grades 6 to 12. The province also plans to introduce a mental health awareness week in all schools starting this fall. Teachers and parents have welcomed the move, calling it an overdue but essential step.

Rachel: Alright, teachers, we need to plan a talent show for the middle school to showcase student talents. It should be fun and well-organized. Any suggestions?

David: I think a traditional talent show with acts like singing and dancing would be great. We could hold it in the auditorium and charge a small entry fee for fundraising.

Sam: That’s a classic idea, David, but some students might feel shy about performing solo. What about a group-focused show? We could have class skits or band performances to encourage teamwork.

Rachel: Group acts are inclusive, but they might be harder to coordinate. What if we allow both? Students can choose solo or group acts, giving everyone a chance to participate.

David: I like that, Rachel. We’d just need to limit the number of acts to keep the show under two hours. My concern is the stage setup—lighting and sound could be tricky.

Sam: True. We could ask the drama club to help with tech. They’re experienced with the auditorium equipment, and it’d give them a role in the event.

Rachel: Great idea, Sam. The drama club’s involvement would make things smoother. The only issue is scheduling—finals are coming up, so we need a date that works for everyone.

David: What about the week after finals? Students will be less stressed, and we can use the event to celebrate the end of the term.

Sam: I’m on board with that. Let’s go with a mixed solo and group talent show after finals, with the drama club handling tech. We should also create a signup process to organize the acts.

Rachel: Perfect. David, can you coordinate with the drama club for the tech setup?

David: Yep, I’ll meet with them tomorrow.

Sam: I’ll set up a signup form and promote the event to students.

Rachel: Great. I’ll check the auditorium availability and confirm the date. This talent show is going to be a blast!

Speaker: Today, we’ll explore sustainable fashion, which prioritizes eco-friendly materials and ethical production. This movement prompts varied perspectives from designers, economists, and activists about its potential to reshape the industry. Dr. Mia Chen, a fashion researcher, strongly supports sustainable fashion. She argues it reduces environmental harm, as eco-friendly materials like organic cotton use 60% less water than conventional fabrics. Chen cites brands like Patagonia, which prioritize sustainability, as models for change. She believes consumer demand for ethical products can drive industry-wide shifts. In contrast, David Lawson, a retail chain CEO, highlights economic challenges. Lawson acknowledges sustainability’s appeal but argues that eco-friendly materials are costlier, raising prices for consumers. He notes that fast fashion remains dominant due to affordability, especially in developing markets. Lawson suggests gradual transitions, with brands offering sustainable lines alongside traditional ones. Offering a balanced view, Amina Hassan, a fashion designer, advocates for circular fashion models. Hassan proposes designing clothes for longevity and recyclability, reducing waste. She points to Sweden’s success, where clothing rental and recycling programs have cut textile waste by 20%. Hassan emphasizes the need for consumer education to shift buying habits. However, Dr. Felix Ortiz, an environmental activist, raises concerns about greenwashing. Ortiz supports sustainable fashion but warns that some brands falsely claim eco-credentials to attract consumers. He cites investigations revealing mislabeled “sustainable” products. Ortiz recommends stricter regulations to ensure transparency and accountability. In conclusion, sustainable fashion divides opinions. Dr. Chen sees it as an environmental necessity, while David Lawson focuses on cost barriers. Amina Hassan favors circular models, and Dr. Felix Ortiz warns of greenwashing. I believe sustainable fashion can succeed with transparency, education, and affordable options, balancing ethics with accessibility.

1. What is Tara trying to achieve? B. Creating a holiday shopping budget
2. Why does Tara reject bulk buying? C. She doesn’t need multiples
3. What does Tara decide to do? C. Use a gift list with price caps
4. What concern does Tara raise about the gift list? D. Choosing where to shop
5. What does Leo suggest? B. Compare online and in-store prices
6. Why is online shopping with an app the best choice? D. It’s cheaper and trackable
7. What are Tara’s next steps? C. Browse online and set up the app
8. When will Tara share her progress? A. Tomorrow evening
9. What is the main purpose of Sophie and Mark’s conversation? B. To support their friend Jenna
10. Why is Jenna feeling down? C. She lost her job
11. What does Sophie plan to bring for Jenna? A. Cinnamon pastries
12. What activity do they suggest to cheer Jenna up? D. Going for a walk
13. What will Sophie do before Saturday? C. Text Jenna to confirm
14. What is the man trying to find? C. A jacket
15. How long are lost items kept? C. 14 days
16. What does the man need to show to collect the item? D. A description and ID
17. What is the woman trying to do? B. Take a composting workshop
18. How long is the workshop? C. 90 minutes
19. What is the cost of the workshop? D. Free
20. What is the main purpose of the government’s announcement? B. To expand mental health support in schools
21. How much funding has been allocated? D. $12 million
22. What positions will the funding help to add? B. School counsellors and social workers
23. What grade levels will the program focus on? B. Grades 6 to 12
24. What new event will be introduced in schools this fall? C. Mental health awareness week
25. What are the speakers planning? C. A middle school talent show
26. What is David’s initial suggestion for the talent show? C. A traditional solo act show
27. What concern does Sam raise about David’s suggestion? A. It might exclude shy students
28. What alternative does Rachel propose? C. A mixed solo and group show
29. What concern does David raise about Rachel’s suggestion? B. It could make the show too long
30. What is the main advantage of involving the drama club, according to Sam? D. It ensures smooth tech setup
31. Why do the speakers choose the week after finals? B. Students will be less stressed
32. What is the final decision made by the speakers? D. To plan a mixed solo and group talent show
33. Dr. Mia Chen argues sustainable fashion primarily reduces: D. environmental harm
34. David Lawson’s main concern about sustainable fashion is: C. higher production costs
35. Amina Hassan supports: B. circular fashion models
36. Dr. Felix Ortiz is concerned about: A. greenwashing by brands
37. The speaker mentions Sweden as an example of: B. successful recycling programs
38. The speaker concludes that sustainable fashion should include: C. transparency and education