CELPIP Listening Practice Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: How the CELPIP Listening test works

The CELPIP-General test measures your English in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The CELPIP-General LS test measures only Listening and Speaking. The official CELPIP website says the LS test covers the Listening and Speaking skills needed for the citizenship language requirement. Always check the Government of Canada's requirements for your own application.

The Listening test has six parts and 38 scored questions, and the official time is 46–55 minutes. The recordings and questions get gradually harder as you go.

The six parts

Rules for the audio

• Every audio clip plays one time only. It starts by itself, and you cannot pause it.
• You get paper and a pen at the test centre. Your notes are not scored.
• Timers on the screen help you manage your time. The test moves forward by itself when time runs out.
• If you click Next early, you cannot go back, and the extra time is not added to later parts. Use spare time to check your answers instead.

Two question formats

• Parts 1–3: multiple-choice questions appear one by one, and you answer them in order.
• Parts 4–6: sentence-completion questions appear together on one screen, and you can answer them in any order.
• Every question has four options and one correct answer.

How Listening is scored

A computer scores every answer as correct or incorrect. Each correct answer gets 1 point, and no points are taken away for wrong answers. A blank answer counts as incorrect, so always choose an answer, even if you have to guess. Your raw score is changed into a scaled score and then into a CELPIP level, which lines up with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

The Listening test may also contain unscored items used to build future tests. They can appear anywhere and look like the other parts, and you cannot tell which ones they are. Give every item your best effort.

Three types of questions

• General meaning: the topic or main idea. Example: what is the conversation mainly about?
• Specific information: a key detail, fact, opinion or example. Example: what time does the class start?
• Inference: something that is not said directly, such as a speaker's purpose, tone or attitude. Example: how does the woman feel about the plan?

Notes that work

You cannot write everything, so write only key words. Use point form, short forms and symbols such as → (changes to), + (and), ✓ (yes or agrees) and ✗ (no or disagrees). Note names, numbers, dates and the order of events. Listen for clues in the voice too: pauses, stressed words and a rising or falling tone often show what a speaker really means.

Topic quiz 1: How the Listening test works

Lesson 2: Listening to Problem Solving

In Part 1 you hear one conversation between two people who are trying to solve a problem. Often one speaker wants to help the other. The conversation is cut into three sections of about 1 to 1.5 minutes each. After each section you answer two or three questions. There are 8 questions in total, and the part takes about 8 minutes.

Before you listen

Read the short introduction on the screen. It tells you the situation, so you can guess who the speakers are. Then set up your notes. A simple layout works well:

While you listen

• A common pattern (not a fixed rule): the first section often explains the problem and why it matters.
• The middle section often brings options that do not work. Write the reason for each one, because questions often ask why an idea was rejected.
• The last section often brings the solution and the next steps.
• Listen to the voice. A slow "Well…" or a pause often means doubt. A quick, bright "Exactly!" means agreement.

These phrases often mark the steps of problem solving. Press play to hear them.

• I'm worried that people will complain.Shows a concern about the problem.
• What about asking your sister?Suggests an option.
• I thought about that, but it's too far.Rejects an option and gives the reason after "but".
• Here's another idea.Brings a new option, often the final one.
• That could actually work.Accepts an idea.
• Deal. I'll call them tonight.Agrees and states the next step.

Common traps

• The first idea you hear is often not the final solution.
• A wrong option may repeat words you heard, but change who, when or why.
• Answer from the section you just heard. The next section may change the plan.

• Practice recording: the car that won't startPress play once. Take notes in the problem, options and solution layout, then try the tasks.

Topic quiz 2: Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving

Lesson 3: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation

In Part 2 you hear one conversation between two people that lasts about 1.5 to 2 minutes. There are 5 questions, and the part takes about 5 minutes. The speakers know each other: they may be friends, family members, neighbours or coworkers. The tone is conversational, relatively informal and polite, but not too casual or personal.

What to listen for

• Who the speakers are and how they know each other.
• What they are talking about: a favour, a plan, an event or a small problem.
• How each person feels, and what they decide in the end.
• Changes of plan. Words like "actually", "not all of them" and "instead" often correct something said earlier.

Listen for meaning, not matching words

The correct answer usually says the same idea in different words. This is called a paraphrase. A wrong answer often repeats a word you heard but changes the meaning. Practise matching what you hear with how an answer choice might say it.

Everyday conversations use many informal expressions. Press play to hear some common ones.

• I have a favour to ask.I want to ask you to help me with something.
• Fair point.You are right about that.
• Thank goodness.I am relieved.
• I can live with that.It is not perfect, but I accept it.
• Before I change my mind.I will do it now, while I still want to.
• I won't say no.Yes, I would like that (said politely).

Topic quiz 3: Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation

Lesson 4: Listening for Information

In Part 3 you hear one conversation between two people that lasts about 2 to 2.5 minutes. There are 6 questions, and the part takes about 6 minutes. One speaker has information or expertise that the other wants: for example, a caller and a receptionist, a new employee and a human resources officer, or a customer and a clerk. The tone is polite and can be informal to somewhat formal.

Notes as questions and answers

Most of the talk is questions and answers, so set up two columns. On the left, write each thing the person asks about. On the right, write the answer in a few words. The test questions usually follow the same order as the conversation.

Numbers and conditions

• Prices and times often come in pairs: one for members and one for others, one for weekdays and one for weekends. Note which one applies to the person asking.
• Watch for similar numbers, such as fifteen and fifty, or a time and a length of time.
• Conditions change the answer. Listen for if, unless, only, before, after and not.
• Some questions need a small calculation, such as what part of a cost a person pays.

• Practice recording: getting a library cardPress play once. Take notes in two columns: asked about, and answer. Then try the tasks.

Topic quiz 4: Part 3: Listening for Information

Lesson 5: Listening to a News Item

In Part 4 you hear one speaker read a news report of about 1.5 minutes. The style is formal, factual and descriptive, like a radio or TV news story. There are 5 questions, and the part takes about 5 minutes.

The questions are sentence completions. All five appear on the same screen after the audio, with a set amount of time to answer them all. You can answer them in any order.

The five Ws

Names in news reports

News reports introduce a person with a full name and a role, such as "school principal Ana Silva", and then use only the last name: "Silva says…". Write the last name and the role together so you can follow each person through the report.

News reports also use set phrases. Press play to hear some of them.

• Officials say the work will begin next week.Gives the source of the information.
• According to the city, the cost will rise.Another way to name a source.
• Starting next Monday, the road will be closed.Tells you when a change begins.
• The project is expected to take six months.A prediction, not a certain fact.
• Residents are asked to use another route.An instruction to the public.
• The cause is still under investigation.Nobody knows the reason yet.

Answering on one screen

1. Read all five sentence beginnings quickly.
2. Answer the ones you are most sure about first.
3. Use your notes for the rest. A wrong option often uses a real detail from the report in the wrong place, such as the cyclists' route instead of the pedestrians' route.
4. Before time runs out, make sure every question has an answer.

Topic quiz 5: Part 4: Listening to a News Item

Lesson 6: Listening to a Discussion

In Part 5 you watch a video of about 1.5 to 2 minutes in which three people discuss a topic, such as a decision at work, at home or in their community. There are 8 questions, and the part takes about 9 minutes. The questions are sentence completions on one screen, and you can answer them in any order. Aim for about 30 seconds per question when you answer.

In this course you hear the audio only. In the real test you will also see the speakers.

Notes for three speakers

Before the video starts, divide your paper into three columns. As each person is introduced, label the columns by their place on the screen (left, centre, right) and add their names. Under each name, note their opinion, their reason and whether they change their mind.

Agreeing, disagreeing and meeting halfway

Discussions often end in a compromise. Listen for the phrases people use to agree, disagree politely and accept a plan. Press play to hear them.

• You have a point.Agrees, at least in part.
• I see where you're coming from, but…Polite disagreement; the real view comes after "but".
• That's not how I see it.Clear disagreement.
• I couldn't agree more.Strong agreement.
• Let's meet halfway.Suggests a compromise.
• It's not perfect, but I can live with it.Accepts a plan without being fully happy.

Visual clues

In the video, facial expressions, body language, posture, the setting and the type of clothing can help you understand the situation and how people feel. A smile, crossed arms or a shake of the head can show agreement or disagreement. You do not need to remember details that have nothing to do with the conversation, such as what someone looks like.

• Practice recording: choosing a place for the team lunchPress play once. Take notes in three columns, one for each speaker, then try the tasks.

Topic quiz 6: Part 5: Listening to a Discussion

Lesson 7: Listening for Viewpoints

In Part 6 you hear one speaker for about 3 minutes. The talk is formal and prepared in advance, like a report on a radio program. The speaker presents an issue and the opinions of different people or groups. The language can include less common and specialized words. There are 6 questions, and the part takes about 8 minutes. The questions are sentence completions on one screen, in any order.

A viewpoint table

First, write the issue in a few words as soon as you hear it, often near the start. Then add a row each time a new person or group is named. Most questions ask what someone thinks or why they think it.

Signal words

A formal speaker uses signal words to move from one view to the next. Press play to hear common ones.

• Supporters of the plan make several arguments.Views in favour are coming.
• On the other side, many residents disagree.Opposing views are coming.
• Critics warn that the cost will rise.A negative view and a possible risk.
• Some experts suggest a middle path.A compromise view is coming.
• In her view, the rules are too strict.This is one person's opinion, not a fact.
• The mayor replies that the plan is fair.An answer to an earlier view.

Paraphrase to save time

You cannot write long sentences, so turn what you hear into a few simple words. This also helps you spot the answer, because the correct option usually paraphrases the speaker. If you hear a word you do not know, use the words around it to guess the meaning, and keep listening.

Topic quiz 7: Part 6: Listening for Viewpoints