By Prof Alexander Benito

General DescriptionFORMAT The paper contains four parts. Each part contains a recorded text or texts and

corresponding comprehension tasks. Each part is heard twice.TIMING Approximately 40 minutes

NO. OF PARTS 4

NO. OF QS 30

TASK TYPES Multiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching.

TEXT TYPES Monologues: answerphone messages, radio documentaries and features, news, public announcements, stories and anecdotes, talks.Interacting speakers: conversations, interviews, discussions, radio plays.

ANSWER FORMAT Candidates are advised to write their answers in the spaces provided on the question paper while listening. There will be 5 minutes at the end of the test to copy the answers onto a separate answer sheet. Candidates indicate their answers by shading the correct lozenges or writing the required word or words in capital letters in a box on the answer sheet.

RECORDING INFORMATION

A variety of voices, styles of delivery and accents will be heard in each Listening paper to reflect the various contexts presented in the recordings, as appropriate to the international contexts of the test takers.

MARKS Each correct answer receives 1 mark

Structure and tasks

Part 1TASK TYPE Multiple choice.

FOCUS The focus is on genre, identifying speaker feeling, attitude, topic, opinion, purpose, agreement between speakers, gist and detail.

FORMAT A series of short unrelated extracts, of approximately 30 seconds each, frommonologues or exchanges between interacting speakers. There is one multiple-choice question per text, each with three options.

No. Of QS 8

Exam Techniques

Part 1Dos and don’ts

Read and listen carefully to the first question and the options. As you listen for the first time, mark the options which you think are possible.As you listen for the second time, check your ideas and make your final choice.Follow the same procedure for each question. Don’t think about the last extract – remember to read and listen carefully to the next one.

Structure and tasks

Part 2TASK TYPE Sentence completion.

FOCUS The focus is on detail, identifying specific information and stated opinion.

FORMAT A monologue lasting 3–4 minutes. Candidates are required to complete the sentences with information heard on the recording.

No. Of QS 10

Exam Techniques

Part 2Dos and don’ts

Read the sentences you have to complete. Decide what kind of information you need to listen for.

Listen to the recording and complete any sentences you can. Don’t worry if you can’t complete many at this stage.

Listen again to complete the rest of the sentences. Check the sentences you have already completed.

Check all your answers are grammatically correct and make sense. Don’t write more than three words in any space.

Don’t leave any sentences unfinished.

Structure and tasks

Part 3TASK TYPE Multiple matching

FORMAT Five short related monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. There arefive questions which require the selection of the correct option from a list of eight.

No. Of QS 5

Exam Techniques

Part 3Dos and don’ts

Read the instructions and the eight options carefully. Don’t forget – three options are not needed.

The first time you hear the recording, listen for general understanding. Note key words and make a first choice of answers.

The second time you hear the recording, listen for words associated with the options.

Make your final choice of answer, using any notes you have made. Don’t leave any spaces.

TIP! The options are not in the same order as the information you hear. As you listen, you need to check all eight options.

Structure and tasks

Part 4TASK TYPE Multiple choice

FOCUS The focus is on identifying opinion, attitude, detail, gist, main idea and specific information.

FORMAT An interview or exchange between two speakers and lasting 3–4 minutes. There are seven 3-option multiple-choice questions.

No. Of QS 7

Exam Techniques

Part 4Dos and don’ts

Read and listen to the task carefully. As you listen for the first time, mark or make a note of the options which

you think are possible. As you listen for the second time, make you final choice. If you are not sure, make a sensible guess. Don’t leave any questions

unanswered.