Listening Exercises 1-5: Method and Practice

British & IGCSE › Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510)

On this page we go through Paper 2 one exercise at a time. For each exercise you get: what it is, the method step by step, an original mini recording script written out in full, exam-style questions, the answers, and an explanation of why every wrong option is wrong. If you have not read the overview page yet (Paper 2 Listening: Overview and Strategy), start there.

Signal words you must recognise

Many questions ask about a speaker's attitude (how he feels), opinion (what he thinks), agreement or disagreement (in conversations and interviews) and changes of mind. These ideas are rarely stated with one obvious word. Instead, they are carried by phrases. Learn these groups.

Exercise 1 (Questions 1-8): short recordings with picture options

What you hear: eight short, separate recordings. Each one is a monologue or a dialogue from everyday life: a conversation, a phone message, an announcement, a short news or radio extract. What you do: answer one question for each recording by choosing one of four pictures (A-D). 8 marks.

1. Read the question and underline the question word and any key word (*first*, *most*, *decide*, *not*).
2. Look at the four pictures and name what you see in English in your head (backpack, shoulder bag, sports bag). Notice the difference between the pictures: often they are the same object with one small change (with or without pockets, morning or afternoon clock).
3. Expect all four pictures, or three of them, to be mentioned. Listen for the reason each one is rejected.
4. First listening: cross out pictures that are rejected. Second listening: confirm the one that is left.
5. These are often seen as easy marks. They are, but only if you listen to the end of each recording.

Worked example 1. In the exam you would see four pictures. Here they are described in words.

Worked example 2.

Exercise 2 (Questions 9-18): five short extracts, two questions each

What you hear: five short extracts, often a conversation between two people or a short interview. What you do: answer two questions on each extract, choosing from three written options (A-C). 10 marks. One question is often about a fact or a reason, and the other is often about an opinion, a feeling or something implied.

1. Read both questions for the extract before it starts. They come in the order of the recording: the answer to the first question comes first.
2. Underline who the question is about. In a dialogue, a question about the woman's opinion is not answered by the man's opinion.
3. Paraphrase each option in your head before you listen.
4. For opinion and feeling questions, listen to how the speaker reacts, not only to the words: 'Oh, great… another meeting' with a flat voice means the opposite of 'great'.
5. If the two speakers disagree, decide carefully who says what.

Exercise 3 (Questions 19-26): one longer talk, sentence completion

What you hear: one speaker giving a talk or presentation (for example to students, at a club or on the radio). What you do: complete eight sentences by choosing the correct ending from three options (A-C). 8 marks. Because there is only one speaker, the challenge is to keep your place: the sentences follow the order of the talk.

1. Read the eight sentence beginnings first. Together, they tell you the story of the talk before you hear it.
2. Underline the key words of each beginning (for example 'The speaker first became interested in…'). When you hear those ideas, the answer is near.
3. Do not wait for the exact words of the sentence. The speaker will paraphrase it.
4. If you miss one, leave it and go to the next sentence immediately. You will get it on the second listening.
5. Check that your completed sentence is true according to the speaker, not just possible.

Exercise 4 (Questions 27-32): six speakers, multiple matching

What you hear: six short monologues. Six different people talk about the same topic (for example, a hobby, a journey or a type of holiday). What you do: match each speaker to the statement (A-H) that expresses his or her main idea. There are eight statements, so two are not used. Each letter can be used only once. 6 marks.

1. Read all eight statements before the first speaker. Underline the key idea in each one (cost, comfort, people, time, feelings, environment…).
2. Paraphrase each statement in your head: 'It's less stressful than I expected' → 'I thought I'd be nervous, but I was relaxed'.
3. Each speaker usually touches two or three of the statements. Only one is his or her real point. The others are traps.
4. First listening: write one or two possible letters for each speaker. Second listening: decide, and cross out letters you have used.
5. At the end, check: six different letters, two letters left over.

Here is a mini version with four speakers and six statements (two extra). The real exam has six speakers and eight statements, but the method is the same.

Exercise 5 (Questions 33-40): a longer interview

What you hear: an interview between two speakers, for example a radio presenter and a guest. What you do: answer eight questions with three options (A-C) about the main speaker (the guest). 8 marks. This exercise tests detail, opinion, attitude and implied meaning, so it is usually the most demanding part of the paper.

1. Read all eight questions first and note what each one asks: a fact, a reason, a feeling, an opinion?
2. The interviewer's question usually introduces the topic of the next exam question. Use it as a signpost: 'So, what made you…?' → the answer to the 'why' question is coming.
3. Remember the questions are about the guest. The interviewer may suggest an idea that the guest then corrects: that idea is a distractor.
4. Listen for agreement and disagreement: 'Not exactly…', 'That's partly true, but…', 'Absolutely'.
5. Feelings and attitudes are often implied. 'I didn't sleep the night before' implies nervousness.

Summary: what to listen for in each exercise

Extra practice: signal words in action

Each item is a one-line script. Decide what the speaker's attitude, opinion or decision is.

1. *'I wasn't too keen on the idea of a cooking course at first, but I've come round to it.'* How does the speaker feel about the course now?

   Show answer

   Positive. 'I've come round to it' means she has changed her mind and now accepts or likes the idea. 'Wasn't too keen' was her first attitude.

2. *'You've got a point about the cost, but I still think the trip is worth it.'* Does the speaker agree with the other person?

   Show answer

   Only partly. He accepts the point about the cost ('you've got a point') but disagrees with the conclusion: he still thinks the trip is worth it.

3. *'Oh, brilliant. The bus is late again.'* (said in a flat, tired voice) What is the speaker's attitude?

   Show answer

   Annoyed or frustrated. 'Brilliant' is used sarcastically: the tone shows the opposite meaning.

4. *'We'd booked a table for eight, but in the end we just got a takeaway and ate at home.'* Where did they eat?

   Show answer

   At home. The booking was the original plan, but 'in the end' gives what really happened.

5. *'I'd hardly call it a holiday. We spent every day visiting relatives.'* What does the speaker imply?

   Show answer

   That the trip was not relaxing or enjoyable as a holiday. 'Hardly' is a negative: it means 'not really'.

6. *'If you ask me, the old library was more comfortable, though the new one is certainly brighter.'* Which library does the speaker prefer?

   Show answer

   The old library. 'If you ask me' introduces her opinion. She admits one advantage of the new one ('brighter') with 'though', but her preference is clear.

7. *'I couldn't agree more. Exams should be later in the day.'* What is the speaker's attitude to the other person's idea?

   Show answer

   Complete agreement. 'I couldn't agree more' = I agree 100%.

8. *'I was dreading the interview, but the moment I sat down, they made me feel at home.'* How did the speaker feel during the interview?

   Show answer

   Relaxed and comfortable. 'Dreading' describes her feeling before, while 'made me feel at home' describes the interview itself.