Cambridgereading

Listening Multiple Choice

Listen to conversations, interviews or short extracts and choose the correct answer.

5-10 minutes per part
A2 Key (KET), B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE)

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What is this question type?

This task tests whether you can understand detail, gist, opinion, attitude and purpose in spoken English. It appears at every Cambridge level from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency. Some tasks use several short extracts. Others use one longer interview or conversation. You hear each recording twice.

Winning Strategy

  1. 1

    Use the reading time to read every question and option

  2. 2

    Underline the key words in each question, such as "why", "feel" or "main reason"

  3. 3

    Expect the speakers to mention ideas from wrong options too

  4. 4

    Listen for the speaker's final view, not their first comment

  5. 5

    Use the first listening to choose and the second to check

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing an option because you hear the same word in the recording

  • Missing when a speaker changes their mind or corrects someone

  • Confusing what one speaker thinks with what the other speaker thinks

  • Getting stuck on one question and losing the next one

  • Leaving answers blank

Tips for Success

  • Listen to podcasts and interviews and notice how opinions are expressed

  • Learn phrases that show attitude: "to be honest", "I was surprised", "I'm not convinced"

  • Notice contrast words like "but", "however" and "although"

  • Practice predicting what a speaker might say before you listen

  • Always choose an answer. There is no penalty for guessing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times will I hear the recording?
Twice, at every level.
How many questions are there?
It depends on the level and part. For example, A2 Key Parts 3 and 4 have 5 questions each, B2 First Part 1 has 8, and C1 Advanced Part 3 has 6.
How many options are there?
Usually three options. C1 Advanced Part 3 and C2 Proficiency Part 3 have four.

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Listening Multiple Choice - Complete Study Guide for Cambridge English Qualifications

This task tests whether you can understand detail, gist, opinion, attitude and purpose in spoken English. It appears at every Cambridge level from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency. Some tasks use several short extracts. Others use one longer interview or conversation. You hear each recording twice.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Use the reading time to read every question and option
  2. Underline the key words in each question, such as "why", "feel" or "main reason"
  3. Expect the speakers to mention ideas from wrong options too
  4. Listen for the speaker's final view, not their first comment
  5. Use the first listening to choose and the second to check

Avoid These Mistakes

  • Choosing an option because you hear the same word in the recording
  • Missing when a speaker changes their mind or corrects someone
  • Confusing what one speaker thinks with what the other speaker thinks
  • Getting stuck on one question and losing the next one
  • Leaving answers blank

Expert Tips

  • Listen to podcasts and interviews and notice how opinions are expressed
  • Learn phrases that show attitude: "to be honest", "I was surprised", "I'm not convinced"
  • Notice contrast words like "but", "however" and "although"
  • Practice predicting what a speaker might say before you listen
  • Always choose an answer. There is no penalty for guessing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times will I hear the recording?

Twice, at every level.

How many questions are there?

It depends on the level and part. For example, A2 Key Parts 3 and 4 have 5 questions each, B2 First Part 1 has 8, and C1 Advanced Part 3 has 6.

How many options are there?

Usually three options. C1 Advanced Part 3 and C2 Proficiency Part 3 have four.

Available in: A2 Key (KET), B1 Preliminary (PET), B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE)

Time allowed: 5-10 minutes per part