CELPIP Listening Part 2: Daily Life Conversation
Find out why a plan changes
Learn to tell the reason for a change from other details the speakers mention.
Guide 2 of 6 in the Listening path · Reviewed
Know the task
Part 2 presents one everyday conversation followed by five questions. Each question is heard separately with written answer choices.
See the official CELPIP test formatA useful approach
- 1
Write a note for each person
Write Leah and Ben as two headings. Under each name, note what that person wants to do and when they are free. Keep Leah’s preferences separate from Ben’s schedule.
- 2
Find the reason for the change
Look for words such as “but” and “until.” Ben says he is working until one. Write that reason beside the change from a morning session to an afternoon session.
- 3
Check how the speakers feel
Read what each person says about the workshop. Leah says she would still like to go, and Ben says “Perfect” to the later plan. Being busy in the morning does not mean Ben has lost interest.
- 4
Match your answer to the question
If the question asks why Ben cannot attend in the morning, use his work schedule. If it asks what Leah likes about the afternoon group, use its smaller size. Check whose reason the question asks for.
See it in an example
Two friends are deciding which session of a pottery workshop to attend.
Conversation transcript · Select a passage to see its explanation.
Leah wants to go
Leah still wants to attend the workshop. She suggests Saturday morning, but they have not agreed on a time yet.
Check your understanding
A common mistake
Choosing a true detail that does not answer the question.
Less useful: Ben changes sessions because the afternoon group is smaller.
More specific: Ben needs the later time because he is working; Leah also likes its smaller group.
The smaller group is a benefit Leah mentions. Ben’s work shift is the reason he cannot go in the morning. Check both the person and the reason before choosing.
Useful language in context
- cover a shift
Work a scheduled period, often for someone who cannot be there.
I'm covering a shift for a colleague on Sunday.
- pick someone up
Go somewhere in a vehicle to collect someone.
I'll pick you up outside the station at six.
- there's no need to
You do not have to do something.
There's no need to print the ticket; the email is enough.
Try it yourself
- Read Leah and Ben’s conversation again. Write one sentence explaining why Ben cannot attend in the morning.
- Write a second sentence explaining what Leah likes about the afternoon group.
- Check your first sentence against Ben’s work schedule and your second against Leah’s comment about the group size.