CELPIP Listening Part 6: Viewpoints
Find the speaker’s own opinion
Separate the views a speaker reports from the view they support at the end.
Guide 6 of 6 in the Listening path · Reviewed
Know the task
Part 6 presents a spoken passage discussing viewpoints, followed by six written questions presented together.
See the official CELPIP test formatA useful approach
- 1
Write whose opinion you hear
Look for phrases such as “supporters argue” or “supporters point to.” These introduce other people’s views. Keep those views separate from what the commentator says the association should do.
- 2
Note both the benefit and the concern
The commentator agrees that email is cheaper and faster, but worries that some residents may miss notices. Write both points. Accepting email’s benefits does not mean agreeing to remove every paper notice.
- 3
Find the recommended action
Read what comes after the concern. Does the speaker reject the plan, change it, or suggest another one? Here, the commentator recommends email for normal use and paper for residents who ask for it.
- 4
Check words such as “all” and “only”
Compare these words in each answer with the speaker’s conclusion. “Email reaches everyone” goes beyond this passage. Keep a strong word only when the speaker’s words support it; do not reject it just because it is strong.
See it in an example
A commentator considers a proposal to stop sending paper notices from a housing association.
Commentary transcript · Select a passage to see its explanation.
Benefits the speaker accepts
The commentator agrees that email has benefits. They have not said that all paper notices should stop.
Check your understanding
A common mistake
Thinking that accepting one benefit means agreeing with the whole plan.
Less useful: The commentator says email is faster, so paper should disappear.
More specific: The commentator accepts email’s advantages but keeps paper copies for residents who ask for them.
The speaker wants to reduce printing and still reach residents who may miss emails. The final recommendation keeps both points. Removing every paper notice would leave out the second point.
Useful language in context
- the default
The choice used unless someone asks for a different one.
Email is the default, but you can request a printed receipt.
- on request
Available when someone asks for it.
A large-print version is available on request.
- a condition of
Something you must do or have before you can receive or do something else.
Wearing a helmet is a condition of joining the cycling activity.
Try it yourself
- Read the commentary again. Write one benefit of email and one reason a resident might miss an email notice.
- Write one sentence explaining what the commentator wants the association to do.
- Check your sentence against the final paragraph. It should include email as the usual choice and paper copies for people who request them.