What it is: You hear a recording and choose A, B or C. Only one answer is right. Each question is worth 1 mark.
The instruction on the paper: Choose the correct answer.
Example: Choose the correct answer.
Press play, choose A, B or C, then show the answer.
You are going to hear Leo talk about why he was late for school.
- Leo was late for school because… A. his bike was broken. B. he missed the bus. C. his alarm did not go off.
Hi, I'm Leo. I was late for school today. It wasn't the bus: the bus came on time. And I didn't sleep late either; my alarm went off at seven. The problem was my bike. It had a flat tyre, so I had to walk all the way.
- A. his bike was broken.
- Choose the correct answer.
- Pick one letter: A, B or C.
- According to the speaker, …
- What the speaker says, not your opinion.
- The speaker is… / … because…
- Finish the sentence with one option.
- … most likely …
- The best answer from what you hear.
- What…? · Why…? · Who…? · Which…?
- Question words: what, why, who, which.
Remember: Hearing the same word is not enough. The meaning of the option must match what the speaker says.
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Reading it is one thing — hearing it is another
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Crack a listening MCQ
Read the options first
Use the reading time. See how the options differ.
Listen for the meaning
The right option often uses other words.
Cross out wrong options
Remove what the speaker says is not true.
Choose one letter
Check on the 2nd listen. Never leave it blank.
Read → Meaning → Cross out → Choose
Example: cross out two
You are going to hear Amira talk about her new job.
- What does Amira like most about her job? A. the free coffee B. starting early C. meeting people
I started at the café in June. People think the best part is the free coffee, but I don't even drink coffee! What I really love is meeting new people every day. The worst part? Getting up at five.
- C. meeting people
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This is how it feels: In the exam you hear it twice and never see the words. Try it here.
Choose the correct answer.
You are going to hear Sam talk about a school trip.
- The class travelled to London by… A. coach. B. train. C. bicycle.
- Before the trip, Sam thought the museums would be… A. amazing. B. cheap. C. boring.
- What was the problem with the hotel? A. It was too expensive. B. It was far from the museum. C. The rooms were small.
Last month our class went to London for three days. We went by train, not by coach, because it was cheaper. I thought the museums would be boring, but the science museum was amazing. The only problem was the hotel: our rooms were really small and quite noisy.
- B. train.
- C. boring.
- C. The rooms were small.
Small words decide: not, but, before: these words change the answer. Listen for them.
Do
- Read the options before you listen.
- Match the meaning, not one word.
- Always choose one letter.
Don't
- Pick an option because you heard its word.
- Change a right answer in a panic.
- Leave a question blank.