What it is: You hear a recording and answer questions in one to three words. 1 mark each, unless the paper says [2].
The instruction on the paper: Answer the following questions.
Example: Answer the following questions.
Press play, write short answers, then show the answers.
You are going to hear Lena talk about her weekend.
- Where does Lena help on Saturday mornings?
- What is her favourite dish?
On Saturday mornings I help at an animal shelter. In the afternoon I study with friends at the library. On Sunday I stay at home and cook dinner with my family. My favourite dish is my dad's lasagne.
- (at) an animal shelter
- (her dad's) lasagne
- Answer the following questions.
- Write short answers in English.
- What…? · Where…? · Why…? · Who…?
- The question word tells you what to find.
- List the two… [2]
- Two answers, two marks.
- According to the speaker, …
- The speaker's idea, not yours.
- What makes… different?
- Find what is special about it.
Remember: By bus gets the mark. You don't need She goes to school by bus.
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Nail the short answer
Read the question word
Who? Where? Why? It tells you what to find.
Listen for that detail
Ignore the rest of the recording.
Write one to three words
Use words from the recording.
Check it answers the question
A place for where, a reason for why.
Question word → Listen → Write short → Check
Example: find the detail
You are going to hear Ben talk about his new hobby.
- Why did Ben start climbing?
- How often does he climb now?
I started rock climbing last year because my doctor told me to do more exercise. Now I go twice a week, at an indoor wall near my school.
- (to do) more exercise
- twice a week
Learn what examiners really want
See exactly what to write to score full marks. Our AI shows you model answers and the key phrases examiners look for.
This is how it feels: In the exam you hear it twice and never see the words. Try it here.
Answer the following questions.
You are going to hear Jack talk about a music festival.
- Who did Jack go to the festival with?
- How long did The Lights play?
- Why didn't Jack drive?
- What will Jack bring next year?
On Saturday I went to the summer festival with my cousin. The best band was The Lights: they played for two hours! We went by train, because parking was too expensive. The food was terrible, to be honest, so next year I'll bring sandwiches.
- (his) cousin
- two hours
- parking (was too) expensive
- sandwiches
Answer the question asked: Why needs a reason. How long needs a time. Check before you write.
Do
- Write one to three words.
- Answer the exact question.
- Write something for every question.
Don't
- Copy a long sentence.
- Give a time when it asks where.
- Add extra details that are wrong.