Listening

 The examiner will introduce the talk and then the recording will play once. 

 After the first time you tell the examiner in one or two sentences what the talk is about. 

 The examiner will then ask you a question about the talk and give you some paper.

  You listen again and take some notes if you want to. These notes will not be marked as part of your exam. 

 The examiner will ask you the question again. You respond to the examiner’s question. For example, listen for and report opinions, ideas, and advantages and disadvantages of a situation or proposal.

  You will have one minute to speak. You can use your notes to help you. 

 It is a good idea to make notes when you listen to the text. Here are some ideas to help you take notes: 

— write the subject of the talk on the paper when the examiner introduces it 

— don’t try to write every word, just write keys words 

— don’t worry about spelling or grammar 

— use symbols or pictures. 

You don’t have to make notes, and your notes are not marked but it is a good idea to try to make some as you listen to help you with the tasks. 

Independent listening task 

Do 

 Practise listening to recorded English — you are also tested on listening to recordings, so watch films and television in English, listen to English podcasts or news programmes, and watch English videos on the internet. 

 Practise taking notes while you listen — try to only write the most important information like key opinions, arguments and facts. 

 Listen to discussions and speeches where the content is more likely to be abstract and attitudes implied rather than purely informational. 

Don’t 

 Don’t try to write down everything you hear — you don’t need 100% of the information.

To prepare your Speaking and Listening part, you should have a look at these VIDEOS.