A decision, and the words before it
Noor says she's done, and "so" lights up just before it. Look one line back and write three words: knees, an arrow, quit. That's a reason on the page in a few seconds.
CELPIP GymListening courseLesson 2 · Listening Part 2, daily life conversation
Hear the reason, not the event
Part 2 rarely asks what happened. It asks why someone did it, what they were hoping for and what a remark was really for, and the answer can come out several turns late. Four moves keep your pencil on the reason.
6 minutes to read
1
The reason comes just before the decision
When someone decides something, the words just before it usually say why. So every time you hear "so", "that's why" or "which is why", write the reason and the decision on one line with an arrow between them. Then keep listening, because people often give the easy reason first. Scroll through one conversation and watch each one light up.
Why it scores. These questions ask why a person acted and what they were after. A page of arrows answers that. A page of events doesn't.
Wins the "why did she" questions
Someone doesn't buy it
Owen pushes back. Old friends do that, and it's your signal that the first reason may not last. Put a question mark beside it and leave the line open.
The real reason arrives late
Noor gives in, turns after the decision, and "that's why" reaches all the way back to it. Redraw the arrow: Saturdays gone, then quit. The knees were the polite version.
Every because has its own decision
Two reasons went by in one breath. The stairs explain why her mother is moving. The lost Saturdays explain why Noor quit. Keep each reason on the line of the decision it belongs to.
Answer from the arrow still lit
The question is spoken, and you see only the four answers. Each wrong one borrows something from the conversation. Only one sits at the end of the arrow you never had to take back.
Owen You've left the rowing club? After nine years?
Noor My knees aren't what they were, so I told them on Monday I'm done.
Owen Your knees got you up Mount Seymour in August.
Noor All right. Her stairs have got too much, so Mum's moving in with us in May. That's my Saturdays gone, and that's why I quit.
- kneesquit?
- stairsMum moves in
- Saturdays gonequit
Why has Noor left the rowing club?
- AHer knees have started to trouble herThe reason she took back
- BShe'll lose her free time once her mother arrivesThe arrow still lit
- CHer mother can't manage stairs any moreWhy Mum moves, not why Noor quit
- DShe's moving in with her motherWho moves, swapped
2
Who they are to each other changes what "fine" means
The line before the recording says who's talking. Write the relationship at the top of your pad, because it sets how much people can say out loud. Old friends show their annoyance. Neighbours and colleagues wrap it up. A boss who says "that's fine" usually means exactly that.
Why it scores. "How would you describe her response" and "what does he imply" turn on what the words are doing, and the relationship is your best clue to that.
Wins the tone and implied-meaning questions
"Fine."
- Boss to a new hire
"That's fine."
It's fine. She means it. - Old friends
"Fine. Do what you want."
Annoyed, and doesn't hide it - Neighbours
"No, no, that's fine, honestly."
Put out, and too polite to say
3
One initial per speaker
Keep one running list and start every note with the speaker's initial: "N quits rowing", "O doubts it". Two people are talking fast, and a letter costs less than deciding where on the page to write. When a job changes hands, strike the letter and write the other one above it, so the note never moves.
Why it scores. A wrong answer here is often something that really happens, given to the wrong person. A heard question leaves no time to work out from memory who said what.
Beats the swapped-person trap
AnaI'll phone the landlord.
TomI can pick up the bulbs.
AnaAnd I'll do the oven.
TomI'll sweep the balcony.
TomWith your wrist? Leave the oven to me.
AnaThanks. Then I'll fix the blind.
- Aphones landlord
- Tbuys bulbs
- ATcleans ovenSame line, new letter
- Tsweeps balcony
- Afixes blind
Who is going to clean the oven?
- AAna will clean it herselfHer job for ten seconds
- BTom will clean it for herThe letter on top
4
Choose the restatement, never the echo
A speaker hands you details, and the right answer names what they add up to. Before you read the four answers, say the reason to yourself in three plain words. Then look for the choice that means that. A choice repeating a detail tells you what she said, not why she said it.
Why it scores. A question about motive is answered by a summing-up idea such as money, time or worry, which makes the details said out loud ready-made wrong answers.
Beats the word-match trap
"The van payment's due, Ravi needs braces, and the furnace guy's coming Thursday. You go without me."
Say it to yourself firstShe's out of money
- AHer son has a dentist's appointmentEcho of a detail
- CShe can't spare the money this monthNew words, same reason
The clock, spent well
30 seconds a questionAbout 8 secondsHear the question. Whose reason does it want?
About 10 secondsSay that reason to yourself in three plain words.
The last 12Find the choice that means it, and click.
Quick hacks for Part 2
Smaller than a move, and just as easy to forget on the day.
- ScreenFive questions in a row
Nothing separates them, and there's no moment to tidy your notes. Leave your arrows readable the first time.
- Words"Actually" and "to be honest" open the real reason
People lead with the polite one. When you hear either phrase, the reason that follows is the one to keep.
- PadLeave a line under every decision
The real reason can come several turns late. An empty line under each decision gives it somewhere to go.
- PadFeelings get a face
Some questions ask how a person responded. A quick smile or frown beside a note records it in a second.
- If it slipsMissed a line? Catch the reply
The other person usually says the gist back: "So you're selling it?" Their answer is your second chance at what you missed.
Take this into the test
- 1Hear so, that's why, because: write reason, arrow, decision.
- 2Note who they are to each other, and start every note with the speaker's initial.
- 3Say the reason in your own words before you read the answers.