Paper 2 (Listening) Strategies + Practice
Why strategies matter
- In the listening exam, you only hear each audio twice.
- Without a plan, it is easy to panic or miss key details.
- A clear step-by-step approach helps you catch the big picture, the important details, and even the implied meaning.
Step-by-step approach
1. Before the audio starts
- Skim the questions quickly.
- Underline or circle keywords (names, numbers, cause-effect words like because, however).
- Predict what type of audio it could be (interview, news report, podcast).
2. First listen: gist
- Focus on the overall idea: Who is speaking? Where are they? What is the topic?
- Do not panic if you miss a sentence. Your goal here is the main idea.
3. Second listen: details
- Go back to the questions and target specifics: numbers, reasons, contrasts, examples.
- Fill in blanks or double-check first guesses.
- If unsure, write your best guess.
- Leaving blanks guarantees no marks.
4. Note-taking
- Write short phrases only.
- Use symbols: → (cause/effect), + (positive), – (negative), ? (unsure).
- Abbreviate: gov = government, env = environment.
- Keep notes organized under question numbers.
5. Use context
- Meaning often comes from the situation, not from hearing every word.
- Listen for tone (positive, negative, doubtful). This helps with attitude or purpose questions.
- “The delay was due to…” tells you the next phrase will be a reason.
- Quick Exam Checklist
- Read the questions
- Underline keywords
- Predict vocabulary or themes
- First listen = gist
- Second listen = details
- Use short notes and symbols
- Do not panic if you miss words
Practice Task
Audio Transcript (mock example)
Radio host: Welcome back to City Today. Our guest is architect Laura Gómez, who has been working on the Riverbank Project. The project, originally scheduled to finish in June, has been delayed until September due to unexpected flooding.
Laura Gómez: Yes, but the extra time allows us to add a new cycle path along the river. We believe this will increase community use and encourage more sustainable transport.
Radio host: Some residents have complained about the noise during construction. What do you say to them?
Laura Gómez: We understand the frustration. That is why we will limit work hours in the evenings and provide weekly updates online. In the long term, the benefits of the project will outweigh the temporary inconvenience.
- What is the main topic of the interview?
- Why has the project been delayed?
- What new feature is being added?
- How will the team respond to resident complaints?
- What is Laura Gómez’s overall attitude toward the project?
Solution
- The Riverbank Project
- Because of flooding
- A cycle path along the river
- By limiting evening work hours and posting updates online
- Positive and optimistic; she believes the benefits outweigh problems
- How to apply strategies
- Before listening: underline main topic, delayed, feature, complaints, attitude. Predict likely words (reasons, solutions, tone).
- First listen: note big picture → city project, delay, optimistic tone.
- Second listen: collect details → flooding, cycle path, limit hours, updates, positive attitude.
- Notes: delay = flooding → Sept; + cycle path; complaints = noise → limit + updates; attitude = optimistic.
