This set practises four skills from the listening for viewpoint module: qualified answers, reported opinions, changes of mind and tone with context. The questions are original and ordered from easier to harder. Labels are not marks.
Ask someone to read each transcript aloud, or read it slowly yourself after a break. Write your answer before opening the explanation.
Note any signal word you missed, and add it to your mistake log and retest queue. The original listening practice player can give you more recordings.
Questions
Question 1 (easier). Speaker: “Yes, the food at the canteen is cheap. But honestly, I bring my own lunch because the queue takes half of my break.” Does the speaker like eating at the canteen?
Show answer
No. Cheap food is a positive fact, but But honestly marks the turn, and the speaker avoids the canteen because of the queue. The answer is that the speaker prefers bringing lunch.
Question 2. Speaker: “My dad says that learning two instruments is too much for one year. I disagree, because I practise in short bursts every day.” Who thinks two instruments is too much?
Show answer
The speaker’s dad. “My dad says” is a reporting phrase, and the speaker disagrees with it. The speaker thinks two instruments is manageable.
Question 3. Speaker: “I used to think maths homework was pointless, but the weekly quiz changed my mind. Now I do it to check what I remember.” What is the speaker’s view now?
Show answer
Maths homework is useful for checking memory. I used to think marks the old view, and Now I do it marks the new view.
Question 4. Speaker: “I agree with you about the uniform colour. The blue is nice. However, the material is too hot for our climate.” Which option fits: (A) agrees fully, (B) agrees in part, (C) disagrees fully?
Show answer
(B). The speaker agrees about the colour and disagrees about the material. Options A and C ignore one half of the reply.
Question 5. Speaker: “The organiser told us the concert would start at seven, so I arrived at six. It began at half past seven, and I am not upset, because I met old friends while I waited.” How does the speaker feel about the delay?
Show answer
Relaxed or content. “I am not upset” is stated directly, with a reason. The late start is a fact, not the speaker’s complaint.
Question 6. Speaker: “Some people say online classes are lonely. For me, it is the opposite, because I chat with classmates before and after every lesson.” What does the speaker think?
Show answer
Online classes are not lonely for the speaker. “Some people say” reports the lonely view, and “For me, it is the opposite” states the speaker’s own.
Question 7. Speaker: “At first I wanted to join the debate club. Then I heard the meetings are at night, so I chose the drama club. My parents are happier about that, and so am I.” Which club will the speaker join, and why?
Show answer
The drama club. The debate club was the first wish, but night meetings caused the change. The speaker also says they are happier, so this is a real choice and not a compromise.
Question 8 (harder). Speaker, after a long pause and in a low voice: “It is a nice offer. I will think about it.” Earlier the speaker said, “I do not really want to move schools.” How does the speaker feel about the offer?
Show answer
Unconvinced or hesitant. The polite words are positive, but the pause, the low voice and the earlier comment all point away from acceptance. “I will think about it” is not a decision to accept.
Question 9 (harder). Speaker: “My teacher believes that reading news every day improves vocabulary fastest. I am not sure, because I remember more words from songs, but I agree reading helps.” What does the speaker think about reading news?
Show answer
The speaker thinks reading helps but doubts it is the fastest method. The teacher’s claim is reported (“My teacher believes”). The speaker agrees with part of it and questions the word fastest.
Question 10 (harder). A student says, “The speaker has a strong accent and talks very fast, so they must be angry.” The speaker says, “I am thrilled with the result, honestly, I could not sleep last night.” Is the student’s answer supported?
Show answer
No. Accent and speed are not evidence of anger. The words “I am thrilled” and the reason given show excitement. A correct answer uses what is said and the context, not a stereotype.
If you got these wrong
- Questions 1 and 4 (chose the polite opening): revise inferring agreement from a qualified response.
- Questions 2, 6 and 9 (mixed up whose opinion it was): revise speaker opinion and reported opinion.
- Questions 3, 5 and 7 (kept the first view): revise tracking a change of mind.
- Questions 8 and 10 (tone or stereotype errors): revise intonation and context.
- Right answer but no evidence: use explaining a choice with a transcript and write the deciding line.
Return to the module page for the study route. If the same error returns, online one-to-one English as a Second Language tuition gives you a teacher who can listen with you and ask why you chose each answer.