How many questions does Part 4 have?

There are 5 questions per news item, and the audio plays only once.

What should I write down while listening?

Use abbreviations and symbols for numbers, dates, names, locations, and statistics — full sentences take too long and news items pack in concrete facts that become questions.

What are the common wrong-answer traps?

Distractors often reuse exact words from the audio but twist the meaning, or state something as a possibility rather than a fact, so match the idea instead of a familiar word — and watch for similar-sounding numbers or flipped time references like 'last year' vs. 'next year'.

Listening

Listening Part 4: Listening to a News Item — Strategy

Master CELPIP Listening Part 4 with targeted note-taking, prediction, and question-type strategies for the 5-question news segment that plays only once.

5 min read · Updated October 28, 2026 · By the Celpip.me editorial team · Free

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Quick answer · CELPIP Listening Part 4 plays a short news report once, then asks 5 questions about it.

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More · 3 common questions

Read the questions first to know what to listen for, then track the 5 Ws and How — who, what, when, where, why, how — since the opening line gives the main event and the closing often gives consequences that become questions.

How many questions does Part 4 have?: There are 5 questions per news item, and the audio plays only once.
What should I write down while listening?: Use abbreviations and symbols for numbers, dates, names, locations, and statistics — full sentences take too long and news items pack in concrete facts that become questions.
What are the common wrong-answer traps?: Distractors often reuse exact words from the audio but twist the meaning, or state something as a possibility rather than a fact, so match the idea instead of a familiar word — and watch for similar-sounding numbers or flipped time references like 'last year' vs. 'next year'.

Key strategies

1.Take notes as you listen; the 5 questions appear after the audio.
2.Treat the news item like a journalist's report and listen for the classic 5 Ws — who, what, when, where, and why — plus how.
3.Jot quick abbreviations for numbers, dates, names, locations, and statistics, because news items pack in concrete facts that become questions.
4.Listen for the main event in the opening sentences and the consequences or reactions toward the end, as these often anchor the questions.
5.Don't get stuck on one missed detail — the audio plays only once, so refocus immediately on the next part instead of dwelling.
6.Watch for distractor answers that use words from the audio but distort the meaning; choose the option that matches the actual idea.

What Part 4 Looks Like

In CELPIP Listening Part 4, you hear a short news report — similar to a radio or TV broadcast — and then answer 5 questions. Like all CELPIP listening audio, it plays only once, so active listening and quick notes are essential. The news item is monologue-style: a single reporter delivering facts, rather than a back-and-forth conversation.

Predict Before You Listen

Use every available second before the audio to scan the questions and options. The questions usually target concrete details: a number, a location, a cause, a person's role, or a future plan. Knowing what's coming turns passive listening into a focused search. Underline key words in each question so your brain is primed to catch them.

Listen Like a Journalist

News reports are built around the 5 Ws and How: who is involved, what happened, when and where it occurred, why it matters, and how events unfolded. The middle adds details, statistics, and quotes. The closing often gives consequences, reactions, or what happens next, which frequently becomes a question.

Take Smart Notes

Don't try to write full sentences. Use abbreviations and symbols: arrows for cause-and-effect, a dollar sign for money, numerals for figures. Capture proper nouns (names, cities, organizations) and any numbers — these are favourite question targets. If you miss something, let it go immediately and stay with the broadcast; pausing to worry costs you the next detail.

Avoid Common Traps

Distractor options often repeat exact words from the audio but twist the meaning, or mention a detail that was stated as a possibility rather than a fact. Always match the idea, not just a familiar word. Be careful with numbers that sound alike (fifteen vs. fifty) and with time references — "last year" versus "next year" can flip an answer.

Practice Tip

Train with real English-language news clips. Listen once, then write the 5 Ws from memory. This rehearses the exact skill Part 4 demands and builds confidence under single-play conditions.

Try a real question

A genuine CELPIP-style Listening question. This is a self-check to learn from — it isn't graded.

On the real test the audio plays once — here you can replay it to learn.

● READY

00:00 / 00:00

1. This news report is mainly about ___.

2. The new lanes are separated from car traffic ___.

3. Some downtown business owners are concerned about the project because ___.

4. Officials expect the network to carry ___ riders on a typical weekday.

5. The city most likely chose raised concrete curbs for the lanes ___.

Practice full Listening

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