CAE Listening Practice Test 1 Printable

New, online version of this test :: Answer Keys :: Tapescript

Part 1

You will hear three different extracts. For questions 1-6, choose the answer (A, В or C) which fits best according to what you hear. There are two questions for each extract.
Extract One
You hear part of an interview with a woman who works in retail management.

1. How does the woman feel now about her first job in retailing?
A pleased by the way she handled the staff
В confident that it gave her a good start
C relaxed about the mistakes she made

2. What is the woman advised to do next?
A reflect on her skills
В volunteer for extra work
C discuss her situation with her boss
Extract Two
You overhear a woman telling a friend a story about a swan.

3. What problem did the woman have with the swan?
A She misunderstood its intentions.
В She underestimated the speed of its approach.
C She failed to realise the consequences of disturbing it.

4. What is the man’s reaction to the story?
A He feels he would have handled the situation better.
В He is unconvinced by the woman’s version of events.
C He fails to see quite how serious the problem was.
Extract Three
You hear part of an interview with Bruce Loader, a successful businessman who is talking about his early life.

5. Why did Bruce decide to give up the idea of studying art?
A He failed to gain a place at art college.
В He became tired of doing representational art.
C He was persuaded that he could not realise his ambition.

6. What was his father’s reaction to Bruce’s decision?
A He was anxious to discuss alternative employment options.
В He was angry that a good opportunity had been wasted.
C He was dismissive of the advantages of higher education.

Part 2

You will hear an explorer called Richard Livingstone talking about a trip he made in the rainforest of South America. For questions 7-14, complete the sentences.

A Trip in the Rainforest

Richard and Matthew abandoned their boat because they couldn’t get past a 7________.
They decided to walk through the jungle as far as the 8________ marked on the map.
Richard says that during the walk, they were always both 9________ and ________.
The first sign of human activity that they found was a 10________.
In a deserted camp, they found some soup made from unusual 11________ and ________.
Richard says that by the time they had reached the camp, they were lacking in 12________.
Richard says that after the meal, they began to feel 13________ about what they’d done.
Before leaving the camp, they left the sum of 14________ to thank their host.
Click to download this CAE Listening Test in PDF