CELPIP Listening/L1

CELPIP Listening Part 1: Problem Solving

In Listening Part 1 a man and a woman work through a problem. The conversation plays in three sections, and after each one you answer 2 or 3 questions. There are about 8 questions in about 8 minutes.

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The official format of Listening Part 1: Problem Solving

Questions
about 8
Time
about 8 minutes
What you hear
A conversation between a man and a woman who do not know each other, where one helps the other with a problem. It plays in 3 sections of about 1 to 1.5 minutes, with 2 or 3 questions after each section.
Question type
You hear each question, read four answer choices, and have 30 seconds to answer. The questions come one at a time, in order.
The audio
Plays once. You cannot pause or replay it.

CELPIP's official strategies for Listening Part 1

From CELPIP's Listening Pro Study Pack (2026).

  1. Set up your notes before the audio starts.
  2. Read the introductory statement for context clues.
  3. Identify the topic of the conversation.
  4. Is there a problem? What is it? What solutions are offered? Which one is chosen?
  5. Does one speaker want information? Why?
  6. Use voice clues to determine the speakers' attitudes and opinions.
  7. Take notes in a logical order, and imagine the scene in your mind.
  8. Focus on what you understand, not what you don't.
  9. After listening, note down keywords in the questions.

A note template for Part 1

Set up these three lines before the audio starts. The questions follow the conversation, so your notes will be in the right order.

1The problemWhat is wrong, and who has the problem?
2The solutionsWhat does each speaker suggest?
3The choiceWhich solution do they choose, and why?

A worked CELPIP Listening Part 1 example

You will hear a conversation between a customer and a store employee.

Read the transcript
Section 1

Woman: Hi, I'm hoping you can help me. I bought this blender here last week, and it's already stopped working.

Man: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What's it doing?

Woman: It turns on and makes a loud noise, but the blade doesn't move at all.

Man: Hmm. Did anything happen to it? Did it fall, or get wet?

Woman: No, nothing like that. I've been making smoothies with it every morning, and yesterday it just stopped. The worst part is, I bought it for my sister's birthday party this weekend. I promised to make the drinks.

Man: Did you try unplugging it and plugging it back in? Sometimes the motor just needs a reset.

Woman: I did, a few times. I even tried a different outlet in the kitchen, but nothing changed.

Man: That's frustrating. Do you have your receipt with you?

Woman: That's the other problem. I think I threw it away with the bag. But I paid with my credit card, if that helps.

Man: It does, actually. If you paid by card, I can usually find the purchase in our system. Could I see the card you used?

Section 2

Man: Okay, I found it. You bought it last Tuesday, so you're still well within our return period. I can give you a full refund right now, back on your card.

Woman: Hmm, I'd rather not, actually. I still need a blender for the party this weekend, so a refund doesn't really help me.

Man: Then an exchange makes more sense. Let me check if we have the same model in stock. I'm sorry, it looks like we're sold out until next month.

Woman: Oh no. Next month is way too late.

Man: I could order it from another store for you, but that usually takes over a week.

Woman: That won't work either. The party is on Saturday afternoon.

Man: Well, we do have the newer model right here. It normally costs a bit more, but since yours broke so quickly, I can let you have it for the same price.

Woman: Really? Is it very different?

Man: Not really. It's basically the same, just quieter, and it comes with a travel cup.

Woman: Then let's do that. Thank you so much.

Section 3

Man: Great. I'll just need you to sign this form for the exchange, and I'll grab a new blender from the back. And try to keep this new receipt somewhere safe.

Woman: I will. I'll take a photo of it on my phone right away, so I can't lose it.

Man: Smart idea. If you have any problems with the new blender, just bring it back with that receipt, and we'll take care of it.

Woman: Perfect. Oh, and could you check something for me? I bought an extra cup for the old blender, so I could make drinks for everyone at the same time. Will it fit the new model?

Man: Let me see. No, I'm afraid the cups are a different shape. The new model has a wider base, so your old cup won't lock into place. But you can return that cup for a refund at the front counter.

Woman: Okay, I'll stop there on my way out. You've been really helpful, and you've honestly saved the party.

Man: My pleasure. Enjoy the party, and happy birthday to your sister!

THE QUESTIONS (8)
  1. What is the woman's problem?
    1. She lost the blender she bought
    2. Her new blender has stopped working
    3. The blender she ordered never arrived
    4. She paid too much for her blender
  2. Why did the woman buy the blender?
    1. To make smoothies every morning
    2. As a birthday gift for her sister
    3. To make drinks at her sister's party
    4. Because her old blender broke
  3. How will the man find the purchase?
    1. From the receipt
    2. From the store's cameras
    3. From the bag it came in
    4. By looking up her credit card
  4. Why doesn't the woman want a refund?
    1. She still needs a blender this weekend
    2. She would rather get store credit
    3. Refunds take too long
    4. She paid in cash
  5. Why can't the woman get the same model?
    1. It is no longer made
    2. The store has run out of it
    3. It is more expensive now
    4. Only the manager can order it
  6. What does the woman choose in the end?
    1. A full refund on her card
    2. The same model next month
    3. The newer model at no extra cost
    4. A travel cup instead
  7. What will the woman do with the new receipt?
    1. Leave it with the man
    2. Throw it away with the bag
    3. Give it to her sister
    4. Take a photo of it
  8. What will the woman probably do next?
    1. Return the extra cup at the front counter
    2. Buy a new cup that fits
    3. Go straight to her sister's party
    4. Ask for a refund on the blender
Show the answers and why
  1. B. Part 1 opens with the problem, so name it first. The clue: "it's already stopped working".
  2. C. She uses it for smoothies, but that is not why she bought it. The clue: "I bought it for my sister's birthday party this weekend".
  3. D. The receipt is gone, and the card is the way around it. The clue: "If you paid by card, I can usually find the purchase in our system".
  4. A. The reason comes right after I'd rather not. The clue: "I still need a blender for the party this weekend".
  5. B. The man says sold out, and the answer says it in new words. The clue: "it looks like we're sold out until next month".
  6. C. The refund came first, but the choice is the last offer, when she says let's do that. The clue: "I can let you have it for the same price".
  7. D. Her plan is in the sentence that starts with I'll. The clue: "I'll take a photo of it on my phone right away".
  8. A. She never says return, but stop there on my way out means the counter. Probably means the answer is not said directly. The clue: "I'll stop there on my way out".

Three sections, 8 questions, the problem first and the chosen solution last, as in the real Part 1.

A free CELPIP Listening Part 1: Problem Solving practice question

An Electronics-repair Shop Counter

This free question has 8 questions. The audio plays once, as on the real test, so you need to listen to answer them. Here are the first 3:

  1. Why did the woman end up being charged more than she expected?
    1. The shop installed a higher-grade component without getting her approval.
    2. The technician ran an extra diagnostic that was not in the original quote.
    3. The woman had requested the premium screen panel when she dropped the laptop off.
    4. The standard part arrived damaged and had to be replaced a second time.
  2. How does the woman feel when she first hears the new total?
    1. frustrated
    2. relieved
    3. indifferent
    4. grateful
  3. What item did the woman not find in the bag when she collected her laptop?
Try this question free →

Common mistakes on Part 1: Problem Solving

  • Not setting up notes before the audio starts. Each section plays once and moves on.
  • Writing full sentences instead of short words, so you miss the next line.
  • Answering from what sounds familiar instead of what the speakers actually decide.
  • Forgetting the speakers' attitudes. Voice clues often answer the "how does she feel" questions.

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Part 1: Problem Solving FAQ

How many questions are in CELPIP Listening Part 1?+

About 8, in about 8 minutes. The conversation plays in three sections, with 2 or 3 questions after each one.

Who speaks in Listening Part 1?+

Two speakers, a man and a woman, who do not know each other. One of them helps the other with a problem.

How much time do I have for each Part 1 question?+

You hear each question, read four answer choices, and have 30 seconds to answer.

Can I replay the audio?+

No. Every clip on the CELPIP Listening Test plays only once.

Related reading

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