CELPIP Listening/L2

CELPIP Listening Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

In Listening Part 2 a man and a woman who know each other talk about an everyday situation for about 1.5 to 2 minutes. Then you answer about 5 questions in about 5 minutes.

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The official format of Listening Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

Questions
about 5
Time
about 5 minutes
What you hear
One conversation of about 1.5 to 2 minutes between a man and a woman who know each other, such as coworkers on a project or a couple making weekend plans.
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 2

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 2

Listen for the situation, what changes, and how each person feels about it.

1The topicWhat are they talking about?
2The detailsPlans, times, places and who does what.
3The feelingsHow does each speaker feel, and do they agree?

A worked CELPIP Listening Part 2 example

You will hear a conversation between a husband and wife.

Read the transcript

Man: Anna, did you see the email from the soccer club? Emma's game on Saturday got moved to the morning.

Woman: The morning? But that's when your mom is coming over for brunch.

Man: I know. I was thinking we could move brunch to Sunday instead.

Woman: We could, but your mom goes to church on Sunday mornings. What if we make it lunch on Saturday, after the game?

Man: That works. The game ends before lunch anyway. I'll call her tonight and let her know.

Woman: Great. Oh, and we still haven't fixed the fence. The neighbors' dog got into the garden again yesterday.

Man: Ugh, again? I was going to do it this weekend, but honestly, with the game and lunch, I don't see when.

Woman: My brother offered to help. He has all the tools, and he's free on Sunday afternoon.

Man: Really? Then let's do it Sunday. I'll pick up the wood on Saturday, on the way home from the game.

Woman: Perfect. And could you grab a bag of soil too? The tomatoes didn't survive the dog.

Man: Poor tomatoes. Sure, I'll add it to the list.

THE QUESTIONS (5)
  1. What are the speakers mainly talking about?
    1. A game their daughter will miss
    2. Changing their weekend plans
    3. A problem with their neighbors
    4. A party for Mark's mother
  2. Why doesn't Anna want to move the visit to Sunday?
    1. Emma has a game on Sunday
    2. Her brother is coming on Sunday
    3. Mark's mother goes to church on Sunday mornings
    4. They are fixing the fence on Sunday
  3. When will Mark's mother come over?
    1. Saturday morning, for brunch
    2. Sunday morning, for brunch
    3. Sunday afternoon
    4. Saturday, for lunch after the game
  4. What will Mark do on Saturday?
    1. Pick up wood on the way home from the game
    2. Fix the fence with Anna's brother
    3. Call the soccer club
    4. Plant new tomatoes
  5. What most likely happened to the tomatoes?
    1. Anna picked them for lunch
    2. The neighbors' dog ruined them
    3. They need more soil to grow
    4. Mark forgot to water them
Show the answers and why
  1. B. The game, the visit and the fence are all pieces of it, and a big-picture question wants the whole conversation, not one detail. The clue: "Emma's game on Saturday got moved to the morning".
  2. C. Her brother and the fence come up later, and they are not why she said no. The reason comes right after but. The clue: "but your mom goes to church on Sunday mornings".
  3. D. Mark offered Sunday first, but the plan they agree on is Anna's, and that works is where it is settled. The clue: "make it lunch on Saturday, after the game".
  4. A. The fence gets fixed on Sunday, with Anna's brother, so match each job to its day. The clue: "I'll pick up the wood on Saturday, on the way home from the game".
  5. B. Nobody says ruined, but didn't survive the dog means the same thing. Most likely tells you the answer is in different words. The clue: "The tomatoes didn't survive the dog".

One conversation between two people who know each other, 5 questions, from the big picture to the details.

A free CELPIP Listening Part 2: Daily Life Conversation practice question

Switching Cell Plans at the Coffee Shop

This free question has 5 questions. The audio plays once, as on the real test, so you need to listen to answer them. Here are the first 3:

  1. What is this conversation mainly about?
    1. The woman helping the man find a cheaper data plan for his phone
    2. A woman reconsidering her current phone service after a friend shares a better alternative
    3. Two friends comparing their experiences with poor customer service hotlines
    4. The man explaining how a referral program can earn him money each month
  2. Why is the woman considering leaving her current provider?
    1. Her contract has already expired and she has no service
    2. She recently moved outside her provider's coverage area
    3. She is paying a high monthly rate for a plan that has not met her expectations
    4. She lost her phone number after a previous transfer and wants better protection
  3. How much data does the man currently receive on his plan?
    1. Fifteen gigabytes
    2. Thirty gigabytes
    3. Five gigabytes
    4. Twenty gigabytes
Try this question free →

Common mistakes on Part 2: Daily Life Conversation

  • Choosing an answer about one detail when the question asks about the whole conversation.
  • Missing how the speakers feel. Listen to their voices, not only their words.
  • Mixing up who said what. Note M and W next to each detail.
  • Spending too long on one question and running out of time.

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Part 2: Daily Life Conversation FAQ

How many questions are in CELPIP Listening Part 2?+

About 5, in about 5 minutes.

Who speaks in Listening Part 2?+

A man and a woman who know each other, such as coworkers, teammates, or a couple making plans.

How long is the Part 2 conversation?+

About 1.5 to 2 minutes, played once.

What kind of questions are in Part 2?+

Questions about the main topic, specific details, and the speakers' feelings and opinions.

Related reading

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