CELPIP Listening/L3

CELPIP Listening Part 3: Listening for Information

In Listening Part 3 a man and a woman talk for about 2 to 2.5 minutes, and one of them has information the other wants. Then you answer about 6 questions in about 6 minutes.

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The official format of Listening Part 3: Listening for Information

Questions
about 6
Time
about 6 minutes
What you hear
One conversation of about 2 to 2.5 minutes between a man and a woman, where one speaker has information or expertise the other wants, such as a salesperson and a customer.
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 3

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 3

CELPIP's own question for this part is "Does one speaker want information? Why?"

1Who wants informationWhich speaker is asking, and why?
2What they learnThe facts, options and conditions the expert gives.
3What they decideWhat happens next, and how they feel about it.

A worked CELPIP Listening Part 3 example

You will hear a conversation between a customer and an employee at a party supply store.

Read the transcript

Man: Hi there, welcome in. Is there anything I can help you find today?

Woman: Hi. Yes, I hope so. My son's birthday is next weekend, and we're having the party in our backyard. I was going to buy all the decorations, but my sister told me you rent them out, and that it costs a lot less.

Man: Your sister's right. Most people rent the big pieces and just buy the small things, like napkins and candles. So, what kind of party are you planning?

Woman: He's crazy about space, so I was thinking planets and stars. And maybe a big balloon arch over the gate, where the kids come in.

Man: We can definitely do a balloon arch. It comes already built, so you don't have to blow up anything yourself. The only problem is that balloons don't last long in the sun. If your yard doesn't get much shade, I'd go with our hanging paper planets instead. They look great from far away, and the wind doesn't bother them.

Woman: Hmm. Our yard gets sun all afternoon, actually. Okay, let's skip the balloons and go with the paper planets.

Man: Good choice. And what's your plan if it rains?

Woman: Honestly, I hadn't even thought about that. Do you rent tents too?

Man: We do, but tents get booked fast this time of year, so I'd reserve it today. If the weather turns out fine, you can cancel up to the day before, and you won't pay anything.

Woman: Oh, that's good to know. Then yes, let's reserve the tent. Do you deliver, or do I need to pick everything up?

Man: We deliver, and we'll set up the tent for you. The decorations you hang yourself, but they come with hooks and string, so it doesn't take long. Our driver will call you on the morning of the party, before he leaves the store.

Woman: Perfect. And how do I give everything back?

Man: We pick it all up the next morning. Just take the paper planets down and put them back in their boxes. And please keep them dry. If they get wet, we have to charge you for them, because we can't use the paper again.

Woman: Got it. I'll bring them inside right after the party. Honestly, this is so much easier than what I was planning. I was going to spend every evening this week making decorations after work.

Man: You'd be surprised how many parents tell me that. Let me get your order started.

THE QUESTIONS (6)
  1. Why did the woman come to the store?
    1. To buy party decorations
    2. To return decorations she rented
    3. To find out about renting decorations
    4. To book a room for the party
  2. What decorations does the woman decide to get?
    1. A balloon arch
    2. Hanging paper planets
    3. Star-shaped lights
    4. Napkins and candles
  3. What does the man say about the tent?
    1. It has to be paid for today
    2. It is only rented in the summer
    3. It comes with free decorations
    4. It can be canceled at no cost until the day before
  4. What will the store do for the woman?
    1. Set up the tent
    2. Hang the paper planets
    3. Take down the decorations
    4. Call her the day before the party
  5. What will happen if the paper planets get wet?
    1. The store will dry them
    2. The woman will have to pay for them
    3. The pickup will be delayed
    4. The woman can keep them
  6. How does the woman feel at the end of the conversation?
    1. Worried about the weather
    2. Disappointed about the balloons
    3. Relieved that it will be easier
    4. Unsure about the price
Show the answers and why
  1. C. She was going to buy them, but her sister told her the store rents them out. The clue: "my sister told me you rent them out".
  2. B. She asked about a balloon arch first, then changed her mind because her yard gets sun all afternoon. The clue: "let's skip the balloons and go with the paper planets".
  3. D. He says you won't pay anything, and the answer says at no cost. The clue: "you can cancel up to the day before, and you won't pay anything".
  4. A. She hangs the decorations herself, and she takes them down too. The clue: "we'll set up the tent for you".
  5. B. Listen for if: if they get wet, the store charges her. The clue: "If they get wet, we have to charge you for them".
  6. C. Her own words tell you: this is so much easier than what she was planning. The clue: "this is so much easier than what I was planning".

Two speakers, one with the information the other wants, and 6 questions, as in the real Part 3.

A free CELPIP Listening Part 3: Listening for Information practice question

Customer and Mechanic at a Bicycle Shop

This free question has 6 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 can we tell about the man?
    1. He is in charge of a community garden.
    2. He has a job delivering food.
    3. He has already bought a kit.
    4. He gives his time to help others.
  2. Why does the man want a motor on his bike?
    1. His knees have started to hurt.
    2. His doctor told him to cycle less.
    3. He tows heavy loads uphill.
    4. He finds Crescent Road too busy.
  3. What is the problem with the hub kit for the man?
    1. Its adapter takes weeks to come.
    2. It would wear out his chain quickly.
    3. It is harder to install.
    4. It might not fit his bike's frame.
Try this question free →

Common mistakes on Part 3: Listening for Information

  • Not noticing why the person is asking. The first question is often about the reason.
  • Writing down every number instead of the options and conditions that matter.
  • Losing track of which speaker is the expert.
  • Picking an answer that repeats the speaker's words but changes the meaning.

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Part 3: Listening for Information FAQ

How many questions are in CELPIP Listening Part 3?+

About 6, in about 6 minutes.

Who speaks in Listening Part 3?+

A man and a woman. One of them has expertise or information that the other wants, such as a salesperson and a customer.

How long is the Part 3 conversation?+

About 2 to 2.5 minutes, played once.

Is Part 3 one speaker or two?+

Two. CELPIP's study pack describes Part 3 as a conversation between two speakers, one man and one woman.

Related reading

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