CELPIP Listening Part 5: Discussion

In Part 5, you hear a discussion between two or more people sharing different perspectives on a topic. You need to track each speaker's viewpoint, understand how they support their arguments, and identify where they agree or disagree.

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What Part 5: Discussion looks like on test day

You will hear two or three people discussing a topic. Each speaker has a distinct perspective, and they may agree, disagree, or offer compromise positions during the conversation.

The discussion runs about 2 to 3 minutes. Topics are accessible — workplace policies, community decisions, lifestyle choices, or social trends. No expert knowledge is required.

Questions focus on each speaker's main argument, the evidence or examples they use, areas of agreement or disagreement, and the overall conclusion or outcome of the discussion.

How to score CLB 9+ on Part 5: Discussion

Before the audio starts, read the questions to learn the speakers' names. This helps you track who says what.
Create a simple mental or written grid: Speaker A thinks X, Speaker B thinks Y. This prevents confusion.
Listen for contrast words: "but", "however", "on the other hand", "I disagree" — these signal different viewpoints.
Pay attention to when speakers change their minds or make concessions like "I see your point, but..." or "You're right about that, however..."
If three speakers are involved, the third speaker often provides a middle-ground or summarizing viewpoint.

Common mistakes on Part 5: Discussion

Losing track of which speaker holds which viewpoint when both speak at length. Label them mentally as "for" and "against".
Picking an answer choice that one speaker said but the question asks about the other speaker. Always re-check the speaker reference.
Missing partial agreement vs full agreement. Raters distinguish "yes, but" from "I completely agree" — listen for hedges.
Failing to catch the discussion's conclusion or compromise. The final 30 seconds usually contain the answer to one question.

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Part 5: Discussion FAQ

How is Part 5 different from Part 1?+

Part 1 is about solving a problem together. Part 5 is about debating or discussing a topic where speakers may have opposing views. Part 5 often has more speakers and focuses on arguments rather than solutions.

Is Part 5 one of the hardest Listening parts?+

Many test-takers find Parts 5 and 6 the most challenging because you must track multiple viewpoints simultaneously. The key is reading questions first so you know what to listen for.

What if I can't tell the speakers apart?+

The speakers usually have distinct voices and are sometimes introduced by name. Reading the questions beforehand gives you context about who is who and what position they hold.

How many questions are in Part 5?+

Part 5 has 5 to 8 multiple-choice questions with 4 answer choices each.

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