MYCELPIP

CELPIP Listening Part 1: Problem Solving Strategy

By MyCELPIP Editorial Team · Updated September 9, 2026

CELPIP Listening Part 1 is Listening to Problem Solving. The current official format contains 8 questions. The March 2026 CELPIP Listening Pro study pack suggests approximately 8 minutes for this part.

You hear a conversation between two speakers, typically one man and one woman, as they work through an everyday problem. The conversation is divided into three sections. After each section, you hear and answer 2–3 questions, one at a time. Each question includes its response time, and the official study pack describes roughly 30 seconds to hear and answer each question.

Quick strategy: build a short problem-solution timeline in your notes: problem → options → concern → decision. Do not try to transcribe the conversation.

Verify the current format on the official CELPIP-General page and in the 2026 CELPIP Listening Pro Study Pack.

CELPIP Listening Part 1 format

  • Part: Listening to Problem Solving
  • Questions: 8
  • Approximate practice timing: 8 minutes
  • Speakers: two
  • Conversation: divided into three sections
  • Section length: roughly 1–1.5 minutes each in the official study material
  • Questions: 2–3 after each section
  • Question delivery: one at a time after the audio section

Because the questions are presented one by one, you cannot rely on previewing the full question set before listening. Your notes need to preserve the conversation's important developments.

What Part 1 actually tests

Part 1 is about following a problem as it changes.

Listen for:

  • what the original problem is;
  • what each person suggests;
  • advantages and disadvantages of options;
  • reasons an option is rejected;
  • changes in preference;
  • the final decision or next step;
  • tone and implied attitude.

A common trap is remembering an early suggestion after the speakers have already rejected it.

A better note-taking method

Use two speaker columns and a short timeline.

Example notes:

M: car repair / too expensive
F: try bus pass
M: late shift / bus ends 11
F: rideshare 2x wk + bike
M: agrees / temporary

These notes preserve the logic without full sentences.

Original mini-example

Two coworkers are discussing how to cover an evening shift after another employee calls in sick.

Speaker A suggests asking Jordan to stay late. Speaker B says Jordan already worked overtime twice this week. They consider closing one service desk early, but reject that idea because Friday evenings are busy. Finally, Speaker B offers to work the first half of the shift if Speaker A can cover the second half.

Question: Why do the speakers reject asking Jordan?

A. Jordan is unavailable on Fridays.
B. Jordan has already worked extra hours recently.
C. Jordan is not trained for the service desk.
D. Jordan asked to leave early.

Best answer: B.

Question: What solution do they finally choose?

A. Close the desk early.
B. Ask a manager to cover the full shift.
C. Split the shift between themselves.
D. Cancel evening service.

Best answer: C.

The key is tracking the conversation to the final decision rather than choosing an earlier idea.

Common Part 1 mistakes

1. Writing too much

If you write complete sentences, you may miss the next change in the conversation.

2. Treating every suggestion as the final answer

Problem-solving conversations naturally include ideas that are later rejected.

3. Ignoring reasons

Questions often test why one option was preferred or rejected.

4. Forgetting speaker identity

Use initials or M/F labels so you remember who suggested what.

5. Trying to preview questions that are not yet shown

For Parts 1–3, the official format presents questions individually after the recording segment. Train note-taking, not question guessing.

Practice routine

  1. Listen to a short two-person problem-solving conversation once.
  2. Write only the problem, each proposed solution, and the final decision.
  3. Retell the logic from your notes.
  4. Compare with the transcript only after answering.
  5. Classify mistakes as detail, speaker, reason, decision, inference, or note-taking failure.

Part 1 checklist

  • Did I identify the problem?
  • Did I track which speaker proposed each option?
  • Did I note why options were rejected?
  • Did I capture the final decision?
  • Did I keep notes short enough to continue listening?
  • Did I answer all 8 questions?

Practice CELPIP Listening Part 1

Use CELPIP Listening Practice to train all six Listening task types. Review the full structure in the 2026 CELPIP Listening Guide, then take a full CELPIP mock test for complete test pacing.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in CELPIP Listening Part 1?

The current official format has 8 questions.

How much time should I target?

The 2026 Listening Pro study pack suggests approximately 8 minutes for the part.

Do I see all questions before the conversation?

No. In Parts 1–3, questions are presented one at a time after the relevant recording.

How many speakers are there?

The official study material describes a two-speaker conversation, generally one man and one woman.