CELPIP Listening Parts 5 & 6: Strategy Guide
By MyCELPIP Editorial Team · Updated September 9, 2026
CELPIP Listening Parts 5 and 6 are both advanced listening tasks, but they test different formats and different listening skills.
- Part 5 — Listening to a Discussion: 8 questions, approximately 9 minutes in the 2026 Listening Pro study plan, a video discussion with generally three speakers, all questions shown after the recording.
- Part 6 — Listening to Viewpoints: 6 questions, approximately 8 minutes, one speaker presenting a formal viewpoint, all questions shown after the recording.
This page replaces an older MyCELPIP version that incorrectly described Part 5 as “Listening for Information.” That label belongs to Part 3. The current official CELPIP-General format calls Part 5 Listening to a Discussion.
Fastest distinction: Part 5 = track three people and their relationships. Part 6 = track one argument and its logic.
Verify the current format on the official CELPIP-General page and in the 2026 CELPIP Listening Pro Study Pack.
Part 5 versus Part 6 at a glance
| Feature | Part 5 | Part 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Listening to a Discussion | Listening to Viewpoints |
| Questions | 8 | 6 |
| Approx. practice timing | ~9 min | ~8 min |
| Speakers | Generally 3 | 1 |
| Medium | Video + audio | Audio |
| Style | Casual discussion | Generally formal monologue |
| Questions appear | After recording | After recording |
| Core challenge | Who believes what / reactions / agreement | Main idea / reasons / inference / purpose |
Part 5 strategy: map people
Your notes should answer:
Speaker A: position + reason
Speaker B: position + reason
Speaker C: position + reason
Changes: who agrees, disagrees, or compromises?
The video can also provide context through facial expression and body language. Use those cues to support the spoken meaning, not replace it.
Good Part 5 notes
A: office / collaboration
B: remote / commute
C: hybrid / clients
A→C: accepts 2 office days
B: worries desk cost
These notes make speaker-comparison questions much easier.
Part 6 strategy: map the argument
Your notes should answer:
Topic: what is being discussed?
Position: what does the speaker believe?
Reason 1:
Reason 2:
Example/evidence:
Contrast/concession:
Purpose: why is the speaker saying this?
Good Part 6 notes
Topic: late library hours
Position: expand weekend hrs
R1: shift workers/students
R2: pilot usage +28%
Concern: staffing
Purpose: persuade city
That structure supports main-idea, detail, inference, and purpose questions.
The question-preview mistake
Older advice sometimes tells candidates to preview Parts 5 and 6 questions before the recording. That does not match the current official format.
For Parts 4–6, you hear/watch the recording first. Then the full question set appears. You can answer in any order and change answers before the part timer expires.
Therefore your listening strategy should be:
- understand the structure of the recording;
- take compact notes;
- read all questions after the clip;
- answer the easiest evidence-based questions first;
- return to harder inference/purpose questions while time remains.
What to note—and what not to note
Part 5: note
- each speaker's position;
- reasons;
- examples;
- agreement/disagreement;
- changes in position;
- important visual reactions.
Part 5: skip
- every filler word;
- repeated small talk;
- details that do not affect the discussion.
Part 6: note
- thesis;
- supporting reasons;
- evidence;
- contrast;
- conclusion;
- purpose and tone.
Part 6: skip
- complete sentences;
- every example detail;
- repeated wording.
Original paired practice example
Part 5-style discussion
Three residents discuss whether their condominium should replace visitor parking with a small garden. One resident supports the garden because the outdoor area is currently unused. Another opposes it because guests already struggle to park. The third proposes converting only half the spaces and reviewing the change after six months. By the end, the first resident accepts the compromise while the second remains concerned about holiday weekends.
Your notes should preserve who supports what and how positions change.
Part 6-style viewpoint
A community-planning consultant argues that residential buildings should test small green-space projects before making permanent parking reductions. She cites a pilot that improved resident satisfaction but acknowledges that buildings with limited street parking may need a different approach. She recommends six-month trials followed by usage surveys.
Your notes should preserve thesis, reasons, evidence, concession, and recommendation.
The subject is similar, but the listening task is different.
Common Parts 5 & 6 mistakes
Mixing up the official names
- Part 3 = Listening for Information
- Part 5 = Listening to a Discussion
- Part 6 = Listening to Viewpoints
Using the same note format for both
Part 5 needs speaker columns. Part 6 needs an argument map.
Ignoring Part 5 video cues
Body language and facial expressions can support interpretation.
Missing Part 6 speaker purpose
A monologue may be about one topic but have the purpose of persuading, warning, recommending, or defending.
Overreaching on inference
Choose conclusions supported by the recording—not what could be true in real life.
Which part should you practice more?
If your mistakes look like:
- “I forgot who said that” → focus on Part 5 speaker tracking.
- “I heard the details but missed the main point” → focus on Part 6 argument mapping.
- “I missed attitude or agreement” → practice Part 5 reactions + tone.
- “I miss inference/purpose questions” → practice Part 6 thesis, concession, and purpose.
Track mistakes separately for the two parts instead of grouping all listening errors together.
Detailed guides
- CELPIP Listening Part 5: Discussion
- CELPIP Listening Part 6: Viewpoints
- Complete 2026 CELPIP Listening Guide
- CELPIP Listening Practice
- Full CELPIP Mock Tests
Frequently asked questions
What is CELPIP Listening Part 5?
Part 5 is Listening to a Discussion. The current official format has 8 questions and uses a video discussion with generally three speakers.
What is CELPIP Listening Part 6?
Part 6 is Listening to Viewpoints. The current official format has 6 questions and uses a one-speaker viewpoint monologue.
Is Part 5 Listening for Information?
No. Listening for Information is Part 3.
Can I preview Parts 5 and 6 questions before listening?
The current official format presents the full question set after the recording for Parts 4–6.
What is the biggest strategy difference?
Part 5 requires speaker tracking. Part 6 requires argument tracking.