Cambridge lessons: lesson 3 - Listening - Part 2, 3 and 4

• English
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

CAE/CPE English - Lesson 3

 What are idioms?

A phrase that means something different from the literal words!

(And often makes no sense if you take it literally 😅)

idiom: 

To bite the bullet

meaning: 

To get something over with because it is inevitable

example: 

Let's just bite the bullet and get this lesson done with!

Now you try

Write down a small paragraph (about 30 words) using at least 5 new idioms.

Today's lesson

Homework discussion

The CAE Listening Exam

What does it look like

Practice part 3+4

More places to practice

Ideas to practice listening

Listening exercises + Vocab exercises (homework)

Homework discussion

The key...

What is the CAE Listening test like?

How long?                                         40 minutes:

How many parts?                          The test has four sections 

How many questions?                There are 30 questions. It makes                                                                                                 up 20% of the entire exam.

Write on your question paper and transfer your answers in CAPITALS at the end of the exam (this is included in your time limit)

Scoring

There are 30 questions in the CAE Listening Test. It makes up 20% of the entire exam.

General information about the Exam

You will hear the audio twice

Read the instructions carefully before you start

You have time to read the questions before you hear the audio

Think about the topic, the speaker(s) and the context as you read the questions.

Top Tip

PREDICTING

Get used to predicting answers before you listen. Read the question, underline the key words, and then think what is the most likely answer. It doesn't matter if you're right or not - just predicting the answer helps you 'tune in' to the recording.

Pro tip one!

Train Your Prediction Skills

Before listening, you should predict the type of word needed in each gap:

Grammar clues → Is it a noun, verb, adjective, or number?

E.g. “He first became interested in ___” → likely a noun (a hobby or subject).

Collocation clues → Which words commonly fit?

E.g. “take a ___” → “take a risk,” “take a break,” “take a seat.”

Pro tip line:

“Before you listen, always predict what kind of information the gap expects. That mental preparation makes your ear sharper and your focus tighter.”

Pro tip two!

Listen for Paraphrasing, Not Exact Words

CAE never repeats the same words as in the question. The examiners rephrase everything.

For example:

Question: “She became interested in acting after watching a ___.”

Audio: “Her passion for the stage began when she saw a play at school.”

Pro tip:

“Remember — Cambridge loves paraphrase. Don’t listen for the same word, listen for the same idea.”

Pro tip three!

Use Key Words as Signposts

Underline key words in each sentence before listening. They act as “anchors” during the recording.

Example:

“He first started painting because of his ___ teacher.”

Key words: started, painting, teacher.

→ You know the answer will come right after something about art or education.

Pro tip line:

“Key words guide your attention --> they tell you when to listen extra carefully.”

Pro tip four!

Stay Calm — the Information Comes in Order

In Part 2, answers always appear in the same order as the sentences.

If you miss one, don’t panic — just move on. The next answer is still ahead.

Pro tip line:

“In this part, answers are like train stations — if you miss one, another will come soon. Keep moving forward.”

Pro tip five!

Watch Out for Distractors

Speakers often correct themselves or change ideas:

“At first I thought it was in June — no, actually July.”

Pro tip line:

“Cambridge loves to trick you with false starts. Always trust the final version of what’s said.”

Pro tip five!

Watch Out for Distractors

Speakers often correct themselves or change ideas:

“At first I thought it was in June — no, actually July.”

Pro tip line:

“Cambridge loves to trick you with false starts. Always trust the final version of what’s said.”

Pro tip six!

Encourage yourself to summarise each section aloud after listening.

This helps you internalise paraphrasing and improves memory retention, crucial for CAE.

Pro tip line:

“CAE listening isn’t just about ears, it’s about active processing. The more you verbalise meaning, the stronger your listening muscle becomes.”

Part 2 - last minute tips

1. Write what you hear. It doesn’t matter what the words are: write them! You will hear the recording again and can make more sense of the answer the second time you listen.

2. Check your answer’s grammar and spelling. Make sure that what you write works grammatically in the sentence. Do the subjects and verbs agree? Are the nouns plural or singular? Remember that spelling counts as well, so

3. Write clearly. This is obvious, yet a mistake that many students make.

4. Quickly read the sentences before the recording begins. Try to predict what is missing in the blanks, so you know exactly what to listen for in the recording.

5. Remember that you will write one, two, or three words. This means that the answer COULD be an expression, phrasal verb, or idiom as well as general vocabulary.

Part 3

- In part 3, you listen to a text which lasts around 3-4 minutes. This is usually an interview, with an interviewer and two iterviewees. It can also be a discussion between two speakers. 6 questions - Each with 4 options.

- Each question relates to a specific part of the recording.

- The questions on the page follow the order you hear them on the recording.

- The answers come from the what the interviewees say, not the interviewer. 

- It tests your understanding of detailed arguments and their attitudes, feelings and opinions. Or function or purpose. Or main ideas.

There will definitely be a question about their interaction and what they agree of disagree on.

Tips CAE part 3:

1. Get the Big Picture - Understand the topic and purpose before listening. Focus on opinions and attitudes, not facts.

2. Listen for Meaning, Not Words - Speakers use paraphrases, not the exact wording.

“I signed up just for fun” = “didn’t expect it to be useful.”

3. Note Keywords Quickly - Use short notes: S1 – “teamwork issues”, S2 – “loved challenge”, S3 – “unexpected success”.

4. Eliminate Smartly - Cross out options that clearly don’t fit. Think like a detective, narrow it down.

5. Tone Gives Clues - Intonation reveals feeling, listen beyond words. Upbeat = positive; flat = disappointed.

Let's try one out!

Part 4 - What is part 4 again? What do you need to do?

Part 4

Type of task: Multiple matching

Number of questions: 10

Length: 3-4 minutes

Format: Five short monologues (about 30 seconds each). These are labeled “Speaker 1, Speaker 2, etc.

There is a theme that connects all of the speakers. For example, everyone will be talking about where they were during a recent earthquake, or how they feel about technology, etc.

It tests you on your understanding of attitude and opinion and general meaning (gist) of what each speaker is saying.

Tips CAE part 4:

1. Get the Big Picture - Understand the topic and purpose before listening. Focus on opinions and attitudes, not facts.

2. Listen for Meaning, Not Words - Speakers use paraphrases, not the exact wording.

“I signed up just for fun” = “didn’t expect it to be useful.”

3. Note Keywords Quickly - Use short notes: S1 – “teamwork issues”, S2 – “loved challenge”, S3 – “unexpected success”.

4. Eliminate Smartly - Cross out options that clearly don’t fit. Think like a detective, narrow it down.

5. Tone Gives Clues - Intonation reveals feeling, listen beyond words. Upbeat = positive; flat = disappointed.

6. Pay Attention to Contrast Markers --> Actually..., In fact..., At first... but then..., On the other hand...

These often signal attitude changes or the true answer.

7. Avoid the Traps - Don’t choose an option just because you heard the same word. Watch for partial matches, only one option fits the whole idea.

Pro tip:

“Literal matches are usually wrong; conceptual matches are right.”

Let's try one out!

Understanding main point, gist, opinions or attitude and feelings?  

How to prepare for the CAE Listening test

Exam tasks!

I have plenty!

Let me know through an email if you would like some more.

Homework

Complete the handouts and keep them in your binder.

Vocabulary MUST be done, extra practice is up to you. 

Finish the following exam:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GlGrsO0cQE&t=673s

Phrasal verbs practice:

https://www.english-grammar.at/online_exercises/phrasal_verbs/pv023.htm

Check your answers to the listening exam above and fill in the progress table.

Part 2 (p19 - ex 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) - Using the tips I gave you!

p.75 - Part 3 practice - Audio in Google Classroom

Read Exam Focus + Ex 5 (audio 7.7) + Exercise 7 (writing)

Next class?

Date?

www.examenglish.com