1
Task 1: Problem Solving
Listen for the purpose, options, and the final decision.
PurposeOptionsFinal decisionTime & price
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
I'm calling about… / I'm calling to…
Do this
Write the reason right after this phrase.
If you hear
Actually… / Sorry, I mean…
Do this
Replace the earlier detail with the new one.
If you hear
Unfortunately… / I’m afraid…
Do this
Bad news: listen for the new option.
If you hear
We can do X, or we can do Y.
Do this
Wait: the chosen option is the answer.
If you hear
Rather than X, could you…
Do this
Choose the new option after this line.
If you hear
So just to confirm…
Do this
Write the final detail in the recap.
If you hear
I'll go ahead and… / I'll book you for…
Do this
Final action. Choose it.
If you hear
There will be a fee / it’s included / it’s waived
Do this
Write the cost rule: pay / free / no fee.
2
Task 2: Daily Life Conversation
Listen for preferences, changes, and the final plan.
PlansPreferencesTime & placeAgreement
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
How about…? / Do you want to…?
Do this
New plan. Note it.
If you hear
I'd rather… / I'd prefer…
Do this
This is what they want. It often becomes the answer.
If you hear
I'm not really into… / I'm not sure that works
Do this
They don’t want it. Don’t choose it.
If you hear
If we… then we can…
Do this
Write the condition and the result.
If you hear
Let’s meet at… / We’ll do it on…
Do this
Write the final time/day/place.
If you hear
Sounds good / That works for me
Do this
Agreement. The last plan is the answer.
If you hear
I'll bring… / You can handle…
Do this
Write who does what.
3
Task 3: Listening for Information
Listen for instructions, requirements, and key details (who/where/when).
InstructionsRequirementsDeadlinesContact
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
This is a message for…
Do this
Write who it is for.
If you hear
Please note that…
Do this
Important info next. Listen carefully.
If you hear
Due to… / because of…
Do this
Write the reason.
If you hear
You are required to… / you must…
Do this
Write the must-do step.
If you hear
No later than… / by…
Do this
Write the deadline.
If you hear
If you need help, contact… / call… / email…
Do this
Write the contact (call/email/number).
If you hear
For more information, visit…
Do this
Write the website/location.
4
Task 4: News Item
Listen for the main point, cause/effect, and key numbers.
Main ideaCause/effectNumbersNext steps
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
According to… / The report says…
Do this
Write the source + key fact.
If you hear
Officials said / The spokesperson added…
Do this
Write what they said.
If you hear
The report found / indicated…
Do this
Main finding. Choose the option with the same meaning.
If you hear
As a result / therefore…
Do this
Result comes next. Write it.
If you hear
The incident occurred on… / at…
Do this
Write date/time/place.
If you hear
The plan is to… / The city will…
Do this
Write what will happen next.
If you hear
Meanwhile / in the meantime…
Do this
Write what is happening now.
5
Task 5: Discussion
Listen for ideas, concerns, and the final decision.
ProposalConcernDecisionWho said what
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
The main issue is… / What we need to decide is…
Do this
Write the topic.
If you hear
I suggest… / We could…
Do this
New idea. Note who says it.
If you hear
My concern is… / The downside is…
Do this
Problem with the idea. Write it.
If you hear
On the other hand… / To be fair…
Do this
Different side. Listen for a change.
If you hear
So we’ll… / Let’s go with…
Do this
Final decision. Choose it.
If you hear
I'll take care of… / Can you handle…?
Do this
Write who does what next.
If you hear
What if we…?
Do this
New option. Compare to the final decision.
6
Task 6: Viewpoints
Listen for each speaker’s opinion + reason, then match speaker → opinion.
OpinionsReasonsAgreementAttitude
Listen for the phrase
If you hear
From my perspective… / I believe…
Do this
This is their opinion. Match it to the speaker.
If you hear
The main reason is… / because…
Do this
Write the reason.
If you hear
I agree with… / I’m with…
Do this
This speaker supports someone. Link them.
If you hear
I can't support… / I'm against…
Do this
This speaker disagrees. Match it correctly.
If you hear
What worries me is… / My concern is…
Do this
Write the concern (tone/attitude).
If you hear
Ultimately… / At the end of the day…
Do this
Final opinion. This is their answer.
Quick practice
Read the excerpt, answer the question, then reveal the answer and the key phrase.
Task 1
Problem Solving
Caller: Hi, I’m calling about my appointment on Thursday at 3.
Caller: Actually, could we move it to Friday at 10:30 instead?
Agent: Friday at 10:30 works. I’ll book you for that.
Question
When is the appointment?
A) Thursday at 3:00
B) Friday at 10:30
C) Friday afternoon
Show answer
Answer: B) Friday at 10:30
Key phrase: “Actually / instead” = correction. The second time replaces the first.
Task 2
Daily Life Conversation
Man: How about meeting on Saturday?
Woman: I’d rather meet on Sunday — Saturday I’m working.
Man: Okay, Sunday at 6 works for me.
Question
When will they meet?
A) Saturday
B) Sunday at 6
C) Sunday morning
Show answer
Answer: B) Sunday at 6
Key phrase: “I’d rather…” + agreement = the final plan.
Task 3
Listening for Information
Automated message: Please note that the library will close early at 5 p.m. due to staff training.
Automated message: Return all books by 4:30.
Question
Why will the library close early?
A) It is a holiday
B) Staff training
C) A power outage
Show answer
Answer: B) Staff training
Key phrase: “due to …” = reason.
Task 4
News Item
Reporter: According to a new report, air quality improved by 12% this year.
Reporter: As a result, the city will expand the program to two more districts.
Question
What will the city do next?
A) Cancel the program
B) Expand it to two more districts
C) Raise taxes
Show answer
Answer: B) Expand it to two more districts
Key phrase: “As a result” + “will” = result / next step.
Task 5
Discussion
Manager: I suggest we hold the workshop online to save costs.
Colleague: My concern is engagement.
Manager: On the other hand, we could offer a hybrid option.
Colleague: Sounds good. Let’s go with hybrid.
Question
What do they decide?
A) Online only
B) In-person only
C) Hybrid
Show answer
Answer: C) Hybrid
Key phrase: “Let’s go with …” = final decision.
Task 6
Viewpoints
Speaker A: From my perspective, remote work improves productivity.
Speaker B: I can’t support that. The main reason is team collaboration.
Speaker C: Ultimately, a mix of remote and office days makes the most sense.
Question
Who supports a mixed approach?
A) Speaker A
B) Speaker B
C) Speaker C
Show answer
Answer: C) Speaker C
Key phrase: “Ultimately” = the speaker’s final opinion.
Next step
Go practice Listening
Pick Task 1–6 and train with real questions.