This document contains examples of listening comprehension tasks that could be used to both teach listening skills and assess listening ability on tests. The first part includes a sample 14-question listening task about autumn where students must answer in 5 words or less. The second part consists of a 6-question task involving a conversation between two friends, Alan and James, that students must answer by choosing A, B, or C. The document suggests using such test tasks and formats can help exploit them for supplementary skills development and better test performance while also providing diagnostic feedback.

1. Teach to the test or tests that teach?
Dr. Elaine Boyd
Dr. Cristina Perez Guillot
Eaquals International Conference
Malaga, Spain

2. Teach to the test or tests that teach?
Focus: using test tasks as a framework for learning
• Look at test task examples and consider how we
can exploit for -
– supplementary skills
– better performance in test task
• Consider -
– Impact
– utilising L1
– capturing diagnostics

6. Listening task simple 1
LISTENING TASK 2. (Q7-14)
 You will hear a person talking about Autumn.
 Answer the questions (7-14) in a maximum of FIVE words.
 The first one (0) has been done for you as an example
 Write your answers in the space provided.
0 What is the autumnal equinox? ____ first day of Autumn____.
Q7 What is it about Autumn days and nights which makes us think of balance?
_________________________.
Q8 What would help you to follow a healthy diet in Autumn?_________________.
Q9 Name two autumnal fruits that Russell mentions? _________________________.
Q10 What should you start doing at the beginning of Autumn?______________.
Q11 How can you have more light in your house? (mention one way) __________-
_____________.
Q12 What effect does good lighting have on people? _______________________.
Q13 How does Russell’s family welcome the Autumn____________
Q14 What do people use to build the monuments? _________________________.

7. Alan and James
LISTENING TASK 1 (Q1-6)
 Listen to two friends having a conversation.
 Choose the answer, A, B or C, which fits the questions (1-6).
 The first one (0) has been done for you as an example.
 Write your answers in the space provided.
Alan and James
0. What time did this conversation take place?
A: 9.00
B: 11.00
C: 12.00
Q1. Why is Alan worried?
A: Because the company will be closing.
B: Because there won’t be any Christmas holidays.
C: Because he thinks he might lose his job.
Q2. What does James think about Joe?
A: He is a friendly and fair person.
B: He is a friendly but unfair person.
C: He is an unfriendly but fair person.
Q3. Why does James think his job could be in danger?
A: He has been at the company a long time.
B: He earns more money than many at the company.
C: The boss has already told him.
Q4. Why did they decide not to go to the Slug?
A: Because it doesn’t open until eight o´clock.
B: Because it is closed on Wednesdays.
C: Because Joe will be there.
Q5. What does Alan say about his children?
A: His daughter Sarah has more friends than his son Jerome.
B: His son Jerome has no friends at his new school.
C: His daughter Sarah has a new teacher at her school.