Question 7 English as a Second Language Listening Comprehension

1. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ
The question 7 in your listening paper is a multiple choice question.
For each question you hear (most of the time) in the recording a question
will be seen on the question paper.
 This question uses a lot of synonyms, your ability to identify these
synonyms is the key to getting it right.
 All three answers given in the question will be mentioned in the
recording. You need to be very careful.

2. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ
• The main skill being tested is the ability to select the most appropriate
answer from the three offered. A feature of MCQs is that for each question
(the stem) the three answers look very similar to elements of the content.
Students should be made aware, however, of the subtle differences between
the source text and the answers.
• It is not possible to provide model answers for MCQs, so instead students
can explore why each of the incorrect answers is wrong.
• Another approach to answering MCQs might be to go through a process of
elimination. This means running through all three options and striking out
the ones that are definitely not correct. The one that remains must be the
right answer. This process of deduction probably works better than a process
of induction.

3. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ
• From the time that you hear speaker 6 for the second time in question 6
until the end of the introduction of question 7 you will have approximately 1
minute and 25 seconds.
• Before students sit in the exam they will be well aware of the general
instructions to questions. Therefore, students can utilise this time to skim
through question 7 and underline all keywords which they might hear in the
recording.

4.  This question is from June 2016 variant 31/41 paper.
 (a) Aysha said she was particularly pleased to win in a recent competition because
A the other swimmers were so good.
B she was feeling unwell on the day.
C it was her last chance to take part.
The words in bold are the keywords which have been predicted. Below is the audio transcript to
the related part.
Aysha, let’s start with your recent success at the European junior championships. How did it feel
to come first in both your races?
Aysha: It was great! I was actually a bit tired that day because of travelling the day before. Also I
knew the other competitors would be hard to beat – one of them won the championships last year.
But what made it special for me is that I’ll be too old to enter next year, so I knew I wouldn’t have
the opportunity to win again.
 - The most important keyword here is made it special which leads us to the correct answer C

5. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ -
SAMPLE
Student has
underlined all the
keywords. Took the
maximum advantage
of the gaps.

6. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ -
SAMPLE

7. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ -
SAMPLE

8. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ -
SAMPLE

9. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ
 Now take a look at the Question 7.
 Don’t forget to identify the keywords.
 You will hear the recording twice.

10. (b) Who suggested that Aysha should join a local swimming club?
A her sports teacher
B her parents
C her friend
Why did you take up swimming in the first place? ( The question asked in the recording)
Well, my mum and dad are both keen swimmers, so it’s what we did at weekends. They were
members of a local club, and when I was ten, the club started training kids my age. My best
mate joined, but I didn’t think about going until my swimming instructor at school encouraged
me to try it out. So I became a member when I was eleven.
Answer : A

11. (c) What made Aysha realise that she was a good swimmer?
A She was put in the top group of the club.
B She was selected for a regional club.
C She raced against another club.
Question : And when did you realise you had a talent for swimming?
Aysha: Well, I’d only been at the club for a month when I took part in a sports day, racing
against some other local clubs. I didn’t think I had a chance of winning, but actually came
second. Then I got a call from the club for the region, inviting me to train with them at a
higher level. I hadn’t even joined the top group in my own club by then! But that’s when I
really knew I must be quite good.
Answer : B

12. (d) Aysha says that her training sessions
A are too long.
B make her very tired.
C could be more varied.
You’ve got your own coach now, haven’t you? ( Question is not direct)
Aysha: Yes. I do five training sessions with her each week, for up to three hours a day. It’s a
lot, but I’ve got used to it – when I started, I found it exhausting! Sometimes we practise
different techniques and exercises – I’d like to do more of that – but mostly we follow a
familiar routine.
Answer : C

13. (e) What does Aysha find challenging about her training?
A finding time for her school work
B getting up so early each day
C missing out on social activities
Question: You must find it tricky to fit in other things, with so much swimming?
Aysha: Well, I do a lot of training first thing in the morning. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the 5
a.m. starts, if I’m honest – but it means I’m usually free in the evenings. By the time I’ve eaten and
done my homework, I’m ready for bed, so I don’t often manage to go out with my friends during the
week. I see them at weekends though – so it’s ok.
Answer : B

14. (f) Where does Aysha most enjoy swimming when she’s not training?
A in the sea
B in an outdoor pool
C in a lake near her house
Do you ever just swim for pleasure?
Aysha: Oh yes – I love swimming, and I always will. I often go to a lake near here with friends
in the summer, which is fun, and there’s an open-air pool in the park too – that’s great when
it’s sunny. But if I had to choose one place it’d be the sea – you can’t beat that as far as I’m
concerned.
Answer : A

15. (g) What advice does Aysha give to young swimmers?
A Always aim to win.
B Do other activities as well.
C Make sure you enjoy yourself.
Aysha, I know you sometimes talk to young swimmers at your old club. What advice do you
give them?
Aysha: Oh, I love talking to them – it reminds me of when I started at the club. Some of them
are so competitive though – I always tell them they must learn to accept they can’t come first
all the time. What I say is – if you’re not enjoying yourself, there’s no point – find something
else to do that gives you pleasure.
Answer : C

16. (h) Aysha says that in the future, she’d really like to
A design sportswear.
B become a sports teacher.
C present sports programmes.
One final question – what are your future plans?
Aysha: Obviously I want to swim more at a national level and maybe even try for the next
Olympics – but I realise I won’t be able to swim competitively forever. When sports people
retire, some go into teaching, and of course another thing that lots do is work on TV sports
shows. But what I wouldn’t mind doing is creating clothes for different sports – I like the
sound of that
Answer : A

17. QUESTION 7 – LISTENING MCQ
 For each an every question asked in the recording, there is a question on the
paper which corresponds to that question.
 Therefore your understanding of keywords and synonyms is the key to getting it
right.