How many times is each Cambridge Listening recording played?

Twice — so you can note answers on the first play and confirm or fill gaps on the second.

What do you write in the sentence-completion part?

The exact word or short phrase you hear (usually 1–3 words), spelled correctly and fitting the sentence.

What does multiple matching require?

Matching several speakers to statements (such as their opinions), based on meaning rather than repeated words.

What do the multiple-choice parts test?

Detail, gist, opinion and attitude across short and longer recordings.

How should you use the time before each recording?

Read the questions and predict what to listen for (a name, number, opinion), turning listening into a focused search.

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Cambridge Listening: The Four Parts

Cambridge Listening's four parts — from sentence completion to multiple matching — and how the two plays of each recording help you.

The big picture

Cambridge Listening (4 parts)
- Multiple choice — Short extracts with questions
- Sentence completion — Write a word/short phrase you hear
- Multiple choice (long) — One longer recording, detail & opinion
- Multiple matching — Match speakers to statements
- Heard twice — Each recording plays two times

Four parts, each recording twice

Cambridge Listening has four parts with a mix of short extracts and longer recordings, and — helpfully — each recording is played twice. Use the first listen for the gist and answers you're sure of, and the second to confirm and fill gaps.

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Real example: On the first play, note likely answers; on the second, check them and catch anything you missed — the two plays are a built-in safety net, so plan to use both.

🧠 Memory hook: 4 parts, each played twice. First listen = answers; second = confirm and fill.

Sentence completion — exact words

One part is sentence completion: you write a word or short phrase you hear to complete notes. Write the actual words (usually 1–3), spell them correctly, and make sure they fit the sentence grammatically.

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Real example: 'The museum was founded in ___' → write the year exactly as said. Don't paraphrase — the gap wants the words from the recording, correctly spelled.

🧠 Memory hook: Sentence completion = the exact words you hear, spelled right, that fit the sentence.

Multiple choice & multiple matching

Multiple-choice parts test detail, gist, opinion and attitude across short or long recordings. Multiple matching has several speakers you match to statements (e.g. each speaker's opinion). Track who says what and listen for the meaning, not just matching words.

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Real example: In multiple matching, a speaker might use different words than the statement but mean the same thing — match on meaning, and beware options that repeat a word the speaker used in a different sense.

🧠 Memory hook: Match on meaning, not repeated words. Track each speaker's actual point.

Read the questions first

Before each recording you get time to read the questions — use it to predict what to listen for (a name? a number? an opinion?). Knowing the target in advance turns passive listening into a focused search.

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Real example: If a question asks how a speaker FELT, prime yourself for tone and attitude words; if it asks WHEN, listen for times and dates. Predicting the target sharpens both listens.

🧠 Memory hook: Read the questions first; predict the target. Then listen for exactly that.

Frequently asked questions

How many times is each Cambridge Listening recording played?: Twice — so you can note answers on the first play and confirm or fill gaps on the second.
What do you write in the sentence-completion part?: The exact word or short phrase you hear (usually 1–3 words), spelled correctly and fitting the sentence.
What does multiple matching require?: Matching several speakers to statements (such as their opinions), based on meaning rather than repeated words.
What do the multiple-choice parts test?: Detail, gist, opinion and attitude across short and longer recordings.
How should you use the time before each recording?: Read the questions and predict what to listen for (a name, number, opinion), turning listening into a focused search.

Keep going — free practice

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