Welcome to Recording 5: Interviews and Podcasts

In your Listening exam, Recording 5 is an exciting part of the paper where you start to hear more natural, conversational English. Unlike the short announcements or voicemails you heard earlier in the exam (which you can review in Recordings 1–4), this recording features longer stretches of speech like radio interviews and podcasts. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of information at once—we are going to break down exactly how to handle it!

What makes Recording 5 special?

This recording is usually between \(160\) and \(180\) words long. It is designed to test your ability to follow a conversation or a presentation and pick out specific details. You will hear it twice, and you will have time to read the questions before the recording starts.

The formats you will encounter include:

  • Radio Interviews: Usually a host asking questions to a guest.
  • Podcasts: Informal discussions about a specific topic.
  • Conversations: Two or more people talking about a plan or a situation.
  • Presentations: One person giving a short talk on a subject.

The Two Question Types

Recording 5 uses a "mixed" approach to questions. You will need to answer both:

1. Multiple Choice: You choose the correct answer from a list of options (A, B, C, or D).
2. Short Open Response: You must write down a short answer (usually a few words) based on what you hear.

Quick Tip: For Short Open Response, you do not need to write full sentences! Just make sure your answer is clear and contains the correct information.

Topics You Will Hear

According to the syllabus, Recording 5 will only cover Topics 1–4. You will not be tested on Global Issues (Topic 5) in the Listening unit. The topics to focus on are:

  • Myself and Others: Hobbies, leisure time, home life, and relationships.
  • Travel and Tourism: Transport, holidays, and tourist destinations.
  • Education: School life, future study plans, and technology (ICT).
  • Employment: Part-time jobs, future careers, and job applications.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Follow these steps to make sure you don't miss any marks:

Step 1: Use your reading time

Before the recording begins, read the questions carefully. Underline key words (like names, dates, or specific verbs). This tells your brain what to listen for. For example, if the question asks, "Why did Sarah choose to travel by train?", listen specifically for the word "train" or "rail."

Step 2: The first listen

Try to answer as many questions as possible during the first playback. If you miss one, don't panic! Just move on to the next question. If you stay stuck on a question you missed, you might miss the next two or three answers as well.

Step 3: The second listen

This is your "safety net." Use this time to fill in any gaps and double-check the answers you already wrote. For Multiple Choice questions, listen for "distractors"—this is when a speaker mentions something that sounds like the right answer but is actually wrong (e.g., "I wanted to go on Monday, but I actually went on Tuesday").

Important Rules to Remember

Spelling: In the Listening unit, your spelling does not have to be perfect. As long as the examiner can understand what word you intended to write, you will get the mark. However, try your best to be as accurate as possible!
Dictionaries: You are not allowed to use a dictionary during the exam, so practicing your vocabulary for Topics 1–4 is very important.
All Questions are Compulsory: You must attempt every question. Even if you aren't 100% sure, make an educated guess!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Writing too much: For Short Open Response, writing a long paragraph increases your chance of making a mistake. Keep it brief!
  • Ignoring the context: Always look at the title of the recording (if provided) to understand the setting. Is it a school? A travel agency? A job interview?
  • Focusing on every single word: You don't need to understand every word the speakers say. You only need to find the information required by the questions.

Key Takeaway Summary

Recording 5 is a mid-length audio piece (\(160–180\) words) that uses Multiple Choice and Short Open Response questions. It covers familiar topics like school, work, and travel. Use your two listening opportunities wisely: the first to get the main points, and the second to confirm the details. Remember, you are listening for facts and opinions—stay focused on what the speakers actually say!

Next, you can move on to Recording 6, which focuses on gap-fill note completion.