What You'll Learn
- Understand Part 6 format: one speaker, formal report, ~3 minutes
- Organize notes to track multiple viewpoints presented within a single report
- Identify who holds each opinion mentioned by the speaker
- Distinguish factual claims from opinions and analysis within the report
- Apply proven strategies to answer sentence-completion (dropdown) questions
Part 6 is the final and most demanding listening section. You’ll hear one speaker deliver a formal report or presentation lasting about 3 minutes, the longest single audio clip in the test. The audio plays once only and cannot be paused or replayed. The speaker presents an issue and describes multiple viewpoints from different people or groups. Your job is to track who believes what and complete 6 sentence-completion statements using dropdown menus. All 6 statements appear on screen at once, and you can answer them in any order.
At a Glance
- Format: One speaker, formal report (~3 min audio)
- Questions: ~6 sentence completion (dropdowns)
- Layout: All questions on screen at once; answer in any order
- Playback: Once only
- Time: ~8 minutes total (3 min audio + ~4 min to answer)
- Focus: Concepts, possibilities, analysis, viewpoints
What Makes Part 6 Different
Part 6 is unlike all previous parts. Instead of a conversation between multiple people, you hear a single speaker delivering a prepared, formal presentation. According to official CELPIP materials, the speech is formal, not improvised (prepared in advance). The language is more complex, includes low-frequency and specialized vocabulary, and covers concepts, possibilities, and analysis.
The speaker describes an issue and presents different viewpoints from people or groups mentioned in the report. For example, a report about a proposed law might include the views of legislators, critics, community advocates, and experts, all conveyed by a single narrator.
Official CELPIP examples of Part 6 topics include:
- A speech about climate change and what can be done about it
- A presentation about the effects of a certain technological development
- A description of a community issue and different proposed options for resolving it
Key Difference from Part 5
Part 5 has multiple speakers in a video discussion. Part 6 has one speaker in an audio-only report. The challenge is not distinguishing voices. It’s tracking the different viewpoints the single speaker presents about other people and groups.
Note-Taking Strategy: The Viewpoint Map
Since one speaker presents multiple viewpoints, you need a system to track who believes what. Before the audio starts, set up your notes with space for:
- The main issue (topic of the report)
- People/groups mentioned and their positions
- Key evidence or reasons for each viewpoint
Sample Note Layout
TOPIC: Mandatory solar panels on new commercial buildings
FOR:
- Okafor (councillor): reduce carbon, lower energy costs
- Chen (building owner): paid off in 3 yrs, rebates helped
AGAINST:
- Muñoz (business fed.): $40-80K upfront, discourages construction
MIDDLE:
- Dr. Sharma (researcher): incentives first, then mandates
KEY FACTS:
- Vancouver pilot: 18% energy bill reduction
- vote => next month
Listen for Names and Titles
The speaker will introduce people by full name, then refer to them by last name throughout. Write down last names immediately. Questions often reference people by last name. For example, “Lisa Muñoz” becomes just “Muñoz” later.
Understanding the Report Structure
Formal reports in Part 6 often follow a recognizable pattern. Actual CELPIP reports may vary, but understanding this general flow can help you anticipate what comes next:
- Introduction: States the main topic and why it matters
- Background: Provides context, history, or data
- Viewpoint A: One perspective with supporting reasons
- Viewpoint B: An opposing or different perspective
- Additional details / Expert opinion: Further analysis, implications, or a concluding outlook
Common Mistake
Don’t confuse the narrator’s reporting with the viewpoints being reported. The speaker may say “Critics argue that the project is wasteful”. This is the critics’ opinion, not the speaker’s own view. Questions test whether you can attribute each viewpoint to the correct person or group.
Signal Phrases for Viewpoint Attribution
Listen for these phrases that tell you whose viewpoint is being presented:
- “According to Dr. Smith…” / “Dr. Smith believes…”
- “Critics argue that…” / “Supporters claim that…”
- “The researchers found…” / “The study suggests…”
- “City officials stated…” / “Residents feel that…”
- “Proponents of the plan say…” / “Opponents counter that…”
Understanding Question Types
Part 6 uses sentence-completion questions with dropdown menus. The instruction on screen reads: “Choose the best way to complete each statement from the drop-down menu.” All 6 statements appear on one screen, and you have about 4 minutes to answer them. You can answer in any order.
The official CELPIP test uses three question categories, all of which appear in Part 6:
1. General Meaning: “big picture” questions about the overall topic, purpose, or theme, such as:
- “This is a story about _____.”
- “The purpose of the project is to _____.”
2. Specific Information: questions about one fact, detail, condition, or viewpoint attribution, such as:
- “The upfront cost of installation is typically _____.”
- “The regional director opposes the bylaw because _____.”
3. Inference: questions that require you to draw a conclusion from what was said, often about implications or a named person’s position. These may include words like probably or most likely:
- “Dr. Sharma would probably agree that _____.”
- “If the bylaw passes, it will most likely _____.”
Answer Confident Statements First
Since all statements are visible at once, complete the ones you’re sure about first. Then use remaining time to work on uncertain ones. Pay careful attention to the 4-minute timer.
Expect Paraphrase
Answer options will never repeat the exact words from the audio. The correct answer restates the same idea in different words. The official CELPIP materials stress paraphrase as one of the most important listening skills to master. Practice recognizing the same meaning expressed with different vocabulary.
Handling the Complexity
Specialized Vocabulary
Part 6 uses low-frequency and specialized language. The speaker won’t simplify terms the way conversational speakers do. Expect words like “legislation,” “infrastructure,” “methodology,” “preliminary findings,” or domain-specific terms.
Strategy: If you encounter an unfamiliar word, use context to determine whether it has a positive or negative meaning. Don’t freeze. Keep listening forward.
Dense Information
Three minutes of formal speech packs significantly more information than a casual conversation of the same length. The speaker may reference:
- Statistics and research findings
- Named experts with specific credentials
- Multiple stakeholder groups
- Cause-and-effect chains
- Conditions and exceptions
Strategy: You cannot capture everything. Focus on who + what they believe + why. Use paraphrase in your own notes: brief restatements rather than trying to write exact quotes.
During the Audio
- Write the main topic at the top of your page as soon as you hear it
- Note every person or group mentioned by name
- Record each person's position in 2-3 words
- Use abbreviations and symbols, not full words
- Pay extra attention to the last portion of the report, where conclusions and implications often appear
- Listen for cause-effect language: "as a result," "therefore," "this means"
Read the Introductory Statement
Before the audio starts, the instruction screen shows you the report topic. Use this time to set up your notes and predict what viewpoints you might hear. This is an official CELPIP strategy: the introductory statement gives you context clues before you hear a single word.
Practice Application
Part 6 Practice Scenario
Listen to the report
Report Topic: A proposed bylaw requiring rooftop solar panels on all new commercial buildings in Victoria.
Key viewpoints presented in the report:
- Councillor David Okafor: Introduced the bylaw; argues it would reduce carbon footprint and lower energy costs
- Lisa Muñoz (Canadian Federation of Independent Business): Opposes the mandate due to high upfront costs
- Dr. Anya Sharma (University of Victoria): Supports environmental goals but recommends a phased approach
- Marcus Chen (building owner): Already installed solar panels; reports positive results but acknowledges cost barrier
Choose the best way to complete each statement.
-
The proposed bylaw would require _____.
A) all homes to install solar panels
B) all new commercial buildings to have rooftop solar panels
C) existing buildings to replace their roofs
D) the city to build a solar power plant -
Councillor Okafor supports the bylaw mainly because _____.
A) it would create new construction jobs
B) it would reduce the city’s carbon footprint and lower energy costs
C) Victoria has the most sunshine in Canada
D) it was requested by local business owners -
Lisa Muñoz opposes the mandate because _____.
A) solar panels do not work in Canadian climates
B) the upfront costs would discourage new construction and push businesses elsewhere
C) she believes climate change is not a priority
D) the city council did not consult with her organization -
Dr. Anya Sharma recommends _____.
A) cancelling the bylaw entirely
B) starting with incentives before moving to mandates
C) installing solar panels on government buildings first
D) waiting until solar technology improves -
Marcus Chen’s solar panels paid for themselves within _____.
A) one year
B) three years
C) five years
D) ten years -
The city council is expected to vote on the bylaw _____.
A) this week
B) next month
C) next year
D) after the federal election
Show answers and explanations =>
Correct Answers: 1-B, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-B
Detailed Explanations:
-
B) all new commercial buildings to have rooftop solar panels: The report opens with: “a new bylaw that would require all new commercial buildings to install rooftop solar panels.” Option A (“all homes”) changes the scope: the bylaw targets commercial buildings, not homes.
-
B) it would reduce the city’s carbon footprint and lower energy costs: Councillor Okafor “argues that mandatory solar panels would reduce the city’s carbon footprint and lower long-term energy costs.” Option C is a distractor: while Victoria’s climate is mentioned as favourable, this is Dr. Sharma’s point, not Okafor’s main argument.
-
B) the upfront costs would discourage new construction and push businesses elsewhere: Muñoz “warns that the upfront installation costs… would discourage new construction and push small businesses to neighbouring municipalities.” Option A is incorrect: Muñoz does not question whether solar works in Canada; her concern is purely economic.
-
B) starting with incentives before moving to mandates: Dr. Sharma “recommends a phased approach” and suggests “starting with incentives before moving to mandates.” This is a viewpoint attribution question, so make sure you connect the recommendation to the correct person.
-
B) three years: Marcus Chen “reports that his investment paid for itself within three years.” This is a specific detail question testing number recall.
-
B) next month: “The city council is expected to vote on the bylaw next month.” A straightforward time-reference question.
Question Type Breakdown:
- Statement 1 tests general meaning (what the bylaw requires).
- Statement 2 tests viewpoint attribution (Okafor’s reasons).
- Statement 3 tests viewpoint attribution (Muñoz’s opposition).
- Statement 4 tests viewpoint attribution (Dr. Sharma’s recommendation).
- Statement 5 tests specific information (number recall from Marcus Chen’s experience).
- Statement 6 tests specific information (time reference).
Final Checklist
Self-Check
- I identified the main topic from the opening sentences of the report
- I tracked people/groups and their positions separately in my notes
- I distinguished the narrator reporting from the viewpoints being reported
- I captured key names (especially last names) for viewpoint attribution
- I recognized paraphrase: the correct answer uses different words than the audio
- I used the full 4-minute answer period strategically, answering confident statements first
5-6 checks = ready for CLB 8+ performance
No Penalty for Guessing
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers on CELPIP. Always complete every statement, even if you need to guess. Use context clues to determine whether unfamiliar words in the statements have a positive or negative meaning, and make your best choice.
Post-Listening Review
- Check each answer against your viewpoint notes
- Verify you attributed each opinion to the correct person or group
- Confirm cause-effect answers match the report's logic
- Make sure you completed all 6 statements (guess if you must)
Part 6 rewards organized note-taking more than any other section. Master the viewpoint-mapping technique, keep track of names and roles, and stay focused through the full 3 minutes. This is your final listening push. Make every note count.