Listening FCE: B2 First Certificate | 4 BEST Strategies

By CambridgeroryCambridge English Test Preparation, FCE Online Course

FCE Listening Tips | Introduction

There are 4 parts in the Listening section of the B2 First (FCE) exam. This whole section takes approximately 40 minutes.

The FCE listening paper tests your understanding of different conversations in different contexts. You hear each part of the listening section twice.

For this section of the exam, it is important to understand the purpose or overall idea of what each speaker says. This is because this section of the exam contains 'distractors'. 'Distractors' are words used to distract your attention from the real answer. For example, in part 1 (multiple choice a,b,c) there may be a word in the listening which also appears in option 'b'. However, this may be deliberate and the real answer may actually be 'a' or 'c'.

Listening FCE Part 1

In part 1 of the FCE Listening section you hear 8 different people talking in different situations. There are 8 multiple choice (a,b,c) questions, one question for each different person.

Tips And Technique

Before the recording starts you have time to quickly read through all the questions. Use this time to read through the question, but ignore the a,b,c options.

Underline the key words in the question. Ignore the a,b,c options still. Then you know the information to listen for.

To avoid 'distractors' (see above), I suggest covering at the a,b,c options until you have listened to the passage. Then, after listening and still not looking at the options, decide what you think might be the answer to the question. Then look at the a,b,c options and see if one option is similar to what you thought.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgSe9_lDxeU

 

There are more part 1 tips and exercises in my long FCE course which you can start here >>

Listening FCE Part 2

In part 2 of the FCE Listening section you hear one person talking. There is a long passage with some gaps in which you need to fill. You will not need more than 3 words to complete the gap.

Tips And Technique

You should read through the passage quickly before the recording starts. Think what type of information is needed to fill the gap. Also, think what type of words you need. If the word before the gap is an adjective, you might need to write a noun. This article will be useful for deciding what type of word you need.

You might be able to make a more specific guess what words you need to write. For example, you might need a number, e.g. 1000.

Write the same words that you hear in the recording.

When you have filled in a gap, read the whole sentence again to make sure what you have written answers the question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGR98yVH9Ho


Learn more about part 2 in my long FCE course Start here >>

Listening FCE Part 3

In part 3 of the FCE Listening section you hear five different people speaking. You have 8 sentences (A-H) and you have to decide which sentence best fits what each speaker says. There are 3 extra sentences which you do not need to use.

Tips and Technique

You have 30 seconds to read through sentences (A-H) before the listening begins. Underline the most important words.

When you are practising this part of the Listening section, think about the main idea of each sentence (A-H). Then think about words and vocabulary that relate to this idea. Try to do this in the exam before the listening starts.

The first time you listen write every letter you think might be correct for the speaker. You can check the second time you listen. After the second time you listen, you might realise you have written 'A/C' next to speaker 1 and just 'A' next to speaker 2. If you have not written 'C' next to any other speaker, it would make sense to choose 'C' for speaker 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcw85jrnLPA


Learn more about part 3 in my long FCE course Start here >>

Listening FCE Part 4

In part 4 of the FCE listening section, you hear one or more people speaking. You have 7 multiple choice questions (A-C) to answer.

Tips and Technique

Look at Part 1 above and follow the same tips and techniques.
Make sure you answer the question. It may be that all the answers are correct, but only one answer actually matches the meaning of the question.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDt5PfSh2h8

There are also lots more listening practice activities on this page.

 


Learn more about part 4 in my long FCE course Start here >>
Become a Gold member and get full access to my FCE Listening Course, access social groups and more!

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When you register for membership, you can access the 'Next Page >>' link above and use the techniques I teach you in the videos to complete more FCE exercises >>

Alternatively, if you're not ready to register yet, you can take a look at my longer FCE course...

Listening FCE: B2 First Course

My FCE Listening Course has very good ratings.

"Questo corso di inglese l'ho trovato molto originale e innovativo.....L'insegnante ha un'ottima pronuncia ed è molto chiaro nel far capire i concetti chiave per imparare al meglio!!! Ve lo consiglio!". Marco, B2 First Listening. *****

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