LISTENING
* very easy (basic)
** medium (intermediate)
*** difficult (advanced)
Test your understanding skills!
To many learners, Listening Comprehensions are among the most difficult tasks. Native speakers often talk very fast, some accents are hard to understand, and frequently background noises distract students from the actual words of the speaker.
In order to master listening exercises, a lot of practice is one of the key elements! Below, you can practice and improve your listening skills in a number of listening comprehensions on various levels of difficulty. For most listening exercises, a key is also available. Additionally, a link to the original source of the recording is provided for each listening task, where you might find further information, transcripts, or more audio and video resources.
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Please choose from the following test formats:
- true or false (standardized format)
- multiple choice (standardized format)
- multiple matching (standardized format)
- gap-fill/ completion (standardized format)
- open questions & summary writing
- other formats
- links to other listening exercises
"True or False"
In these exercises, you must listen to a recording and then decide whether statements about the recording are true or false.
This format is used in FCE exams as well as in the new standardized final exam in Austrian high schools (österreichische Zentralmatura/ Standardisierte Reifeprüfung SRP).Link-tip!
Get prepared for your English-Matura (Austrian final exam)! Practice with real reading and listening tasks that many Austrian teachers actually use in their school exams! Check out this link:
Uni Innsbruck - Standardisierte Reifeprüfung
Britain and the Oscars **(2'00min)
Listen to a report about the success of British films regarding the Academy Awards. Choose the best way to complete statements on the text and decide whether certain statements are true or false.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Cycling * (2'00min)
Listen to a recording about the growing popularity of riding the bike. True-or-false and gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The Duchess ** (1'55min)
Recording about the British movie The Duchess starring Keira Knightley. Summary completion (gap-fill) and true-or-false task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Freshers' Week ** (1'50min)
Recording about the first weeks at university and tips how to make friends in the new environment. Summary-completion, multiple-matching and true-or-false tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
James Bond ** (1'50min)
Listen to a report about a new James Bond book and the release of a new James Bond film. True-or-false and summary-completion task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Mamma Mia ** (2'00min)
Recording about the film Mamma Mia based on the famous West End musical. True-or-false and summary completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Modern British families ** (2'45min)
A report about how families have changed and what issues result from these changes. True-or-false and summary completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
School cuts paper out of classroom ** (2'30min)
An extract of a program on MTV about Hatbord Horsham High School, which has come up with an interesting project in order to save the
environment. Various exercise formats (multiple-choice, true-or-false, short answers) and extra tasks on vocabulary from the recording. The task sheet also includes a full transcript.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The solar backpack *** (1'30min)
News report about a backpack equipped with solar cells in order to produce energy for various mobile devices. True-or-false task, open questions, vocabulary exercise and free writing task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Teenage pregnancy *** (3'50min)
In this extract of an American talk show, you are going to hear an interview with Jane Daniels and her daughter Amy, who became
pregnant when she was 19 years old. Task sheet includes true/false/not given task, open questions, a full transcript of the recording plus a translation into German.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The Apprentice ** (2'20min)
Recording about a British reality TV show called The Apprentice. Recording includes strong accent.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
"Multiple Choice"
For these tasks, you have to listen to a recording and then match certain statements to find correct answers according to the text.
This format is used in FCE exams as well as in the new standardized final exam in Austrian high schools (österreichische Zentralmatura/ Standardisierte Reifeprüfung SRP).
Link-tip!
Get prepared for your English-Matura (Austrian final exam)! Practice with real reading and listening tasks that many Austrian teachers actually use in their school exams! Check out this link:
Uni Innsbruck - Standardisierte Reifeprüfung
Australian fathers ***
Australian fathers seem to see their children as a hobby rather than a duty. Gap-fill and multiple choice completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Britain and the Oscars **(2'00min)
Listen to a report about the success of British films regarding the Academy Awards. Choose the best way to complete statements on the text and decide whether certain statements are true or false.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Hungry elephants ** (1'15min)
Listen to how hungry elephants are kept from raiding farms in Kenya. Multiple choice (sentence completion) and gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Friends Reunited ** (2'10min)
Listen to a report about the success story of an online network that helps people find their old friends.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Laptop learning in Italy *** (1'15min)
A short report about an Italian primary school that has introduced laptops for students.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Night shifts *** (1'00min)
Listen to an extract of a news report about possible health risks of working at night frequently.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Sightseeing in L.A. ** (1'25min)
Listen to a promotion clip for a sightseeing bus tour through Los Angeles and complete multiple-choice, gap-fill and short answer tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
School cuts paper out of classroom ** (2'30min)
An extract of a program on MTV about Hatbord Horsham High School, which has come up with an interesting project in order to save the
environment. Various exercise formats (multiple-choice, true-or-false, short answers) and extra tasks on vocabulary from the recording. The task sheet also includes a full transcript.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Concentrating Solar Power *** (1'30min)
News report about scientists developing a form of solar power that could provide clean energy across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Gap-fill and multiple choice tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Valentine's Day ** (2'25min)
Listen to a recording about Valentine's Day.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Young Britons and foreign languages *** (4'20min)
Listen to a news report about the negative attitude of young British people towards learning foreign languages.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
"Multiple Matching"
In multiple matching exercises, you are asked to complete statements or match sentence halves in accordance with the recording. In some cases, you might also have to match certain statements to certain persons or groups of persons, according to the text.
This format is used in FCE exams as well as in the new standardized final exam in Austrian high schools (österreichische Zentralmatura/ Standardisierte Reifeprüfung SRP).
Link-tip!
Get prepared for your English-Matura (Austrian final exam)! Practice with real reading and listening tasks that many Austrian teachers actually use in their school exams! Check out this link:
Uni Innsbruck - Standardisierte Reifeprüfung
Complaints ** (2'15min)
Listen to two conversations between angry customers and the responsible company representative. Multiple matching and gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Freshers' Week ** (1'50min)
Recording about the first weeks at university and tips how to make friends in the new environment. Summary-completion, multiple-matching and true-or-false tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The angry boss *** (0'40min)
A boss is talking to an employee he is not satisfied with. The task consists of two conversations; first, you have to do a multiple-matching task; then, you need to complete statements in a gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
What to wear ** (1'55min)
Listen to a recording about different fashion trends in the UK.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Working abroad ** (4'20min)
Listen to five persons who have decided to take a job in a foreign country. Recording includes accents of non-native speakers.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
"Gap-fill/ Completion"
In gap-fill or completion tasks you are ased to complete statements about the recording, rephrase certain parts of the text or summarize details by answering short questions. Usually, you are only allowed to use a maximum of 4 words for your answer.
This format is used in FCE exams as well as in the new standardized final exam in Austrian high schools (österreichische Zentralmatura/ Standardisierte Reifeprüfung SRP).
Link-tip!
Get prepared for your English-Matura (Austrian final exam)! Practice with real reading and listening tasks that many Austrian teachers actually use in their school exams! Check out this link:
Uni Innsbruck - Standardisierte Reifeprüfung
Sheep shearer shortage in Australia** (1'20min)
Listen to a recording about the fact that there are not enough farm workers to shear Australian sheep; then complete a gapped summary of the recording with the correct words.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Australian fathers ***
Australian fathers seem to see their children as a hobby rather than a duty. Gap-fill and multiple choice completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Complaints ** (2'15min)
Listen to two conversations between angry customers and the responsible company representative. Multiple matching and gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Cycling * (2'00min)
Listen to a recording about the growing popularity of riding the bike. True-or-false and gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Disappearing languages *** (1'00min)
Listen to a recording about languages which are dying out. While listening, complete a gapped summary of the text.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The Duchess ** (1'55min)
Recording about the British movie The Duchess starring Keira Knightley. Summary completion (gap-fill) and true-or-false task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Hungry elephants ** (1'15min)
Listen to how hungry elephants are kept from raiding farms in Kenya. Multiple choice (sentence completion) and two different gap-fill exercises (task sheet 1 & task sheet 2).
task sheet 1 (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
task sheet 2 (PDF)
Freshers' Week ** (1'50min)
Recording about the first weeks at university and tips how to make friends in the new environment. Summary-completion, multiple-matching and true-or-false tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
James Bond ** (1'50min)
Listen to a report about a new James Bond book and the release of a new James Bond film. True-or-false and summary-completion task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Laptop learning in Italy *** (1'15min)
A short report about an Italian primary school that has introduced laptops for students.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Mamma Mia ** (2'00min)
Recording about the film Mamma Mia based on the famous West End musical. True-or-false and summary completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Marriage training in Saudi Arabia *** (1'15min)
Listen to an extract of a news program about marriage training courses in Saudi Arabia.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Modern British families ** (2'45min)
A report about how families have changed and what issues result from these changes. True-or-false and summary completion tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Sightseeing in L.A. ** (1'25min)
Listen to a promotion clip for a sightseeing bus tour through Los Angeles and complete multiple-choice, gap-fill and short answer tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The angry boss *** (0'40min)
A boss is talking to an employee he is not satisfied with. The task consists of two conversations; first, you have to do a multiple-matching task; then, you need to complete statements in a gap-fill exercise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Women-only hotel *** (1'10min)
Listen to an extract of a news report about a recently opened hotel in Saudi Arabia exclusively for women.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
"Open Questions & Summary Writing"
Open questions on a recording test your general understanding of spoken English as well as your writing skills. Normally, you are asked to write a short paragraph to answer certain questions on a recording. In some cases, you also have to answer all questions in one text, in order to give a summary of the main ideas. There may also be questions beyond the text.
Elections in Australia *** (1'45min)
Listen to an extract of a TV report about upcoming elections in Australia and summarize the recording by answering a number of questions. Includes some difficult vocabulary and accent.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Hard times for Australian winemakers *** (2'10min)
Recording about the effects a continuing drought has on the wine industry in Australia. Listen and answer questions on the text in 2-3 sentences each. Some difficult vocabulary.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
A sinking city *** (2'00min)
Find out which desastrous effects climate change has had on the Brazilian town of Atafona, and answer questions on the recording. Difficult vocabulary and distracting background noise.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Blizzard **(0'25min)
Listen to a short clip of a weather report about a snow storm in the USA. Answer questions on the recording.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Cheating at school *** (6'00min)
Extract of a TV program about a scandal after some students at an American high school tried to cheat in an exam. Answer questions on the text.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Illegal fireworks*** (2'10min)
News report about the dangers of illegal fireworks. Open questions and writing tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The global village*** (1'50min)
News report about how the Internet has changed the small Hungarian village of Boly. Open questions on the recording. The task sheet also includes a full transcript and various grammar exercises.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Job interviews *** (5'30min)
Listen to tips on how to prepare for a job interview and answer questions on the recording in 3-5 sentences
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Sightseeing in L.A. ** (1'25min)
Listen to a promotion clip for a sightseeing bus tour through Los Angeles and complete multiple-choice, gap-fill and short answer tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
An intoxicated river *** (1'45min)
A short report about pollution in the New River on the border between Mexico and the US and the danger the toxic water poses to the region. Fast spoken, with distracting background music.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Oil spill in San Francisco *** (3'00min)
Listen to a news report about an oil spill after a ship collided with a bridge in San Francisco's Bay Area. Includes direct interviews with witnesses.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Online dating *** (4'30min)
Listen to a recording about the dos and don'ts of online dating. This recording is an extract of a Morning TV program and therefore includes some hard-to-understand passages.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
School cuts paper out of classroom ** (2'30min)
An extract of a program on MTV about Hatbord Horsham High School, which has come up with an interesting project in order to save the
environment. Various exercise formats (multiple-choice, true-or-false, short answers) and extra tasks on vocabulary from the recording. The task sheet also includes a full transcript.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The solar backpack *** (1'30min)
News report about a backpack equipped with solar cells in order to produce energy for various mobile devices. True-or-false task, open questions, vocabulary exercise and free writing task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Spoiled kids *** (2'30min)
Listen to a mother talking about bringing up children the right way.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Teenage pregnancy *** (3'50min)
In this extract of an American talk show, you are going to hear an interview with Jane Daniels and her daughter Amy, who became
pregnant when she was 19 years old. Task sheet includes true/false/not given task, open questions, a full transcript of the recording plus a translation into German.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Toxic Airport *** (6'00min)
Listen to a news report about the worries of the residents near an airport in California. Recording includes interviews featuring some hard-to-understand accent. Open questions and free-writing tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Other formats
Here you can find various other formats of listening comprehensions.
Illegal fireworks*** (2'10min)
News report about the dangers of illegal fireworks. Open questions and writing tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
School cuts paper out of classroom ** (2'30min)
An extract of a program on MTV about Hatbord Horsham High School, which has come up with an interesting project in order to save the
environment. Various exercise formats (multiple-choice, true-or-false, short answers) and extra tasks on vocabulary from the recording. The task sheet also includes a full transcript.task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
The solar backpack *** (1'30min)
News report about a backpack equipped with solar cells in order to produce energy for various mobile devices. True-or-false task, open questions, vocabulary exercise and free writing task.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Toxic Airport *** (6'00min)
Listen to a news report about the worries of the residents near an airport in California. Recording includes interviews featuring some hard-to-understand accent. Open questions and free-writing tasks.
task sheet (PDF) | recording (mp3) | original source
Note: The listening comprehension exercises on this site have all been created by Bernie Zöttl, based on recordings taken from various authentic sources of (native) spoken English. The original source is indicated for each comprehension task. The recordings remain the property of their original owners; recordings in .mp3-format are provided for download on this site merely for educational purposes.
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