CELPIP Listening: Problem Solving Conversations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A tenant tells a landlord that the heating has not worked for three days in winter. What is the tenant most likely requesting?
- An urgent repair of the heating (Correct answer)
- A new lease agreement
- A reduced security deposit
- A change of address
Correct answer: An urgent repair of the heating
A broken heater in winter is an urgent issue requiring prompt repair.
Question 2: A speaker says, 'That works for me.' What does this expression mean?
- They agree to the proposed plan (Correct answer)
- They are starting a new job
- They disagree strongly
- They are confused
Correct answer: They agree to the proposed plan
'That works for me' is an idiomatic way of agreeing to a suggestion.
Question 3: When two friends discuss how to split a restaurant bill that was charged incorrectly, the problem is about:
- A billing error they need to resolve (Correct answer)
- Choosing a dessert
- Deciding where to park
- Planning a vacation
Correct answer: A billing error they need to resolve
An incorrectly charged bill is a billing error the friends must address.
Question 4: A clerk says, 'Unfortunately, that item is out of stock.' What is the implied problem?
- The desired product is unavailable (Correct answer)
- The store is overcharging
- The clerk is leaving early
- The item is too expensive
Correct answer: The desired product is unavailable
'Out of stock' means the product the customer wants cannot currently be bought.
Question 5: If a speaker proposes 'How about we meet halfway and you pay for shipping?', this is an example of:
- A compromise (Correct answer)
- A refusal
- A threat
- An apology
Correct answer: A compromise
'Meet halfway' describes a compromise where each side gives something.
Question 6: A customer is told the repair will take two weeks but says, 'I need it by Friday.' What is the new problem introduced?
- A timing conflict between the repair and the deadline (Correct answer)
- The repair is free
- The customer wants a refund
- The store has closed
Correct answer: A timing conflict between the repair and the deadline
The customer's Friday deadline conflicts with the two-week repair estimate.
Question 7: Which phrase signals that a speaker is about to offer an apology in a Problem Solving conversation?
- 'I'm so sorry about the inconvenience' (Correct answer)
- 'Turn left at the corner'
- 'The weather is nice today'
- 'I'll have the soup, please'
Correct answer: 'I'm so sorry about the inconvenience'
'I'm so sorry about the inconvenience' is a standard apologetic phrase in customer-service exchanges.
CELPIP Listening: Problem Solving Conversations 3
A tenant tells a landlord that the heating has not worked for three days in winter.
What is the tenant most likely requesting?