Listening to Problem Solving

In this section, you will listen to a short conversation between two people who are trying to solve a problem together. Scenarios are practical and relate to planning, making arrangements, or resolving an issue. Questions will test your ability to recognize solutions, action steps, or decisions made in the dialogue.

What You Will Hear

• A dialogue between two speakers.
• Speakers could be friends, colleagues, or strangers.
• Settings: casual or semi-formal (e.g., booking, finding directions).

Question Types

• Multiple-choice with four options.
• Questions often ask for the best solution or next step.
• Details like time, cost, place, or order of events are tested.

Key Strategies

• Catch the problem quickly.
• Notice who is speaking and track their roles.
• Watch for decision points—when choices are discussed.
• Try to predict what will happen next.
• Use elimination to narrow down answer choices.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Getting stuck on minor details.
• Confusing the speakers’ roles.
• Overthinking simple answers.

Practice Approach

• Listen to real-life dialogues (podcasts, YouTube role-plays).
• Pause and summarize the problem, suggestions, outcome.
• Practice catching numbers, places, and times quickly.

Final Tips

• Stay relaxed and focus on the main flow.
• Listen for the problem, options, and solutions—not every detail.
• If unsure, eliminate unlikely choices and make a reasoned guess.