EOI B1&B2 Module 9. LISTENING. Tips & Practice

💡 Part 1: Multiple Choice (Extracts)

The "Pivot" Words: At the B2 level, speakers almost always mention all three options (A, B, and C). Listen for words like "actually," "to be honest," or "mind you." Usually, the information they give before these words is a distractor, and the real answer comes right after.
Tone of Voice: In Part 1, the question often asks about a feeling or an opinion. Don't just listen for words; listen to the speaker's intonation. If they sound bored while talking about a "modern skyscraper," the answer won't be that they find it "exciting."

Predict the Grammar: Before you hit play, read the sentences. If the gap is "described nostalgia as an [9]...", you know the answer must be a noun starting with a vowel. Predicting the part of speech reduces your stress while listening.
Minor Spelling Matters: In Part 2, you are marked on spelling. Words like "insomnia" or "marketing" must be spelled correctly.
Don't Change the Word: Use the exact word you hear in the video. If the speaker says "illness," don't write "sickness," even if the meaning is the same.

The Paraphrase Trap: You will almost never hear the words from the options (A–H) in the audio.
- If the option is "Environmental concerns," the speaker might say, "I wanted to stop contributing to the throw-away culture of today."
- If the option is "Financial investment," the speaker might say, "I knew that if I kept it in good condition, it would be worth much more in five years."
The "Extra" Options: Remember there are more options than speakers. If you aren't sure about Speaker 2, skip them and come back after you've eliminated the options used by Speakers 3, 4, and 5.

Interviewer as a Map: Use the interviewer’s questions as signposts. When the interviewer mentions "Marcel Proust" or "Advertisers," you know exactly which question you should be looking at. This prevents you from getting lost in a long 4-minute audio.
Focus on Purpose: Part 4 often asks why something is done. Listen for "purpose" markers like "in order to," "the reason for this is," or "it aims to."