Module 7. LISTENING. Tips & Practice

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

The Focus: Identifying the main point and the speaker's tone.

Tip: Beware of "Word-Spotting": In the BBC clip, the reporter mentions TikTok is "creative" and "fun" (Option A), but then immediately uses the word "but" to introduce the real topic: the "less fun" side of gifting.
Strategy: Tell students to wait until the entire extract is finished before choosing. C1 distractors often use a "positive" keyword from the audio to lead students toward a wrong answer that contradicts the speaker's ultimate conclusion.

The Focus: Precision, spelling, and identifying "Signpost" words.

Tip: Predict the Part of Speech: * Question 7: "...split _______ between..." (Students should expect a numberor ratio).
- Question 8: "...express _______ regarding..." (Students should expect a noun representing a feeling).
Strategy: Students must write the exact words from the audio. In this report, the reporter says fans feel "regret"—if a student writes "sadness," it is incorrect even if the meaning is similar.

The Focus: Understanding complex attitudes and opinions.

Tip: Distinguish between Reality and Justification: The "famous brothers" in the video provide a lot of excuses (e.g., "we can't stop them," "we ask them if parents know").
Strategy: The question asks for their attitude. Students need to realize that the brothers aren't stopping the behavior; they are normalizing it while claiming a lack of control. Look for the option that best captures this "passive" responsibility.

The Focus: Matching specific details to overarching themes.

Tip: Listen for "Paraphrasing": The speaker won't say "Commercial normalisation." They will say things like "it's far more accepted in China" or "it's become more common."
Strategy: Use the "Keyword Category" method:
- Psychological: Look for feelings, ego, fame, "felt good."
- Commercial: Look for accepted, East vs. West, business model, scale.
- Policy: Look for strengthening, changes, investigation, rules.

Ensure your students understand these terms, as they are likely to appear in the exam or the follow-up discussion:

To get rich off (someone): To make a lot of money by exploiting others.
To supplement one's income: To add extra money to what you already earn.
Stringent rules: Very strict and precise regulations.
Bizarre: Very strange or unusual (used to describe the gift names in the video).
Regret: The feeling of wishing you had not done something.
Beneficial: Resulting in good; favorable or advantageous.