Module 04 —Interviews & Longer Listening
Listening Part 4 (interview) · rewording spotting · note-taking
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Second exposure to Listening 4 from Lesson 04.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
What kinds of people get interviewed on the radio or a podcast? List three, e.g. athletes, authors, scientists.
Say the sentence 'I was absolutely delighted' in a different way, using different words but the same meaning.
Listen to your teacher read a short sentence once. Write down only the key words, not every word.
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minListening Part 4 — following a longer interview
Read the six questions before listening, expect rewording not exact words, and use the two listens wisely.
Listening Part 4 is a longer interview or conversation between two speakers, usually about three minutes long, with six multiple-choice questions testing detail, opinion and attitude. You hear the recording twice. Before it starts, always read all six questions and options — this tells you what to listen for and in what order the information will probably appear. The recording almost never uses the exact words in the options; instead it rewords them, so you need to listen for the same meaning expressed differently. Use your first listen to get the general answers and your second listen to check anything you weren't sure about. Taking two or three quick notes as you listen (a name, a number, a key word) helps you remember details for the second listen.
→ Interview says: 'It took me completely by surprise.' Option says: 'She hadn't expected it.' — same meaning, different words.
→ Interview says: 'I wouldn't say I regret it, but I'd do things differently now.' — this signals a mixed opinion, not full regret or full satisfaction.
→ If you miss a detail on the first listen, note the timing or topic so you can focus there on the second listen.
Question 1.How many times do you hear the Listening Part 4 recording?
Question 2.What should you do before the recording starts?
Question 3.The recording usually uses...
Question 4.'It took me completely by surprise' most likely means...
Question 5.What should you use the second listen for?
Quick check 1.True or false: Listening Part 4 questions test only facts, never opinions.
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
to ask someone questions to get information, often for radio or a job
Have you ever been interviewed? What for?
to write down key words while listening or reading
Do you take notes in your lessons? How?
an important word that carries the main meaning
What's the key word in the sentence 'The concert was cancelled due to rain'?
to not expect something
Tell me about a time you were taken by surprise.
having both positive and negative feelings about something
Have you ever had mixed feelings about a decision?
to feel sorry about a past action or decision
Is there anything you regret doing recently?
to think about a past experience
When you look back on last year, what stands out?
to be a good use of time, money or effort despite difficulty
Give an example of something difficult that was worth it in the end.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Use these words to talk about real experiences, then apply them to what you hear in the listening task.
Ask your partner
- Tell your partner about a time you had mixed feelings about a decision.
- What's something that once took you by surprise?
"Learning English has been worth it because…"worth it
When you look back on last year, is there anything you regret? Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 35 words about a time you had to take notes quickly while someone spoke fast.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minWeak forms in interview answers
Function words like 'was', 'to', 'a' are usually unstressed and shortened in natural speech.
- • I was going to say no, but then I changed my mind.
- • It was a chance to do something completely different.
- • I'd say it was worth it, in the end.
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading recycle — before the interview
Radio interviews with ordinary people who have done something unusual have become extremely popular over the last decade. Producers say listeners are more interested in a nurse who cycled across a continent than in a celebrity talking about their new film, because the story feels more relatable.
Getting a good interview, however, is harder than it looks. Experienced interviewers say the secret is asking open questions that can't be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', and then staying quiet afterwards. Many guests need a few seconds of silence before they give their most honest and interesting answer, and inexperienced interviewers often fill that silence with another question, which stops the guest from opening up.
Another key skill is listening for what isn't said directly. If a guest hesitates before answering a question about a difficult decision, a good interviewer will gently follow up rather than moving straight to the next question. This is often where the most memorable and honest part of the interview comes out.
For listeners preparing to follow one of these interviews closely, experts recommend reading any preview questions first, and listening for rewording rather than exact repetition of any preview text, since real speech is rarely as neat and tidy as a written summary.
Question 1.Why have radio interviews with ordinary people become popular?
Question 2.What do experienced interviewers say is the secret to a good interview?
Question 3.What mistake do inexperienced interviewers often make?
Question 4.When does the most memorable part of an interview often come out?
Question 5.What do experts recommend for listeners following an interview closely?
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening Part 4 — Interview with a young author
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Host:Welcome back to the show. Today I'm talking to Freya Nolan, who published her first novel at just twenty-two. Freya, congratulations.
Freya:Thank you so much for having me — it still feels a bit unreal, if I'm honest.
Host:Take us back — when did you first realise you wanted to write a novel?
Freya:Actually, it wasn't a big dramatic moment. I was on a long train journey with nothing to do, and I just started writing to pass the time. I never planned to finish it, let alone publish it.
Host:So how did it end up in front of a publisher?
Freya:A friend read it and, without telling me, sent the first three chapters to an agent. When the agent emailed asking for the rest of the book, I was completely taken by surprise — I hadn't even finished it yet!
Host:That's quite a story. Was the whole process enjoyable, or were there difficult moments too?
Freya:Honestly, mixed feelings. The editing stage was really tough — I had to cut a character I loved. But looking back on it now, the book is much stronger for it.
Host:Any regrets about how quickly it all happened?
Freya:Not really. I'd say the speed was worth it, even if it was overwhelming at times. I learned to trust my editor's advice.
Host:Final question — what's next for you?
Freya:I'm halfway through a second novel, though this time I'm trying to enjoy the process rather than rush it.
Question 1.How did Freya start writing her novel?
Question 2.How did the novel reach a publisher?
Question 3.How did Freya feel when the agent asked for the rest of the book?
Question 4.What was the hardest part of the process, according to Freya?
Question 5.How does Freya feel about how quickly everything happened?
Question 6.What is Freya doing now?
Part 3 audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Radio show — Young Voices interview series
Event programmeNotes taken while listening to the show's introduction
- Name of the guest:
- Age when she published her novel:
- Where she started writing the book:
- Who sent it to the agent:
- Hardest part of the process:
- What she is working on now:
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minListening Part 4 — longer interview with six multiple-choice questions
Read first → expect rewording → two listens, notes in between.
Task
Listen to an interview or conversation between two speakers (around three minutes), heard twice, and choose the correct option for six questions about detail, opinion and attitude.
Example
Recording: 'I was completely taken by surprise.' Question option: 'She hadn't expected it.' — recognise this as the same meaning.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.How many times do you hear the Listening Part 4 recording?
Q2.Complete: 'The recording uses ____ , not the exact words from the options.'
Write a short summary (about 60 words) of Freya's interview, using your own words rather than quoting the dialogue directly.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Freya Nolan published her first novel at twenty-two, after starting it almost by accident on a train journey. A friend secretly sent it to a literary agent, which took Freya completely by surprise. She found the editing stage the hardest part, but believes the whole experience was worthwhile. She is now working on her second novel, this time at a slower pace.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Speaking Part 4 follow-up: in pairs, discuss whether success that happens quickly and by chance is as satisfying as success you work towards slowly.
Examiner
"Now, talk together about whether sudden success is as satisfying as success you work hard for."
Talk together about
Is sudden, unexpected success as satisfying as success people work hard for over time?
Share opinions, agree and disagree — you do not have to talk only about yourself.
Ideas you could discuss
- Success that happens by chance
- Success after long, hard work
- Which feels more satisfying, and why
Round off the discussion
Together, agree on which type of success is more satisfying for most people, and why.
Useful discussion language
Useful phrases
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use these if the listening practice finishes early. ~15 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Listen to a short podcast or interview clip in English and write down three key words you hear.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Rewrite these three sentences using rewording (different words, same meaning).
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Sentences
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Read the Freya Nolan script aloud with a partner, then answer the six listening questions from memory.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Questions
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Listening Part 4 is a longer interview heard twice, with six multiple-choice questions on detail, opinion and attitude.
- Always read the questions before listening — this tells you what to listen for.
- The recording rewords the options' meaning rather than repeating exact words.
- Use the first listen for general answers and the second to check uncertain ones.
- Take brief notes (a word, a number) as you listen to help you remember details.