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PEI PLA English practice questions

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Question 1Listening Comprehension

In a listening passage for the PEI PLA English test, a speaker says: "The shipment was due on Monday, but it didn't arrive until Thursday morning." When did the shipment actually reach the destination?

  1. On Monday
  2. On Wednesday night
  3. On Tuesday
  4. On Thursday morning Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase "didn't arrive until Thursday morning" states the real time of arrival, which is Thursday morning. "Due on Monday" describes the expected time, not what happened. Listeners must separate the planned schedule from the actual event.

Question 2Listening Comprehension

A recorded announcement says: "Passengers travelling to Charlottetown should proceed to Gate 4; the flight to Halifax now departs from Gate 9." A traveller bound for Halifax should go to which gate?

  1. Gate 4
  2. Gate 14
  3. Gate 9 Correct answer.
  4. Gate 6

Explanation

The announcement links Halifax with Gate 9 in the second clause. Gate 4 belongs to the Charlottetown flight, so it is a distractor created by the first clause. Careful listening requires tracking which destination pairs with which gate.

Question 3Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "I'd rather take the earlier train, even though it's more expensive." What does the speaker prefer?

  1. Not travelling by train
  2. Waiting for a later train
  3. The cheaper train
  4. The earlier train Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure "I'd rather take the earlier train" expresses a preference for the earlier train. The clause "even though it's more expensive" concedes a drawback but does not change the preference. The listener must recognise that the concession does not reverse the main statement.

Question 4Listening Comprehension

During a phone call, a woman says: "I'm afraid I can't make the meeting on Friday, but I could join by video link if that works." What is she offering to do?

  1. Reschedule the meeting to next week
  2. Attend in person on Friday
  3. Cancel the meeting entirely
  4. Join remotely by video link Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker declines physical attendance but offers to "join by video link," which means attending remotely. The contrast word "but" introduces her alternative proposal. Recognising conditional offers is a key listening skill in workplace calls.

Question 5Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The library closes at six on weekdays, but it stays open until nine on Thursdays." On which day can a visitor stay until nine?

  1. Thursday Correct answer.
  2. Monday
  3. Friday
  4. Wednesday

Explanation

The exception clause names Thursday as the day with the later closing time. The general rule of six o'clock applies to weekdays other than Thursday. Listeners must catch the contrast marker "but" that signals the exception.

Question 6Listening Comprehension

In a short talk, a guide says: "Please keep your bags with you at all times and do not leave them in the corridor." What are visitors asked to do with their bags?

  1. Hand them to the guide
  2. Keep them with them at all times Correct answer.
  3. Store them in the corridor
  4. Leave them at the entrance

Explanation

The instruction "keep your bags with you at all times" states the required behaviour directly. The second clause reinforces it by banning bags in the corridor. The correct answer restates the positive instruction rather than the prohibition.

Question 7Listening Comprehension

A man on a recording says: "Honestly, the film was nowhere near as good as the reviews suggested." What is his opinion of the film?

  1. It was worse than the reviews claimed Correct answer.
  2. It matched the reviews
  3. It was better than expected
  4. He has not seen the film

Explanation

The phrase "nowhere near as good as" means the film was much less good than the reviews promised. The speaker therefore rates it below the reviewers' opinion. Idiomatic comparatives like this are common in listening tasks and must be interpreted as a whole.

Question 8Listening Comprehension

A receptionist says: "Your appointment has been moved from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the same day." When is the appointment now?

  1. 10 a.m.
  2. Noon
  3. 2 p.m. Correct answer.
  4. The following day

Explanation

The phrase "moved from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m." shows the new time is 2 p.m. The original time is only mentioned to mark the change. The detail "on the same day" rules out any shift to another date.

Question 9Listening Comprehension

A recorded message says: "The 8:15 service to Summerside is running approximately twenty minutes late due to track maintenance." What is the reason given for the delay?

  1. A staff shortage
  2. Track maintenance Correct answer.
  3. A signal failure
  4. Bad weather

Explanation

The announcement attributes the delay to "track maintenance" in the final phrase. Other plausible causes such as weather or signals are not mentioned. Listeners should attach the reason phrase to the correct cause rather than guessing from experience.

Question 10Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I was going to drive to the conference, but in the end I decided to take the bus because parking downtown is impossible." Why did she choose the bus?

  1. Her car broke down
  2. Parking in the city centre is difficult Correct answer.
  3. The bus was faster
  4. She wanted to save fuel

Explanation

The reason clause beginning "because" explains the decision: parking downtown is impossible. The phrase "I was going to drive" signals an abandoned plan, not a breakdown. The cause is explicitly stated and should be matched to the option that restates it.

Question 11Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The workshop is aimed at beginners, so you won't need any prior experience, though a little enthusiasm helps." Who is the workshop designed for?

  1. People who have already attended a similar course
  2. People with no previous experience Correct answer.
  3. Experienced professionals only
  4. Advanced students preparing for exams

Explanation

The phrase "aimed at beginners" and "you won't need any prior experience" together identify the audience as newcomers. The remark about enthusiasm is a friendly aside, not a requirement. Listeners must connect the audience label with its explanation.

Question 12Listening Comprehension

In a conversation, a man says: "If I were you, I'd check the closing date before sending the form." What is he advising the listener to do?

  1. Confirm the deadline first Correct answer.
  2. Ask someone else to send the form
  3. Ignore the closing date
  4. Send the form immediately

Explanation

The structure "If I were you, I'd..." introduces advice, and the advice is to check the closing date before sending. This means confirming the deadline first. The conditional form signals a recommendation rather than a statement of fact.

Question 13Listening Comprehension

A lecturer says: "The results were surprising: rather than falling, sales rose sharply in the final quarter." What happened to sales in the final quarter?

  1. They were not measured
  2. They rose sharply Correct answer.
  3. They stayed the same
  4. They fell sharply

Explanation

The phrase "rather than falling, sales rose sharply" contrasts an expected fall with an actual rise. The word "rather than" rejects the first idea and affirms the second. Listeners must follow the contrast to identify the real outcome.

Question 14Listening Comprehension

A shop assistant says: "We're out of the blue model, but I can order it for you and have it here by Friday." What does the assistant offer to do?

  1. Give a refund
  2. Repair the blue model
  3. Sell a different colour instead
  4. Order the item for Friday Correct answer.

Explanation

The assistant admits the item is unavailable but offers to order it with a Friday arrival. The offer follows the contrast word "but," which introduces a solution. The listener should identify the proposed action rather than the problem.

Question 15Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The first session covers the basics, whereas the second one goes into much more depth." How does the speaker describe the second session?

  1. It is shorter
  2. It is optional
  3. It is more detailed Correct answer.
  4. It repeats the basics

Explanation

The phrase "goes into much more depth" means the second session is more detailed than the first. The connector "whereas" sets up a contrast between basic and advanced content. The correct option paraphrases "in depth" as "more detailed."

Question 16Listening Comprehension

A voicemail says: "Hi, it's Marie. I'm calling about the invoice you sent; there seems to be a mistake in the total. Could you call me back before Thursday?" Why is Marie calling?

  1. To query an invoice total Correct answer.
  2. To confirm a payment
  3. To request a new order
  4. To cancel a contract

Explanation

Marie says she is calling about the invoice and that there is a mistake in the total, which means she wants to query it. The request to call back is a secondary detail. Identifying the main purpose requires linking the topic to the problem mentioned.

Question 17Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "I didn't realise the deadline had been brought forward until a colleague mentioned it yesterday." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The deadline became earlier without the speaker knowing Correct answer.
  2. The deadline was extended
  3. The colleague missed the deadline
  4. The deadline was cancelled

Explanation

To "bring a deadline forward" means to make it earlier, and "didn't realise... until" shows the speaker learned of it late. Together they indicate an earlier deadline the speaker had not known about. Phrasal verbs of this kind are frequent in listening tasks.

Question 18Listening Comprehension

A radio report says: "The council has approved the new cycle path, although construction will not begin until next spring." What is the current status of the cycle path?

  1. It has been approved but not yet built Correct answer.
  2. It has been cancelled
  3. It is already open
  4. It is under construction now

Explanation

The report states the project was approved, while construction starts next spring, so the path is approved but not yet built. The contrast word "although" separates approval from building work. Listeners must combine both clauses to get the full status.

Question 19Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The tickets cost twenty dollars each, or thirty for a family of four." How much would a family of four pay?

  1. Eighty dollars
  2. Twenty dollars
  3. Thirty dollars Correct answer.
  4. Sixty dollars

Explanation

The speaker offers two prices: twenty dollars per ticket or thirty dollars for a family of four. A family of four would use the family rate of thirty dollars. The listener must select the price that matches the group described rather than multiplying.

Question 20Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I was supposed to hand in the report on Monday, but I managed to get an extension until Friday." What is true about the report?

  1. It has been cancelled
  2. The new deadline is Friday Correct answer.
  3. She handed it in early
  4. It was submitted on Monday

Explanation

The phrase "get an extension until Friday" sets the new deadline as Friday. "Was supposed to" marks the original Monday deadline as unmet. The listener must distinguish the original obligation from the revised arrangement.

Question 21Listening Comprehension

A guide says: "In the event of rain, the outdoor tour will be replaced by an indoor presentation in the main hall." What happens if it rains?

  1. Visitors receive a refund
  2. The tour goes ahead outdoors
  3. The tour moves indoors as a presentation Correct answer.
  4. The tour is cancelled with no alternative

Explanation

The conditional phrase "in the event of rain" introduces the plan: an indoor presentation replaces the outdoor tour. This is a substitution, not a cancellation. Listeners should map the condition to the stated alternative.

Question 22Listening Comprehension

A man says: "The trouble with the new system is that it saves time on data entry but creates extra work at the checking stage." What is his overall point?

  1. The system is entirely beneficial
  2. The system has no effect on workload
  3. The system should be removed immediately
  4. The system has both benefits and drawbacks Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker notes a gain (time saved on data entry) and a cost (extra checking work), so his point is mixed. The phrase "the trouble with" introduces the drawback, while "but" balances it against the benefit. The correct option captures both sides.

Question 23Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "By the time we arrived, the presentation had already finished, so we missed the key findings." What happened first?

  1. The presentation was cancelled
  2. The key findings were explained afterwards
  3. The presentation finished Correct answer.
  4. The listeners arrived

Explanation

The past perfect "had already finished" marks the earlier event, while "arrived" is the later one. The result is that the listeners missed the findings. Recognising past perfect as the earlier action is essential for sequencing questions.

Question 24Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "It's not that I don't appreciate the offer; it's just that I'd feel awkward accepting it." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The speaker has already accepted
  2. The offer is unwelcome
  3. The offer is valued but hard to accept Correct answer.
  4. The offer was never made

Explanation

The double construction "not that I don't appreciate... it's just that" affirms appreciation while explaining reluctance. The speaker values the offer but feels awkward taking it. This is a softened refusal, not a rejection of the offer's worth.

Question 25Listening Comprehension

A manager says: "Had we known about the supplier's delay, we could have adjusted the schedule." What does this tell us?

  1. The supplier met the original deadline
  2. The delay was known in advance
  3. The schedule was adjusted in time
  4. The schedule was not adjusted because the delay was unknown Correct answer.

Explanation

The inverted third conditional "Had we known... we could have adjusted" describes an unreal past: they did not know, so they did not adjust. The delay came as a surprise. Listeners must interpret the hypothetical as contrary to what actually happened.

Question 26Listening Comprehension

A hotel clerk says: "Breakfast is served from seven to ten on weekdays, but we start an hour later on Sundays." When does breakfast begin on a Sunday?

  1. At ten o'clock
  2. At nine o'clock
  3. At eight o'clock Correct answer.
  4. At seven o'clock

Explanation

The clerk gives the weekday start as seven and says Sunday service begins an hour later, so the Sunday start is eight. The end time of ten is unchanged and is not what the question asks for.

Question 27Listening Comprehension

A woman on a recording says: "I'd rather have the meeting on Thursday than Friday, if that works for everyone." What is she expressing?

  1. A request to cancel the meeting
  2. A complaint about last week
  3. A firm refusal to meet
  4. A preference for Thursday Correct answer.

Explanation

The structure "I'd rather have X than Y" states a preference for X over Y, so she prefers Thursday. She adds "if that works for everyone", which keeps the tone flexible rather than refusing anything.

Question 28Listening Comprehension

A recorded announcement at a pool says: "Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times." What does this mean for a seven-year-old?

  1. The child cannot use the pool at all
  2. An adult must be in the water with the child Correct answer.
  3. The child may only use the shallow end
  4. The child may swim alone if a lifeguard is present

Explanation

The rule requires an adult to be "in the water" with children under eight, so a seven-year-old needs an adult beside them in the pool. A lifeguard on duty is not the same as an accompanying adult.

Question 29Listening Comprehension

A man says: "The train was supposed to leave at nine, but we didn't pull out until half past." How late did the train depart?

  1. Half an hour Correct answer.
  2. Fifteen minutes
  3. One hour
  4. Forty-five minutes

Explanation

The scheduled time was nine o'clock and the actual departure was half past nine, a difference of thirty minutes. "Half past" refers to thirty minutes after the hour.

Question 30Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The museum is free on the first Monday of every month, and at all other times entry is twelve dollars." A visitor arrives on the second Monday of March. What does she pay?

  1. Six dollars
  2. Twelve dollars Correct answer.
  3. Twenty dollars
  4. Nothing

Explanation

The free day is limited to the first Monday, so any other Monday counts as a normal day. On normal days the entry fee stated is twelve dollars.

Question 31Listening Comprehension

A voicemail says: "I tried your office number twice this morning but it just rang out, so could you call me back on my mobile?" What does the caller want?

  1. An email with the details
  2. A return call on her mobile Correct answer.
  3. A new phone number
  4. A visit to her office

Explanation

The caller explains that the office line did not answer and asks to be called back on her mobile. The purpose of the message is to prompt that return call.

Question 32Listening Comprehension

A tour guide says: "We'll stop for photos at the lighthouse, then continue along the coast road to the fishing village, where we'll have lunch." What happens immediately after the lighthouse stop?

  1. The group visits a museum
  2. The group has lunch
  3. The group drives along the coast road Correct answer.
  4. The group returns to the hotel

Explanation

The guide uses "then" to link the lighthouse stop to the next action, which is continuing along the coast road. Lunch comes later, at the fishing village.

Question 33Listening Comprehension

A man says: "I've been meaning to sort out my passport for weeks, but I keep putting it off." What is his attitude to the task?

  1. He keeps delaying it Correct answer.
  2. He has forgotten it entirely
  3. He is looking forward to it
  4. He has already completed it

Explanation

The phrasal verb "put off" means to postpone or delay something, and "keep" shows the delay is repeated. He knows about the task but has not done it.

Question 34Listening Comprehension

A lecturer says: "Although the survey covered two thousand households, only a third of them returned the questionnaire." Roughly how many questionnaires came back?

  1. About 500
  2. About 2,000
  3. About 1,000
  4. About 670 Correct answer.

Explanation

A third of two thousand is roughly 667, so "about 670" is the closest figure. The other options do not correspond to one third of the sample.

Question 35Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "The flat is lovely, and the price is reasonable, but it's a good twenty minutes' walk from the station." What is her reservation about the flat?

  1. The rooms are too small
  2. It is too noisy
  3. It is far from the station Correct answer.
  4. The rent is too high

Explanation

The word "but" signals the drawback, and she identifies the distance from the station as it. The earlier clauses are positive, so the criticism is the walking distance.

Question 36Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "The council's proposal to close the high street to cars was welcomed by shopkeepers, though several residents raised concerns about delivery access." How does the speaker present the reaction?

  1. Uniformly positive
  2. Largely indifferent
  3. Mixed, depending on the group Correct answer.
  4. Entirely negative

Explanation

The speaker contrasts shopkeepers' support with residents' concerns, so the reaction splits along group lines. Words like "though" and "several" mark that contrast.

Question 37Listening Comprehension

A recorded message says: "Due to staff training, the library will close at four on Wednesday instead of the usual eight." What is different about Wednesday?

  1. The library moves to another building
  2. The library closes four hours early Correct answer.
  3. The library opens later than usual
  4. The library is closed all day

Explanation

The usual closing time is eight and Wednesday's is four, a difference of four hours earlier. The reason given is staff training, and the opening time is not mentioned.

Question 38Listening Comprehension

In a conversation, a woman says: "I'd have finished the course if the evening classes hadn't been cancelled halfway through." What prevented her from finishing?

  1. She failed the final exam
  2. She lost interest in the subject
  3. The classes were discontinued Correct answer.
  4. She moved to another city

Explanation

The third conditional "I'd have finished... if... hadn't been cancelled" identifies the cancellation of the evening classes as the reason she did not complete the course.

Question 39Listening Comprehension

A man says: "The first draft was full of errors, so the editor went through it with a fine-tooth comb." What did the editor do?

  1. Rejected it immediately
  2. Checked it very carefully Correct answer.
  3. Passed it to another writer
  4. Shortened it considerably

Explanation

The idiom "with a fine-tooth comb" means examining something thoroughly and in detail. The context of a draft full of errors supports a careful check.

Question 40Listening Comprehension

A guide says: "The path ahead is steep and uneven, so I'd strongly advise leaving the pushchairs at the visitor centre." What is the guide's purpose?

  1. To warn walkers about a safety risk Correct answer.
  2. To collect a fee for the walk
  3. To advertise a shop at the centre
  4. To describe the history of the path

Explanation

The guide links the steep, uneven path to advice about pushchairs, which is a practical safety warning. The advice is given "strongly" because of the terrain.

Question 41Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "Sales in the north fell slightly, whereas the southern region more than doubled its figures." What overall picture does the speaker give?

  1. Growth in the south offset a small fall in the north Correct answer.
  2. Both regions declined
  3. Both regions grew equally
  4. The north performed better than the south

Explanation

The speaker contrasts a slight fall in the north with a doubling in the south, so strong southern growth outweighs the small northern decline. The connector "whereas" sets up that contrast.

Question 42Listening Comprehension

A receptionist says: "Mr Adeyemi is tied up until three, but I can pencil you in for half past." What does she offer?

  1. A phone call from Mr Adeyemi now
  2. A meeting earlier than three
  3. A provisional appointment at 3:30 Correct answer.
  4. A cancellation of the booking

Explanation

"Tied up" means busy and "pencil in" means arrange provisionally, so she offers a tentative slot at half past three. The time follows the mention of three o'clock.

Question 43Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "Not only did the team miss the deadline, but they also went over budget." What two problems does the speaker report?

  1. Weak planning and slow hiring
  2. Lost customers and legal action
  3. Late delivery and overspending Correct answer.
  4. Poor quality and staff shortages

Explanation

Missing the deadline refers to late delivery and going over budget refers to overspending. The "not only... but also" structure adds a second failing to the first.

Question 44Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "I was under the impression that the deadline was Friday, but apparently it was Thursday." What does she reveal?

  1. She submitted her work on Thursday
  2. She deliberately ignored the deadline
  3. She was never told any deadline
  4. She had misunderstood the deadline Correct answer.

Explanation

"I was under the impression" introduces a belief that turns out to be mistaken, and "apparently" corrects it. She therefore held the wrong date rather than ignoring the rule.

Question 45Listening Comprehension

A man says: "The new software is supposed to save us hours each week, but so far it's caused nothing but headaches." What is his view of the software?

  1. It has delivered the promised savings
  2. It is too expensive to buy
  3. It has been disappointing in practice Correct answer.
  4. It is easy to learn

Explanation

The contrast between what the software is "supposed to" do and the "headaches" it has caused shows his experience is negative. The phrase signals a gap between expectation and reality.

Question 46Listening Comprehension

A radio report says: "The bridge will be closed for repairs over the Easter weekend, and drivers are advised to use the coastal route instead." What should drivers do during the closure?

  1. Wait at the bridge until it reopens
  2. Use the motorway toll road
  3. Take the coastal route Correct answer.
  4. Postpone all journeys

Explanation

The report names the coastal route as the advised alternative while the bridge is closed. The advice is explicitly linked to the Easter weekend closure.

Question 47Listening Comprehension

A lecturer says: "Had the data been collected over a longer period, the seasonal variation would have been far clearer." What is the lecturer's point about the study?

  1. The study period was too short to show seasonal patterns Correct answer.
  2. The seasonal variation was the main finding
  3. The study was repeated several times
  4. The data were collected in the wrong country

Explanation

The past unreal conditional "Had the data been collected over a longer period... would have been clearer" implies the period was not long enough. The criticism concerns the duration of data collection.

Question 48Listening Comprehension

A speaker says: "For all its faults, the proposal remains the most practical option on the table." What does the speaker mean?

  1. Despite its weaknesses, the proposal is still the best choice Correct answer.
  2. The proposal should be rejected because of its faults
  3. The proposal has no faults worth discussing
  4. No other options were ever considered

Explanation

"For all its faults" is a concessive phrase meaning "despite its faults", and the main clause calls the proposal the most practical option. The speaker therefore supports it while acknowledging weaknesses.

Question 49Listening Comprehension

A manager says: "It's not that the team lacks ability; the problem is that nobody told them what the priorities were." What cause does the manager identify?

  1. Too few staff on the team
  2. A lack of technical skill
  3. Poor communication between team members
  4. Unclear direction from management Correct answer.

Explanation

The manager explicitly rules out ability and points instead to the team not being told the priorities, which is a failure of direction from above. The "not that... the problem is..." structure separates the false cause from the real one.

Question 50Listening Comprehension

A woman says: "The review wasn't exactly glowing, but it wasn't damning either; it was fair." How does she characterise the review?

  1. As overwhelmingly enthusiastic
  2. As irrelevant to the product
  3. As completely hostile
  4. As balanced and reasonable Correct answer.

Explanation

By rejecting both "glowing" and "damning" and settling on "fair", she describes the review as balanced. The paired negations narrow the meaning to a middle position.