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PEIC Level 3 (B2) study materials
PEIC Level 3 (B2) study resources

PEIC Level 3 (B2) practice questions

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Question 1Listening

In a PEIC Level 3 listening task, the speaker says: "I'd have gone to the seminar if I'd known it was on Thursday." What does the speaker imply?

  1. They did not attend the seminar because they learned the date too late. Correct answer.
  2. They plan to attend a seminar next Thursday.
  3. They attended the seminar but arrived after it started.
  4. They knew about the seminar but chose not to go for other reasons.

Explanation

The third conditional (would have + past participle with if + past perfect) describes an unreal past situation: the condition was not met, so the result did not happen. The speaker did not know the date, therefore did not go. Any interpretation in which they attended contradicts the grammar.

Question 2Listening

A recorded announcement says: "Passengers are reminded that the 14:20 service to Bristol will now depart from platform 9 instead of platform 4." Where should a traveller go?

  1. Platform 9 Correct answer.
  2. Platform 4
  3. Platform 14
  4. The ticket office

Explanation

The phrase 'instead of' marks the replacement: platform 9 is the new departure point and platform 4 is cancelled as the boarding location. Listeners must track the change marker rather than the first number heard. Numbers 14 and 20 belong to the time, not the platform.

Question 3Listening

Speaker A: "Did you manage to get tickets for the concert?" Speaker B: "I queued for two hours, but they'd sold out by the time I reached the desk." What happened?

  1. Speaker B decided not to queue at all.
  2. Speaker B failed to buy tickets because they were already gone. Correct answer.
  3. Speaker B bought the last tickets after queuing.
  4. Speaker B is still waiting in the queue.

Explanation

The past perfect 'had sold out' shows the tickets were already gone before the moment Speaker B reached the desk. The two-hour queue is background effort, not success. The contrast between effort and outcome is the point of the reply.

Question 4Listening

In a lecture extract, the tutor says: "Right, so that brings us to the second point - and this is the one I'd underline for the exam." Why does the tutor say this?

  1. To signal that the next information is especially important Correct answer.
  2. To end the lecture and set homework
  3. To apologise for running out of time
  4. To check whether students have read the reading list

Explanation

Discourse markers such as 'this is the one I'd underline' explicitly flag importance and help listeners identify key content. Signposting language of this kind is common in academic listening and usually precedes examinable material. Recognising the function of the marker is the listening skill being tested.

Question 5Listening

A message says: "Could you let me know by Friday whether you're coming to the workshop?" What is the caller asking the listener to do?

  1. Attend a workshop on Friday
  2. Cancel the workshop booking
  3. Send a written report after Friday
  4. Reply with a decision before Friday Correct answer.

Explanation

'Let me know by Friday' sets a deadline for a reply, and 'whether you're coming' asks for a yes/no decision. 'By' means no later than, so the answer is needed before or on Friday. The workshop itself is not scheduled for Friday in this extract.

Question 6Listening

A weather bulletin states: "Tomorrow will start dry, with rain spreading from the west by mid-afternoon." What should a listener planning a morning walk expect?

  1. Strong winds clearing by noon
  2. Dry conditions at first, with rain later Correct answer.
  3. Heavy rain from early morning
  4. Snow throughout the day

Explanation

The bulletin separates the day into phases: dry at the start, then rain arriving from the west in the afternoon. Listeners must map time expressions ('start', 'by mid-afternoon') onto the plan. The forecast does not promise rain all day.

Question 7Listening

In a job interview recording, the candidate says: "I've been working in customer service for about six years now." How long has the candidate worked in customer service?

  1. Roughly six years Correct answer.
  2. Exactly six months
  3. Less than a year
  4. Sixteen years

Explanation

'About six years' is an approximation, so 'roughly six years' matches the meaning. The present perfect continuous indicates an ongoing period up to now. Hedging words like 'about' should not be read as exact figures.

Question 8Listening

A tour guide says: "We'll stop for lunch at the museum café, then head back to the coach - so please be back on board by half past one." What time must the group return to the coach?

  1. 12:30
  2. 1:00
  3. 2:30
  4. 1:30 Correct answer.

Explanation

'Half past one' means 1:30. In British English listening tasks, times are often given in this spoken form rather than digitally, so candidates must convert the phrase quickly. 'By' again marks a deadline.

Question 9Listening

Speaker A: "How did the presentation go?" Speaker B: "Well, it could have gone better." What does Speaker B mean?

  1. The presentation was cancelled.
  2. The presentation went extremely well.
  3. The presentation has not happened yet.
  4. The presentation was disappointing. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Could have gone better' is a polite understatement meaning the result was not good. Modal perfect forms often carry implied criticism or regret in spoken English. Listeners must read the negative evaluation behind the softened wording.

Question 10Listening

A radio report says: "The council has approved the new cycle lane, although local traders had argued it would reduce parking." What is the report's main point?

  1. The cycle lane was approved despite objections from traders. Correct answer.
  2. The council is still deciding about the cycle lane.
  3. Traders persuaded the council to reject the cycle lane.
  4. Parking will be increased along the new cycle lane.

Explanation

'Although' introduces a contrast: the approval happened, and the traders' objection did not prevent it. The concessive structure is the key listening cue. Reports often present outcome first and opposition second.

Question 11Listening

In a seminar, a student says: "Sorry, I didn't quite catch the last part - could you run through the figures again?" What is the student doing?

  1. Offering to present the figures themselves
  2. Asking the speaker to repeat information Correct answer.
  3. Ending the discussion
  4. Disagreeing with the speaker's figures

Explanation

'I didn't catch that' is a standard way of asking for repetition, and 'run through again' confirms the request. This is a functional language item typical of seminar listening. The student is not challenging the accuracy of the figures.

Question 12Listening

A phone message says: "Hi, it's Dan. The meeting's been put back to three, not two as we said. Sorry for the mix-up." What is the new meeting time?

  1. 3:00 Correct answer.
  2. 2:00
  3. 3:30
  4. 2:30

Explanation

'Put back to three' means postponed to 3:00, and 'not two as we said' cancels the earlier arrangement. Phrasal verbs like 'put back' are frequent in scheduling messages. The correction marker 'not' tells the listener which time to discard.

Question 13Listening

A museum audio guide says: "This painting was long thought to be a copy, but recent analysis of the pigments has convinced most scholars it is genuine." What has changed?

  1. The pigments have been replaced by restorers.
  2. Experts now believe the painting is authentic. Correct answer.
  3. Scholars have decided the painting is a copy.
  4. The painting has been moved to another gallery.

Explanation

The contrast is between the earlier belief ('long thought to be a copy') and the current view ('convinced most scholars it is genuine'). Listening for the reversal marker 'but' reveals the change. 'Genuine' is paraphrased as 'authentic'.

Question 14Listening

Speaker A: "Shall we meet outside the library at ten?" Speaker B: "Would half past be easier for you? I've got a tutorial that finishes at ten." What does Speaker B suggest?

  1. Meeting in the tutorial room
  2. Cancelling the meeting
  3. Meeting at 10:30 instead Correct answer.
  4. Meeting at 10:00 as planned

Explanation

'Half past' follows the previously mentioned hour, so it means 10:30. Speaker B gives a reason (a tutorial ending at ten) that makes the later time easier. Politeness markers like 'Would ... be easier for you?' signal a counter-suggestion.

Question 15Listening

A health podcast says: "Cutting out salt entirely isn't necessary - the aim is to keep it below the recommended daily limit." What advice is given?

  1. Avoid all salt in your diet.
  2. Increase salt intake gradually.
  3. Reduce salt to within the recommended limit. Correct answer.
  4. Ignore daily limits because they vary.

Explanation

The speaker rejects total elimination ('isn't necessary') and replaces it with a target: staying under the daily limit. Listening for the contrast between a rejected option and the real aim is essential. 'Below the limit' is paraphrased as 'within the limit'.

Question 16Listening

In a recorded customer call, the agent says: "I'm afraid your order is currently out of stock, but we can offer a full refund or an exchange." What options does the customer have?

  1. Cancel the account or change address
  2. Pay again or collect in store
  3. Get a refund or swap the item Correct answer.
  4. Wait for the item or pay extra

Explanation

The agent presents two alternatives joined by 'or': a full refund or an exchange. The phrase 'out of stock' explains why. Listening for the coordinating 'or' helps isolate the choices offered.

Question 17Listening

A lecturer says: "Contrary to popular belief, the Romans did not invent the arch - they adopted it from earlier cultures and refined it." What is the lecturer correcting?

  1. A common misconception about the arch's origin Correct answer.
  2. The materials Romans used for arches
  3. The number of arches in a Roman site
  4. The date of a Roman building project

Explanation

'Contrary to popular belief' explicitly signals a correction of a widespread misconception, and the sentence replaces it with the accepted account. The listening skill is identifying the claim being challenged. Dates, materials and quantities are not the subject of the correction.

Question 18Listening

Speaker A: "You're not thinking of driving into town, are you?" Speaker B: "Not with the marathon on - the roads will be closed all morning." What does Speaker B mean?

  1. They are unsure whether the marathon is on.
  2. They will not drive because of road closures. Correct answer.
  3. They are taking part in the marathon.
  4. They will drive but take a different route.

Explanation

The reply agrees with the negative question by repeating 'not', and gives the reason: closures caused by the marathon. Negative questions in English can be answered with 'not' to confirm the negative. The speaker is not joining the race.

Question 19Listening

A voicemail says: "I tried your mobile but it went straight to voicemail, so I'm leaving this message. I'll email the details this evening instead." What will the caller do next?

  1. Visit the listener in person
  2. Send the details by email Correct answer.
  3. Post a letter with the details
  4. Call back later tonight

Explanation

'Instead' marks a substitute action: emailing replaces the phone call. Listeners must connect the failed attempt with the alternative plan. The time 'this evening' confirms when the email will be sent.

Question 20Listening

A documentary narrator says: "By the time the rescue team arrived, the storm had already destroyed most of the harbour." Which event happened first?

  1. Both events happened at the same moment.
  2. The rescue team arrived.
  3. The storm destroyed the harbour. Correct answer.
  4. The harbour was rebuilt before the rescue.

Explanation

The past perfect 'had already destroyed' places the destruction before the arrival of the rescue team. 'By the time' sets the later event as the reference point. Past perfect is the main cue for ordering two past events in listening texts.

Question 21Listening

In a tutorial, the tutor says: "Your argument is sound, but the evidence is largely anecdotal. I'd want to see some peer-reviewed sources before I'd sign it off." What is the tutor's main criticism?

  1. The argument is logically inconsistent.
  2. The essay is too long.
  3. The sources are not sufficiently academic. Correct answer.
  4. The student has missed the deadline.

Explanation

'Anecdotal' evidence is contrasted with 'peer-reviewed sources', so the problem is the quality and type of evidence rather than the reasoning. 'Your argument is sound' explicitly praises the logic. The tutor's condition for approval is stronger sourcing.

Question 22Listening

Speaker A: "So the trial was a success?" Speaker B: "Let's just say the results were not what the team had hoped for." What is Speaker B's attitude?

  1. Reluctant to state the failure directly Correct answer.
  2. Openly enthusiastic about the trial
  3. Confused about which trial is meant
  4. Confident the trial will succeed later

Explanation

'Let's just say' plus litotes ('not what the team had hoped for') is a diplomatic way of reporting a poor result. The hedging avoids a blunt admission of failure. Recognising this indirect style is a higher-level listening skill.

Question 23Listening

A podcast host says: "The study's sample was tiny - forty students - so we should treat its conclusions with a pinch of salt." What does the host advise?

  1. Repeating the study with the same sample
  2. Being cautious about the conclusions Correct answer.
  3. Ignoring all educational research
  4. Applying the findings immediately

Explanation

'Take something with a pinch of salt' is an idiom meaning to be sceptical or cautious. The host gives a reason (a very small sample) that justifies caution. The advice is about degree of trust, not total rejection.

Question 24Listening

A news item reports: "The minister stopped short of announcing a formal inquiry, saying only that lessons would be learned." What did the minister do?

  1. Rejected the idea of learning lessons
  2. Resigned from the post
  3. Avoided committing to a formal inquiry Correct answer.
  4. Announced a formal inquiry immediately

Explanation

'Stopped short of' means the minister came close to but did not take that step, so no inquiry was announced. The vague phrase 'lessons would be learned' reinforces the avoidance. This idiom is a common comprehension trap in broadcast news.

Question 25Listening

A guide says: "Had we left it another week, the path would have been impassable." What does this tell us about the path?

  1. It has been closed permanently.
  2. It was passable, though only just in time. Correct answer.
  3. It was impassable when they walked it.
  4. It will be impassable next week.

Explanation

The inverted third conditional ('Had we left it...') describes a hypothetical past and implies the actual walk happened before conditions worsened. The path was therefore passable. Inversion replaces 'if' in formal or dramatic spoken styles.

Question 26Listening

A station announcement says: "The 08:15 service to Bristol has been cancelled. Passengers may use their tickets on the next departure, which leaves at 08:40." What are passengers told to do?

  1. Return to the ticket office for a refund
  2. Change their journey to a different day
  3. Wait for the 08:40 train and travel with the same ticket Correct answer.
  4. Buy a new ticket before boarding any train

Explanation

The announcement states that tickets remain valid on the next departure at 08:40, so no new purchase or refund is required. The only instruction given is to use the same ticket on the later service.

Question 27Listening

In a lecture recording, the speaker says: "Most of the data I'll present today comes from fieldwork carried out over three summers in the north of the country." Where did the data come from?

  1. Laboratory experiments run by the speaker
  2. Government reports published last year
  3. Interviews recorded in a single week
  4. Fieldwork conducted over three summers Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker attributes most of the data to fieldwork spread across three summers in the north of the country. This is stated directly, so the source is practical research in the field rather than desk or laboratory work.

Question 28Listening

A recorded message says: "Thank you for calling the Riverside Clinic. Our opening hours are eight till six, Monday to Friday. If you are calling about a prescription, please press two." What should a caller do to ask about a prescription?

  1. Visit the clinic in person
  2. Call back after six o'clock
  3. Press two on the keypad Correct answer.
  4. Wait to speak to a receptionist

Explanation

The message gives a specific instruction for prescription enquiries: press two. This is a direct, single-step instruction, so the caller does not need to wait or visit.

Question 29Listening

A sports commentary says: "United went ahead in the twelfth minute, but City equalised just before half-time, and the second half produced no further goals." What was the final score?

  1. One–one Correct answer.
  2. Two–nil to United
  3. One–nil to City
  4. Two–one to City

Explanation

United scored first and City equalised before half-time, after which no further goals were scored. One goal each therefore gives a final score of one–one.

Question 30Listening

A teacher says to a class: "Right, before we start the experiment, I want all bags under the desks and goggles on. Nobody touches the equipment until I've said so." What must students do first?

  1. Write up the method in their books
  2. Put bags away and put on goggles Correct answer.
  3. Leave the classroom quietly
  4. Begin setting up the equipment

Explanation

The teacher's first instruction is to place bags under the desks and put goggles on before anything else happens. Touching the equipment is explicitly delayed until permission is given.

Question 31Listening

A shop assistant says: "This model's reduced to forty pounds until Sunday, then it goes back up to sixty." What does the assistant mean?

  1. The price will fall to forty pounds on Sunday
  2. The price has already risen to sixty pounds
  3. The item costs forty pounds only until Sunday Correct answer.
  4. The item has been sold out since Sunday

Explanation

The reduction applies until Sunday, after which the price returns to sixty pounds. The offer is therefore temporary and ends on Sunday.

Question 32Listening

A voicemail says: "It's Priya. I'm stuck in traffic on the ring road, so I'll be about twenty minutes late for the workshop. Could you let the facilitator know?" What does Priya ask the listener to do?

  1. Tell the facilitator she will be late Correct answer.
  2. Collect her from the ring road
  3. Send her the workshop materials
  4. Postpone the workshop entirely

Explanation

Priya explains her delay and then makes one request: to inform the facilitator. The request is clearly separated from the reason for the call.

Question 33Listening

A podcast presenter says: "We've had a lot of emails about this, so tonight we're devoting the whole programme to it rather than just the usual ten minutes." What has changed about the programme?

  1. It has been moved to a different time
  2. It will be shorter than usual
  3. It will no longer take listeners' emails
  4. It will cover one topic for the full duration Correct answer.

Explanation

Because of listener interest, the whole programme is being given to a single subject instead of a short segment. The change concerns the amount of coverage, not the broadcast time.

Question 34Listening

A guide says: "Keep to the marked path here - the ground beyond the fence looks solid, but it's actually bog, and people who ignore the signs get stuck." Why does the guide mention the fence?

  1. To warn that the ground past it is unsafe Correct answer.
  2. To show where the group will have lunch
  3. To explain where the tour ends
  4. To point out a good place for photographs

Explanation

The guide contrasts the solid appearance of the ground beyond the fence with the reality that it is bog. The purpose is to warn walkers away from it.

Question 35Listening

In a seminar, a student says: "I take your point about cost, but surely the environmental argument outweighs it?" What is the student doing?

  1. Agreeing that cost is the decisive factor
  2. Conceding a point while disagreeing overall Correct answer.
  3. Asking for the cost figures to be repeated
  4. Refusing to discuss the environmental argument

Explanation

The phrase "I take your point" acknowledges the other speaker's argument, but "but surely... outweighs it" signals disagreement with the conclusion. The student accepts one point while rejecting its importance.

Question 36Listening

A news report says: "The company had promised to publish the safety review in March; it is now December, and the document has still not appeared." What is the report suggesting?

  1. The review appeared in December as planned
  2. The company cancelled the review in March
  3. The review was published later than planned
  4. The review has not been published as promised Correct answer.

Explanation

The report sets the promised date against the present date and states the document has still not appeared. The implied criticism is that the promise has not been kept.

Question 37Listening

A lecturer says: "The figures for the final quarter should be treated with caution, since they cover only three of the twelve regional offices." What is the lecturer's concern?

  1. The figures were published too late to be useful
  2. The offices supplied inaccurate figures
  3. The quarter is too short a period to measure
  4. The data covers too small a part of the organisation Correct answer.

Explanation

The lecturer's reason for caution is that only three of twelve offices are represented. The worry is therefore about incomplete coverage rather than accuracy or timing.

Question 38Listening

A customer says on the phone: "I ordered the blue jacket, but the one that arrived is grey. I'd rather have the blue one than a refund." What does the customer want?

  1. A full refund of the purchase price
  2. To exchange the jacket for a different item
  3. To keep the grey jacket at a discount
  4. A replacement in the correct colour Correct answer.

Explanation

The customer states a preference for the blue jacket over a refund, which means a replacement in the right colour is wanted. A refund is explicitly the less preferred outcome.

Question 39Listening

A radio interviewer says: "You've described the scheme as ambitious. Would you go so far as to call it realistic?" What is the interviewer implying?

  1. That the scheme may be too ambitious to be realistic Correct answer.
  2. That the scheme has already been approved
  3. That the word 'ambitious' was inaccurate
  4. That the scheme is certain to succeed

Explanation

By asking whether the guest would go further and call the scheme realistic, the interviewer hints at doubt about its practicality. The question invites the guest to defend or soften the description.

Question 40Listening

A museum audio guide says: "The vase you see here is a replica; the original is kept in controlled conditions and is too fragile to display." Why is the original not on display?

  1. It was lost and replaced by a copy
  2. It is too fragile to be exhibited Correct answer.
  3. It is considered less attractive than the copy
  4. It has been lent to another museum

Explanation

The guide gives fragility as the reason the original is kept in controlled conditions instead of being shown. The object on display is a replica, but the original still exists.

Question 41Listening

A colleague says in a meeting: "If we'd checked the supplier's references at the start, we wouldn't be dealing with this now." What does the speaker mean?

  1. The references were checked and the problem was avoided
  2. The supplier will check references in future
  3. The problem exists because references were not checked Correct answer.
  4. Checking references would not have made a difference

Explanation

The third conditional describes an unreal past: references were not checked, and the current problem is the result. The speaker is criticising a past decision.

Question 42Listening

A health programme says: "Moderate exercise most days is more beneficial than an intense session once a week, and far easier to maintain." What is the presenter recommending?

  1. Giving up exercise if it cannot be intense
  2. Exercising intensely every day of the week
  3. One intense session a week instead of daily activity
  4. Regular moderate activity rather than occasional intense exercise Correct answer.

Explanation

The presenter compares two patterns and favours moderate exercise on most days, citing both benefit and sustainability. The recommendation is therefore frequency and moderation over intensity.

Question 43Listening

A tour guide says: "The cathedral closes at five, so if we go to the market first we'll have barely an hour inside." What is the guide doing?

  1. Asking the group to meet at five o'clock
  2. Pointing out a problem with the proposed order of visits Correct answer.
  3. Recommending the market instead of the cathedral
  4. Warning that the cathedral is closed today

Explanation

The guide uses the closing time to show that visiting the market first would leave too little time in the cathedral. The remark is a practical objection to the order of the itinerary.

Question 44Listening

A student says to a tutor: "I've read the articles you suggested, but I'm struggling to see how they fit together." What is the student asking for?

  1. An extension to the deadline
  2. Help in connecting the ideas in the articles Correct answer.
  3. Permission to abandon the reading
  4. A longer reading list

Explanation

The student has done the reading but cannot see the relationship between the texts. The implied request is guidance on how the ideas link together, not more material.

Question 45Listening

A newsreader says: "The strike, now in its fourth week, has left shelves empty in many stores, and there is little sign of a settlement." Which detail shows the dispute is unresolved?

  1. Many stores have empty shelves
  2. The strike affects the whole country
  3. The strike has lasted four weeks
  4. There is little sign of a settlement Correct answer.

Explanation

A settlement would end the dispute, so the absence of any sign of one indicates that it continues. The other details describe the length and effects of the strike, not its resolution.

Question 46Listening

A candidate says in an interview: "I've mostly worked on small teams, which I think suits me - you get to see a project through from start to finish." What does the candidate value about small teams?

  1. The chance to follow a project through its whole life Correct answer.
  2. The shorter working hours
  3. The higher salary usually offered
  4. The opportunity to avoid responsibility

Explanation

The candidate links small teams to seeing a project through from start to finish, which is the stated benefit. Pay and hours are not mentioned.

Question 47Listening

A lecturer says: "Some of you have asked whether the reading list is examinable. The short answer is no - but the lectures assume you've done it." What does the lecturer mean?

  1. The reading is not examined directly but is needed to follow the lectures Correct answer.
  2. The lectures repeat the reading list in full
  3. The reading is optional and has no bearing on the course
  4. The reading will be tested directly in the exam

Explanation

The lecturer separates two things: the reading is not examined as such, but the lectures presuppose it. Students therefore still need to do it to understand the course.

Question 48Listening

A manager says: "I'm not saying the plan won't work. I'm saying it hasn't been costed properly, and until it has, I can't support it." What is the manager's position?

  1. The plan has been costed and is too expensive
  2. The plan is certain to fail on cost grounds
  3. The manager supports the plan without conditions
  4. Support depends on a proper costing being done Correct answer.

Explanation

The manager avoids predicting failure and instead names a condition: proper costing. Support is withheld until that condition is met, so the position is conditional rather than a rejection.

Question 49Listening

A documentary narrator says: "The bridge was hailed as a triumph of engineering; within a decade, it was carrying four times the traffic its designers had envisaged." What is the narrator's point?

  1. The bridge was badly designed from the outset
  2. The bridge was never actually used by traffic
  3. The bridge's success created demands its designers had not anticipated Correct answer.
  4. The bridge was replaced after ten years

Explanation

The contrast between praise and unexpectedly heavy use suggests the bridge succeeded more than planned. The problem is unforeseen demand, not poor design or replacement.

Question 50Listening

A radio discussion includes this exchange. Speaker A: "The trial produced no significant improvement." Speaker B: "No significant improvement - or no improvement at all? Those aren't the same thing." What is Speaker B doing?

  1. Claiming the trial showed a clear benefit
  2. Asking for the trial to be repeated
  3. Agreeing that the trial failed completely
  4. Distinguishing a statistical result from an absolute one Correct answer.

Explanation

Speaker B separates 'no significant improvement', a statistical judgement, from 'no improvement at all', an absolute one. The challenge is to the precision of Speaker A's wording, not to the trial's outcome.