TCF Canada Listening Practice — Level B1
4 TCF Canada Listening questions at level B1. Choose an answer to see whether you were right, why, and what makes each of the other options wrong.
- What you get at this level
- Everyday conversations, radio items on familiar topics
- What is tested
- Following the thread and understanding reasons
In the real test, B1 questions are worth 15 points each out of 699.
Listen, then choose
Écoutez le document sonore et la question. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The correct answer is C because the woman's message is to inform her husband that she will be late due to a work commitment. She states, "je vais rentrer tard ce soir" (I'm going to be home late tonight) and gives the reason: "La directrice veut me parler" (The director wants to talk to me). This meeting with her director is a professional obligation that is keeping her "retenue au bureau" (held up at the office).
La directrice veut me parler. Je lui ai demandé si on pouvait se voir demain, mais ça n'a pas été possible.
The director wants to speak to me.
1. The speaker begins by stating, "je vais rentrer tard ce soir" (I am going to come home late tonight). 2. She explains the specific reason: "La directrice veut me parler" (The director wants to speak to me). This implies she is currently at work or must stay at work. 3. She clarifies that rescheduling wasn't possible ("ça n'a pas été possible"). 4. Therefore, the purpose of the message is to inform her husband that she is stuck or held up at the office due to a meeting with her boss.
- A
To announce to him that she is going out with friends.
This option states she is going out with friends ("sort avec des amis" (going out with friends)), but the audio clearly indicates a work-related reason for her being late. She says, "La directrice veut me parler" (The director wants to talk to me), which confirms she is at her workplace, not with friends.
- B
To ask him to prepare the meal.
This option suggests she is asking him to prepare the meal ("demander de préparer le repas" (to ask him to prepare the meal)). The woman in the audio only says, "Ne m'attends pas pour dîner ?" (Don't wait for me for dinner?), which is advice for him to eat without her, not a request for him to cook.
- C
To tell him that she is detained at the office.
The correct answer is C because the woman's message is to inform her husband that she will be late due to a work commitment. She states, "je vais rentrer tard ce soir" (I'm going to be home late tonight) and gives the reason: "La directrice veut me parler" (The director wants to talk to me). This meeting with her director is a professional obligation that is keeping her "retenue au bureau" (held up at the office).
- D
To summarize her workday for him.
This option claims she is summarizing her workday ("résumer sa journée de travail" (to summarize her workday)). In fact, she does the opposite. She explicitly postpones the details of her day by saying, "Je te raconterai tout ça" (I'll tell you all about it), indicating she will explain later, not in this message.
Bonjour chérie, je vais rentrer tard ce soir. Ne m'attends pas pour dîner ? La directrice veut me parler. Je lui ai demandé si on pouvait se voir demain, mais ça n'a pas été possible. Je te raconterai tout ça. Je suis vraiment désolée. Je t'embrasse. Pour quelle raison la femme laisse-t-elle un message à son mari ?
Hello darling, I'm going to be home late tonight. Don't wait for me for dinner? The director wants to talk to me. I asked her if we could meet tomorrow, but it wasn't possible. I'll tell you all about it. I'm really sorry. Kisses. For what reason does the woman leave a message for her husband?
- rentrer tard
- to come home late
- directrice
- director / manager
- attendre
- to wait
- retenue
- held up / detained
Listen, then choose
Écoutez l’extrait sonore et les 4 propositions. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The speaker uses «mais surtout» to highlight the photo report as the most important part of her trip, which corresponds to option C, completing an artistic project.
mais surtout, j'ai réalisé un reportage photo dans un très beau marché au Pérou.
But above all, I produced a photo report in a very beautiful market in Peru.
The phrase «mais surtout» signals the most important highlight. The speaker completed a photo report, felt «créative», and plans an «exposition», all pointing to an artistic project (C). Options A (buying objects), B (learning recipes), and D (making friends) were mentioned or implied but not emphasized as the main event.
- A
She bought original items.
Although the speaker mentions a "très beau marché au Pérou" (very beautiful market in Peru), there is no indication that she "acheté des objets" (bought objects). Her activity at the market was focused on her "reportage photo" (photo report) rather than purchasing souvenirs.
- B
She learned local recipes.
The traveler mentions that she "mangé des spécialités étonnantes" (ate amazing specialties) during her trip, but she never says she "appris des recettes locales" (learned local recipes). Simply tasting local food is not the same as learning how to cook it.
- C
She completed an artistic project.
The speaker uses the transition 'mais surtout' (but especially/above all) to highlight the most significant aspect of her trip: 'j'ai réalisé un reportage photo' (I produced a photo report). She describes this as a highlight where she felt 'créative' (creative) and mentions her upcoming 'exposition' (exhibition), which directly corresponds to 'un projet artistique' (an artistic project) in option C.
- D
She made new friends.
While the speaker mentions having "rencontré des gens très sympas" (met very nice people), she uses the expression "mais surtout" (but above all) to introduce her "reportage photo" (photo report). This shows that the artistic project was more significant to her than the social encounters.
Alors Camille, c'était bien ton voyage? Oui, c'était génial. J'ai rencontré des gens très sympas, je me suis promenée dans des paysages magnifiques, j'ai mangé des spécialités étonnantes, mais surtout, j'ai réalisé un reportage photo dans un très beau marché au Pérou. C'était la première fois. Je suis fière d'avoir été si créative. Et d'ailleurs, je vais bientôt faire une exposition Tu viens là ? Avec plaisir. Pour Karine, qu'est-ce qui a été le plus important dans son voyage ?
So Camille, was your trip good? Yes, it was great. I met some very nice people, I walked through magnificent landscapes, I ate some amazing specialties, but above all, I produced a photo report in a very beautiful market in Peru. It was the first time. I am proud to have been so creative. And besides, I'm going to have an exhibition soon. Are you coming? With pleasure. For Karine, what was the most important thing about her trip?
- mais surtout
- but above all
- reportage photo
- photo report
- créative
- creative
- exposition
- exhibition
- fière
- proud
Listen, then choose
Écoutez l’extrait sonore et les 4 propositions. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The conversation centers on whether to accept a job offer, making 'the choice of a job' (B) the correct answer.
Dis-moi Sophie, tu penses que je devrais accepter le poste d'assistante qu'on me propose?
Tell me, Sophie, do you think I should accept the assistant position they are offering me?
The conversation opens with a question about accepting a job position, and Sophie asks if the work meets expectations before advising acceptance. The entire dialogue revolves around a career choice. Language learning (A) is only a minor detail, while an invitation (C) and colleagues' attitudes (D) are never mentioned.
- A
About language learning.
While the speaker mentions "pouvoir utiliser l'anglais et l'espagnol" (being able to use English and Spanish), this refers to applying existing skills in a professional context. The core of the conversation is about "le poste d'assistante" (the assistant position) rather than "l'apprentissage des langues" (language learning).
- B
About choosing a job.
The conversation focuses on a career decision, as the speaker asks for advice on whether she should "accepter le poste d'assistante" (accept the assistant position) that she has been offered. Sophie asks if the "travail" (work) meets her expectations, and upon hearing that it allows for the use of foreign languages, she advises that the speaker "devrait accepter" (should accept) the offer. Therefore, the discussion is clearly about "le choix d'un travail" (the choice of a job).
- C
About accepting an invitation.
Although the speaker asks if she should "accepter" (accept), the object of acceptance is "le poste d'assistante qu'on me propose" (the assistant position being offered to me). This is a job offer, not "une invitation" (an invitation) to a social event or gathering.
- D
About the attitude of their colleagues.
There is no mention in the audio of other people in the workplace or "leurs collègues" (their colleagues). The speakers only discuss whether the "travail" (work) will "correspond à tes attentes" (correspond to your expectations) based on the tasks involved, not the behavior or attitude of others.
Dis-moi Sophie, tu penses que je devrais accepter le poste d'assistante qu'on me propose? Tu sais, c'est difficile de te conseiller. Est-ce que tu crois que le travail correspond à tes attentes? Bien oui, je crois que je vais pouvoir utiliser l'anglais et l'espagnol et ça c'est très important pour moi. Alors je crois que tu devrais accepter. Sur quoi porte la conversation?
Tell me, Sophie, do you think I should accept the assistant position being offered to me? You know, it's hard to give you advice. Do you think the job meets your expectations? Well yes, I think I'll be able to use English and Spanish and that's very important to me. Then I think you should accept. What is the conversation about?
- poste
- position/job
- accepter
- to accept
- attentes
- expectations
- conseiller
- to advise
Listen, then choose
Écoutez le document sonore et la question. Choisissez la bonne réponse.
Choose an answer to see the explanation.
The correct answer is D because the student's advice to the young man is consistently to contact the university directly. She first suggests, 'Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université' (It's better that you contact the university's registrar's office). When he asks further specific questions about online applications or diploma equivalences, she repeats this advice, stating, 'Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat' (Instead, phone the registrar's office). This directly corresponds to the action of getting in direct contact with the university.
Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université.
It is better that you contact the university secretariat.
1. The male speaker asks for information regarding university admission procedures ('démarches à suivre pour ma demande d'admission'). 2. The female speaker responds with specific advice: 'Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université' (It is better that you contact the university secretariat). 3. The male specifically asks about applying by mail or online ('par courrier ou en ligne'), but the female speaker reiterates her advice at the end: 'Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat' (Phone the secretariat instead). 4. Therefore, she is advising him to make direct contact with the administration rather than using electronic methods or looking online.
- A
To prepare one's file electronically.
This option suggests preparing the application electronically. However, the woman does not give this advice. In fact, when the man asks, "Je ne peux pas faire de demande par courrier ou en ligne?" (Can't I apply by mail or online?), she doesn't confirm this method. Instead, she reiterates her main advice by saying, "Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat" (Instead, phone the secretariat), directing him to a direct, non-electronic contact.
- B
To consult the 'International Student' section online.
The audio does not mention consulting a website or an internet section. The woman's advice is very specific and involves direct human contact. She tells the man, "Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université" (It's better that you go to the university secretariat) and later suggests he "Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat" (Instead, phone the secretariat). There is no mention of looking for information online.
- C
To obtain recognition of his Tunisian diploma.
This option states that the woman advises him to get his diploma recognized. This is a misinterpretation of the dialogue. It is the man who raises the issue by asking, "est-ce qu'il y a des équivalences avec mes diplômes tunisiens?" (are there equivalencies with my Tunisian diplomas?). The woman's response is "Je l'ignore" (I don't know), indicating she cannot give advice on this specific point. Her only counsel is to contact the secretariat for all such questions.
- D
To contact the university directly.
The correct answer is D because the student's advice to the young man is consistently to contact the university directly. She first suggests, 'Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université' (It's better that you contact the university's registrar's office). When he asks further specific questions about online applications or diploma equivalences, she repeats this advice, stating, 'Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat' (Instead, phone the registrar's office). This directly corresponds to the action of getting in direct contact with the university.
Je suis Tunisien et je viens d'arriver au Canada. Et toi? Moi, je suis Québécoise. Alors, tu pourras peut-être me renseigner sur les démarches à suivre pour ma demande d'admission à l'université. Il vaut mieux que tu t'adresses au secrétariat de l'université. En tant qu'étudiant étranger, il y a des modalités particulières. Je ne peux pas faire de demande par courrier ou en ligne? Et est-ce qu'il y a des équivalences avec mes diplômes tunisiens? Je l'ignore. Téléphone plutôt au secrétariat. Quel conseil cette étudiante donne-t-elle au jeune homme?
I'm Tunisian and I just arrived in Canada. And you? I'm Québécois. So, maybe you can inform me about the steps to follow for my university admission application. It's better that you go to the university secretariat. As an international student, there are special procedures. Can't I apply by mail or online? And is there equivalence for my Tunisian diplomas? I don't know. Better call the secretariat. What advice does this student give the young man?
- démarches
- steps/procedures
- secrétariat
- university secretariat/office
- modalités
- procedures/modalities
- Je l'ignore
- I don't know
- équivalences
- equivalencies