First-Time Homebuyers Are Scarce, but More Are Paying Cash
About this practice test
Listen to the B1 Daily News report “First-Time Homebuyers Are Scarce, but More Are Paying Cash” and answer 5 comprehension questions.
What you’ll practice
Understanding detail
Follow specific information and examples.
Interpreting ideas
Identify main points and inferences.
Evaluating arguments
Assess claims, evidence, and limitations.
What to expect:
5 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- B1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Single choice
How to approach this practice
Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.
News lesson for this practice
Read the complete article and use its text or audio alongside these exercises: First-Time Homebuyers Are Scarce, but More Are Paying Cash.
First-Time Homebuyers Are Scarce, but More Are Paying Cash
Read a transcript excerpt
First-time buyers made up 22% of homebuyers, a share close to a record low, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors. At the same time, a record share of first-time buyers paid the full price of their home in cash. One in 10 did so, the highest level since the group began collecting this data in 2003. The report says first-time buyers are older than before.…
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What event marked the highest level since data collection began?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- First-time buyers paying all cash
- Buyers using family help
- Buyers purchasing inherited property
- People receiving retirement accounts
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- First-time buyers paying all cash
The recording links the record to the share paying all cash.
One in 10 did so, the highest level since the group began collecting this data in 2003.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What percentage of cash buyers used an inheritance?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- 28%
- 21%
- 38%
- 54%
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- 28%
The report gives a specific share for inheritance use.
The report says 28% of cash buyers used an inheritance, while 21% used money from selling inherited property.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What did more buyers use than receive financial help from family or friends?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Assets such as retirement accounts, stocks, or cryptocurrency
- Money from selling inherited property
- Cash gifts from friends
- Loans from older generations
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Assets such as retirement accounts, stocks, or cryptocurrency
The sentence compares buyers’ use of assets with family help.
More buyers used assets such as retirement accounts, stocks, or cryptocurrency than received financial help from family or friends.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
According to the recording, why might inheritances become more common among first-time buyers?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Older generations are aging.
- Homebuyers are becoming younger.
- More buyers are using mortgages.
- Personal savings are the largest source.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Older generations are aging.
The recording connects this possibility to older generations aging.
It suggests inheritances may become more common among first-time buyers in coming years as older generations age.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is one result of paying cash for a home, if a buyer can afford it?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- The buyer can avoid needing a mortgage.
- The buyer receives financial help from friends.
- The buyer pays a down payment over many years.
- The buyer becomes a first-time homebuyer.
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- The buyer can avoid needing a mortgage.
The stated result is that a mortgage may not be needed.
For buyers who have the money, paying cash can avoid the need for a mortgage.
What to review next
Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.
Before you practise: a worked example
Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.
Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?
The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.
This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.