Planning a University Study Project
About this practice test
Practice B2 English listening with a university research-planning conversation about survey methods, recruitment, consent, ethics, and next steps.
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
- B2. 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.
A meeting about a university research project
Read the transcript
Maya: I have revised the proposal about how first-year students use the university library app. Dr Chen: Good. What methods are you planning to use? Maya: I would like to survey sixty volunteers from three departments and then interview twelve of them in more detail. Dr Chen: That sounds reasonable, but do not recruit only students who use the app every day. You could advertise through the student newsletter and the bulletin board. Maya: I will. I will also prepare a consent form before collecting any responses. Dr Chen: Excellent. Submit the proposal to the ethics panel by Friday. If it is approved, you can begin the analysis in two weeks. Maya: And I should be able to write the first report by the end of the month. Dr Chen: Yes. Let us meet next Tuesday to review the questionnaire before you distribute it. Maya: I will bring a shorter version and a list of possible interview questions.
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Question 1 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What is Maya studying?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- How first-year students use the university library app
- How lecturers write questionnaires
- How publishers choose library books
- How departments recruit staff
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- How first-year students use the university library app
Maya has revised a proposal about first-year students use of the university library app.
Maya: I have revised the proposal about how first-year students use the university library app.
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Question 2 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
How many volunteers will Maya survey?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Sixty
- Six
- Twelve
- Thirty
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Sixty
Maya plans to survey sixty volunteers.
Maya: I would like to survey sixty volunteers from three departments and then interview twelve of them in more detail.
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Question 3 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
Which students should Maya avoid recruiting exclusively?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Students who use the app every day
- Students from three departments
- Students who read printed books
- Students who attend the ethics panel
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Students who use the app every day
Dr Chen says the sample should not consist only of daily app users.
Dr Chen: That sounds reasonable, but do not recruit only students who use the app every day.
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Question 4 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
What must Maya prepare before collecting responses?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- A consent form
- A final report
- A library card
- A list of grades
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- A consent form
Maya will prepare a consent form before collecting responses.
I will also prepare a consent form before collecting any responses.
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Question 5 · Single choice
Choose one answer.
When will Maya and Dr Chen review the questionnaire?
Return to the passage, recording or visual- Next Tuesday
- By Friday
- In two weeks
- At the end of the month
Check answers and explanations
- Answer
- Next Tuesday
They agree to meet next Tuesday.
Let us meet next Tuesday to review the questionnaire before you distribute it.
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.