Listen for facts in short extracts
Anticipate the kind of detail a question needs and distinguish spoken facts in brief everyday situations.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language (Count-in Speaking) 0511, exams 2027–2029, A*–G grading. Component 3 Speaking is count-in and contributes 25% to the overall grade. Component 1 has four reading and two writing exercises; there is no summary-writing task. StudyForA's browser voice reads original practice prompts, not Cambridge audio. The local speaking recording supports self-review only; it does not award official marks or score pronunciation.
Before you begin
- The syllabus is intended for learners who already have a working knowledge of English. Check the syllabus and your centre's arrangements for the examination year.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
A speaker first says 'Room 4' and then corrects it to 'Room 14'. Which detail should you use?
What you will learn
- Select relevant information for the task
- Explain how wording and context support an answer
- Communicate clearly for the stated purpose
Prepare before listening
Read the question and options first. Predict whether you need a time, place, item, reason or change so your attention has a clear target.
A speaker may correct an earlier statement or add a condition. Wait for the full idea before selecting an answer.
Check the final meaning
Listen for paraphrases, numbers and negation. Similar options may share a topic but differ in the requested detail.
Use the surrounding sentence to confirm who is speaking and what the information refers to.
Pause and explain
What should you do when two options sound similar?
Worked example
Original practice script: 'The workshop was going to start at ten, but the room is still being prepared. Please arrive at half past ten.' When should learners arrive?
Show the worked solution
- The first time is revised by the later instruction.
- The speaker says 'please arrive' before giving the current time.
- The answer is the updated arrival time.
Answer 10.30
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Script: 'The meeting is in the east hall, beside the cafeteria, not in the library.' Where is the meeting?
Give me a hint
Notice the explicit correction after 'not'.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the location after 'in'.
- Use the clause that gives the correct location.
- Do not choose the place ruled out by the speaker.
The east hall, beside the cafeteria.
Look for these in your work
- Correct location selected
- Rejected alternative noticed
Script: 'Please bring a notebook. The organiser will provide pencils, so you do not need to bring one.' What should a participant bring?
Give me a hint
Separate what is required from what will be supplied.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the requested item.
- Check which item the organiser supplies.
- State only the item the participant needs to bring.
A notebook.
Look for these in your work
- Required item found
- Supplied item excluded
You have five options and the extract is played once. How can you reduce avoidable errors?
Give me a hint
Combine a prediction, focused listening and a final check.
Compare my reasoning
- Read the question and predict the answer type.
- Listen for the relevant detail and any correction.
- Check that the selected option answers the exact question.
Preview the options, listen for the requested detail and correction, then verify the choice against the question.
Look for these in your work
- Focused listening plan
- Correction check included
Common mistakes
- Choosing the first time mentioned
- Missing a correction or negation
- Assuming a familiar word is the answer without checking the question
What can you explain now?
Before an audio extract, what can you predict from the question?
Compare with the explanation
The kind of information you need to listen for
Prediction focuses attention on relevant details.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Why should you wait for a speaker to finish before selecting an answer?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.