Cambridge Examinations for Young Learners: Listening

The Pre A1 Starters Listening test is the first level of Cambridge English Qualifications designed especially for young learners aged 6 to 8. It’s a fun and engaging way for children to begin their journey into English, with colourful illustrations and simple tasks that boost confidence while testing their listening skills. During the exam, students listen to short conversations, follow instructions, and identify objects and actions in pictures — all in a gentle and supportive format. This exam helps children develop a positive attitude toward language learning and sets a strong foundation for future success.

Part 1 – 'Who’s Who?'

In this activity, children look at a colourful picture showing a scene with several people (e.g., a park, classroom, or birthday party). Around the edges of the image are names or pictures of different characters or objects. The examiner describes where each person or thing is and in the case of a person what they are doing. The child listens and draws a line from each name or thing to the correct person or place in the picture.

Let's Practice, listen here.

✅ Tips for Success:

Listen for Clues: Focus on key words like clothing, actions, and positions (e.g., 'next to the tree' or 'wearing a red hat').
Don’t Rush: Wait until the speaker finishes before drawing your line. You can always check your answer later.
Practice Descriptions: Get used to hearing and using words for places, colours, and actions—these are common in the test.

TRANSCRIPT

Narrator: Part 1. Look at the picture. Listen and look. There is one example.

Example. This is Nick. He’s sitting at the front of the classroom. He has a red T-shirt.

Narrator: Can you see the line? Now you listen and draw lines.

Question 1: This is Tom. He’s sitting at a desk next to the teacher. He has brown hair. Now listen again. This is Tom. He’s sitting at a desk next to the teacher. He has brown hair.

Question 2: Here’s Sally. She has a yellow shirt and brown shoes. Listen again. Here’s Sally. She has a yellow shirt and brown shoes.

Question 3: This is George. He’s standing behind the girls. He has brown hair and is wearing a blue shirt. Listen again. This is George. He’s standing behind the girls. He has brown hair and is wearing a blue shirt.

Part 2

In this activity, you will hear five short conversations. For each question, listen carefully and write either a name or a number. The conversations are related to everyday topics, such as introductions, birthdays, phone numbers, and ages. Pay close attention to pronunciation and context clues to help identify the correct answers.

Listen here.

Conversation 1: How old is Sam? He's 6.

Conversation 2: What is the girl’s second name? ..............

Conversation 3: What number is the girl's house? ..............

✅ Tips for Success:

Scan the question first: Before you listen, make sure you understand what information you’re looking for—this will help you focus.
Use the second play wisely: You usually hear the recording twice. On the first play, just listen. On the second, confirm and write.
Write clearly and double-check spelling: A correct answer can still be marked wrong if it’s hard to read or misspelled.

TRANSCRIPT

Narrator: Look at the picture. Listen and write a name or a number.

Conversation 1 - Child 1: 'Hi, I’m Sam.' Child 2 'Hello, Sam. I am Julie. How old are you?' Child 1: 'I’m six.'

Conversation 2 - Child 1: 'What’s your second name?' Child 2 'It's Wood, W-O-O-D.'

Conversation 3 - Child 1: 'You live on Apple Street, don't you? What number is you house?' Child 2: 'It's number seventeen.'

Part 3

In this activity, you will hear five short dialogues. For each one, you’ll see three pictures. Listen carefully to the conversation and decide which picture matches what you hear. Then tick the correct box. These questions often test listening for detail, identifying actions, and distinguishing between similar scenarios.

Listen here.

✅ Tips for Success:

👂 Listen for key actions or objects: Focus on verbs and nouns—they often reveal the correct answer.
📸 Study the images before listening: Familiarise yourself with all the options so you know what to listen out for.
✅ Use the first listen to understand, the second to confirm: Don’t rush to tick—be sure before you choose.

TRANSCRIPT

Conversation 1 - Child 1: Do you want to play football at break time? Child 2: No, I can't! I have my piano lesson. I will go and ask Emma to play with you—she’s really good. Child 1: Great, I'll bring my ball. Narrator: Now listen again. Child 1: Do you want to play football at break time? Child 2: No, I can't! I have my piano lesson. I will go and ask Emma to play with you—she’s really good. Child 1: Great, I'll bring my ball.
Conversation 2 - Teacher: Is that your friend over there in the red jumper? Child: No, that’s my cousin. My friend is wearing blue and playing football. Teacher: Oh, I see—he’s fast! Narrator: Now listen again. Teacher: Is that your friend over there in the red jumper? Child: No, that’s my cousin. My friend is wearing blue and playing football. Teacher: Oh, I see—he’s fast!
Conversation 3 - Child 1 I brought something special for show-and-tell today. Child 2: What is it? Child 1: It’s my doll. She has a pink dress and red shoes! Child 2: That’s great—does she have a name? Child 1: Yes, I call her Rosie. Narrator: Now listen again. Child 1: I brought something special for show-and-tell today. Child 2: What is it? Child 1: It’s my doll. She has a pink dress and red shoes! Child 2: That’s great—does she have a name? Child 1: Yes, I call her Rosie.

Part 4

In this part of the test, children are given a black-and-white picture. They listen to a recording that tells them which objects to colour, what colours to use, and sometimes where to colour specific parts. The recording is played twice. The goal is to follow the instructions carefully and colour the correct items using the correct colours.

Listen here.

✅ Tips for Success:

🖍️ Know your colours in English: Make sure you can recognise and understand colour words like 'red,' 'green,' 'yellow,' 'blue,' etc.
👂 Listen for clues about location: Sometimes the recording says 'the ball next to the bench' or 'the kite in the sky'—pay attention to these details.
🎧 Use the second listening to check your work: Don’t rush to colour—wait until you’re sure, and use the second play to confirm.

TRANSCRIPT

Narrator: Look at the picture. Listen and look. There is one example.
Adult: Look at the picture. Can you see the girl? Child: Yes, I can. She's playing a flute. Adult: Colour her shirt blue.
Narrator: Can you see the girl with the blue shirt? This is an example. Now you listen and colour.
Conversation 1: Narrator: Number one. Adult: Can you see the ball? Child: Yes, it’s on the grass. Adult: Good. Colour the ball red. Child: OK! Narrator: Now listen again. Adult: Can you see the ball? Child: Yes, it’s on the grass. Adult: Good. Colour the ball red. Child: OK.
Conversation 2: Narrator: Two. Adult: Can you see the dog? Child: Yes, it’s running. Adult: Colour the dog brown. Narrator: Listen again. Adult: Can you see the dog? Boy: Yes, it’s running. Adult: Colour the dog brown.
Narrator: That is the end of Part 4.