BULATS Listening – Part 2 – Form/Note Completion (not included in the Computer Test)

Task Description

What sort of text do candidates listen to?

• Part 2 consists of three short conversations (usually on the telephone), answerphone messages or recorded telephone information messages.
• The purpose of each conversation or message is primarily to provide factual information.
• Part 2 covers levels 1-4.

What do the candidates have to do?

• Candidates have to complete a gapped text for each of the three conversations or messages.
• Each text provides a very clear context.
• The texts may include notes, forms, diary excerpts, invoices, message pads, etc.
• Each text gives the main points of the conversation or message, and contains 4 gaps.
• For each question, candidates have to write a maximum of 2 words (and/or a number).
• Although the answer is the same word (and in the same form) as in the recording, the sentence in which it occurs is paraphrased in the task.
• If names are spelt out, these must be spelt correctly.
• For each question, candidates have to understand the section of the conversation or message that is paraphrased, in order to locate the correct answer.
• The notes – and the gaps – follow the order in which the information occurs in the conversation or message.

What skill is being assessed?

How long does this section last?

• Each conversation or message lasts around a minute.
• Each recording is heard once.
• Candidates are given 20 seconds to read each of the three written inputs.

Understanding the Task

To understand better how candidates need to approach this task, it may help you to do the activity yourself, and analyse what you had to do to choose the right answer.

Look at this example – which is at about Level 3 – together with the relevant tapescript. Complete the task, thinking about how you are doing it.

Sample Part 2 Task
Tapescript
Answers

Things to consider

Now look at these questions about how you approached the task and consider your answers.

1. Did you read the rubric (instructions) before looking for the answers?
   
   
2. Did you read the task through before looking for the answers?
   
   
3. How long should each answer be?
   
   
4. How did you realise which part of the tapescript contained the answer?
   
   
5. Did you change any of the words from the tapescript?