CAE · Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice · Brazil
Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for the CAE Exam — Brazilian candidates
8% of the CAE test plan. Multiple matching across 5 speakers and detailed multiple choice on a longer interview at C1 level. Calibrated for Brazilian candidates.
Examiners do not award marks for content alone — they award them for the ability to demonstrate competency in the precise format the test demands. Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice sits at roughly 8% of the Cambridge Advanced (C1) content distribution — CAE Listening Parts 3 and 4 require C1-level processing of authentic-style speech. Part 3 (5 speakers, 8 options) tests accurate identification of opinion and attitude against carefully planted distractors. Part 4 (7 questions on an interview) tests understanding of detail, implication, and complex ideas. Pass rates for the CAE are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Brazilian candidates preparing for CAE, the calibration of study to local context matters: ENEM is Brazil's national entrance exam. For international study, IELTS and TOEFL dominate; CDL US licensure is a growing cross-border opportunity.
Common failure modes
These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.
- !Part 3: Matching on the most prominent topic word rather than the speaker's actual opinion
- !Part 4: Selecting factually correct statements that do not answer the specific question asked
- !Being distracted by distractors — intentionally placed misleading content
Study tips
- 1For Part 3, listen for the speaker's main point in their turn (usually stated or implied near the end).
- 2For Part 4, understand the question precisely before listening — know whether you are looking for a fact, opinion, attitude, or implication.
- 3After the exam, review any wrong answers by reading the transcript (available in practice books) to understand why your answer was wrong.
- 4Brazilian candidates preparing for CAE should account for visa-processing timelines if testing abroad — most U.S. test centres require a B1/B2 visa appointment scheduled 90+ days in advance.
Sample CAE Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice questions
These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real CAE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.
- 1
In CAE Listening Part 4, a question asks: "What does the speaker imply about the research?" This requires the candidate to:
- AFind the sentence that directly states the answer
- BDraw an inference from what the speaker says without it being explicitly statedCorrect
- CUse their own knowledge about the topic
- DSelect the longest answer option
Why this answer?
"Imply" specifically means the answer is not directly stated — the candidate must draw an inference from the evidence provided. This distinguishes C1-level comprehension questions from lower-level tests where answers are directly stated and can be matched word-for-word.
Frequently asked questions
Are CAE Listening recordings in British English only?
What is the CAE pass rate for Brazilian candidates?
How long should Brazilian candidates study Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for the CAE?
Practice Cambridge CAE (C1) free with Koydo.
Advanced-level reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Related study guides
- Reading & Use of English Parts 1–3 for CAE (Brazil)Another CAE topic for Brazilian candidates
- Reading & Use of English Parts 4–5 for CAE (Brazil)Another CAE topic for Brazilian candidates
- Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 for CAE (Brazil)Another CAE topic for Brazilian candidates
- Writing — Essay (Part 1) for CAE (Brazil)Another CAE topic for Brazilian candidates
- Writing — Formal & Informal Tasks (Part 2) for CAE (Brazil)Another CAE topic for Brazilian candidates
- Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for CAE — U.S. candidatesSame Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice topic, different locale framing
- Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for CAE — U.K. candidatesSame Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice topic, different locale framing
- Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice for CAE — Indian candidatesSame Listening Parts 3 & 4 — Multiple Matching & Multiple Choice topic, different locale framing