Listen and Repeat practice sentences (2026 format)

The Listen and Repeat task gives you 8–12 seconds to repeat each sentence exactly as you hear it (timing depends on sentence length). You hear the sentence once, at natural speed, and you can't ask for a repeat on test day. Below are practice sentences from real test topics, grouped by theme.

How to use these sentences

Try each set by ear first. On test day, you'll see no text on screen. So here's what to do:

Read the theme and prepare yourself for the topic (e.g., "Lab safety" — you'll hear technical vocabulary).
Do not read the sentences first. Just listen to the recording and repeat from memory.
Record yourself if possible.
After you've recorded, read the sentences and the guidance below to see what you missed.

The guidance tells you what each sentence needs: where the stress falls, where words link together, and how to chunk the sentence into natural breath groups.

Practice sentences by topic

Lab Safety Briefing

Sentence 1: Lab safety is our highest priority in this facility. Focus: Emphasis on 'safety' and 'priority' — these carry the weight of the message. Short, direct sentence, no linking.

Sentence 2: Always wear your protective goggles and gloves at all times. Focus: Stress on 'always' and 'all times' (parallel structure). The middle ('protective goggles and gloves') flows quickly, so practice linking these items together: 'gog-gles an-gloves'.

Sentence 3: Chemical spills must be reported to your supervisor immediately. Focus: Stress on 'must', 'reported', and 'immediately'. This is a command. Practice the linking in 'reported to' and the final emphasis on 'immediately'.

Sentence 4: Fire extinguishers are located by every exit door. Focus: Stress on 'located' and 'every'. The phrase 'by every exit door' is the critical location information — chunk it as one unit.

Library Orientation

Sentence 1: The library has three floors, and each floor specializes in different subject areas. Focus: Stress on 'three', 'each', and the subjects themselves. Chunk into two parts: 'The library has three floors' (then pause), 'each floor specializes in different subject areas'. Linking: 'has three', 'each floor'.

Sentence 2: Reference books do not leave the building, but you can check out any book from the general collection. Focus: Two contrasting ideas: 'reference books' (stressed) don't leave, but 'any book' (stressed) can. The linking happens at 'do not' and 'can check'.

Sentence 3: The study rooms on the second floor must be reserved at least one day in advance. Focus: Stress on 'study rooms', 'second floor', and 'one day'. Chunk: 'study rooms on the second floor / must be reserved / at least one day in advance'.

Sentence 4: If you need help finding research materials, ask any staff member at the information desk. Focus: Stress on 'help', 'staff member', and 'information desk'. Natural linking at 'need help' and 'staff member'.

Classroom Procedures

Sentence 1: Class attendance is required, and you are expected to arrive on time. Focus: Two requirements: 'attendance' (stressed) and 'on time' (stressed). Chunk: 'Attendance is required / and you're expected / to arrive on time'.

Sentence 2: Cell phones must be turned off or set to silent during all class sessions. Focus: 'Cell phones' (stressed), 'turned off' or 'silent' (both stressed options), 'all class sessions'. Practice: 'turned off or set to silent' as a smooth unit.

Sentence 3: Written assignments are due at the beginning of class, and late submissions will have points deducted. Focus: Stress on 'beginning', 'late', and 'deducted'. Chunk: 'due at the beginning / late submissions / points deducted'.

Sentence 4: If you need to miss class for a legitimate reason, notify your professor at least two days beforehand. Focus: Stress on 'miss', 'legitimate', 'notify', 'two days'. This is a conditional instruction with specific timing — chunk carefully.

Dining Hall Announcement

Sentence 1: The dining hall is open from seven in the morning until nine at night. Focus: Stress on the hours: 'seven' and 'nine'. Linking: 'seven in the morning' (smooth), 'nine at night'. Chunk by time period.

Sentence 2: Vegetarian and allergy-friendly options are clearly marked on the serving line. Focus: Stress on 'vegetarian', 'allergy-friendly', and 'clearly marked'. Practice the long compound: 'vegetarian and allergy-friendly options' as one phrase.

Sentence 3: You must show your student ID card before you enter the meal plan area. Focus: Stress on 'must', 'student ID card', and 'enter'. Linking: 'before you enter' (natural contraction 'before ya').

Sentence 4: Guests are welcome, but they must pay the guest meal price at the register. Focus: Contrasting idea: guests welcome, but (stress) they pay. Linking at 'Guest' and 'register'.

Computer Lab Orientation

Sentence 1: All computers in this lab are equipped with the same software packages. Focus: Stress on 'computers' and 'same software packages'. Chunk: 'All computers in this lab' (one unit), 'equipped with the same software packages'.

Sentence 2: Do not download files from the internet onto the lab computers without permission. Focus: Clear command. Stress on 'download', 'internet', 'lab computers', and 'permission'. Linking: 'onto the lab computers'.

Sentence 3: If your computer freezes or crashes, restart it by holding the power button for ten seconds. Focus: Stress on 'freezes', 'crashes', 'restart', 'ten seconds'. Conditional instruction with specific action.

Sentence 4: Technical support staff are available in room 201 during all lab hours. Focus: Stress on 'technical support staff', 'room 201', and 'all lab hours'. Simple, clear statement.

Student Health Center

Sentence 1: The health center provides free services to all registered students. Focus: Stress on 'free' (important detail) and 'registered students'. Simple, direct information.

Sentence 2: To schedule an appointment, call the main desk or use the online appointment system. Focus: Two options: 'call' (stressed) or 'use' (stressed) the system. Linking: 'call the main desk', 'use the online appointment system'.

Sentence 3: Bring your student ID and proof of insurance if you have coverage. Focus: Stress on 'student ID', 'insurance', and 'coverage'. Two main items to bring.

Sentence 4: The health center is closed on Sundays but open on all other days of the week. Focus: Contrasting info: closed/open. Stress on 'Sundays' and 'all other days'. Linking: 'on Sundays', 'on all other days'.

Parking Regulations

Sentence 1: Valid parking permits must be displayed on your dashboard or windshield at all times. Focus: Stress on 'valid', 'parking permits', and 'all times'. Linking: 'on your dashboard'.

Sentence 2: Parking in fire lanes, handicapped spaces, or reserved areas is strictly prohibited. Focus: Three prohibited areas (all stressed): fire lanes, handicapped spaces, reserved areas. Chunk the list as one unit.

Sentence 3: Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed within fifteen minutes of arriving in an unauthorized space. Focus: Stress on 'illegally', 'ticketed', 'fifteen minutes', 'unauthorized space'. This is a warning statement — stress appropriately.

Sentence 4: If you believe your ticket was issued in error, you may appeal to the parking office within seven days. Focus: Conditional + procedural. Stress on 'error', 'appeal', 'seven days'. Linking at 'within seven days'.

Lecture Preparation

Sentence 1: Read the assigned chapters before you come to class so you are prepared for discussion. Focus: Stress on 'read', 'assigned chapters', 'prepared'. Linking: 'before you come' (natural), 'so you are prepared'.

Sentence 2: Bring your textbook, notebook, and pen to every lecture without exception. Focus: Stress on the three required items. Listing: 'textbook, notebook, and pen' flows as one phrase.

Sentence 3: During the lecture, take notes by hand rather than typing on a laptop. Focus: Contrasting: hand notes (stressed) vs. laptop (stressed). Linking: 'by hand'.

Sentence 4: Review your notes within twenty-four hours of class, and fill in any gaps while the material is still fresh. Focus: Two instructions: review (stressed) within a timeframe, and fill gaps (stressed). Timing is important.

Research Project Guidelines

Sentence 1: Your research project must include at least fifteen sources, and at least five of them must be primary sources. Focus: Stress on numbers: 'fifteen', 'five'. Two requirements: total sources, then primary sources. Chunk the sentence into two parts.

Sentence 2: Please cite all sources using the Chicago Manual of Style format without exception. Focus: Stress on 'all sources', 'Chicago Manual', and 'without exception' (firm requirement).

Sentence 3: The final paper should be between twenty and thirty pages, and late submissions will not be accepted. Focus: Stress on the range: '20 to 30 pages'. Strict rule: 'late / not accepted'. Two separate ideas.

Sentence 4: Your research proposal is due two weeks before the final project deadline, so we can give you feedback. Focus: Stress on 'research proposal', 'two weeks before', and the reason: 'feedback'. Causal link at 'so'.

Writing Center Services

Sentence 1: The Writing Center offers free consultations for all students working on essays and research papers. Focus: Stress on 'free' (important detail), 'all students', and the types: 'essays and research papers'.

Sentence 2: You can schedule an appointment online, or walk in during drop-in hours on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Focus: Two options: online (stressed) or walk-in (stressed). Days and times: 'Tuesday and Thursday afternoons'.

Sentence 3: Bring your draft or outline to the consultation, even if it is only partially complete. Focus: What to bring: 'draft or outline' (alternatives). Reassurance on completion status.

Sentence 4: Our consultants will help you improve your writing by asking questions, not by rewriting your work for you. Focus: Stress on 'improve' and contrast: 'asking questions' (what they do) vs. 'not rewriting' (what they don't do). The contrast is key.

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