LISTENING
Listening is not so easy for many people who are not native speakers. It is caused by some factors such as limited vocabularies, culture, grammar etc.
The following information can help you to understand the listening materials in TOEFL.
TYPES OF PROBLEMS IN THE LISTENING SECTION
PART A: Short Conversations
1. Details
2. Idiomatic Expressions
3. Suggestions
4. Assumptions
5. Predictions
6. Implications
7. Problems
8. Topics
PART B: Longer Conversations
9. Academic Conversations
PART C: Talks and Lecturers
10. Class Discussions
11. Academic Talks
12. Lecturers
1. Details
Details are specific facts stated in a conversation.
In some short conversations, you will hear all of the information that you need to answer the problem correctly. You will NOT need to draw conclusions.
Example:
Man : front desk. How may I help you?
Woman : I’d like to arrange a wake-up call for tomorrow morning at seven o’clock, please.
Narrator : When does the woman want to get up tomorrow?
Answer : Seven o’clock in the morning
2. Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic Expressions are words and phrases that are characteristic of a particular language with meanings that are usually different from the meanings of each of the words used alone.
In some short conversations, you will hear idiomatic expressions. Such as “to kill time”, which means to wait.
When you hear a conversation between two speakers, you must listen for the idiomatic expressions. You will be expected to recognize them and restate the idiom or identity the feelings or attitudes of the speaker.
It will help you if you study a list of common idioms as part of your TOEFL preparation.
Example:
Man : I’m single. In fact, I’ve never been married.
Woman : No kidding!
Man : What does the woman mean?
Answer : She is surprised by the man’s statement.
3. Suggestions
A suggestion is a recommendation.
In some short conversations, you will hear words and phrases that make a suggestion, such as “you should,” ‘why don’t you,” or “why not.”
When you hear the words and phrases that introduce a suggestion, you must be able to recognize and remember what the speaker suggested, and who made the suggestion.
Example:
Woman : Do you know if there is a Lost and Found on campus? I left my book bag in this room earlier, and it’s gone
Man : Too bad. Look, why don’t you check with your teacher first? Maybe someone in your class turned it in.
Narrator : What does the man suggest that the woman do?
Answer : Ask her teacher about the book bag.
4. Assumptions
An assumption is a statement accepted as true without proof or demonstration.
In some short conversations, an assumption is proven false, and the speaker or speakers who had made the assumption express surprise.
When you hear a conversation between two speakers, you must be able to recognize remarks that register surprise, and draw conclusions about the assumptions that the speaker may have made.
Example:
Woman : Let’s just e-mail our response to Larry instead of calling.
Man : Larry has an e-mail address?
Narrator : What had the man assumed about Larry?
Answer : He would not have an e-mail address.
5. Predictions
A prediction is a guess about the future based on evidence from the present.
In some short conversations, you will be asked to make predictions about the future activities of the speakers involved.
When you hear a conversation between two speakers, you must listen for evidence from which you may draw a logical conclusion about their future activities.
Example:
Man : Could you please book me on the next flight out to Los Angeles?
Woman : I’m sorry, sir. Continental doesn’t fly into Los Angeles. Why don’t you try Northern or Worldwide?
Narrator : What will the man probably do?
Answer : He will probably get a ticket for a flight on Northern or Worldwide Airlines.
6. Implications
Implied means suggested, but not stated. In many ways, implied conversations are like prediction conversations.
In some short conversations, you will hear words and phrases or intonations that will suggest how the speakers felt, what kind of work or activity they were involved in, or where the conversation may have taken place.
When you hear a conversation between two speakers, you must listen for information that will help you draw a conclusion about the situation.
Example:
Woman : Where’s Anita? We were supposed to go to the library to study.
Man : Well, here is her coat, and her books are over there on the chair.
Narrator : What does the woman imply about Anita?
Answer : Anita has not left for the library yet.
7. Problems
A problem is a situation that requires discussion or solution.
In some short conversations, you will hear the speakers discuss a problem.
When you hear a discussion between two speakers, you must be able to identify what the problem is. This may be more difficult because different aspects of the problem will also be included in the conversation.
Example:
Woman : It only takes two hours to get to New York, but you’ll have a six-hour layover between flights.
Man : Maybe you could try routing me through Philadelphia or Boston instead.
Narrator : What is the man’s problem?
Answer : His flight connections are not very convenient.
8. Topics
A topic is a man theme in a conversation or in a piece of writing.
In some short conversations, the speakers will discuss a particular topic.
When you hear a conversation, you must be able to identify the main topic from among several secondary themes that support the topic.
Example:
Man : Tell me about your trip to New York.
Woman : It was great! We saw the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building and all of the tourist attractions the first day, then we saw the museums the second day and spent the rest of the time shopping and seeing shows.
Narrator : What are the man and woman talking about?
Answer : The woman’s trip
9. Academic Conversations
Academic conversations are conversations between students and professors or other academic personal on a college or university campus.
In some longer conversations, you will hear an academic conversation between two speakers.
When you hear a conversation, you must be able to summarize the main ideas. You may also be asked to recall important details.
Example:
Marcy : Do you have a minute, Dr. Peterson?
Dr. Peterson : Sure, Come on in, Marcy. What’s the problem?
Marcy : Well, I’m not sure. I got this letter, and I don’t understand it very well.
Dr. Peterson : Let’s see it.
Marcy : It’s from the Financial Aid Office. Are they going to cancel my student aid?
Dr. Peterson : I would hope not. Hmmmmmmm. Oh, I see. Here’s what happened. You are only registered for three hours next semester.
Marcy : That’s true, but I plan to register for another class during open registration. I heard about a new environment science course, and I’m waiting for it to be assigned a sequence number.
Dr. Peterson : Well, then, you don’t have a problem. You see, the terms of your grant require that you take at least six hours per semester.
Marcy : I know, but I’ve never gotten a letter before.
Dr. Peterson : I think it’s a new procedure. Don’t worry about it. Just be sure to sign up for at least three more hours before the beginning of the semester.
Marcy : Thanks, Dr. Peterson. I’m really glad you were in your office today.
Question : What is Marcy’s problem?
Answer : She has received a letter from the Financial Aid Office.
Question : Why did Marcy receive a letter?
Answer : She did not register for six hours this semester.
Question : What had Marcy planned to do?
Answer : Register for three more hours during open registration.
Question : How does Marcy feel when she leaves Dr. Peterson’s office?
Answer : Relieved.
10. Class Discussions
Class discussions are conversations that occur in classrooms.
In some talks, you will hear a class discussion between two, three, or more speakers.
When you hear a discussion, you must be able to summarize the important ideas. You will usually NOT be required to remember small details.
It will help you to audit some college classes.
Example:
Miss Richards : Good morning. My name is Miss Richards, and I’ll be your instructor for Career Education 100. Before we get started, I’d appreciate it if you would introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about why you decided to take this class. Let’s start here ………
Bill : I’m Bill Jensen, and I’m a sophomore this term, but I still haven’t decided what to major in. I hope that this class will help me.
Miss Richards : Good, I hope so, too. Next.
Patty : I’m Patty Davis, and I’m majoring in foreign languages, but I’m not sure what kind of job I can get after I graduate.
Miss Richards : Are you a sophomore, too, Patty?
Patty : No, I’m a senior. I wish I’d taken this class sooner, but I didn’t know about it until this term.
Miss Richards : Didn’t your advisor tell you about it?
Patty : No. A friend of mine took it last year, and it helped her a lot.
Miss Richards : How did you find out about the course, Bill?
Bill : The same way Patty did. A friend of mine told me about it.
Questions : In what class does this discussion take place?
Answer : Career Education.
Question : What are the two students talking about?
Answer : They are introducing themselves
Question : Why is the woman taking the course?
Answer : To help her find a job after graduation.
Question : How did the students find out about the course?
Answer : From friends who had taken it.
11. Academic Talks
Academic talks are short talks that provide orientation to academic courses and procedures.
In some talks, you will hear academic talks on a variety of college and university topics.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to summarize the main ideas. You must also be able to answer questions about important details. You will usually not be asked to remember minor details.
Example:
Since we’ll be having our midterm exam next week, I thought I’d spend a few minutes talking with you about it. I realize that none of you has ever taken a class with me before, so you really don’t know what to expect on one of my exams.
First, let me remind you that I have included a very short description of the midterm on the syllabus that you received at the beginning of the semester. So you should read that. I also recommend that you organize and review your notes from all of our class session. I’m not saying that the book is unimportant, but the notes should help you to identify those topics that we covered in greatest detail. Then, you can go back to your book and reread the sections that deal with those topics. I also suggest that you take another look at the articles on reserve in the library. They have information in them that is not in the book, and although we didn’t talk much about them in class. I do feel that they are important, so you can expect to see a few questions from the articles on the exam. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Besides the twenty-five objective questions, there will be five essay questions, and you must choose three.
Question : What does the speaker mainly discuss?
Answer : The midterm exam.
Question : When will the students take the exam?
Answer : Next week.
Question : According to the professor, what should the students do to prepare?
Answer : Study their notes, the articles on reserve, and appropriate section of the book.
Question : What is the format of the exam?
Answer : Twenty five objective questions and five essay questions.
12. Lectures
Lectures are short talks that provide information about academic subjects. They are like short lectures that might be heard in a college classroom.
In some talks, you will hear academic information in a short lecture.
When you hear a lecture, you must be able to summarize the important ideas. You must also be able to answer questions that begin with the following words: who, what, when, where, why?
It will help you to listen to documentary programs on radio and television. Programs on educational broadcasting networks are especially helpful. Listen carefully. Ask yourself questions to test your ability to remember the information.
Example:
Ernest Hemingway began his writing career as an ambitious young American newspaper-man in Paris after the First World War. His early books, including The Sun Also Rises, were published in Europe before they were released in the United States.
Hemingway always wrote from experience rather than from imagination. In farewell to Arms, published in 1929, he recounted his adventures as an ambulance driver in Italy during the war. In For Whom the Bell Tolls, published in 1940, he retold his memories of the Spanish Civil War.
Perhaps more than any other twentieth-century American writer, he was responsible for creating a style of literature. The Hemingway style was hard, economical, and powerful. It lured the reader into using imagination in order to fill in the details.
In 1952, Hemingway published The Old Man and the Sea, a short, compelling tale of an old fisherman’s struggle to haul in a giant marlin that he had caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Some critics interpreted it as the allegory of man’s struggle against old age; others interpreted it as man against the forces of nature. This book was the climax of Hemingway’s career. Two years later he was awarded the Nobel for literature.
Question : What theme did Hemingway use for many of his books?
Answer : War.
Question : What was the Hemingway style?
Answer : Short and powerful.
Question : What prize did Hemingway win after he wrote The Old Man and the Sea?
Answer : The Nobel Prize for literature.
Question : What advice would Hemingway probably give to other writers?
Answer : Write from experience about things you have seen and people you have known.
adopted from "Barron's - How to Prepare for the TOEFL - 10th Edition
