LISTENING COMPREHENSION
STRATEGY
"Common strategy in the face of
the TOEFL test Section I (Listening Comprehension)
1. First
understand how to work on Section I. Working instructions will remain the same.
2. Listen
carefully as recordings are played only once.
3. TOEFL question
difficulty levels tended to increase from a smaller number to a larger number.
4. Please answer
all questions as there is no reduction in value for incorrect answers.
5. Use the
remaining time on the question to see the answer to the next option. This will
help us predict the topic of conversation for the next question. However, stop
reading the reply option when the matter is being read. Many potential
candidates who argue that Section Listening Comprehension is the most difficult
part in the TOEFL test. Actually not. The most difficult section, if any, is
the Structure and Written Expression Section because this second section
relates to grammar (grammar) English is indeed complicated. But if we know the
tricks and strategies of Section I, this section could be easier. At this
section, we have to know the purpose of a conversation or speech, both short
and long. To be able to work on this section there is no other way except
extending the exercise to listen repeatedly to the attention given tips and
strategies.
Here are some things to consider in
doing Section I:
•
Part A: consists of 30 short conversations
•
Part B: consists of 2 long conversations
•
Part C: consists of 3 talks (speeches, lectures, lecture)"
There
are three sections in Listening Comprehension sessions. These parts are :
1. Part
A. This section consists of thirty short conversation (short conversations)
between two people, both men and women. Each conversation ended with a
question. You are required to choose one of the answer choices (A, B, C, and D)
the most precise available on the question paper. The questions in Part A
number ranging from 1 to 30.
2. Part
B. This section consists of two long conversations (longer conversations)
between two people, both men and women. Each conversation is followed by four
questions. You are welcome to choose the best answer (A, B, C, and D). The
questions in Part B starting from number 31 to 38.
3. Part
C. The final section consists of three long speeches (talks) and only
involves one person (monologue). Usually in the form of academic lectures or
describe someone who was giving a lecture. Each talk is followed by four
questions. You are required to answer by selecting one best answer. The
questions in Part B starting from number 39 to 50.
For
most people, Listening Comprehension is the hardest part when TOEFL tests. This
time I will try to summarize what strategies should be done in order to answer
the questions in the Listening Comprehension well.
There are several common strategies
for the Listening Comprehension, including :
1) Understand the forms of
the command (direction) in each section (part) well before the day exam.
By understanding the form of an order well in advance before
the exam so you can save time and direct examination focused on about being
tested. Learn the forms of direction on the part of each of the following so
you do not have to listen to it again at the time of examinations.
Part A
Directions : In Part A you will hear short
conversations between two people. After each conversation, you will hear a
question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be
repeated. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of quetions and fill in
space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Part B
Directions : In this part of the test, you
will hear longer conversations. After each conversation, you will hear several
questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in
your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, the
number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of
the answer you have chosen.
Part C
Directions : In this part of the test, you
will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The
talks and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in
your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, find the
number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of
the answer you have chosen.
2) Read the options on each
question as much as possible when the narrator is reading direction and example
problems.
This way you can save time. After reading the answer
choices, you should better remember it, so you can focus when listening to the
conversation. By knowing your answer choices will also be able to estimate the
themes that will be discussed in a later conversation.
Example :
In the booklet you will find a selection of the following
answers :
1. (A) Winter
(B) Spring
(C) Summer
(D) Fall
By reading the answer options you can estimate that the
conversation will be tested in terms of the number 1st is on the season. As for
the answer consists of one sentence or sentences that are longer, you can
simply read and remember the key word.
2. (A) A course where the Professor lectures.
(B) A course where the students just
listen and take notes.
(C) A course with Professor Patterson.
(D) A course where the students take part
in discussion.
By reading the answer choices you will get a more vivid
picture of the conversations that will be tested.
3) Listen with full
concentration and focus your attention on the conversation you are listening.
In addition to accustom our ears to familiar with the
conversation in English, you also have to train yourself to concentrate. Once
lost concentration, most likely you will lose the idea to answer the question
correctly. This is because the listening test no playback over the
conversations that have been played.
4) Maximize your listening
skills on the first questions in each part.
By maximizing the answer to the first questions you will be
able to compensate for deficiencies in answering your last questions are
usually more difficult. If you can not answer one question you should not be
glued or regret. Soon forget and do not worry about it because you still have
questions you need to do next. Even if you can not answer certain questions do
not let your answer sheet blank, because your score will not be reduced if the
wrong answer questions. It will be lucky if you chose answer was correct. Dala
luck factor also plays the TOEFL exam.
Directions and Practice Questions
Directions and examples of the types
of questions you will find in the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL®
test are below.
There are three parts to this
section, with special directions for each part. Answer all questions based on
what is stated or implied by the speakers you hear.
Do not:
take notes or write in your test
book at any time
turn the pages until you are told to
do so.
Part A
Directions: In Part A, you will hear
short conversations between two people. After each conversation, you will hear
a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be
repeated. After you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your
test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, find the
number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the
answer you have chosen.
Here is an example.
On the recording, you will hear:
(woman) : I don't like this
painting very much.
(man)
: Neither do I.
(narrator) : What does the man
mean?
In your test book, you will read:
A. He doesn't like the painting
either.
B. He doesn't know how to paint.
C. He doesn't have any paintings.
D. He doesn't know what to do.
You learn from the conversation that
neither the man nor the woman likes the painting. The best answer to the
question, "What does the man mean?" is A, "He doesn't like the
painting either." Therefore, the correct choice is A.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
1. You will hear:
(man)
:
Shall I lock up the computer lab now before I go home?
(woman)
:
Don't bother. I'm not leaving for a while, I can check it on my way out.
(narrator)
:
What will the woman probably do?
You will read:
A. Lock the computer lab later.
B. Leave with the man.
C. Buy a new lock for the computer lab.
D. Show the man where the lab is.
2. You will hear:
(man)
: Do you mind if I turn the television off?
(woman)
: Well, I'm in the
middle of watching a program.
(narrator)
: What does the woman
imply?
You will read:
A. The man should watch the program
too.
B. The man should leave the television on.
C. The program will be over soon.
D. She'll watch television later.
3. You will hear:
(woman)
: I heard the math
requirements for graduation are being changed.
(man)
:Yes. And I may be short one course.
(narrator)
: What does the man
mean?
You will read:
A. He isn't sure what course to
take.
B. The math course is too short.
C. He may not meet the graduation requirements.
D. The graduation date has been changed.
Part B
Directions: In this part of the test
you will hear longer conversations. After each conversation you will hear
several questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the
four possible answers in your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on
your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that
corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Remember, you are not allowed to
take notes or write in your test book.
SAMPLE CONVERSATION AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
(narrator) Questions 4
through 7. Listen to a conversation about a trip.
(man)
: Are you ready for "The Big Apple"?
(woman)
: Excuse me?
(man)
: You know, New York City. You are going to New York with us, aren't you? I
wanted to show everybody around my old neighborhood.
(woman)
: Oh...sure! I
wouldn't miss it especially when the tour guide is a native New Yorker.
(man)
: I thought we could start at the Museum of Modern Art. Right now there's an
exhibit on twentieth-century American painters.
(woman)
: Fine with
me...but what were you saying about...a big apple?
(man)
: "The Big Apple." It's a nickname for New York. I think I heard once
that it started with jazz musicians in the 20's.
(woman)
: Oh.
(man)
: Whenever they played a concert in a city, they called that city an
"apple." In those days, New York was the biggest city in the country,
so they called it "The Big Apple."
(woman)
: Hey, I have an
idea! Let's go to a jazz club while we're there.
(man)
: Sounds good.
Questions:
4. You will hear:
(narrator)
: What is the man
planning to see?
You will read:
A. An art exhibit.
B. A Broadway play.
C. A modern dance production.
D. An opera.
5. You will hear:
(narrator)
: What can be inferred
about the man?
You will read:
A. He is a jazz musician.
B. He wants to join the woman's club.
C. He is in his twenties.
D. He was born in New York.
6. You will hear:
(narrator)
: What does the word
"Apple" in the phrase "The Big Apple" refer to?
You will read:
A. An instrument.
B. A city.
C. A theater.
D. A concert.
7. You will hear:
(narrator)
: Who gave New York its
nickname?
You will read:
A. Painters.
B. Tour guides.
C. Musicians.
D. Grocers.
Part C
Directions: In this part of the test
you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The
talks and questions will not be repeated.
After you hear a question, read the
four possible answers in your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on
your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that
corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.
Here is an example.
On the recording, you will hear:
(narrator)
Listen to an instructor
talk to his class about a television program.
(man) : I'd like to
tell you about an interesting TV program that'll be shown this coming Thursday.
It'll be on from 9 to 10 p.m. on Channel 4. It's part of a series called
"Mysteries of Human Biology." The subject of the program is the human
brain — how it functions and how it can malfunction. Topics that will be
covered are dreams, memory, and depression. These topics are illustrated with
outstanding computer animation that makes the explanations easy to follow. Make
an effort to see this show. Since we've been studying the nervous system in
class, I know you'll find it very helpful.
Here is an example.
You will hear:
(narrator)
: What is the main
purpose of the program?
In your test book, you will read:
A. To demonstrate the latest use of computer graphics.
B. To discuss the possibility of an economic depression.
C. To explain the workings of the brain.
D. To dramatize a famous mystery story.
The best answer to the question,
"What is the main purpose of the program?" is C, "To explain the
workings of the brain." Therefore, the correct choice is C.
Here is another example.
You will hear:
(narrator) : Why does
the speaker recommend watching the program?
In your test book, you will read:
A. It is required of all science majors.
B. It will never be shown again.
C. It can help viewers improve their memory skills.
D. It will help with course work.
The best answer to the question,
"Why does the speaker recommend watching the program?" is D, "It
will help with course work." Therefore, the correct choice is D.
Remember, you are not allowed to
take notes or write in your test book.
PRACTICE TALK AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS
(narrator) Questions 8 through
10. Listen to a talk about animal behavior.
(woman) Today's discussion is
about a common animal reaction — the yawn. The dictionary defines a yawn as
"an involuntary reaction to fatigue or boredom." That's certainly
true for human yawns, but not necessarily for animal yawns. The same action can
have quite different meanings in different species.
For example, some animals yawn to
intimidate intruders on their territory. Fish and lizards are examples of this.
Hippos use yawns when they want to settle a quarrel. Observers have seen two
hippos yawn at each other for as long as two hours before they stop quarreling.
As for social animals like baboons
or lions — they yawn to establish the pecking order within social groups, and
lions often yawn to calm social tensions. Sometimes these animals yawn for a
strictly physiological reason — that is, to increase oxygen levels. And
curiously enough, when they yawn for a physical reason like that, they do what
humans do — they try to stifle the yawn by looking away or by covering their
mouths.
Questions:
8. You will hear:
(narrator) What is the
speaker's main point?
You will read:
A. Animals yawn for a number of
reasons.
B. Yawning results only from fatigue or boredom.
C. Human yawns are the same as those of other animals.
D. Only social animals yawn.
9. You will hear:
(narrator) According to the
speaker, when are hippos likely to yawn?
You will read:
A. When they are swimming.
B. When they are quarreling.
C. When they are socializing.
D. When they are eating.
10. You will hear:
(narrator)
What physiological
reason for yawning is mentioned?
You will read:
A. To exercise the jaw muscles.
B. To eliminate fatigue.
C. To get greater strength for attacking.
D. To gain more oxygen
http://www.ets.org/toefl/pbt/prepare/sample_questions/listening_comprehension_practice_section
