The Talks
Exercise 16.2 Exercise 16.2
Focus: Answering detail questions about complete Part C talks.
Directions: You will hear a number of Part C Mini-Talks. After each talk, there will be a number of questions based on that part of the talk. Mark the best answer choice-(A), (B), or (C)-for each question. The first one is done as an example.
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Now start the audio.1. _ _ (A) Two years.
~ (B) Three years.
_ _ (C) Five years.
2. _ _ _ (A) Student fees.
_ _ _ (B) Room-and-board charges at the dormitory.
_ _ _ (C) Student insurance rates.
78 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
3. _ _ _ (A) Its tuition rates are going up faster than the ones at Hambleton University.
_ _ _ (B) It has the highest tuition rates in the state.
_ _ _ (C) Its tuition rates are still lower than those at Hambleton University.
4. _ _ _ (A) An executive on the Student Council.
_ _ _ (B) A member of the Board of Regents.
_ _ _ (C) A spokesperson for the administration.
S. _ _ _ (A) A new dormitory will not be built.
_ _ _ (B) The proposal to increase student services will not be adopted.
_ _ _ (C) The tuition will not be raised.
6. _ _ (A) A starfish.
_ _ _ (B) A salamander.
_ _ (C) A mammal.
7. _ _ _ (A) A snake sheds its skin and grows a new one.
_ _ _ (B) An insect grows a new limb.
_ _ (C) A baby gets its first set of teeth.
8. _ _ _ (A) Embryonic cells.
_ _ _ (B) Specialized cells.
_ _ _ (C) Nerve cells.
9. _ _ _ (A) To treat diseases among animals.
_ _ _ (B) To learn to speed up the process among lower animals.
_ _ _ (C) To apply what they learn to human medicine.
10. _ _ _ (A) Before the Revolutionary War.
_ _ _ (B) During the Revolutionary War.
_ _ _ (C) After American independence.
11. _ _ _ (A) His military service.
_ _ _ (B) His political philosophy.
_ _ _ (C) His dictionary.
12. _ _ (A) T-H-E-A-T-R-E instead ofT-H-E-A-T-E-R.
_ _ (B) L-A-B-O-U-R instead of L-A-B-O-R.
_ _ _ (C) N-I-F instead of K-N-I-F-E.
MINI-TEST 3: MINI-TALKS
Directions: Listen to the talks and the questions about them. Decide which one of the four answer choices-(A), (B), (C), or (D)-is the best answer to the question. Then mark the appropriate an- swer on the answer sheet.
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Now start the audio.1. _ _ _ (A) An improved toothbrush.
_ _ _ (B) Recent developments in genetics.
_ _ _ (C) New uses for bacteria.
_ _ _ (D) A means of fighting tooth decay.
2. _ _ _ (A) They have many side effects.
_ _ _ (B) They occur naturally in people's mouths.
_ _ _ (C) They attack one type of bacteria.
_ _ _ (D) They cause tooth decay.
3. _ _ _ (A) Microbiology.
_ _ _ (B) Genetic engineering.
_ _ (C) Dentistry.
_ _ _ (D) Civil engineering.
4. _ _ _ (A) PlanA includes dinner, but Plan B does not.
_ _ _ (B) Plan B is more expensive than Plan A.
_ _ _ (C) Plan B includes Sunday dinner, but PlanA does not.
_ _ _ (D) PlanA provides for three meals on most days while Plan B provides for only two.
5. _ _ (A) The Bengal Grill.
_ _ _ (B) Restaurants near campus.
_ _ _ (C) The Tiger's Lair.
_ _ _ (D) The dormitory cafeterias.
6. _ _ (A) A receipt.
_ _ (B) A check.
_ _ (C) A student ID card.
_ _ (D) A friend.
7. _ _ _ (A) Selling one's meal tickets to anyone else.
_ _ _ (B) Eating at a dormitory where one does not live.
_ _ _ (C) Eating at a cafeteria if one lives off campus.
_ _ _ (D) Going back for more than one serving of food.
8. _ _ (A) They are open longer hours.
_ _ _ (B) They serve many more students.
_ _ _ (C) They offer a wider variety of foods.
_ _ (D) They charge lower prices.
80 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
9. _ _ _ (A) Visitors to the Bronx Zoo.
_ _ _ (B) Zoology students.
_ _ _ (C) Visitors to the City Zoological Gardens.
_ _ _ (D) New employees at the zoo.
10. _ _ _ (A) They were usually sleeping when visitors were present.
_ _ _ (B) They were uncomfortable because they were exposed to direct sunlight.
_ _ _ (C) They couldn't be observed because they were always in darkness.
_ _ _ (D) They couldn't sleep well and therefore became ill.
11. _ _ _ (A) To make them visible to observers.
_ _ _ (B) To put them to sleep.
_ _ _ (C) To simulate natural daylight.
_ _ _ (D) To allow them to see clearly.
12. _ _ _ (A) Study marsupial mammals.
_ _ _ (B) Leave the zoo.
_ _ _ (C) Look at the nocturnal animals.
_ _ _ (D) Go to the World Down Under exhibit.
Mini-Lessons for Section 1 Idiomatic Expressions
A knowledge of idioms is important for the Listening Comprehension section, especially Part A.
These Mini-Lessons contain lists of some 300 expressions and their definitions as well as exercises to familiarize you with most of these expressions. Many of the expressions listed here have appeared on the Listening Comprehension sections of TOEFL exams in the past, some of them several times.
Notes:
1. If a phrase contains a word in parentheses, that word is used only if the verb is followed by an noun or pronoun.
Example:
f catch UP! (with)
You go ahead. I'll catch up later. (no noun or pronoun) I'll catch up with you later. (pronoun)
2. The words one and someone are used to indicate that any pronoun (or sometimes a noun) can be used in this expression.
Example:
on one's own
How long have you been on your own?
Tom's been on his own for several years.
Mini-Lesson 1.1
about to almost ready to above all most importantly add up make sense; be logicalall at once suddenly; without warning
! ' all of a sudden all at once; suddenly
~
a matter of fact in reality; actually as a rule generally; customarily~ at ease not nervous; calm
~t the drop of a hat quickly; without any preparation time back out (of) withdraw an offer
bank on depend on; count on
be my guest do what you want; feel free; help yourself be rusty need practice or review
beats me I don't know; I have no idea (often used in response to a question) 0-better off in an improved condition.
\bite off more than one can chew take on more responsibility than one can handle
C""' bound to certain to; sure to
~break
down stop functioning (a machine, for example)~!>reak in (on) interrupt
~reak the ice break through social barriers (as at a party)
~reak
the news (to) inform; give bad news 'break up end (a meeting, for example)~break up (with) stop being a couple (a boyfriend and girlfriend, for example) ( a breeze something very simple and easy to do
S
82 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
~.
"hnng about cause to happenL~bring up (1) raise (a child)
, (2) introduce (a topic, for example)
C.::::
brush up on review; study; practic~bump into meet unexpectedly; run into by and large mostly; generally; on the whole by heart by memory; learned word for word
&~y no means in no way; not at all
c
yExercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct. The first one is done as an example.
1. "Can you talk now?"
"No, I'm about to go to the grocery store, but I'll call you as soon as 1 get back."
2. "You're probably too tired to play another game of racquetball, right?"
"I'm not that tired. really. , I'd enjoy another
game."
3. "Will you support my proposal at the meeting?"
"Certainly. You can __ . ________ my support."
4. 1 was talking to my aunt when suddenly my cousin George Ann our conversation.
5. "I understand Diane lost her job."
"Yes, but she's actually _ _ _ _ . She found a more interesting job with a higher salary."
6. _~ ____ , Carlos is very punctual, but he sure 'was late tonight.
7. My car _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ last week, and 1 had to take the bus to work until it was repaired.
8. I was taking a quiet walk last night when, loud explosion.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , there was a 9. Kent is fail that class if he doesn't start studying.
10. They _~ ________ ~ their children to be honest.
11. There were a Jew things I didn't like about Professor Wong's class, but _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I enjoyed it.
12. "I think Matthew was cheating on that quiz."
"That doesn't _____ . Why should the best student in the class cheat?"
13. "Can I have another sandwich'"
"Sure. _________ .... ______ . I made plenty."
14. Actors and actresses must know their lines _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
IS. If you don't want to talk about this problem, why did you _ _ _ _ it _ _ _ _ 16. Many accidents are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by carelessness.
17. Their team won the game, but they dominated it. It was a very close garne.
18. "What a boring party. No one is talking to one another."
"Maybe we should put on some music and start dancing. That might ___ ~ . _ _ _ _ 19. "Have you studied Spanish before?"
"Yes, but it's been years since 1 took a Spanish class, so I'll need to -.. _._- -~--- _ .. ___ it before I go to Venezuela."
20. "You're taking five classes this term?"
"Yes. and I'm havim! trouhle getting caught up. I'm afraid 1 .. _ . ________ this time."
21. "You're all packed and ready to go, I see."
"I could leave _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 22, "Do you know what the name of this street is?"
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . This is the first time I've ever been in this town."
23, "How's that biology class youre taking?"
"So far, it's been . We'..,., just been going over things I studied last semester."
24. "What time did the part\ __ last night?"
"I don't know. It was stU] buing on when 1 went home."
25. "I was awfully nervous when I gave that speech."
"Really? You hid it well. 1 thought you were completely _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mini..Lesson 1.2
call it a day stop working for the day; go home call off cancel
call on visit cahn down relax care for (1) take care of
(2) like; feel affection for catch on become popular
catch on (to) understand; learn catch up (with) go as fast as; catch check in (or into) register (at a hotel) check out (00 (1) leave (a hotel)
(2) take material (from a library, for example) cheer up become cheerful; be happy
chip in (on/for) contribute
clear up (1) clarify; make understandable
(2) become nice and sunny (used to talk about the weather) conle across find; meet; encounter
come around (to) begin to change one's opinion; begin to agree with come down with become sick with (an illness)
come up with think of (an idea)
cost an arm and a leg be very expensive count on depend on; rely on; bank on
count out eliminate; no longer consider as a factor cut off stop; discontinue (a service, for example) cut out for have an aptitude for; be qualified for
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
1. The reception in the garden was because of a thunderstorm.
2. Don't get so excited. Just _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and tell us what happened.
3. I was looking up some information in the almanac when 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ an interesting fact.
4. I can ____ _ _ _ _ _ my car. It's very dependable and never breaks down.
S. How did you _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ such a strange idea?
6. I arrived in town last night at seven-thirty and _._. __________ my hotel at around eight. This
morning I plan to at about nine.
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84 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
7. "Did you rent this videotape?"
"No, I ~ _____ it ______ the library."
8. You look tired. Why don't we____~ and finish up tomorrow?
9. It won't be too expensive to buy Professor McMillen a present if we all _ _ _ ~ .. __ _ 10. If Arthur doesn't pay his electric bill soon, the utilities company might_ . __ _ _ his
electricity.
11. "I don't understand this theorem at all."
"Talk to Professor Adler. I'll bet she can ______ your confusion."
12. Who ______ _ your cat while you were out of town?
15. A good stereo system doesn't have to __________ . ________________ _ __ . You can find one for a reasonable price.
14. Cauliflower isn't my favorite vegetable. In fact, I don't it at all.
15. "I'm depressed. I didn't do very well on the first quiz."
_ _ _ !That quiz only counted for 10% of the total grade, and I'm sure you'll do better on the other tests."
16. "How did Eric do in the cross-country ski race?"
"He got off to a bad start, so he never _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the leading skiers."
17. "Why did Brenda drop out of business school?"
"She decided she wasn't _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a career in business. She's going to study art instead."
18. This song wasn't very popular when it was first recorded, but now it's starting to _ _ _ _ 19. "Your roommate is still planning to vote for Smithson for president of the Student Council?"
"Yes, but I'm going to keep talking to him. I think eventually he'll ~~ __ .. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ our point of view and vote for Brannigan."
20. That saleswoman her clients at least once a month because she thinks personal contact is important.
21. "Is it still raining?"
"No, the rain has stopped and it's starting to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Mini-Lesson 1.3
day in and day out constantly; for a long time die down become less severe; quiet down do over do again; repeat
do without not have
down the drain wasted: done for no reason (work, for example) dream up invent; think of; come up with
drop (someone) a line send someone a letter drop in (on) visit informally
drop off (1) leave something (a package, for example) (2) take (someone) home; let someone out of a car drop out (00 stop attending (classes, for example)
easy as pie very simple; a piece of cake
eyes bigger than one's stomach said of someone who takes more food than he or she can eat fall behind not move as quickly as; lag behind
fall through fail to happen
a far cry from not similar to; not as good as
fed up (with) not able to tolerate; disgusted with; annoyed by feel free do something if one wants
feel like be inclined to; want to
feel like a million dollars feel very good feel up to feel able to do something; ready to few and far between uncommon and infrequent figure out understand; solve
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per blank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
1. It took me hours to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ how to record programs on my DVD player.
2. If you could _ _ _ _ _ the laundry on the way to work, I'll pick it up on Monday.
3. "What a wond~Tful masquerade party!"
"People certainly _ _ _ """ ______ some interesting costumes, didn't they?"
4. "Do you _____ going out tonight?"
"No, I'd rather stay home and read."
5" "Why have you _ _ _ _ in your French class?"
"I was sick and I missed a few classes. But I'm studying hard to catch up."
6" "Why do we need to get gas now? We have quite a bit left."
"This highway goes through some very empty country, and gas stations are _" _ _ _ _ _ _ 7. Howard's teacher wasn't satislled with the work he had done, so she asked him to _ _ _ _ it 8. I'm _ _ _ _ _ _ "" _________ my roommate's lack of responsibility. He never pays his bills
or his share of the rt'nt on time"
9. "Isn't your class picnic today?"
"No, our plans for the picnic" _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "_
10" "The food at that new restaurant isn't bad."
"It's all right, but ___________ " ____ "" ______ it's the food at Mario's. Now that is a great restaurant!"
11. Ben had to " _ _ _ _ the university because of financial problems.
12. After blowing furiously all day, the wind fmally _ _ _
13. "Do you telephone friends before you visit, or just __ "___ _ ____ them?"
"It depends. If they're close friends, I just visit them. If they're acquaintances, I generally call first."
14. "I'm tired of the same old routine."
"I know how you feel. I get tired of doing the same things _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ too."
15. "Ralph really loaded up his tray with food."
"He'll never eat it all. Ralph's _ _ _ _ are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ his ____ _ 16. "I need to use a computer for a few hours."
_ _ _ _ to use my laptop computer. I don't need it this morning."
17. "I've missed James since he moved to Seattle."
"You should him _____________ " _ _ and let him know how you're doing. I'm sure he'd love to get a letter from you."
86 Section 1 • Guide to Listening Comprehension
Mini-Lesson 1.4
till in write in a hlank (on an application form, for example) nIl in (for) suhstitute for
nIl one in provide missmg information
f'ill out complete (an application form, for example) nnd out learn; discover
a fish out of water someone not in his or her normal surroundings f'tx up repair; renovate
follow in one's footsteps do what someone else did (especially a parent) for good permanently; forever
for the time being temporarily; for now
from out of the blue unexpectedly; without warning
get a kick out of (doing something) enjoy; have fun doing something get along with have good relations with
get carried away go too far; do too much; buy too much get in one's blood become a habit; hecome customary
get in over one's head take on too much responsibility; bite off more than one can chew get in the way block; obstruct
get in touch with contact get off leave (a vehicle)
get off the ground start to he sllccessful get on board (a vehicle)
get over recover from (a disease) get rid of discard; no longer have get under way begin; start
give (someone) a cold shoulder act unfriendly toward someone; ignore give away distribute (for free)
Exercise: Fill in the blanks in the sentences or dialogs with idioms from the list above. There will be one word per hlank. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in order for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
1. "How did you _ _ _ _ ~.~~_ where Warren lives?"
"I just looked it up in my address book."
2. ''I'm interested in the job that was advertised in the newspaper."
"Fine. Just _____ _ _______ this application form."
3. Don't forget to ___ ~_ the date on your check.
-J:. "Is Agnes still mad at you?"'
"I suppose so. 1 saw her at a party last weekend, and she just _._. _____ me _.
5. "Are YOll moving to Baltimore ~_ ... _ .. _ ?"
"No, just __ . __ .. __ I'll be back here in a month or two."
6. "That old paint that you have stored in your garage is a fire hazard."
"You're right. 1 should_ _ ____ .___ it."
-, Some companies __ ... ___ ~. _ _ _ free samples of new products in order to f;lmiliarize consumers with them.
8. "How's that advanced computer class you're taking, Polly?"
"Not so good. 1 can't understand a word that the teacher or any of the students are saying. 1 really feel like ~__ _~ ___ .._. . ___ ... __ ... _..._._._ _._ .. _ _
<) ""Don't you just hate all this graffiti?"
·It is ugly, isn't it? I've never understood why people ... _ ...
_____ writing on walls. It doesn't seem like much fun to me."
10. When the train stopped, a mysterious looking woman in a black raincoat ___________ . (he train and found her seat.
11. "Maxwell's project will be very successful, I think"
"Oh, I don't knOw. I'm not sure it will ever _____ __ ._ _ _________ ._.____ _._._.
12. Do you _ ... your new roommaliC, or do you two argue?
13. "That run-down old house (iut navid bought looks terrific."
"Yes, he's it _ beautifully, hasn't he?"
14. "Has Edward . ________ you lately?"
"No, he hasn't. I don't think he has my new telephone number."
15. "Will the concert start soon?"
"It should ______ _ _ _ _ _ .___ any minute no\v."
16. Living by the ocean really _ _ _ _ _ _ _ your _ _ _ _ . Once you've lived here, you never want to leave.
17. This is the last stop. Everyone has to _____ the bus here.
18. Professor Dunbar came down with the flu, so her teaching assistant _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ her for a few days.
Mini-Lesson 1.5
get the hang of something learn how to do something give a hand applaud; clap
give a hand (with) assist go easy on not punish SC\ trely go on (with) continue
go overboard do too much; buy too much go with (1) accompany
(2) look good together; complement (for example, two articles of clothing) go without saying be clear; be obvious
grow up to mature; to become an adult hand in give back to; return
hand out distribute hangon wait
hard to come by difficult to find
have a heart be compassionate; show mercy have a hunch have an intuitive feeling
have a word with (someone) talk to someone briefly have on wear
have one's hands full be very busy; have a challenging job have the time of one's life have fun; have a great time hear fIrsthand (from) get information directly from someone hear from be contacted by; be in touch with
hear of know about; be familiar with
hit it off become friendly (especially at a first meeting) hit the road leave; go away
holdon wait hold on (to) grasp hold still not move hold up delay