LISTENING
COMPREHENSION
T h e first s e c tio n o f th e T O E F L te st is th e L is te n in g C o m p r e h e n s io n s e c tio n . T h is s e c tio n c o n sists o f fifty q u e s tio n s (s o m e te sts m ay b e lo n g e r ) . You w ill listen to r e c o r d e d m a ter ia ls a n d r e s p o n d to q u e s tio n s a b o u t th e m a ter ia l. You m u st lis te n carefu lly, b e c a u s e y o u will h e a r th e r e c o r d in g p r o g ra m o n e tim e on ly, a n d t h e m a teria l o n th e r e c o r d in g is n o t writ
te n in y o u r test b o o k .
T h e r e are th r e e p arts in th e L is te n in g C o m p r e h e n s io n s e c tio n o f th e T O E F L test:
1. P a r t A c o n sists o f th irty s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n s, e a c h fo llo w e d by a q u e s tio n . You m u st c h o o s e t h e b e st a n sw er to e a c h q u e s tio n fr o m th e fo u r c h o ic e s in y o u r te st b o o k . 2. P a rt B c o n sists o f tw o lo n g c o n v e rs a tio n s, e a c h fo llo w e d by a n u m b e r o f q u e s tio n s.
Y ou m u st c h o o s e th e b e st an sw er to e a c h q u e s tio n from th e fo u r c h o ic e s in y o u r te s t b o o k .
3. P a rt C c o n sists o f th r e e talks, e a c h f o llo w e d by a n u m b e r o f q u e s tio n s . You m u st c h o o s e t h e b e st a n sw e r to e a c h q u e s tio n fr o m th e fo u r c h o ic e s in y o u r te st b o o k .
GENERAL STRATEGIES
1. B e fam iliar w ith th e d irectio n s. The directions on every TOEFL test are the same, so it is not necessary to listen carefully to them each time. You should be completely familiar with the directions before the day of the test.
2. L isten carefully to t h e co n v ersa tio n s and ta lk s. You should concentrate fully on what the speakers are saying in the recording program, because you will hear it one time only.
3. K now w h e r e th e e a sie r and m o r e difficult q u es tio n s are gen erally foun d. Within each part of the Listening Comprehension section, the questions generally progress from easy to difficult.
4. N e v e r lea v e any an sw ers blank on y o u r a n sw e r s h e e t. Even if you are unsure of the correct response, you should answer each question. There is no penalty for guessing.
5. U s e any rem a in in g t im e to lo o k ah ea d a t t h e a n sw ers to th e q u es tio n s th a t follow . W hen you finish with one question, you may have time to look ahead at the answers to the next question.
42
LISTENING PARTA
T HE L IS T E N IN G P A R TA Q U E S T IO N S
F or e a c h o f t h e th irty q u e s tio n s in P art A o f th e L is te n in g C o m p r e h e n s io n s e c tio n o f th e T O E F L test, y o u w ill h e a r a s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n b e tw e e n tw o sp e a k e r s f o llo w e d by a q u e s tio n . A fter y o u lis te n to th e c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n , y o u m u s t c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw e r to th e q u e s tio n fro m y o u r te st b o o k .
E xam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(man) I've always w anted to v isit Hawaii w ith you.
(woman) Why not next m onth?
(narrator) What does the w om an mean?
In your test book, you read:
(A) Next month isn't a good time for the trip.
(B) She doesn’t want to go to Hawaii.
(C) She suggests taking the trip next month.
(D) She’s curious about why he doesn't want to go.
A n sw er (C ) is th e b e st an sw er to th e q u e s t io n . W hy n o t n e x t m o n th ? is a s u g g e s tio n th a t th e y take t h e trip n e x t m o n th .
STRATEGIES FOR THE LISTENING PARTA QUESTIONS 1. A s you listen t o ea ch s h o r t c o n v e rs a tio n , fo cu s on th e s e c o n d lin e o f th e
co n v e rsa tio n . The answer to the question is generally found in the second line.
2. K eep in m ind th a t th e c o r r e c t a n s w e r is probably a r e s ta t e m e n t o f a key w o r d o r Idea in t h e s e c o n d line o f th e c o n v e r s a tio n . Think of possible restatements.
3. K eep in m ind th a t c e r ta in s tr u c tu r e s and e x p r es sio n s are t e s t e d regu larly in L isten in g P art A . Listen for these structures and expressions:
• structures (passives, negatives, wishes, conditions)
• functional expressions (agreement, uncertainty, suggestion, surprise)
• idiomatic expressions (two-part verbs, three-part verbs, idioms)
4. K eep in m in d th a t t h e s e q u e s tio n s g en era lly p rogress from ea sy t o difficu lt. This means that questions I through S will be the easiest, and questions 26 through 30 will be the hardest.
5. R ead t h e a n sw e rs and c h o o s e t h e b e s t a n sw er t o e a ch q u es tio n . Remember to answer each question even if you are not sure of the correct response. Never leave any answers blank.
6. Even if you do n o t u n d ersta n d t h e c o m p le t e co n v e rsa tio n , you can find th e c o r r e c t answ er.
• If you only understood a few words or ideas in the second line, choose the answer that contains a restatement o f those words or ideas.
• If you did not understand anything at all in the second line o f the conversation, choose the answer that sounds the m ost different from what you heard.
• Never choose an answer because it sounds like what you heard in the conversation.
T h e fo llo w in g sk ills will h e lp you to im p le m e n t th e s e str a te g ie s in th e L iste n in g P art A
s e c tio n o f th e T O E F L test. 5
STRATEGIES
S k i l l I: FO C U S O N T H E SEC O N D LINE
In L is te n in g Part A you w ill h e a r a sh o r t c o n v e r s a tio n in v o lv in g two p e o p le ; th is co n v ersa tio n is fo llo w e d by a q u e s tio n . It is im p o r ta n t to u n d e r s ta n d th a t th e an sw er to th is typ e o f q u e s tio n is m o s t o f t e n (b u t n o t alw ays!) f o u n d in th e s e c o n d lin e o f th e c o n v e rs a tio n .
E xam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(man) Billy really made a big m istake this time.
(woman) Yes, he forgot to turn in his research paper.
(narrator) What does the w om an say a bout Billy?
In your test book, you read:
(A) It was the first tim e he made a mistake.
(B) He forgot to write his paper.
(C) He turned in the paper in the wrong place.
(D) He didn’t remember to subm it his assignment.
T h e s e c o n d lin e o f th is c o n v e r s a tio n in d ic a te s th a t B illy fo rg o t to tu r n in his paper, a n d this m e a n s th a t h e d id n o t remember to su b m it it. T h e b e st a n sw er is th e r e fo r e a n sw er ( D ) .
T h e fo llo w in g c h a r t o u tlin e s th e m o s t im p o r ta n t stra teg y fo r L iste n in g P a rt A:
STRATEGY#!: FOCUS ONTHE SECOND LINE
I. The second line of the conversation probably contains the answer to the question.
2. Listen to the first line of the conversation. If you understand it, that’s good. If you don’t understand it, don’t worry because it probably does not contain the'answer.
LISTENING PARTA
E X E R C IS E 1: In th is e x e r c is e , y o u s h o u ld f o c u s o n th e s e c o n d lin e o f th e c o n v e r s a tio n , r e a d th e q u e s tio n , a n d t h e n c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw e r to th a t q u e s tio n . R e m e m b e r th a t y o u c a n p ro b a b ly a n sw er th e q u e s tio n ea sily w ith o n ly t h e s e c o n d lin e .
(m an)
(wom an) (narrator)
Can you tell me i f today's matinee is a comedy, romance, or western ?
I have no idea.
What does the woman mean ? 2. (wom an) Was anyone at home a t Barb’s
house when you went there to deliver the package?
(m an) / rang the bell, but no one answered.
(narrator) What does the m an imply?
3. (wom an) You ju s t got back from the interview fo r the internship.
How do you think it went ? (m an) I think i t ’s highly unlikely that I
got the job.
(narrator) What does the m an suggest ?
(A) Sh e has strong ideas abou t movies.
(B) She prefers co m ed ies over w esterns and rom ances.
(C) She d o e sn ’t like today’s m atinee.
(D) She does n ot know.
(A) Barb answered the bell.
(B) T h e h ou se was probably empty.
(C) T h e bell w asn’t in the house.
(D) T h e hou se d o e sn ’t have a bell.
(A) It’s unlikely that h e ’ll go to the interview.
(B) H e thinks h e ’ll be recom m en ded for a high-level jo b .
(C) T h e interview was apparently quite unsuccessful.
(D) H e had an ex cellen t interview.
T O E F L E X E R C IS E 1: In th is e x e r c is e , lis te n c a r e fu lly to th e s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n in th e r e c o r d in g p r o g r a m , a n d t h e n c h o o s e t h e b e s t an sw er to th e q u e s t io n . You s h o u ld fo c u s c a re fu lly o n t h e s e c o n d lin e .
N o w BEGIN THE RECORDING PROGRAM AT TOEFL EXERCISE I.
1. (A) H e is leaving now. 5. (A) H er eyes hurt.
(B) H e has to go out o f his way. (B) She thou ght the lecture was great.
(C) H e will n o t be leaving soon. (C) T h e class was boring.
(D) H e will d o it his own way. (D) Sh e d id n ’t w ant to watch Professor
2. (A) H e locked d ie door. Martin.
(B) H e tried unsuccessfully to g e t into the hou se.
6. (A) (B)
N ot all the bills have b een paid.
T hey d o n ’t have e n o u g h credit to
(C) H e was able to o p e n the door. pay the bills.
(D) H e left the h ou se without lock in g the door.
(C) What she said on the p h o n e was n ot credible.
3. (A) (B)
Sh e d o e sn ’t like to listen to turkeys.
Sh e thinks the d in n er sou nds
(D) H e used a credit card to pay som e o f the bills.
special. 7. (A) S h e ’ll call back quickly.
(C) Sh e especially likes the roast turkey. (B) S h e ’ll definitely b e back by 4:00.
(D) S h e’d prefer a different dinner. (C) S h e ’ll give it back by 4:00.
4. (A) H e ’ll be busy with h er hom ew ork (D) S h e ’ll try to return fast.
tonight. 8. (A) Sh e hasn’t seen Tim.
(B) H e can ’t h elp her tonight. (B) Tim was there only for a m om en t.
(C) H e ’s sorry he can ’t ever h e lp her. (C) Tim was around a sh ort tim e ago.
(D) H e ’ll h elp her with her physics. (D) Tim will return in a m inute.
(A) She d o esn ’t like the place h e chose.
(B) She doesn’t want to get into the car.
(C) S h e ’s glad the spot is reserved.
(D) T hey can’t park the car there.
10. (A) T h ere’s plenty to eat.
(B) T h e refrigerator’s broken.
(C) T he food isn’t in the refrigerator.
(D ) H e ’s n o t sure if there’s enough .
S k i l l 2: C H O O S E A N SW ER S W IT H S Y N O N Y M S
O fte n th e c o r r e c t a n sw er in L is te n in g Part A is an a n sw e r th a t c o n ta in s sy n o n y m s (w ord s w ith sim ila r m e a n in g s b u t d iffe r e n t s o u n d s) fo r k e y w o r d s in th e c o n v e rs a tio n .
Exam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Why is Barbara feeling so happy?
(man) She just started working in a real estate agency.
(narrator) What does the m an say about Barbara?
In your test book, you read:
(A) She always liked her work in real estate.
(B) She began a new job.
(C) She just bought some real estate.
(D) She bought a real estate agency.
In th is c o n v e r s a tio n , th e key w o rd started m e a n s began, a n d th e key w o rd w o rkin g refe rs to job. T h e b e s t a n sw er to th is q u e s tio n is th e r e fo r e a n sw er ( B ) .
T h e fo llo w in g c h a r t o u tlin e s a very im p o r ta n t strategy fo r L iste n in g P art A:
STRATEGY #2: CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH SYNONYMS
1. As you listen to the second line of the conversation,focus on key words In that line.
2. If you see any synonyms for key words in a particular answer, then you have probably found the correct answer.
E X E R C IS E 2: In th is e x e r c is e , u n d e r lin e k ey w o r d s in th e s e c o n d lin e o f e a c h sh o r t c o n v e rs a tio n . T h e n u n d e r lin e sy n o n y m s fo r th e s e key w o r d s in th e answ ers, a n d c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw er to e a c h q u e s tio n . R e m e m b e r th a t th e b e s t an sw er is p ro b a b ly th e an sw er th a t c o n ta in s sy n o n y m s fo r th e k ey w o r d s in th e s e c o n d lin e o f t h e c o n v e r s a tio n .
1. (wom an) Did you see the manager about the job in the bookstore?
(m an) Yes, and I also had to Jill out an application.
(narrator) What does the m an mean?
(A) H e g o t a jo b as bookstore manager.
(B) T he bookstore was not accepting applications.
(C) H e saw a book about how to apply for jobs.
(D) It was necessary to com plete a form.
LISTENING PART A
2. (m an) We 're p la n n in g to leave fo r the (A) If they could leave at n o o n . trip at about 2:00. (B) If it is possible to g o by 12:00.
(wom an) C ouldn’t we leave before noon ? (C) Why they can ’t leave at n oon . (narrator) What does the woman ask ? (D) If they could leave the room . 3. (m an) Was the concert well received ? (A) T he perform ance w ent o n for a
(wom an) The audience applauded fo r a lo n g time.
long time after the performance. (B) T here was applause th rou gh ou t the
(narrator) What does the woman say about perform ance.
the concert? (C)
(D)
T he p eo p le clap ped o n and on after the concert.
T he au d ien ce waited for a long tim e for the co n cert to begin.
T O E F L E X E R C IS E 2: In th is e x e r c is e , lis te n c a re fu lly to th e s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n in th e r e c o r d in g p r o g r a m , a n d t h e n c h o o s e th e b e st an sw er to th e q u e s tio n . Y ou s h o u ld lo o k f o r sy n o n y m s f o r key w o r d s in t h e s e c o n d lin e .
N O W BEGIN THE RECORDING PROGRAM AT TOEFL EXERCISE 2.
(A) T h e final exam was harder than the 6. (A) others.
(B) T here w ere two exam s rather than o n e.
(B) (C) H e thou gh t the exam w ould be
easier.
(C)
(D) T h e exam was not very difficult. (D)
(A) H e ’s n ot feelin g very well. 7. (A)
(B) H e ’s rather sick o f working. (B)
(C) H e ’s feelin g better today than yesterday.
(C) (D) (D) H e ’d really rather n o t answer the
q uestion.
8. (A) (A) T h e com pany was fo u n d ed ab ou t a
year ago. (B)
(B) It was ju st established that h e cou ld go into business.
(C)
(C) T h e family is well established. (D )
(D) T h e business only lasted a year.
9. (A) (A) H e did n ot look at the right
schedu le.
(B) (C) (B) T h e plane landed in the right place.
(C) T h e plane arrived o n time. (D)
(D) H e had to wait for the plane to land.
10. (A) (A) S h e’d rather go runn ing.
(B) She d o esn ’t want to g o into the pool.
(B) (C) S h e’ll ch an ge cloth es quickly and
g o swimming.
(C)
(D) Sh e n eed s a sweatsuit to go (D)
running.
T h e firefighters saved the h om es for last.
A firefighter saved the hillsid e last night.
T he hom es o n the hillsid e were burned.
T he hou ses w eren ’t destroyed.
T h ere’s en o u g h soup.
T h e spices are adequate.
She thinks the so u p ’s too salty.
T he man sh ould add m ore salt and pepper.
H e was lucky to receive a grant for his studies.
H e used his fortu ne to pay his fees.
H e is a scholar at a co lleg e with low fees.
H e paid to g et a scholarship.
It profited from previous mistakes.
It earn ed a lot o f m oney.
This was the last year that it w ould m ake a profit.
It was n ot so successful.
C huck’s bank accou n t has too m uch m oney in it.
H e thinks Chuck has the wrong kind o f bank account.
H e thinks that Chuck is o n his way h o m e from the bank.
T here isn’t e n o u g h m on ey in C huck’s account.
S k i l l 3: A V O ID SIM ILAR S O U N D S
O fte n th e in c o r r e c t a n sw ers in L iste n in g P art A are an sw ers th a t c o n ta in w o rd s w ith sim i
la r s o u n d s b u t v e ry d iffe r e n t m e a n in g s fr o m w h a t y o u h e a r in th e r e c o r d in g p ro g r a m . You s h o u ld d e fin ite ly a v o id th e s e answ ers.
E xam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(man) Why couldn't Mark com e w ith us?
(woman) He was searching for a new apartment.
(narrator) What does the w om an say about Mark?
In your test book, you read:
(A) He was in the department office.
(B) He was looking for a place to live.
(C) He was working on his research project.
(D) He had an appointment at church.
T h e k ey w o r d s in th e s e c o n d lin e o f th e c o n v e r s a tio n are searching a n d apartm ent. In a n sw ers (C ) a n d (D ) th e w o r d s research a n d church s o u n d lik e search, so th e s e an sw ers are in c o r r e c t. In an sw ers (A ) a n d ( D ), th e w o rd s d e partm ent a n d app o in tm en t s o u n d lik e a p a rtm en t, so th e s e an sw ers are in c o r r e c t. T h e b e s t a n sw e r is th e r e fo r e a n sw er (B ).
T h e fo llo w in g c h a r t o u tlin e s a v ery im p o r ta n t stra teg y fo r L iste n in g P art A:
STRATEGY #3: AVOID SIMILAR SOUNDS 1. Identify key words in the second line o f the conversation.
2. Identify words in the answers that contain similar sounds, and do not choose these answers.
NOTE: In Appendix A there are drills to practice distinguishing similar sounds. You may want to complete these practice drills before trying the following exercises.
E X E R C IS E 3: In this e x e r c is e , u n d e r lin e k ey w o r d s in th e s e c o n d lin e o f e a c h sh o r t c o n v e r s a tio n . T h e n u n d e r lin e w o r d s w ith s o u n d s sim ila r t o th e s e key w o r d s in t h e answ ers, a n d c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw e r to e a c h q u e s tio n . R e m e m b e r th a t th e b e st a n sw e r is p ro b a b ly th e a n sw er th a t d o e s n o t c o n ta in w o rd s w ith s o u n d s th a t are sim ila r to th e s o u n d s o f t h e k ey w o r d s in t h e s e c o n d lin e o f th e c o n v e r s a tio n .
1. (w om an) I heard that Sally jiust moved (A) Sally has no sense o f responsibility.
into a new, big house near the (B) Sally sen t her friend to the house.
beach. (C) Sally has n o money.
(m an) But Sally doesn '1 have a cent! (D ) Sally is o n the set with her.
(narrator) What does the man mean?
LISTENING PARTA
(wom an) Did they get the new car they (A) They lock ed the m ap in a car.
wanted ? (B) They look ed many tim es in the car.
(man) No, they lacked the money. (C) It cost a lot o f m oney w hen the car
(narrator) What does the man mean ? leaked oil.
(D) T hey d id n ’t have en o u g h m oney to buy anoth er car.
(man) H ave you finished packing yet? (A) It’s im portant to pack the suitcases.
(woman) You should call the porter to get (B) They n eed help carrying their bags.
the suitcases. (C) T h e man sh ould pack his suit in
(narrator) What does the woman mean ? case he n eed s it.
(D) T he suitcases are qu ite portable.
T O E F L E X E R C ISE 3: In th is e x e r c is e , lis te n c a r e fu lly to th e s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n in th e r e c o r d in g p r o g r a m , a n d th e n c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw er to t h e q u e s tio n . You s h o u ld b e c a re fu l to a v o id an sw ers w ith sim ila r s o u n d s.
N O W BEGIN THE RECORDING PROGRAM AT TOEFL EXERCISE 3.
1. (A) She has to wait for som e cash. 6. (A) Twenty pairs o f sh o es are o n sale.
(B) T h e waiter is bringing a glass o f water.
(B) T he sh o e salesclerk sp en t twenty dollars on pears.
(C) The lawn is too dry. (C) T he sh oes cost twenty dollars.
(D) She n eed s to watch out for a crash. (D) T he sh oes could be repaired for
2. (A) T he sw eater’s the wrong size. twenty dollars.
(B) T he m a n ’s feet a r en ’t sweating. 7. (A) Tom ten d ed to dislike b iology lab.
(C) T he sweater m akes the m an seem fat.
(B) A ttendance wasn’t necessary at biology lab.
(D) T he sw eet girl d o e sn ’t feel right. (C) Tom w ent to biology lab.
3. (A) H e has been regularly usin g a com puter.
(D) There was a tendency to require biology lab.
(B) H e com m u n icates with a Boston company.
8. (A) (B)
T he m eal will be served at n oon . T he m ales sh ould be driven there (C) H e regularly g o e s to com m u n ities
around Boston. (C)
by n oon .
H e ’s exp ectin g the ice to m elt (D) H e has b een traveling back and
forth to Boston. (D)
before noon.
T he letters ou gh t to be delivered at
4. (A) H e thou gh t the lesson d id n ’t 12:00.
matter. 9. (A) T h e w eather will probably get
(B) H e c o u ld n ’t learn the lesson. worse later.
(C) H e learned a massive nu m ber o f details.
(B) T he newspaper h ead lin es described a bad storm.
(D) H e d id n ’t like m ost o f th e lesson. (C) T here was news abou t a h eadstron g 5. (A) Som e anim als started the first fire.
(D) man.
H e had a new bed.
(B) Anim als are killed by forest fires.
(C) In th e first frost, anim als die. 10. (A) If she could do the grocery shopping.
(D) Frost can kill animals. (B)
(C) (D)
If she prefers co o k ed vegetables or salad.
If she could h elp prepare the salad.
If she minds sh op p in g for vegetables.
T O E F L E X E R C IS E (S k ills 1 - 3 ) : In th is e x e r c is e , lis te n c a re fu lly to th e sh o r t c o n v e rsa tio n a n d q u e s tio n in th e r e c o r d in g p r o g r a m , a n d t h e n c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw er to th e q u e s tio n .
D
N O W BEGIN THE RECORDING PROGRAM AT TOEFL EXERCISE (SKILLS 1-3).2. (A) (B) (C) (D) (A) (B) (C) (D) (A) (B) (C) (D)
4. (A) (B) (C) (D) 5. (A) (B) (C)
6.
(D) (A) (B) (C) (D)
H e w ould like som e iced coffee.
H e wants to stop drinking coffee.
A drink seem s like a good idea.
H e n eed s to drink som ething to stop his coughing.
She would prefer a sunny day.
T he park is too crowded.
She w ould like a place that is n ot so loud.
She can n ot walk because sh e’s too old.
H e sh ould op en an account.
H e sh ould take a ride on a ship.
H e should try to keep the cost cheap.
H e sh ould try som ething m on oton ou s to get to sleep.
T he departm ent is n ot changin g the requirem ents.
H e h asn ’t heard anything about the change.
T he changes are believable.
What has happened is incredible to him.
T he wait has taken close to an hour.
They were stranded in their car.
Most o f the p eop le have b een in lin e for hours.
They m ade a line in the sand.
T he instructor is selectin g several passages.
T h e conductor is fair to the passengers.
T he stamp collector is con d u cting his business.
T he riders are paying for the train trip.
7. (A) (B) (C) (D) 8. (A) (B) (C) (D) 9. (A) (B) (C) (D) 10. (A) (B) (C) (D)
T he managers will take the train to the program.
A program to develop new managers will com m en ce soon.
T he new m anagem ent program is very weak.
T he program will be m aintained to the letter.
The fire started to attack the building.
T h e firefighter stared at the attacker.
T he fire probably began at the top o f the building.
T he firefighter started to attack the fire.
H e assured the woman that he knew the truth.
H e is sure that it isn ’t new.
H e thought that the woman was aware o f what happened.
H e soon will know the truth.
T he art professor is not on e o f his fans.
His drawings were amazing.
T he catches that h e m ade were fantastic.
His sketches showed a fantasy world.
LISTENING PARTA
W H O ,W H A T , W H E R E ---
S k i l l 4: D R A W C O N C L U S IO N S A B O U T WHO, WHAT, W H ER E
It is c o m m o n in L is te n in g P a rt A to ask y o u to draw s o m e k in d o f c o n c lu s io n . In th is ty p e o f q u e s tio n th e a n sw er is n o t cle a rly sta ted ; in ste a d y o u m u s t draw a c o n c lu s io n b a s e d o n c lu e s g iv e n in th e c o n v e r s a tio n . O n e k in d o f c o n c lu s io n th a t is c o m m o n in th is p a rt o f t h e test is to ask y o u to d e t e r m in e who t h e s p e a k e r is, b a s e d o n c lu e s g iv e n in th e c o n v e r s a tio n .
Exam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Can you tell m e w hat assignm ents I m issed w hen I was absent from y o u r class?
(man) You m issed one hom ew ork assignm ent and a quiz- (narrator) Who is the m an?
In your test book, you read:
(A) A newspaper editor.
(B) A police officer.
(C) A teacher.
(D) A student.
T h e c lu e s y o u r class, homework, a n d q u iz in t h e c o n v e r s a tio n te ll y o u th a t th e m a n is p r o b a bly a tea ch er. A n sw er (C ) is th e r e fo r e t h e c o r r e c t answ er.
A n o th e r ty p e o f c o n c lu s io n th a t is c o m m o n in L is te n in g P a rt A is to d e t e r m in e w h a t w ill p ro b a b ly h a p p e n n e x t, b a s e d o n c lu e s g iv e n in th e c o n v e r s a tio n .
E xam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Are you going to read those books here in the library?
(man) I th in k I'd rather check them out n o w a nd take them home.
(narrator) What w ill the m an probably do next?
In your test book, you read:
(A) Sit down in the library.
(B) Look for some more books.
(C) Return the books to the shelves.
(D) Go to the circulation desk.
T h e m a n says th a t h e w o u ld lik e to check the books o u t now. S in c e th e circulation desk is w h e r e y o u g o to c h e c k b o o k s o u t fr o m a lib rary, th e m a n w ill p r o b a b ly g o to t h e c ir c u la tio n d e sk n e x t. T h e c o r r e c t a n sw er is th e r e fo r e a n sw er (D ).
A fin a l typ e o f c o n c lu s io n th a t is c o m m o n in L is te n in g P art A is to d e t e r m in e where t h e c o n v e r s a tio n p r o b a b ly tak es p la c e , b a s e d o n c lu e s g iv e n in th e c o n v e rs a tio n .
Exam ple
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Are you going into the water, or are you ju st going to lie there on the sand?
(man) I th in k I need to p u t on som e su n ta n lotion.
(narrator) Where does this conversation probably take place?
In your test book, you read:
(A) At a beauty salon.
(B) At the beach.
(C) In a sandbox.
(D) At an outdoor restaurant.
T h e c lu e s water, sa n d , a n d s u n ta n lotion in th e c o n v e r s a tio n tell y o u th a t th is c o n v e rs a tio n p r o b a b ly ta k es p la c e at t h e beach. A n sw er (B ) is t h e r e fo r e th e c o r r e c t answ er.
T h e fo llo w in g c h a r t o u t lin e s th e key p o in t th a t y o u s h o u ld r e m e m b e r a b o u t th is type o f q u e s tio n :
CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE
It is common for you to be asked to draw one o f the following conclusions in Listening Part A:
1. WHO is probably talking?
2. WHAT will s/he probably do next?
3. W H ERE does the conversation probably take place?
E X E R C IS E 4: In th is e x e r c is e , r e a d th e s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n , u n d e r lin e th e c lu e s th a t h e lp y o u a n sw er th e q u e s tio n , a n d th e n c h o o s e th e b e st answ er. Y ou w ill h a v e to d raw c o n c lu s io n s a b o u t who, what, a n d where.
1. (m an) I ’d like to deposit thừ check in my account, please.
(w om an) Would you like any cash back ? (narrator) Who is the woman?
(A) A store clerk.
(B) A bank teller.
(C) An accountant.
(D) A waitress.
(wom an) H ave you deposited your paycheck yet ?
(m an) No, but th a t’s next on my list o f errands.
(narrator) What will the m an probably do next?
(A) Earn his paycheck.
(B) Write a check for a deposit o n an apartment.
(C) Go to a bank.
(D) Make a list o f errands to run.
LISTENING PARTA
(man) Did you get the bread, eggs, (A) In a restaurant.
and milk? (B) At a bakery.
(woman) Now we need to stand in line at (C) On a farm.
the checkout counter. (D) In a market.
(narrator) Where does this conversation probably take place?
T O E F L E X E R C IS E 4: In th is e x e r c is e , lis te n c a re fu lly to th e s h o r t c o n v e r s a tio n a n d q u e s tio n in th e r e c o r d in g p r o g r a m a n d th e n c h o o s e th e b e s t a n sw er to t h e q u e s t io n . Y ou w ill have to draw c o n c lu s io n s a b o u t who, w hat, a n d where.
n N O W BEGIN THE RECORDING PROGRAM AT TOEFL EXERCISE 4.
1. (A) In a photography studio.
(B) In a biology laboratory.
(C) In an office.
(D ) In th e library.
2. (A) H e ’s a pilot.
(B) H e ’s a flight attendant.
(C) H e ’s a m em ber o f the grounds crew.
(D) H e works clearin g land.
3. (A) Wash the dish es immediately.
(B) Use as many dishes as possible.
(C) Wash the dish es for as lo n g as possible.
(D) Wait until later to clean up.
4. (A) In a bank.
(B) In a restaurant.
(C) A t a service station.
(D) In a beauty salon.
5. (A) A salesclerk in a sh oe store.
(B) A sh o e repairperson.
(C) A party caterer.
(D) A salesclerk in a fixtures departm ent.
6. (A) On a playground.
(B) In a parking lot.
(C) At a zoo.
(D) In a p h oto studio.
7. (A) R espond to th e mail.
(B) Put the letters in a file.
(C) It d ep en d s o n where the file is.
(D) File the answers she received to the letters.
8. (A) In an airplane.
(B) In a p olice car.
(C) In a theater.
(D) At a fireworks exhibit.
9. (A) Take care o f Bob.
(B) Invite Bob to dinner.
(C) Let Bob know that they accep t h is invitation.
(D) R espond to th e w om an ’s q u estion . 10. (A) A pharmacist.
(B) A dentist.
(C) A teacher.
(D) A business manager.
