The Listening Part B/Long Conversation
The Listening Part B/Long Conversation
1. If we have time, preview the answer to the listening Part B questions in order to:
• Anticipate the topics of the conversations we will hear
• Anticipate the questions for each of the groups of answers
2. Listen carefully to the first line of the conversation because it often contains the main
idea, subject, or topic of the conversation, and we will often be asked to answer such
questions
3. As we listen to the conversation, draw conclusions or make inferences about the situation
of the conversation: Who is talking, where the conversation take place, or when it takes
place.
4. As we listen to the conversation, follow along with the answers in our test book and try
to determine the correct answers. Detail questions are generally answered in order in the
conversation, and the answers often sound the same as what is said on the tape.
5. We should guess even if we are not sure. Never leave any answers blank
6. Use ony remaining time to look ahead at the answers to the questions that follow
Before Listening
Skill 18 : Anticipate the Topics
It is very helpful to our overall comprehension if we know that topics
to expect in listening Part B.
We should therefore try to anticipate the topics we will be hearing
the conversations are about some aspect of school life
some type of social issue
a trip someone is planning
A helpful strategy is therefore to look briefly at the answers in the test book,
before we actually hear the conversations on the tape, and try to determine
the topics of the conversations that we will hear.
Skill 19 :Anticipate the Questions
It is very helpful to our ability to answer individual questions in listening Part B if we can anticipate what
the questions will be and listen specifically for the answers to those questions
• Example
•
• In our test book, we read :
(A)In the airport
(B)In the library
(C)In the dormitory
(D)In the travel agent’s office
•
• We try to anticipate the question :
•
• Where does the conversation probably take place ?
While Listening
Skill 20 : Determine the Topic
As we listen to each conversation in listening Part B, we should be
thinking about the topic (subject) or main idea for each conversation
Since the first one or two sentences generally give the topic
, we should be asking ourselves what the topic is while we are
listening carefully to the first Part of the conversation.
• Example
•
• On the recording, we hear :
•
• (Man) : You can’t believe what I just got !
• (Woman) : I bet you got that new car you’ve always wanted
• (Narrator) : Now, how in the world did you figure that out ?
•
• We think :
• The topic of the conversation is the new car that the man just got
Skill 21 : Draw Conclusions about who
what, when, where
As we listen to each conversation in listening Part B, we should be
trying to set the situation in our mind.
We should be thinking the following thoughts :
Who is talking ?
When does the conversation probably take place ?
Where does the conversation probably take place ?
What is the sourse of information for the conversation ?
• Example :
•
• On the recording, we hear :
•
• (Man) : Why do you have so many books ?
• (Woman) : I need them for my paper on Geroge Washington
• Do you know how I can check them out ?
• (Man) : Yes, you should go downstairs to the circulation desk and fill out a card for each book
•
• We think :
•
• Who is probably talking ? ( two students )
• Where are they ? ( in the library )
• What course are they discussing ? ( American History )
Skill 22 : Listen for Answer in Order
There are two possible methods to use while we listen to a conversation in the listening Part B
of the TOEFL test
We can just listen to the conversation ( and ignore the answers )
We can follow along with the answers while we listen
•
Some students prefer to just listen to the conversation while it is being spoken, and if that
methods works well for us, then that it what we should do
•
Other students find that they can answer more questions correctly if they read along with the
answers while the conversation is being spoken
•
Because the detail questions are answered in order, it is possible to read along while we listen to
the conversation on the tape.