Problems like those in tills Review of Listening frequently appear on Parts A, B, and C of the Listening Section of the TOEFL.

Part A. Short Conversation 1. Implications 2. Idiomatic Expressions 3. Predictions 4. Suggestions 5. Topics 6. Assumptions 7. Problems 8. Details Part B. Longer Conversation 1. Informal Conversations 2.Academic Conversatios Part C. Discussion and Talk 1. Class Discussions 2. Radio Programs 3.Tours 4.Academic Talks 5. Lectures

PART A SHORT CONVERSATION 1. Implications Implication means suggested but not stated. Implied conversations are like prediction conversation. 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 the information that will help you draw a conclusion about the situation. Examples : 1. Man : Do you wan to get some lunch? Im hungry! Woman: Me, too. I didnt have time for breakfast. Narrator : What does the woman imply? a. She is also ready for lunch b. She is not hungry c. She finishes having lunch d. She enjoys eating lunch The answer is A 2. Woman: Pardon me. Do you know what 3. Woman : Lets join Marry and Barbara in that time that this store opens? pool Man: I do not, but I believe that it is Man : I have just put my jacket on to run written on the door Narrator: What does the man mean imply? Narrator: What does the man imply that a. He wants to join Marry and Barbarra in the the woman should do? pool a. Look on the door b. He doesnt want to go to the pool b. Open the door c. He would rather go running c. Ask someone else d. He has changed his clothes to swim d. Come back later The answer is ..

The answer is .. 2. Idiomatic expression Idiomatic expressions are words and phrases that are characteristics of particular language with meaning that are usually different from the meaning of each word used alone inn some short conversation. You will hear idiomatic expressions, such as be swamped means very busy. Example: 1. Man : Lets get a Pizza Woman : Im swamped, maybe another time. Narrator : What does the woman mean? a. She thinks the Pizza place is closed b. She does not like the man c. She is very busy now d. She is not hungry for Pizza The answer is C 2. Man : Im really tired on studying for economics every weekend. Woman: I hear you. 3. Woman: Are you going to go to the ball game? Man : You bet! Narrator: What does the man mean? a. He will place a wager on the ball game b. He will definitely go to the ball game c. He likes to gamble d. He does not like ball games The answer is The answer is 3. Prediction A prediction is a guess about the future based on evidence from the present. In some short conversation, 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 evidences from which you may draw a logical conclusion about their future activities. Examples : 1. Man: I need some shampoo for my hair. Woman: All of the shampoo is in the back of the store on the third shelf. Narrator: What will the man probably do? a. Walk out of the store b. Buy the shampoo

Narrator: What does the woman mean? a. She has excellent hearing b. She has heard the man talk about this frequently c. She understands his point of view d. She needs to have her ears checked

c. Come back later d. Go to another store The answer is A 2. Man : I thought I was supposed to perform the experiment in Room 45. Woman: No. Ticket 45 is in Room 54. Narrator: What will the man probably do? a. Go to Room 54 b. Go to Room 45 c. Buy a ticket d. Go home The answer is .. 2. Man : Are you sure you have corrected all the mistakes in the contract? Woman : Id better read through the paper again Narrator : What is the woman going to do? a. Check the contract b. Retype all the contract. c. Read the whole contract. d. Ask the man to help her The answer is .. 4. Suggestion In some short conversations, you will also hear words and phrases that make suggestion. When you hear a suggestion, you must be able to recognize and remember what the speaker suggested, and who made the suggestion. The typical question is for example what does the woman suggest the man do? Examples : 1. Man : The weather is so beautiful this morning Woman : Why dont we go to the beach instead of staying home? Narrator : What does the woman suggest? A. Going to the beach B. Staing at home all day C. Leaving the house D. Enjoying their holidays The answer is A

2. Man : The coffee you served is awfully hot Woman : Why dont you wait for a few minutes? Narrator : What does the woman suggest? Letting the coffee cool off a bit Drinking the hot coffee immediately Having the coffee soon

3. Man

: This old car is always making som noises when I drive it Woman : Why dont you take it to a mechanic? Narrator : What does the woman suggest to the man? a. Repairing the car with a mechanic b. Calling a mechanic c. Getting the car repaired

Asking the man to make his own coffee The answer is .

d.

Taking the car out of the garage

The answer is .

5. Topic A topic is a main theme in a conversation or in 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 among several secondary themes that support the topic. Examples : 1. Man : Tell me about your trip to New York Woman : It ! We saw the statue of Liberty and Empire State building and all day of the tourist attractions the first day, then we saw the museums the second day and spent the rest of time shopping and seeing shows Narrator : What are the man and woman talking about? A. The womans trip B. The status of Liberty C. The museum D. Shopping The answer is A 2. Man : Are you going to go to the University of Texas to get your Doctorate? Woman : I dont think so. Man : Why, have you been accepted to any other schools? Woman : Yes, I have received news of acceptance from LSU, University of Tennessee, and Harvard. Narrator: What are the speakers discussing? a. The University of Texas b. Schools with Doctorate programs c. Where the woman will go to school d. Who can get accepted to the most schools? The answer is . 3. Man : Can Jack go with us this evening? Woman : He hardly ever goes every where in the evening Narrator : What does the woman say about Jack a. He usually stays home in the evening b. He likes going out in the evening c. He is busy in the evening d. She doesnt know much about Jack The answer is.

6. Assumption When you hear a conversation between two speakers, you must be able to recognize remarks that register surprise and draw conclusion about an assumption that the speakers may have made. The assumption is a statement accepted as true without proof Examples : 1. Man : Did you know that Tracey and Bob are back from their honeymoon to Las Vegas? Woman: So they did get married after all. a. Narrator: What had the woman assumed about Tracey and Bob? They were still in Las Vegas b. They would not get married c. They had a spectacular wedding d. They hate Las Vegas The answer is 2. Man : Guess what? Ill be a teaching assistant for Chemistry 1 B Woman : I though your major was computer science Narrator : What had the man assumed about the woman ? a. Her major was not chemistry b. Her major was chemistry c. She was secretary d. She was administration The answer is . 7. 3. Man : Tom wasnt in class again today Woman : I know. I wonder whether hell show up for the final exam Narrator : What can be inferred about Tom? a. b. c. final exam d. He is not very responsible The answer is He has finish the class He has been sick He doesnt have to take the

Problem A problem is a situation that requires discussion conversation, you will hear the speakers discuss a discussion between two speakers, you must be able to This may be more difficult because different aspect included in the conversation. Examples :

or solution. In some short problem. When you hear a identify what the problem is. of the problem will also be

Woman : it only takes two hours to get to New York, but youll have six hours layover between flights Man : Maybe you could try to route me through Philadelphia or Boston instead Narrator : What is the mans problem? a. His flight connection are not convenient b. His flight is canceled

c. The plane departs d. The flight ends in Boston The answer is A 2. Man : you look much slimmer now Woman : I stopped eating cheese and bread last month Narrator : What happens to the woman a. She lost weight b. She eats more cheese and bread c. She swims regularly d. Shebought some bread last month The answer is . 3.Woman : I cant find my pen. It was right here on desk yesterday and now its gone. Heave you seen it? Man : yes, I put in in the desk drawer Narrator : What is the womans problem a. The desk drawer wont open b. The pen is out of Ink c. She can not find her pen d. She is angry with the man The answer is .

Details When you hear a conversation between two speakers you must remember the details briefly stated. Really the details present just specific facts Examples: 1. Man : Would you like some hot coffee hot or tea? Woman : I do like them both. Id rather have some thing cold Narrator : What does the man want to drink? a. Something cold b. Coffee c. Tea d. Both coffee and tea The answer is A 2. Man : Im exhausted today. I cant walk any longer Woman : But we promise to visit our teacher at his house Narrator : How does the man feel Fatigued Retired Talkative Diligent The answer is . 3. Man : Why are you eating that bread Woman : Its the only food in the house Narrator : Why did the man choose the bread a. He prefers bread b. There was nothing else to eat c. He doesnt like any other food d. He likes bread very much

The answer is .

PART B LONGER CONVERSATION 1. Informal conversation In this part you will hear informal conversation between friends or with service personnel in stores or restaurant You should answer each question on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers in the conversation or talks.

Example: Narrator : Listen to the conversation between two graduate students. Woman : What did you think about the assignment we were supposed to complete for? our statistics class? Man : I havent done mine yet. Is it difficult? Woman : Kind of. It was full of problems. Man : Derivative problems? Woman : Not really, More a review of the whole semester. Man : Oh. Woman : It was time consuming. Man : Really? Woman. : Yes. I started it at about lunch time and didnt finish it until supper. Man : Im surprised at that. Woman : I was too; I did not expect our professor would give us so much. Man : He usually doesnt. Woman : I know. That is why I was surprised. Man : Well, I do have some free time this afternoon. Do you know when it is due? Woman : Tomorrow. Man : Well, I better get moving. 1. What was on the assignment? a. Derivative problems b. A review of the whole semester c. What was for lunch d. A surprise 2. What did the students find surprising? a. The length of the assignment b. The problems c. Lunch d. The professor 3. What did the woman start at lunchtime? a. The assignment b. Derivative problems c. Eating d. A surprise 4. What will the man probably do next? a. Eat supper b. Move out c. Complete the assignment d. Ask the woman to supper

2. Academic Conversation
Academic conversations are conversations between students and professors or other ac ademic pers onnel on a c olle ge o r u nive rsit y cam pu s. W hen y o u hea r an aca demi c conversation, you must be able to summarise the main ideas. You may also be asked to recall the important details. Example:

Man
Woman

: Professor day, may I see you for a minute

: Sure, Come on in, Mike. What's the matter

Man Woman Man went

: I've got a problem : Okay. : I need your technical writing class. And. I knew I had to have it so I
early to registration, but by the time I go to front of the line, it was closed. See my advisor signed my course request and everything. I was just too far back in the line. : That's a big class already. Mike. If it's closed. that means I have fifty students in it.

Woman

Man Woman
Man

: I'm not surprised. It's supposed to be a really good class. : Can't you take it next year ? we offer it every fall.
: Well that's the problem. I'm supposed to be graduating this spring.

Woman be

But, of course, I can't graduate without your class. : I see. In that case, I'll sign an override for you. It looks like there will fifty one. Take this form back to the registration area and they'll get you in.

1.

What is Mike's problem ? (A) He was late arriving at registration. (B) He needs an advisor's signature on a course request form. (C) He is not doing well in the class because it is so large. (D) He must have the permission of the instructor to enrol in a class. What does Mike want Professor day to do? (A) Help him with the class. (B) Explain some technical vocabulary. (C) Give him special permission to take the class. (D) Take a form to the registration areas.

2.

3.

What does Mike say about graduation? (A) He has planned to graduate in the fall. (B) He has to take Professor Day's class in order to graduate. (C) He needs the professor to sign his application for graduation. (D) He does not have enough credits for graduation.

4. What does Professor Day decide to do? (A) Enroll Mike in the class next year. (B) Allow Mike to take the class this term. (C) Give Mike permission to graduate without the class. (D) Register Mike for another class.

PART C DISCUSSION AND TALK 1. LECTURE

Lectures are short talks that provide information about academic subjects. They are like short lectures that might be heard in a college classroom. When you hear a lecture, you must be able to summarise the important ideas. You must be able to answer questions that begin with the following words : who, what, xhen. where, and why. It will help you to listen to documentary programs on radio and television. Programs on educational broadcasting networks are especially helpful.

Example: I want to begin this class on the history of filmmakin g with a discussion of a filmmaker who is known to people throughout the world. You've all heard of Walt Disney. No one has ever delighted more children or adults than Walt Disney, the winner of 31 Academy Awards. Almost everyone has heard of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck., and his other popular characters like Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Goofy. Walt Disney started creating cartoon animation in 1920, but it was in 1928 when his best known character, Mickey Mouse, came to life. Disney also created the first sound cartoon, which he called Steamboat Willie. It was in this cartoon that he introduced Mickey to the public. In 1937 Walt Disney made movie history again with the first full length cartoon film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In the 1950s, Walt Disney created a series of nature films. He was always planning something new. In 1955, he opened Disneyland, the "magic kingdom," in Anaheim California. Even at his death in 1966, he was planning another massive project: Florida's Walt Disney World. Since Walt Disney's death, his film company has continued to grow and attract the public, even producing new cartoons by computer animation. 1. What is the speaker mainly discussing ? (A) The life and times of Walt Disney (B) Famous Disney characters (C) Walt Disney's work (D) The importance of Disney's industry 2. In which year did Walt Disney first begin creating cartoon animation ? (A) 1920 (B) 1928 (C) 1950 (D) 1955 3. What was the name of Disney's first full-length cartoon film ? (A) Steamboat Willie (B) Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (C) Disney World (D) Mickey Mouse 4. Which of the following was NOT planned by Walt Disney himself ? (A) Mickey Mouse (B) Nature films (C) Disneyland (D)Computerised cartoons

2. ACADEMIC TALK
Academic talks are short talks that provide orientation to academic courses and procedures. In some talks, you will hear academic talks on a variet y of college and university topics. When you hear a talk, you must be able to summarise 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: Today lecture is about the effect of back-around music on employee performance and retail sales. As you know, every day millions people in offices and factories around the world do their work to the accompaniment of background music. more commonly known as MUZAK. But did you know that MUZAK is more than a pleasant addition to the environment? Studies show that this seemingly innocent background music can be engineered to control behaviour. In fact, MUZAK can improve employee performance by reducing stress, boredom, and fatigue. In one survey. overall productivity increased by thirty percent, although five to ten percent is the average. The key to MUZAK's success is something called stimulus progression, which means quite simply that the background music starts with a slow, soft song that is low in stimulus value and builds up gradually to an upbeat song that is high in stimulus value. The fastest, loudest sounds are programmed for about ten thirty in the morning, and twothirty in the afternoon when people are generally starting to tire. Besides employee performance, MUZAK can increase sales. In supermarkets, slow music can influence shoppers to walk slower and buy more. In restaurants, fast music can cause customers to eat quickly so that the same number of tables may be used to serve more people during peak times such as the lunch hour. 1. What is MUZAK ? (A) A slow, soft song. (B) Music in restaurant. (C) Background music. (C) A pleasant addition to the environment. 2. What is the average increase in productivity when MUZAK is introduced ? (A) Thirteen percent. (B) Five to ten percent. (B) One hundred percent. (C) Thirty percent. 3. What is stimulus progression ? (A) Background music that is low in stimulus value. (B) Upbeat music that stimulates sales. (C) Music engineered to reduce stress. (D) Music that starts slow and gets faster at times of the day when they get

4.

tired. How does MUZAK influence sales in supermarkets ? (A) It can cause shoppers to go through the line faster. (B) It can cause shoppers to buy thirty percent more or less. (C) It can cause shoppers to walk slower and buy more. (D) It does not influence sales.

3. CLASS DISCUSSION 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 class discussion, you must be able to summarise 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 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 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 graduation Miss Richards : Are you sophomore, too, Patty? Patty : No, I'm senior. I wish I'd taken this class sooner, but I didn't know about until this teen. 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. Question Answer In what class does this discussion take place ? (A) Sophomore (B) Instructor (C) Bill Jensen (D) Career education Question What are the two students talking about ? Answer (A) this term (B) They are introducing themselves (C) foreign language (D) graduation Questions Why is the woman taking the course ? Answer (A) To help her find a job after graduation (B) to find the course (C) to take to class (D) to tell the advisor Question How did the students find out about the course ? Answer (A) From friends who had taken it. (B) from patty (C) from Miss Richards (D) from their instructors

4. TOUR
Tours are short talks that provide factual information about a tourist attraction. In some talks, you will hear a talk by a tour guide. When you hear a talk, you must be able to summarise the important ideas. You must also be able to answer questions that begin with the following words: who, what, when, where. and why. It will help you to listen to travel programs on radio and television. Example: Ladies and gentlemen welcome. The first permanent settlement was made at this site in 1776, when a Spanish military post was established on the end of that peninsula. During the same year, some Franciscan Fathers founded the Mission San Francisco de Asis on a hill above the post. A trail was cleared from the military post to the mission, and about halfway between the two, a station was established for travelers called lerba Buena, which means "good herbs." For thirteen years the village had fewer than one hundred inhabitants. But in 1848, with the discovery of gold, the population grew to ten thousand. That same year, the name was changed from Yerba Buena to San Francisco. By 1862 telegraph communications linked San Francisco with eastern cities, and by 1869, the first transcontinental railroad linked to Pacific coach. Today San Francisco has a population of almost three million. It is the financial centre of the West, and sereves as the terminus for transPasific steamship lines and air traffic. The port of San Francisco which is almost eighteen miles long, handless between five and six million tons of cargo annually. And now, if you lool to your right, you should just be able to see Golden Gate Bridge. The Bridge, Which is more than one million long, spans the harbor from San Farnsisco to Marin County and the Redwood Highway. It was completed in 1973 at a cost of thirty-two million dollar and still one of the largest suspensions bridge in the world.
1.

What the main purpose of this talk? (A) Transportation on the Pacific Coast (B) History of California (C) Orientation to Francisco (D) Specification of the Golden Gate Bridge

2. According to tour guide, what was the settlement called before it was renamed San Francisco? (A) Golden gate (B) San Francisco de Asis Mission (C) Military Post Seventy six (D) Yerba Buena 3. According to the tour guide, what happened in 1848 (A)Gold was discovered (B) The transcontinental Railroad was completed (C) The Golden Gate Bridge was constructed (D)Telegraph communications were established with the east 4. How long is the Golden Gate Bridge

(A) Eighteen miles (B) 983 feet (C) One mile

(D) Between five and six miles

5. RADIO PROGRAM
Radio Programs are short talks that provide information about the news. When you hear a talk on radio program, you must be able to summarise the main information. You will usually NOT be required to remember small details. It will help you to listen to feature news programs on radio and television. Example: Since the national Aeronautical and space Administration was established in 1961, NASA has been engaged in an extensive research effort. which, in cooperation with private industry, has transferred technology to the international marketplace. Hundreds of everyday products can be traced back to the space missions. including cordless electrical tools, airtight food packaging, water purification systems, and even scratch coating for eye glasses. In addition, many advances in medical technology can be traced back to NASA laboratories. First used to detect flaws in spacecraft, ultrasound is now standard equipment in almost every hospital for dia g nosis and assessment of injuries and disease; equipment first used by NASA to transmit images from space to earth is used to assist in cardiac imaging, and lasers first used to test satellites are now used in surgical procedures. Under the skin implants for the continuous infusion of drugs, and small pacemakers to regulate the heart were originally designed to monitor the physical condition of astronauts in space. Finally, with the help of images that were obtained during space missions, and NASA technology, archaeologists have been able to explore the earth. Cities lost under desert sands have been located and rediscovered. 1. What is the talk mainly about ? (A) Private industry. (B) Advances in medicine. (C) Space missions. (D) Technological developments. 2. Which of the products listed are NOT mentioned as part of the technology developed for space missions ? (A) Contact lenses. (B) Cordless tools. (C) Food packaging. (D) Ultrasound.

3. According to the speaker, why did NASA develop medical equipment ? (A) To monitor the condition of astronauts in spacecraft. (B) To evaluate candidates who wanted to join the space program. (C) To check the health of astronauts when they turned from space. (D) To test spacecraft and equipment for imperfections. 4. Why does the speaker mention archaeology ? (A) Archaeologists and astronauts were compared.

(B) Astronauts made photographs of the earth later used by archaeologists. (C) Archaeologists have used advances in medical technology develop for

astronauts
(D) Space missions and underwater missions are very similar.