TOEFL Listening Review
When going back over the listening section, there are 3 key points to keep in mind.
· Focus on the Main Idea
Concentrate on the Main Idea and Tone, or feelings, of the speakers.
If you take notes while listening, do not try to write down all the details.
· Cross Off Incorrect Answer Choices Using Process of Elimination
Use the same strategies for Process of Elimination from the Reading Section. Increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
· Be Confident
Show the TOEFL you are prepared to conquer it. Even if you do not understand every detail, try to find the best answer using your understanding of the main idea and the tone.
Each listening passage has 5 or 6 questions. Most questions do not require that you know all the words, phrases or details of the passage. Focus on the main idea. Many passages on the TOEFL introduce unfamiliar vocabulary. It is possible to answer the questions correctly even if you do not know the meaning of every word.
· Note the Main Idea.
What is the purpose of the conversation or lecture?
· Note the Structure.
Here are some typical structures of the passages your will hear:
Lectures: Compare/Contrast; Cause/Effect; Broad Concept/Specific Example; Series/Process
Conversations: Dilemma/Solution; Professional Encounter; Important Event
· Pay attention to Tone.
How do the speakers feel about the subject matter?
· Note Shifts.
Know and pay attention to transitional words in the conversation or lecture.
· Don't worry about the details.
Taking notes on every detail in the listening is not necessary to answer 5 or 6 questions. Focus on the main ideas.
· Inference or Suggestion Questions
Inference or suggestion question ask the listener to move slightly beyond the conversation. Questions ask you to infer what the speaker intends to say or really means but does not state explicitly.
How about having a drink?
Why don't you have a drink?
If I were you, I'd have a drink.
You should have a drink.
Why not have a drink?
You could always have a drink.
You might consider having a drink.
It might be a good idea to have a drink.
It may not be a bad idea to have a drink.
What about having a drink?
Let's have a drink.
From the statements above we can infer that it is possible that someone had a drink. We can not infer that someone definitely had a drink, but it is possible.
Too Detailed | · Eliminate answers that are too specific. · Eliminate answers that are mentioned at the end of the listening or only one time. |
Too General | · Eliminate answers that are too broad or general. |
Not Mentioned | · Eliminate answers that include new information. |
Opposite Meaning | · Eliminate answers that are opposite from the main idea of the passage. |
Tricks | · Eliminate answers that repeat words directly from the passage but add new ideas or ideas opposite in meaning. |
FOR A DETAIL QUESTION:
· Eliminate answer choices that use extreme language.
· Eliminate answer choices that are opposite from the main idea.
· Eliminate "trick" answers.
FOR A PURPOSE QUESTION:
· Eliminate answer choices which contain new information.
· Eliminate answer choices which are opposite from the main idea.
FOR A DEFINITION QUESTION:
· Eliminate choices that do not match the statement. Use your vocabulary knowledge to help you.
FOR A SUGGESTION/INFERENCE QUESTION:
· Eliminate choices which relate to a new topic or a different one from the question.
· Eliminate choices with an inappropriate tone.
· Eliminate choices with extreme language.