10 LISTENING COMPREHENSION

THE LISTENING PART A QUESTIONS

For cach of the thirtl,-questions in Parrt A of the Listening Comprehension section
of the TOEFI- test, vou will hear a short conversation betr,rreen trvo speakers fol-
lou,ed bv a question. f'he conversations and questions are not written in vour test
book. After r.'otr listen to the conr,c-rsation and question, vou must choose the best
ans\\/cr to the qucstion f'rom vottr test book.

Example
On the lecording, vou hear:
(man) I neecl a car to drive to Arizortn, and I don't have one.
(rrrrmirrr ) U\yot t;r;yl oye?
(nzrrrartor) What cloes tJte v,ontan suggest?
hr vour test bclok, votr read:
(A) Getting a red car.
(B) Renting an apartment in Arizona.
(C) Not driving to Arizona.
(D) Renting a car tor the trip.

Ansu,er (D) is the best ansrver to the question. Wlu not rent one? is a suggestion
thal he rent z.r car lor his trip to Arizona.

STRATEGIES FOR THE LISTENING PART A QUESTIONS

As you listen to each short conversation, focus on the second line of the
conversation. The answer to the question is generally found in the second line of
the conversation.
2. Keep in mind that the correct answer is probably a restatement of a key word or
idea in the second line of the conversation. Think of possible restatements of the
second line of the conversation.
3. Keep in mind that certain structures and expressions are tested regularly in
Listening Part A. Listen for these structures and expressions:
. restatements
. negatives
' suggestions
. oassives
conclusions about who and where
expressions of agreement
4. Keep in mind that these questions generally progress from easy to difficult. This
means that questions 1 through 5 will be the easiest questions and questions 26
throuqh 30 will be the hardest questions.
 LISTENING PART A 11

5. Read the answers and choose the best answer to each question. 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 not understand the complete conversation, you can find the
correct answer.
' lf you only understood a few words or ideas in the seconcl line,choose the
answer that contains a restatement of those words or ideas.
' if you did not understand anything at all in the second line of the conversation,
choose the answer that sounds the most different from what you heard.
. Never choose an answer because it sounds /lke what vou heard in the
conversation.

The following skills r"vill help vou to implement these strategies in Palt A of the
Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test.

Sxrl 1: RESTATEMENTS
Often the correct answer in Listening Part A is an answer that contains a restate-
ment of the ideas in the second line of the conversation.

Example
On the recording, vou hear:
(v,'oman) Steve, is sorrtetling t/te rnatter? You don't look ven,
good.
(man) Oh, I'ttt t'beling q!!lk_@toclat.
(narrator) Wlnt does tlte nmn nrcan?
In vour test book, vou read:
(A) Hes not very good-looking.
(B) He'.s 411lll
(C) He looks u,orse than he feels.
(D) His feet are a little thick.

In this conversation, sick means ill, and a little means a bit. The best answer ro
this question is therefore ans\ver (B) because answer (B) restates the idea in the
second line of the dialogue. Please note that answer (D) is definitelv rtot a correct
answer because it contains feet instead of lbel and thick instead of sick. These
rvords are similar in sound btrt not in meaning to the rvords that vou hear on the
recording.
12 LISTENING COMPREHENSION

The follou,ing chat't oullines the nyrst inrportant strategv in Listening Part A.

THE BEST STRATEGY: CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH RESTAIEMENTS

1. As you listen to the second line of the conversation, you should focus on the key
idea(s) in that line.

2. lf you see a restatement of the key idea(s) in a particular answer, then you have
probably found the correct answer.
3. Do not choose answers with words that sound similar to the words on the recordinq.

;' Gr, r.' o*".0,*,n"* .* *i;;;..'.*o.|,,il-l

j sirnilar sounds. You rnay want to complete these practice drills
I

before trying the following exercises.

EXERCISE l: h-r this erercisc, underline the kev idea(s) in the second line of eacl'r
short conversation.'fhen unclerline restatements of these key r.r'ords in the
Ar-ls\,vers, ancl cht-,r,sc thc best zrnsu,er to each question. Rernember that the best
ans\\'el'is prol-rablv lhc'ans\vel'th:.r1 contains a restatement of the kev idea(s) in
the second linc o{'l}tc' conrret'sation.

L (u'ciman) I,ltlutt dc-, trttr likt qbott/ yottr (A) The house is closed Llp no\\r.
ttev' ltottst, / (B) He parks l'ris car close to his housc..
(rnan) /1 ls lcrl t'lct.se to u 1tatk. (C) His hon-re is near a park.
(nan'ator') II/luit tl,x's tlrt' nttLtt tttt:urt? (D) I{e doesn't reallv like his neu,house.

2. (man) Marl; sairl sonte reullv rri<:e (A) He dicl a great job.
tltitt,q: l() tttc. (R) t{e bought a crate full of fruit.
(rvonran) He-s trrl grctlelul l<;t wlrcLt (C) He made a gfeat fbol of himself.
^,'oLt tlil. (D) He's thankful.
(narlatol') l,I'ltul tloe.s tlre u'ttrrtrLtr sar'
abotrl \lurk?

3. (rvcrnran) Srttit, t'rrti'r',: bt'cn n'rttkirtg rtl (A) The computer's brokc'n.
t/tt' t:ctrrt 1tt t ter I or I to t t rs. (B) FIe necds to relar for a u,hile.
(nran) Ye.s, rtrttl I neecl to talct' n (C) He shoulcl keep u'orking.
break. (D) He's broke.
(nerrratrrr') l,liltut rlc,t's tlte rttrLtt tttttLtt?

TOEFL EXERCISE 1: In this exercise, listen carefully'to the short conversatiorr
and question on the recording, and then choose the best ansrver to the question.
You should look for restatements of kev ideas in the second line.
I J Now BEGIN rHE RECoRDTNG nr TOEFL Exrncrsr 1.
l. (A) The dancc-'u'as fun.
(B) It \vas a good time to dance.
(C) She thinks the man is such a
good dancer.
(D) Tonight is the lzrst time to dance.
(A) She's quite thir-st1,.
(B) She'll be readv in a half hour.
(C) She needs to leave norv.
(D) She rvas ready thirtv minutes
ago.
-). (A) The \voman shouid teach the
class herself.
(B) The \voman should sce a
psvchiatrist.
(C) It's a good idea to speak u,ith the
instruclor.
(D) He rvould like to discuss
psvchologv rvith the woman.
4. (A) She has a starring role.
(B) She has not found a job vet.
(C) She found the lost dog.
(D) Sire just began u,orking.
5. (A) He shares everl'thing he has.
(B) Hc' has to find his lost shirt.
(C) He is clin-rbing the stairs to the
apartment.
(D) He has to get a roommate.
LISTENING PART A t5
6. (A) His r,acation is ftrll of activities.
(B) In autumn he'll have a rracation.
(C) He can't har,'e a vacation because
he suff'ered a fall.
(D) He's foolish to take a vacation
now.
7. (A) The book was ver-v enjovable.
(B) It was unpleasant to get rid of the
bugs.
(C) She only reads u'hen it is quiet.
(D) It is pleasant to ride a bike.
B. (A) He hasnt traveled much latelv.
(B) There were a lot of car-s on the
road.
(C) He needs to lose rveight.
(D) The trav was thick zrnd hear,r.
9. (A) He doesn't knor,r,horv to pla_v the
game.
(B) He has to u,rite a story for class.
(C) He needs to complete an
assignment.
(D) He has zrlready finished the
report.
10. (A) He always minds his ou'n
business.
(B) He manages to avoid working.
(C) He is the manager of the
deparlment.
(D) He is tbe boss of his ou'n
companv.
14 LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Srcu 2: NEGATIVES
Negative erpressions are verv common in Listening Part A. The most common
kind of correct response to a negative statement is a positive statement containing
a r.r,ord with an opposite meaning.

Example
On the recording, vou hear:
(rvoman) Did you get a lot of-w,or* done at the libram todav?
(man) I couldtt't. lt r.vasn't ven'quiet there.
(narrator) IMhat doe-s the ntan utean?
In vour test book-, vou re-ad:
(A) The liblar-r'rvas noisv.
(B) He got a lot donc'.
(C) He couldn't quite get to the library todav.
(D) The librarv's a good place to rl,,ork because it's quiet.

The correct answer is answer (A). If it rvas not quiet in the library this means that
it rvas nois1,. Notice that the correct answel'uses rzoi.s"rr, the opposite of qtdet.
The fbllorving chart shows horv negatives can be tested on the TOEFL test.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES
EXAMPLE CORRECT ANSWER NEGATIVE EXPRESSION

Tom is not sad about the Tom is happy about the results. not sad = hoppy
results.

The door isn't open. The door is closed. not open = closed

Steve drd not pass the class. Steve failed the class. did not pass = failed

EXERCISE 2: In this exercise, underline the negative expression in the second

line of each short conversation. Then read the question, and choose the best
ans\\,er to that question. Remember that the best answer is one that uses an oppo-
site meaning.

l. (rvoman) \bu nnde so ntanv tttistakes (A) He was rather careless.

in t/is ltorrrcttorlc. (B) He cloes not care about mistakes.
(man) [ tvasn't ven' careful. (C) He took care of the work at home.
(narrator) What does the nnn ttean? (D) He did not can-v the u'ork home.
 LISTENING PART A 15

) (man) Is there a ktt of- sottp? I'rn
kirtd of'lttmgrr.
(.\vontan) Sor-rr.; there's not o lot.
(narrator) I'l'ltat does the w,ottturt
ItIean?
(A) Theres not verl much soap.
(B) She doesn't like soup.
(C) Therc's onlv a little soup.
(D) The man should not be hungn.

Hoty w'as the u,eather nrt

(r,rrclman) (A) It rvas cloud-v.
tottr trip? (B) He couldn't see the skv.
(man) Tlrcre wasrt't a cloud in tlrc (C) It ll,asn't vern'crou'ded.
skr'. (D) There was Lr lot of sunshine.
( nalrator ) I4/Jmt cloes the rnatt nleltt?

TOEFL EXERCISE 2: In this exercise, listen carefullv to the shoft conversation

and question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the question.
You shor,rld pay particular attention to negative expressions.

I J Now BEGIN rHE RECoRDTNG Ar TOEFL Exrncrse 2.

(A) He rvas on time. 6. (A) He closed the rvindou,s.

(B) Hes sonr, he was late. (B) It didn't rain.
(C) He doesn't knor,r, rvhv he rvas late. (C) The r,vindows were open during
(D) He hasn't come there latelv. the storm.
(D) He sau,the rain through the
L. (A) She's sorn she brought the book. rvindou,s.
(B) She remembered to say she rvas
sorl-\, 7. (A) Shc.is certain the plantis alive.
(C) She fbt'got the book. (B) Sheis not snre n'hat happe.ned to
(D) She didn't remember the ring. the plant.
(C) She planned to throw it out.
.r. (A) The babvs nodding off. (D) Shes sure the plant should be
(B) The babvs asleep. throu,n out.
(C) The babv'.s on the wav home.
(D) The babv's just t'aiking up. (A) The apple is good because it'.s
su'eet.
,1
T. (A) He u,ants to -eo by himself. (B) Thele is an apple in each suite.
(B) Hc' isn't going on the trip. (C) The apple doesn't look good.
(C) He has a large number of friends. (D) The apple is sour.
(D) He isn't traveling alone.
9. (A) Its cheap.
). (A) She does not have time to park (B) It costs a Iot.
the car. (C) It has a Ien,problems.
(B) She hlrs some {l'ec'tirne. (D) I1's hard to finil.
(C) She has not been to the par-k in a
rvhile. 10. (A) She must leave the rock there.
(D) The park is too rvild. (B) She needs a big rock.
(C) She should take the rock u'ith her.
(D) She should take a bigger rock.
16 LISTENING COMPREHENSION

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skilts l-2): In this erercise, listen carefullv to the
short coltvet'sation and qnestion on the r-ecording, and then choose the best
ans\\'er to the question.

I J Now BEG'N rHE REcoRDrNc nr ToEFL Revrrw Exe ncrse (s.LLs 1-2).

1. (A) She coulcln't think of :r single 6. (A) It u'as diffictrlt to plar-r,,Lrecause of

ans\\1L.t: the u'ind.
(B) Thc test u,as eas-r. (B) Hes unhappv because thev lost.
(C) It u,ars impossible to think clur.ing (C) He doesn't like plaving football in
the- erarrr. tlre u,inter.
(D) tt \\'as [o() qr-rie t. (D) He's not ven'happl about the
u'av thev tvon.
2. (A) He rvill finish qr-ricklv.
(B) He r,r'orks slou,lv. 7. (A) He paid the r-cnt tr,r,,o davs ago.
(C) He isn't uon'ied. (B) The rent \\,asn't due the dav
(D) FIc doesn't likc to u,ork. bclore r esterclar.
(C) One dav earlier he'd rented an
3. (A) Her nrr-itlrer ancl father \\,er-c lll)i.t |l r))cll l.
hungrr,. (D) Yesterdav he spent the lr,hole day
(B) She \vas angl-v at her parents. ranting.
(C) Her nrother arrd lirther got home
too late. B. (A) Barrv's too old to er-rjov camping.
(D) Fier parents rvere mad. (B) Not enough people are going
camping.
4. (A) He didn't get a car'. (C) This u,eekend is not a
(B) The czrr he got \\'irsn't -eood time
reerl; it u,as tor camping.
a to.\i (D) Barry's too -voung to go camping.
(C) He reallv u,anted a car but
cor,rldn't get one. 9. (A) He has to \\'ater the lau,n.
(D) The car thar he jr-rsr bought is old. (B) I{es sorrv about havir-r_s to mo\,e.
(C) Hes r,r'ashing his clothes.
5. (A) Thke some seeds. (D) He can't move right nou,.
(B) Sit dorvn.
(C) Makr' urr appoinrrrrent. 10. (A) He thinks the u,eather there is
(D) Take sorne tirrre. gl-eat.
(B) He' prefers dn' weather.
(C) The n'eather there is good fbr
humans.
(D) He'likes rt,et rveather.

Sxnl 3: SUGGESTIONS
Suggestions al'e commr)n in Listening Part A, so you should bccome familiar
with
them. The follorr,'ing example shorvs an expression of a snggestion.