25 FUuncrion ’ 2.5 Understanding Function Why does the professor say this: () © Toimvite the student to a meeting © To suggest where the student can find more information © Totell the student that his research is incomplete © Tosignal an end to the conversation The student is asking the professor for advice about a project. The professor makes some suggestions, but then she says: Is that all? Ihave a faculty meeting in five minutes. The professor does not directly state her true meaning. She says that she has a faculty meeting in five minutes, but her full meaning is that she must end the conversation in order to attend the meeting. Therefore, the correct answer is To signal an end to the conversation, You must use your understanding of the context to infer the function of her statement. W STUDY 1. Language Function Language has a function, a communication purpose in a particular setting. Words, phases, and sentences convey meaning by serving a specific function in a social context. Speakers use language for various functions. They use language to express feelings such as likes, dislikes, agreement, disagreement, interest, surprise, disbelief, confusion, and anxiety. They also use language to manage conversations, for example, to indicate a change of topic or to end a conversation. 266 Dewta’s Key 10 tHe TOEFL iBT®25 Function ‘TOEFL questions about function sound like this Why does the speaker say this: (7) What can be inferred about the professor? ‘What can be inferred about the student when he says this: () ‘What does the professor imply when she says this: () ‘What does the man mean when he says this: (9 How does the woman feel about__? Select the sentence that best expresses how the man probably feels. Speakers may use language to perform the following functions in conversations and lectures 5 Signal a change of topic Introduce a new concept ci Point outa mistake Give an example a Express surprise or disbelief Emphasize importance 9 Express disagreement Start a digression ‘Ask for clarification Tella personal story Signal the end of a conversation Draw a conclusion 2. Indirect Meaning and Purpose A speaker's true meaning and purpose may be different from what the actual words denote. A speaker may convey meaning indirectly, for example, by emphasizing key words. A speaker may use pauses and intonation to communicate his or her level of certainty. Listening carefully to a speaker's voice can help you understand the true meaning behind the words. Understanding function sometimes requires you to make an inference, a conclusion based on what a speaker implies. For example, when one student says to another student: “What? I don’t know...are you sure that's right? I thought the TA said first we need to calculate the present value of an asset.” ‘You can infer that the student probably means: “T disagree with your solution to the problem.” When a professor tells a personal story or digresses from the main topic, he or she will sometimes indicate this. For example, the professor may say: “Speaking of strange occurrences, that reminds me of something that happened when I was in college.” or “In the news today—you don’t have to take notes about this—but did anyone notice the story about squirrels?” You can infer that what the professor says after that will be a personal story or a digression from the ‘main idea or purpose. Comp.ere Sxitt Pracnice 26725 FUNCTION , 3. Context Clues ‘When a speaker's meaning is not directly stated, you must infer the true meaning by considering the context in which the statement is made. Listen again to the recording for the Focus exercise. Listen for clues to the context and for key sentences that express function. Cp Moun 5, Track 1 M Professor Engel, Laced to ask you something about my project. W: Allright Could... uh... I'm havin mation to support my thesis. I mean, I found a couple of articles, but they're kind of old. There don’t seem to be any studies more recent than five years ago. Did you check the list of abstracts in the database I talked about in class? Yes, but I still couldn’t find much, Maybe you need to refine your search, Maybe ... uh .. all right. Lguess [can keep trying. I'l also go through the articles I found more carefully, There's probably something in there Tean use. Is that all? Thave a faculty meeting in five minutes. Uh... There is something else | wanted to talk about, another idea I have. Ll come back tomorrow during your office hours. All right, Dylan. See you then. Qs The context of the conversation is an encounter between a student and a professor in which the student asks for advice about his project. After making a few suggestions, the professor signals that she does not have time to continue the conversation now. She says Js that all? I have a faculty meeting in five minutes. The student signals that he understands when he says /'l come back tomorrow during your office hours. gene ze 4, Answer Choices In questions about function, an answer choice may be incorrect because it: = is not supported by what the speakers state or imply; or = cannot reasonably be concluded from the context. 268 Dewra’s Key 10 THe TOEFL iBT®2.5 FUNCTION 2 PRACTICE a Exercise 2.5.A Listen to the recording and choose the best answer to each question, To make this practice more like the real test, cover the questions and answers during each conversation «> Album 5, Track 2 1, Listen again to part of the conversation. Then 4. Why does the student speak to his professor? answer the question. = @® He needs clarification about an What can be inferred about the woman? assignment. in| @ He wants advice about organizing his ra @ She thinks the requirements are unfair. paper. Pa CB) She does not mind filling out forms. © He is concerned about his grade for the ic) CE) She is confused by what the man said. course. CS She does not enjoy writing essays, @ He wants permission for his brother to visit class 2. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question. ( 5. Listen again to part of the conversation. Then answer the question, ‘What does the woman mean? What does the professor imply when she says ®) She is asking for clarification, this: GB) She is suggesting that he made a mistake. © She is expressing doubt in her writing @® He does not have to drive his brother all ability. the time. @® She is protesting the requirements, ® Riding the bus is less expensive than driving a car. 3. Listen again to part of the conversation, Then ‘© The bus system is confusing to some answer the question. ( ) people. ® She looks forward to meeting his brother. What does the man imply? 6. Why does the student say this: © @® She has little chance of winning a scholarship, ® Tr help the professor better understand his @ An essay will strengthen her application. problem Cy) It will not matter if her application is late. ©® To convince the professor that he will CB) The requirements are unnecessarily complete the work complex. © To show the professor that he is not worried about his grade ©® To state that he will turn in his assignments the next day ou Cowpuere Skit Practice 26925 FUuncrion ’ Exercise 2.5.B Listen to the recording and choose the best answer to each question. To make this practice more like the real test, cover the questions and answers during each discussion, O Album 5, Track 3 1. Listen again to part of the discussion, Then answer the question, ‘Why does the student say this: () @® To find out if what the professor said will be ‘on the test ® To suggest that the professor said something incorrect @® To ask the professor to give another example @) To express amazement at the structure of flowers 2. Why does the professor say this: () @® To ask if the students have questions CB) To tell a personal story CE) To review material for a test ©) To shift attention to her next point 3. Listen again to part of the discussion. Then answer the question ‘What does the professor imply when she says this ® The students’ lab reports are due today. CBS The time of the lab session has been dclayed. © The information she gave was incorrect. @ The students will learn more in the lab. 4, Why does the professor say this: () @® To illustrate a point with a personal story CB) To tell students about a good place to work CE) To give advice for a successfl job interview ©) To contrast different styles of clothing, 5, Listen again to part of the discussion. Then answer the question. Why does the woman say this: () @) She does not like the colors blue and gold. @) She does not understand the man’s point, C6) She finds the man’s example amusing. CB) She knows someone else who works there. 6, Listen again to part of the discussion, Then answer the question. Why does the professor say this: (7) ® To show his preference for a traditional workplace ® 1h draw a conclusion about what the student said @® To challenge a point made by the student (©) To encourage the student to clarify her point ou Answers to Exervises 2.5.A through 2.5.B are on pages 657-658. 270 DeLTA's Key 10 THE TOEFL iBT®