PROBLEMS IN TOEFL :

LISTENING SECTION

Jasmine Al-Kadrie
 TYPES OF PROBLEM:
• Part A : Short Conversations • Part B : Longer Conversations
1. Details 9. Academic Conversations
2. Idiomatic Expressions
3. Suggestions
4. Assumptions • Part C : Talks and Lecturers
5. Predictions 10. Class Discussions
6. Implications 11. Academic Talks
7. Problems 12. Lectures
8. Topics

jasminealkad
 Details

Details are specific facts stated in a conversation. In some short

conversation, you will hear all of the information that you need to
answer the problem Correctly. You will NOT need to draw
conclusion.

Tips :
You must remember the details
that were stated

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are words and phrases that are

characteristic of a particular language with meanings
that are usually different from the meanings of each
of the words used alone.

Example :
To kill time = To wait
No kidding = Serious

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Suggestions
A suggestions is a recommendation.
In some short conversations, you will hear words
and phrases that make a suggestion, such as
“you should,” ”why don’t you,” or “why not”.

Tips :
You must be able to recognize and
remember what the speaker suggested,
and who made the suggestion.

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Assumptions

An assumption is a statement accepted as true

without proof or demonstration.

In some short conversations, an assumption is

proven false, and the speaker or speakers who
had made the assumption express surprise.

Tips :
You must be able to recognize remarks that
register surprise, and draw conclusion about the
assumption that the speaker may have made

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Predictions
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.

Tips :
Listen for evidence from which you may
draw a logical conclusion about their future
activities

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Implications
Implied means suggested, but not stated. In many ways implied
conversations are like prediction conversations.

In some short conversations you will hear words and phrases or

intonations that will suggest how the speakers felt, what kind or
work or activity they were involved in, or where the conversation
may have taken place.

Tips :
Listen for information that will help
you draw a conclusion about the
situation.

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Problems
A problem is a situation that requires discussion or
solution.

In some short conversations, you will hear the speakers

discuss a problem.

Tips :
You must be able to identify what the problem is.
This may be more difficult because different aspects
of the problem will also be included in the
conversation.

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Topics
A topic is a main theme in a conversation or
In a piece of writing.

In some short conversations, the speakers

Will discuss a particular topic.

Tips :
You must be able to identify the main
topic from among several secondary
themes that support the topic.

ypes of Problems in Short Conversations jasminealkad

 Academic Conversation
Academic conversations are conversation between students and
professors or other academic personnel on a college or
university campus

Tips :
You must be able to summarize
the main ideas. You may also be
asked to recall important ideas

ypes of Problems in Longer Conversations jasminealkad

 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.

Tips :
You must be able to summarize the
important ideas. You will usually
NOT be required to remember small
details

ypes of Problems in Talks and Lecturers jasminealkad

 Academic Talks
Academic talks are short talks that provide orientation to
academic courses and procedures. In some talks, you will hear
academic talks on a variety of college and university topics.

Tips :
You must be able to
summarize the main ideas.
You must also be able to
answer questions about
important details, not the
minor one.

ypes of Problems in Talks and Lecturers jasminealkad

 Lectures
Lectures are short talks that provide information about
academic subjects. They are like short lectures that
might be heard in a college classroom.

Tips :
Listen to the important ideas and also
be able to answer the question that
begin with : who, what, when, where,
why?

ypes of Problems in Talks and Lecturers jasminealkad

 Personal Tips :
1. Always listen to the second
speaker (for short conversation)
2. Scanning while listening (For
longer conversation and
academic talks)
3. Stay focus
4. If you missed an information,
don’t stuck on the same question
Tell me and I forget, teach me and
I remember, Involve me and I
learn.

- Benjamin Franklin