SECTION ONE

LISTENING
COMPREHENSION

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 Listening
Comprehension
In this unit students will learn about the skills and strategies of
Listening Comprehension in the TOEFL test
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GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING COMPREHENSION: PART A

1. As you Jisten to each short dialogue, focus on the second line of the
conversation. The answer to the question is generally found in the second
line.
2. Keep in mind that the correct answer is probably a restatement of a key
word or idea in the second line of the dialogue. Think of possible
restatements. Keep in mind that certain structures and expressions are tested
regularly in the short dialogues. Listen for these structures and expressions:
• structures (passives, negatives, wishes, conditions)
• functional expressions (agreement, uncertainty, suggestion, surprise)
• idiomatic expressions (two-part verbs, three-part verbs, idioms)
3. Keep in mind that these questions generally progress from easy to
difficult. This means that questions I through 5 will be the easiest and
questions 26 through 30 will be the hardest.
4. 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.
5. Even if you do not understand the complete dialogue, you can still find
the correct answer.
✓ If you only understand a few words or ideas in the second line, choose the
answer that contains a restatement of those words or ideas.
✓ If you do 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 like what you heard in the
dialogue.

SHO RT DIAL OGUE S O N THE PAPER TOE FL® TEST

Example from the Paper TOEFL Test

On the recording, you hear:
(man) This physics course couldn't be any harder.
(woman) I'll say!
(narrator) What does the woman mean ?
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In your test book, you read:
(A) She has something to say to the man.
(B) She doesn't think the physics course is hard.
(C) She agrees with the man.
(D) She'd like to discuss the physics courI'se.
In the dialogue, when the woman says I’ll say, she is showing that she agrees with what the man
just said. Answer (C) is therefore the best answer to this question.

STRATEGIES
Skill I : FOCUS ON THE LAST LINE
The short dialogues involve conversations between two people, each followed by a question. It is
important to understand that the answer to this type of question is most often (but not always!)
found in the last line of the conversation.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man) Billy really made a big mistake this time.
(woman) Yes, he forgot to turn in his research paper.
(narrator) What does the woman say about Billy ?
In your test book, you read:
(A) It was the first time he made a mistake.
(B) He forgot to write his paper.
(C) He turned in the paper in the wrong place.
(D) He didn't remember to submit his assignment.
The last line of this dialogue indicates that Billy forgot to turn in his research paper, and this
means that he didn't remember to submit it. The best answer is therefore answer (D)

EXERCISE 1:
1. (man) Can you tell me if today 's matinee is a comedy, romance, or western ?
(woman) I have no idea.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN ?
(A) She has strong ideas about movies.
(B) She prefers comedies over westerns and romances.
(C) She doesn't like today's matinee.
(D) She does not know.

2. (woman) Was anyone at home at Barb's house when you went there to deliver the package?
(man) I rang the bell, but no one answered.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN IMPLY ?
(A) Barb answered the bell.
(B) The house was probably empty.
(C) The bell wasn't in the house.
(D) The house doesn't have a bell.

3. (woman) You just got backfrom the interviewfor the internship. How do you think it went ?
(man) I think it's highly unlikely that I got the job.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN SUGGEST ?
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 (A) It's unlikely that he'll go to the interview.
(B) He thinks he'll be recommended for a high-level job.
(C) The interview was apparently quite unsuccessful.
(D) He had an excellent interview.

Skill 2: CHOOSE ANSWERS WITH SYNONYMS

Often the correct answer in a short dialogue is an answer that contains synonyms (words with
similar meanings but different sounds) for key words in the conversation.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(woman) Why is Barbara feeling so happy ?
(man) She just started working in a real estate agency.
(narrator) What does the man say about Barbara?
In your test book you read:
(A) She always liked her work in real estate.
(B) She began a new job.
(C) She just bought some real estate.
(D) She bought a real estate agency.

In this dialogue, the key word started means began, and the key word working refers to job. The
best answer to this question is therefore answer (B).

EXERCISE 2:
1. (woman) Did you see the manager about the job in the bookstore?
(man) Yes, and I also had to Jill out an application.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) He got ajob as bookstore manager.
(B) The bookstore was not accepting applications.
(C) He saw a book about how to apply for the jobs.
(D) It was necessary to complete a form.

2. (man) we’re planning to leave formthe trip at about 2:00

(woman) couldn’t we leave before noon.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN ASK?
(A) If they could leave at noon.
(B) If it possible to go by 12:00
(C) Why they can’t leave at noon?
(D) If they could leave the room

3. (man) was the concert well received?

(woman) the audience applauded for a long time after the performance.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN SAY ABOUT THE CONCERT?
(A) The perfomance went on for a long time
(B) There were applause throughout the performance
(C) The people clapped on and on after the concert.
(D) The audience waited for a long time for the concert to begin.

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Skill 3: AVOID SIMILAR SOUNDS
Often the incorrect answers in the short dialogues are answers that contain words with similar
sounds but very different meanings from what you hear on the recording. You should definitely
avoid these answers.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man) Why couldn't Mark come with us?
(woman) He was searching for a new apartment.
(narrator) What does the woman say about Mark ?
In your test book you read:
(A) He was in the department office.
(B) He was looking for a place to live.
(C) He was working on his research project.
(D) He had an appointment at church.

The key words in the last line of the dialogue are searching and apartment. In answers (C) and
(D), the words research and church sound like search, so these answers are incorrect. In answers
(A) and (D), the words department and appointment sound like apartment, so these answers are
incorrect. The best answer is therefore answer (B).

EXERCISE 3:
1. (woman) I heard that Sally just moved into a new, big house near the beach.
(man) But Sally doesn 't have a cent!
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) Sally has no sense of responsibility.
(B) Sally sent her friend to the house.
(C) Sally has no money.
(D) Sally is on the set with her.

2. (woman) Did they get the new car they wanted?

(man) No, they lacked the money.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) They locked the map in a car.
(B) They looked many times in the car.
(C) It cost a lot of money when the car leaked oil.
(D) They didn't have enough money to buy another car.

3. (man) Have you finished packing yet ?

(woman) You should call the porter to get the suitcases.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN ?
(A) It's important to pack the suitcases.
(B) They need help carrying their bags.
(C) The man should pack his suit in case he needs it.
(D) The suitcases are quite portable.

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 TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 1-3): In this exercise, listen carefully to each short
dialogue and question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the question
1. (A) He would like some iced coffee.
(B) He wants to stop drinking coffee.
(C) A drink seems like a good idea.
(D) He needs to drink something to stop his coughing.

2. (A) She would prefer a sunny day

(B) The park is too crowded.
(C) She would like a place that is not so loud.
(D) She cannot walk because she's too old.

3. (A) He should open an account.

(B) He should take a ride on a ship.
(C) He should try to keep the cost cheap.
(D) He should try something monotonous to get to sleep.

4. (A) The department is not changing the requirements.

(B) He hasn't heard anything about the change.
(C) The changes are believable.
(D) What has happened is incredible to him.

5. (A) The wait has taken close to an hour.

(B) They were stranded in their car.
(C) Most of the people have been in line for hours.
(D) They made a line in the sand.

6. (A) The instructor is selecting several passages.

(B) The conductor is fair to the passengers.
(C) The stamp collector is conducting his business.
(D) The riders are paying for the train trip.

7. (A) The managers will take the train to the program.

(B) A program to develop new managers will commence soon.
(C) The new management program is very weak.
(D) The program will be maintained to the letter.

8. (A) The fire started to attack the building.

(B) The firefighter stared at the attacker.
(C) The fire probably began at the top of the building.
(D) The firefighter started to attack the fire.

9. (A) He assured the woman that he knew the truth.

(B) He is sure that it isn't new.
(C) He thought that the woman was aware of what happened.
(D) He soon will know the truth.

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10. (A) The art professor is not one of his fans.
(B) His drawings were amazing.
(C) The catches that he made were fantastic.
(D) His sketches showed a fantasy world.

WHO,WHAT,WHERE
Skill 4: DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE
It is common in the short dialogues to ask you to draw some kind of conclusion. In this type of
question the answer is not clearly stated; instead you must draw a conclusion based on clues
given in the dialogue. One kind of conclusion that is common in this part of the test is to ask you
to determine who the speaker is, based on clues given in the dialogue.
Example
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Can you tell me what assignments I missed when I was absent from your class ?
(man) You missed one homework assignment and a quiz.
(narrator) Who is the man?
In your test book you read:
(A) A newspaper editor
(B) A police officer
(C) A teacher
(D) A student

The clues class, homework, and quiz in the dialogue tell you that the man is probably a teacher.
Answer (C) is therefore the correct answer.

Another type of conclusion that is common in the short dialogues is to determine what will
probably happen next, based on clues given in the dialogue.

Example:

On the recording, you hear:

(woman) Are you going to read those books here in the library ?
(man) I think I'd rather check them out now and take them home.
(narrator) What will the man probably do next?
In your test book you read:
(A) Sit down in the library
(B) Look for some more books
(C) Return the books to the shelves
(D) Go to the circulation desk

The man mentions books and says that he would like to check them out now. Since the circulation
desk is where you go to check books out from a library, the man will probably go to the
circulation desk next. The correct answer is therefore answer (D)

A final type of conclusion that is common in the short dialogues is to determine where the
conversation probably takes place, based on clues given in the conversation.
Example
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) Are you going into the water, or are you just going to lie there on the sand ?

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 (man) I think I need to put on some suntan lotion.
(narrator) Where does this conversation probably take place?
In your test book you read:
(A) At a beauty salon
(B) At the beach
(C) In a sandbox
(D) At an outdoor restaurant

The clues water, sand, and suntan lotion in the dialogue tell you that this dialogue probably takes
place at the beach. Answer (B) is therefore the correct answer.

TOEFL EXERCISE: In this exercise, listen carefully to each short dialogue and
question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the question.
1. (A) In a department store
(B) In a stationery store
(C) At the post office
(D) At the airport

2. (A) The teacher gave the students a hand

(B) The term papers were turned in.
(C) The students got the papers from the office.
(D) The teacher handed the papers to the students.

3. (A) The attendant checked the oil in Mark's car.

(B) Mark checked to see if he had enough oil in his car.
(C) Mark checked with the service station attendant.
(D) Mark wrote a check to pay for the oil

4. (A) A delivery man

(B) A famous chef
(C) A clerk in a fast-food restaurant
(D) An airline steward

5. (A) They need new print for the additional copies.

(B) They can make extra copies if necessary.
(C) Printers are needed for the additional copies.
(D) Additional copies are needed immediately.

6. (A) The professor bought two books.

(B) The students had to purchase two books.
(C) The students sold two books to the professor.
(D) The students were required to read two books by the professor.

7. (A) The doctor returned to the office.

(B) Jim asked the doctor to come to the office.
(C) The doctor will not return until next week.
(D) Jim was told to come back.

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8. (A) Go to work in the lab
(B) Sample the work from the lab
(C) Have the samples delivered
(D) Send a note to the lab

9. (A) Mary became the new class president.

(B) Sue took her place as class president.
(C) In place of Mary, Sue became senior class president.
(D) The senior class president

10. (A) The panel was analyzed on the television program

(B) A committee evaluated recent political events.
(C) The program featured a psychoanalyst.
(D) The panel

NEGATIVES
Skill 7: LISTEN FOR NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS
Negative expressions are very common in the short dialogues, and the most common kind of
correct response to a negative statement is a positive statement containing a word with an
opposite meaning.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man) How did they get to their grandmother's house in Maine in only jive hours'?
(woman) They didn 't drive slowly on the trip to Maine.
(narrator) What does the woman say about the trip?
In your test book, you read:
(A) They drove rather quickly.
(B) They couldn't have driven more slowly.
(C) They wanted to travel slowly to Maine.
(D) They didn't drive to Maine.

The correct answer is answer (A). If they didn't drive slowly to Maine, this means that they
drove rather quickly. Notice that the correct answer uses quickly, the opposite of slowly. The
answers that use slowly are not correct.

EXERCISE 7:
1. (man) I can 't seem to get the door unlocked.
(woman) That isn 't the right key for the door.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN ?
(A) The key in the drawer is on the right.
(B) The man should write the message on the door.
(C) The man has the wrong key.
(D) The right key isn't in the drawer.

2. (man) Were you pleased with last week 's convention ?

(woman) Nothing went as planned.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN ?

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 (A) The convention was disorganized.
(B) She didn't plan to attend the convention.
(C) She planned the convention last week.
(D) She wasn't pleased with the last week of the convention.

3. (woman) Are you planning to go to college next year?

(man) I'm really unsure about the idea.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) He definitely wants to go to college.
(B) He is certain about his plans.
(C) He's hesitant about attending college.
(D) His idea is to go to college.

Skill 8: LISTEN FOR DOUBLE NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS

It is possible for two negative ideas to appear in one sentence, and the result can be quite
confusing.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man) I can 't believe the news that I heard about the concert.
(woman) Well, it isn't impossible for the concert to take place.
(narrator) What does the woman say about the concert"?
In your test book you read:
(A) There's no possibility that the concert will take place.
(B) The concert will definitely not take place.
(C) The concert might take place.
(D) The concert can't take place.

The correct answer to this question is answer (C). If it isn't impossible tor the concert to take
place, then it is possible, and the modal might indicates possibility.

EXERCISE 8:
1. (man) Paula, you worked so hard setting up thefield trip.
(woman) I hope no one's unhappy with the arrangements.
(narrator) WHAT DOES PAULA MEAN ?
(A) She hopes everyone will be pleased.
(B) She knows no one is happy with what she has done.
(C) She’s arranged to take a trip because she’s unhappy.
(D) Everyone’s happy with the condition of the field.

2. (woman) How was your history exam?

(man) I didn 't study enough, so I didn’t do well.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) He studied a lot and passed.
(B) He failed in spite of his effort.
(C) He got a good grade even though he didn't study.
(D) His grade was poor because of inadequate preparation.
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3. (man) Were your friends able to get ticketsfor the concert?
(woman) Mark couldn H get tickets for the concert, and neither could Paul.
(narrator) What does the woman mean ?
(A) Although Mark couldn't get both tickets, Paul did.
(B) Both were unable to obtain tickets.
(C) Neither Mark nor Paul wanted to go to the concert.
(D) Mark tried to get tickets, but Paul didn't.

Skill 9: LISTEN FOR "ALMOST NEGATIVE" EXPRESSIONS

Certain expressions in English have "almost negative" meanings. These expressions are common
in the short dialogues.
Example

On the recording, you hear:

(woman) Were you able to pay the electric bill?
(man) I had barely enough money.
(narrator) What does the man imply ?
In your test book, you read:
(A) He had plenty of money for the bill.
(B) He did not have enough money for the bill.
(C) He paid the bill but has no money left.
(D) He was unable to pay the bill.
In the man's statement, the word enough indicates that there was enough, so he paid the bill.
However, it was barely enough, so he almost did not have enough and certainly has no money
left. The correct answer is therefore answer (C).

EXERCISE 9:
1. (man) I hear that Mona 's been offered the manager's job.
(woman) But she has hardly any work experience!
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN SAY ABOUT MONA?
(A) Mona hasn't worked hard.
(B) Mona's experience has been hard.
(C) Mona'sjob as manager is hard.
(D) Mona hasn't worked for very long.

2. (woman) How much time did Sam spend on his paperfor economics class ?
(man) Sam has seldom taken so much time on a research paper.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) Sam usually spends this much time on his schoolwork.
(B) Sam has rarely worked so hard.
(C) Sam took too much time on this paper.
(D) Sam should've worked harder on this paper.

3. (woman) Does Steve usually park his car there?

(man) Only once has he parked his car in that lot.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

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 (A) He parks his car there once in a while.
(B) He's parked his car there a lot.
(C) He only leaves his car there for short periods of time.
(D) He left his car there on just one occasion.

Skill 10: LISTEN FOR NEGATIVES WITH COMPARATIVES

Negatives can be used with comparatives in the short dialogues of the TOEFL test. A sentence
with a negative and a comparative has a superlative, or very strong, meaning.
Example
On the recording, you hear:
(woman) What do you think of the new student in math class ?
(man) No one is more intelligent than she is.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN SAY ABOUT THE NEW STUDENT?
In your test book you read:
(A) She is not very smart.
(B) He is smarter than she is.
(C) Other students are smarter than she is.
(D) She is the smartest student in the class.
The man responds to the woman's question with the negative No and the comparative more
intelligent, and this combination has a superlative meaning, the smartest. The best answer is
therefore answer (D)

EXERCISE 10:
1. (woman) Have you gotten over your cold yet?
(man) I couldn’t be feeling any better today.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) He's feeling terrific.
(B) He felt a lot worse today.
(C) He's not feeling too well today.
(D) He's a bit better today.

2. (woman) What did you think of Mike when you first met him ?.
(man) He couldn’t have been more unfriendly
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN ?
(A) Mike was extremely friendly when he met him
(B) Mike could have met him sooner.
(C) Mike didn't seem to like him at all.
(D) When he met Mike, he didn't have a friend.

3. (man) Did you see Theresa s grade on the math exam ? It was unbelievable!
(woman) No one else could have done better.
(narrator) WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN ?
(A) Theresa could've gotten a higher grade
(B) Anyone could get a good grade.
(C) Theresa got the highest grade.
(D) A high grade is impossible for anyone.

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 TOEFL EXERCISE (Skills 7-10): In this exercise, listen carefully to each short
dialogue and question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the question.
1. (A) She can try a little harder
(B) There is a lot more that she can do.
(C) She's doing the best that she can.
(D) It is impossible for her to do anything.

2. (A) She's always been late for the bus.

(B) The bus has always been late.
(C) The bus only left on time once.
(D) Only on this trip has the bus been on time.

3. (A) There wasn't enough soup to go around.

(B) We had so much soup that we couldn't finish it.
(C) Everyone got one serving of soup, but there wasn't enough for seconds.
(D) Everyone around the table had a lot of soup.

4. (A) She does want to see the movie.

(B) It's extremely important to her to go.
(C) She doesn't want to go there anymore.
(D) She really couldn't move there.

5. (A) She handed the paper in on time.

(B) She was able to complete the paper, but she didn't turn it in.
(C) The paper was a complete mess, so she didn't turn it in.
(D) The paper was unfinished.

6. (A) Neither Tim nor Sylvia is taking care of Art.

(B) Sylvia likes modern art even less than Tim does.
(C) Sylvia doesn't care for anything Tim does.
(D) Sylvia and Tim agree in their opinion of modern art.

7. (A) They always work hard in the afternoon.

(B) They don't do much after lunch.
(C) After noon they never work.
(D) It's never hard for them to work in the afternoon.

8. (A) It's hard for him to work when it gets warm.

(B) Whenever it gets warm, he turns on the air-conditioner.
(C) The air-conditioner only works when it isn't needed.
(D) He likes to use the air-conditioner when it is warm.

9. (A) He did really poorly.

(B) He's felt worse before.
(C) The results coulld not have been better.
(D) He's not too unhappy with the results.

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10. (A) With so many members present, the committee couldn't reach a decision.
(B) The committee should've waited until more members were present.
(C) The issue shouldn't have been decided by all the committed members.
(D) The issue wasn't decided because so many members were absent.