LISTENING:
LISTENING SKILLS FOR PROFICIENCY TESTS
PART ONE: LISTENING TIPS
Language proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL test your ability to understand spoken language in a variety
of contexts. You are not expected to have any specialist knowledge of the topic, but you should be able to
deal with a range of topics and a number of different speaking styles.
These tests measure how well you can manage:
listening for specific information,
listening for main ideas and supporting information,
understanding the speaker’s opinions. (from IELTS Practice Tests, Longman)
Several types of exercises are used:
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Multiple choice
True/False
Table completion
Note-taking
Gap-fill
Matching
Summary completion
Labelling a diagram, map or plan
Sentence completion
Since you often hear the passage only once, it is crucial to prepare your brain and ears to know what to
listen for.
There are two good ways to do this.
1)
Activate your brain by thinking of what you already know on the topic
2)
Read the exercises before you listen to know what to focus on.
PART TWO: ACTIVITY
You will do a sample activity from the IELTS Listening Exam. In the exam, you only hear the passage once.
However, you will be given time to look at the questions first.
Read the instructions very carefully. You could lose points for incorrect forms.
About IELTS
The Listening exam has 4 parts, 40 questions and lasts 30 minutes. You then have another ten minutes at
the end of the exam to copy your answers onto the answer sheet provided. Parts 1 and 2 concentrate on
social needs or “survival English” – the kind of English you need on a regular basis if you are living in an
English speaking country, for example asking for information or getting directions. Parts 3 and 4 focus
more on the topics of education or training. You will hear a combination of dialogues between 2 or more
people and monologues.
One of the big differences between the IELTS listening test and other listening exams you may have done is
that you only hear it once. This doesn’t seem like a big problem until you have finished listening to it and
have just realised you missed the crucial information and need to hear it again. So, what can you do to
overcome this problem? One of the key things you can do is make sure you read through the questions
before you listen. At the beginning of the test, and before each new part of the test you are given time to
read the questions before you listen. This is extremely important as it gives you time to practise your
prediction skills and understand what information they are asking for and helps you predict your answers.
Here’s a typical example of an IELTS listening exercise. Which parts would you underline on a first reading
to help you predict what information is needed in each question? Before you listen, decide what answers
you think will go in each space.
Section One (IELTS Practice Tests, test 4)
Questions 1-10: Complete the notes below. Write one word and/or a number.
o
o
o
o
o
Things to do before we go
collect the currency (example)
Cancel appointment with 1) ………………………………………….(Monday)
Begin taking 2) ………………………………………………. (Tuesday)
Buy:
3) ………………………………………….,
small bag,
a spare 4) ………………………………………….
Electrical 5) ………………………………………….
Book a 6) ………………………………………….
Instructions for Laura’s mother
o Feed the cat
Vet’s details: Name: 7) …………………………………………. Tel 8) ……………………………………
Address: Fore Street (opposite 9) ………………………………………….
o Water the plants
o Meet heating engineer on 10) ………………………………………….
Section Two: Questions 11-20: Choose the correct answer.
11. Why was the Film Festival started?
a) to encourage local people to make films.
b) To bring more tourists to the town.
c) To use money released from another project
12. What is the price range for tickets?
a) £1.00-£2.50
b) 50p-£2.00
c) £1.50-£2.50
13. As well as online, tickets for the films can be obtained
a) from the local library b) from several different shops
c) from the two festival cinemas
14. Last year’s winning film was about
a) farms of the future
b) schools and the environment
c) green transport options.
15. This year the competition prize is
a) a stay in a hotel
b) film-making equipment
c) a sum of money
16. The deadline for entering a film in the competition is the end of
a) May
b) June
c) July
MORE PRACTICE: Globalisation
You will hear an interview with Indira Prabhu, an economist from India, discussing globalisation
Discuss the following with your partner.
1) What is globalisation?
2) What are the advantages and disadvantages?
3) Who stands to gain more from globalisation, rich countries or poor?
II. VOCABULARY FOCUS
Here are some economic expressions you will encounter in this interview.
First mark the stressed syllable in each, then explain their meaning with your partner.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
developing countries
developed countries
job losses
moving abroad
unemployed
downsides
poverty
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
child labour
sweatshops
goods
average worker
know-how
cheaper labour
scapegoat
o. labour-saving
efficiencies
p. manufacturing
q. services
r. value added
III. Task: You will need to decide if the following questions are True or False. If it is False, you must correct
it.
1) Read through the questions before you listen.
2) Then as you listen, take notes next to each statement to help you formulate your answer.
3) You will then have a few minutes to complete the exercise
Part A
1.
The main idea of this interview is to discuss the downsides of globalisation.
2.
The economist argues that globalisation increases poverty in the world.
3.
She argues that globalisation can be a benefit to poor countries.
4.
Problems like child labour and people forced to work in sweatshops
around for a long time.
5.
Globalisation is too often used as a scapegoat for the social problems in the country.
6.
She believes that globalisation can only bring benefits to poor countries.
7.
Western companies tend to set prices arbitrarily on goods from producing countries.
is a problem that has been
eade
Part B
1.
Globalisation is more dangerous for people in developed countries.
2.
People in the west expect to work less and earn more.
3.
The main reason for job losses is jobs moving abroad.
4.
The standard of living of an unemployed person in Germany is the same as that of the average
worker in the developing world.
Part C
1. Poor countries are often called “decaying economies” because they are losing their competitive
advantage.
2.
Poorer countries are less competitive because they have cheaper labour.
3.
The economist believes that an economy can be based only on services.
4.
She advises developed countries to focus on innovation.
ASSIGNMENT: PRACTICE WITH LANGUAGE TESTS
Task: You will do listening exercises from three different internationally-recognized language proficiency
tests.
Go to: http://www.examenglish.com/
Click on at least TWO of these three links, do the exercises and then answer these questions:
Do the exercises, then check your answers.
How many did you get right?
What problems did you have?
Do you understand your mistakes?
Write a brief description (full sentences) about what the text asked you to do, the problems you had. if
you are satisfied with you results and why?
Print out your results. Bring printed copy to next class session.
I) IELTS Click on
IELTS
International English Language Testing
System
listening
TOEFL®
Test Of English as Foreign Language
listening,
II. TOEFL Click on
III. CAMBRIDGE FIRST CERTIFICATE Click on
FCE
First Certificate in English (B2)
listening,
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