- Understanding the possible topics of the Listening Part B conversations helps improve overall comprehension.
- Predict potential themes, such as discussions about academic life, societal issues, or plans for a trip.
- Quickly glance at the answer choices in the test booklet before listening to determine likely conversation topics.
In the Listening Comprehension section of the TOEFL test, Part B involves two extended dialogues. Each dialogue is followed by several questions. You will listen to both the conversations and the questions; they do not appear in your test booklet. Your task is to select the correct answer for each question from four available choices, which you will find printed in your test booklet. Typically, the dialogues deal with topics related to student life, such as the challenges of certain classes, steps for writing a research paper, or the process of registering for a course. Sometimes, they focus on issues making headlines in the United States—for example, water supply desalination, ways to recycle products, or damage caused by storms or other natural events.
Below are some strategies to help you handle the Listening Part B questions in the TOEFL exam:
- Preview the questions and answers if possible. When you glance at the answer choices in advance, try to predict both the potential topics of the conversations and the questions that might appear.
- Pay close attention to the opening line of each conversation. It usually presents the main theme, subject matter, or discussion topic. The test often includes questions about this initial information.
- Identify the context of the conversation as you listen. Figure out who is speaking, where the dialogue is taking place, and when it occurs. Expect questions asking you to infer these details.
- Follow along in your test book and select the correct answers as the conversation unfolds. Typically, questions about specific details are addressed in chronological order, and the correct choice often reflects language closely matching that in the audio.
- Make an educated guess if you’re uncertain. Never leave an answer blank.
- Use any remaining time to review upcoming questions and their answer choices so you can continue anticipating what you’ll hear next.
Skills to Develop for BEFORE Listening Part B:
Skill 1 - ANTICIPATE THE TOPICS
Skill 2 - ANTICIPATE THE QUESTIONS
- Anticipating the questions in Listening Part B helps you focus on specific details needed for accurate answers.
- Look at the answer choices in the test booklet to predict the types of questions you may encounter.
- Listen attentively for clues in the conversation that match the predicted questions, as this can guide you toward the correct answers.
Skills to Develop WHILE Listening to Part B:
Skill 3 - DETERMINE THE TOPIC
- Focus on identifying the topic or main idea of each conversation in Listening Part B as you listen.
- The first one or two sentences often reveal the topic, so listen carefully to the beginning of the conversation.
- Continuously ask yourself what the conversation is about, using the initial clues provided in the dialogue.
Skill 4 - DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHEN,
WHERE
- While listening to each conversation in Listening Part B, try to determine who is speaking.
- Identify when and where the conversation is likely taking place based on contextual clues.
- Think about the source of information and the purpose of the discussion to better understand the context.
Skill 5 - LISTEN FOR ANSWERS IN ORDER
- Use one of two approaches: either listen carefully to the conversation and ignore the answers, or follow along with the answers in the test book as you listen.
- If you prefer to focus only on the conversation, do so to avoid distractions. Alternatively, some find it easier to match details with answer choices as they listen.
- Since detail questions are typically answered in the same order they are presented in the conversation, this method allows you to identify correct answers as you progress through the recording.