Listening Comprehension
What the section tests
Where listening is administered, a recorded text (dialogue, announcement, or short talk) is played once or twice, and you answer questions on main idea, specific detail, numbers, and speaker attitude. The skill tested is selective listening - catching key information while ignoring distractions.
Concepts to master
- Gist vs. detail: first listening for the general meaning, second for specific facts.
- Numbers, dates, times, and prices: listen for the exact figure; distractors often include a similar number.
- Speaker purpose and attitude: is the speaker apologising, complaining, inviting, or warning?
- Signpost words: however, actually, in fact, but, so often introduce the answer.
- Paraphrase: the correct option usually restates the recording in different words, not the same ones.
Traps to watch for
- Distractor numbers: the recording mentions two figures; only one answers the question.
- Corrections: a speaker says something, then corrects it ("at 6 - no, sorry, 7 o'clock") - the final version is correct.
- Negative questions: Which is NOT mentioned?
- Choosing an option because it repeats a word from the recording, without checking meaning.
Rule of thumb
Read the questions before listening. Underline the key word in each question (who, when, how much), then listen for that information only.
Worked example: Question: When does the train leave? Recording: "The 9 o'clock train is delayed; it now leaves at 9:30." The answer is 9:30, not 9:00 - the correction carries the answer.