Listening Comprehension
Listening Comprehension in ORT English tests understanding of spoken texts: main idea, specific detail, speaker attitude, communicative function such as apology or warning, and inference from tone. Because you hear the text once or twice, successful listening is active: before the audio, read the question stems and underline limiting words; during the audio, track the speaker's purpose and note only keywords, numbers, and contrasts.
Core rules
- Predict likely content and vocabulary from the question, but revise when the audio contradicts you.
- Listen for signposts such as actually, however, the problem is, and what I mean is. They often introduce the answer or a correction.
- Distinguish literal content from function. 'Could you close the window?' is a request, not a question about ability.
- Record details in shorthand: names, times, prices, and places. Do not write full sentences.
- Check number formats: 13 and 30, 15 and 50, dates, and currency.
Worked example
Transcript: 'I booked the 7:15 train, but the website changed it to 7:45 after the timetable update. Still, I'll reach the office before nine.' Question: Why does the speaker mention 7:45? A To explain a booking change. B To complain about the office. C To confirm the original time. D To ask for a refund. Reasoning: The phrase 'but the website changed it to 7:45' signals a correction caused by a timetable update. B and D are not mentioned; C contradicts 'changed'. Answer A.
Traps
- Hearing a word from an option and choosing it without checking meaning.
- Missing corrections after actually or sorry.
- Confusing similar numbers or names.
- Answering from general knowledge rather than the audio.