TOEFL PREPARATION

SECTION 1
PART I
 Types of Problems in Part A
(Restatement)
 Problem 1
Teens and Tens
Teens are numbers like thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, till nineteen. Tens
are numbers like thirty, fourty, fifty, sixty, till ninety.
In some statements on Part A, you will have to hear the difference
between a teen and a ten in order to answer problems correctly.
When you hear a statement, you must decide whether the number is a
teen or ten. For example, thirteen or thirty.
It will help you to review stress and length. In teens, either the first
syllable may be stressed. For example, thirteen or thirteen. But in
tens, only the first syllable may be stressed. For example, thirty. In
teens, the sound /i/ represented by ee may be longer in duration
than the same sound /i/ represented by y in tens. For example,
thirteen (two beats in length). But thirty (one beat in length).
 Examples 1
 Statement: Take the number seventeen
bus to the shopping centre
and transfer to the ten.
 Restatement: The number seventeen bus
goes to the shopping centre.
 Statement: Andy’s sister is forty years old.
 Restatement: His sister is forty years old.
 Statement: Chemical Engineering 116 will meet
at two o’clock on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
 Restatement: The course number is 116
 Problem 2
Computations
Computations means simple mathematics.
In some statements on Part A, you will have to add,
subtract, multiply, or divide in order to answer the
problems correctly. In other statements, you will be
given all the of the information, and you will NOT need
to add, etc.
When you hear a statement, you must decide
whether it is necessary to compute the answer. If you
need to make a computation, you must be accurate.
It will help you to review the meanings of words like
half, each, twice, double, fast, and slow (in reference
to a clock or watch).
 Examples 2
 Statement: I thought that I had set the alarm clock for
seven o’clock, but it rang an hour early.
 Restatement: The alarm rang at six o’clock.
 Statement: Jerry’s salary as an accountant is two
thousand dollars a month.
 Restatement: Jerry makes twenty-four thousand dollars a
year.
 Statement: Eighteen people came although we had
expected only sixteen.
 Statement: Two extra people came.
 Statement: Peter gave the driver a twenty-dollar fare, but
he was short changed by ten dollars.
 Restatement: The driver gave Peter ten dollars less than he
should have.
 Problem 3
Similar Sounds
 Similar sounds are words that sound almost
alike.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a word that sounds almost like another word.
When you hear a statement, you must listen
carefully to the sounds.
It help you to listen for the context of the
words, too. For example, a beach, not a peach,
would be a good spot to go swimming. Even if
you are not sure about the sound, the meaning
of other words in the sentence will give you a
good idea of which word was used.
 Examples 3
 Statement: I thought her last name was “Best” but it was
“Past”.
 Restatement: She is Mrs. Past. (not Best)
 Statement: Joanne doesn’t like to read his stories.
 Restatement: Joanne isn’t fond of the stories he writes
(not histories)
 Statement: It’s very difficult to leave here after such a long time.
 Restatement: It isn’t easy to go away (not live or remain.)
 Statement: Most students don’t know whether they will like a
place until after they have been there for a while.
 Restatement: Most students aren’t sure about a place.
(not about weather).
 Problem 4
synonyms
Synonyms are words that have the same meaning.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear a
word that has a common synonym.
When you hear a statement, you must know the
meaning of the words. You must be able to
recognize a synonym.
It will help you to study common vocabulary
especially words in the first three-thousand
frequency. When you study, try to list Latin-root
verbs with their Germanic-root synonyms. For
example, repair and fix; continue and keep on.
It will also help you to study idioms.
 Examples 4
 Statement: Susan concealed her disappointment when
she wasn’t invited to the party.
 Restatement: She did the fact that she was
disappointed.
 Statement: Barry dropped by the dormitory last night.
 Restatement: Barry visited the dormitory.
 Statement: We have sufficient funds.
 Restatement: we have enough money.
 Statement: You should have your eyes examined.
 Restatement: You’d better get your eyes checked.
 Statement: This is out of sight!
 Restatement: This is very good.
 Problem 5
Homophones
Homophones are words that have the same
pronunciation but different spellings and
meanings.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a word that has a common homophone.
When you hear a statement, you must know
the meaning of words. You must be able to
recognize the meaning of the homophone from
the context of the statement.
It will help you to study the following list of
homophones.
 Examples of Homophone
bare = unclothed buy = to purchase
bear = an animal; to by = next to
carry cite = to quote an
board = wood; to get authority
on sight = the ability to
bored = uninterested see; an
brake = to stop interesting view
break = to smash site = place
coarse = not smooth
course = a class
 Examples 5
Statement: Go straight until you get to the river.
Restatement: Do not turn until you reach the river.
Statement: The bus fare has been increased again.
Restatement: The fee for the bus is more than it was.
Statement: We need a board to fix the porch.
Restatement: We need wood to fix the porch.
Statement: I need a week to think about it.
Restatement: I need seven days to consider it.
Statement: She served a very plain dinner.
Restatement: The dinner was not fancy.
 Problem 6
Negatives
Negatives are negotiations of affirmative
statements.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a negative or a double negative.
When you hear a negative or a double
negative, you must be able to restate the
information. It will help you to review negative
structures. Including negative superlatives like
never better and nothing better, and double
negatives like not unable, not untrue, etc.
 Examples 6
 Statement: The weather has never been better.
 Restatement: The weather is better than ever.
 Statement: The lecture was very uninformative.
 Restatement: The lecture did not provide us with much information
 Statement: Richard said that they had never had so much snow in
this area before.
 Restatement: There was more snow than usual.
 Statement: There is no better teacher in this school than Miss
Jones.
 Restatement: Miss. Jones is the best teacher.
 Statement: Your situation is not unlike that of many other residents.
 Restatement: Many others have the same situation that you do.
 Problem 7
Negative Emphasis
Negative words and phrases at the beginning
of a statement express emphasis.
In some statement on Part A, you will hear
negatives at the beginning. When you hear a
statement, you must be able to restate the
information.
It will help you to study negative emphasis in
Chapter 3 “ Review of Structure and Written
Expression.”
 Examples 7
 Statement: Not a single person volunteered to help.
 Restatement: There were no volunteers
 Statement: Not once has our neighbour invited us into
his home.
 Restatement: Our neighbour has never invited us into
his home.
 Statement: Never have I been sick.
 Restatement: I am very sick now.
 Statement: Not one picture looks like Fred.
 Restatement: None of the pictures looks like Fred.
 Statement: Seldom has there been such a good sale.
 Restatement: This is a better sale than usual.
 Problem 8
Exclamations
Exclamations are sentences that express
strong feelings. They often begin with how or
what, but they are not questions. Exclamations
and with an exclamation point (!).
In some sentences on Part A, you will hear
exclamations. When you hear a statement, you
must be able to restate the information.
It will help you to wait the end of a
statement before deciding whether it is a
question or an exclamation.
 Examples 8
 Statement: What a sweet little girl!
 Restatement: She is a sweet little girl.
 Statement: How I wish you could be here!
 Restatement: I want you to be here.
 Statement: What a great idea!
 Restatement: That is a very good idea.
 Statement: What a beautiful home you have!
 restatement: You have a beautiful home.
 Statement: How nice that Jayne could come with you!
 Restatement: It is nice that Jayne came along.
 Problem 9
References
Reference means the person referred to in a
statement.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
two or three names. When you hear a
statement, you must remember how each
person was referred to.
It will help you to listen for a profession,
activity, or family relationship when you hear a
name.
 Example 9
 Statement: Tom doesn’t know whether his mother will allow his
sister to come to the United States to study.
 Restatement: Tom’s sister may come to The United States.
 Statement: Linda sold her uncle’s house after his death.
 Restatement: Linda’s uncle died.
 Statement: We told neighbours to watch the house while we went
to see Anne’s parents.
 Restatement: The neighbours watched the house.
 Statement: Larry wants his girlfriend to transfer to State University
so that they can see each other more often.
 Restatement: Larry’s girlfriend may transfer to State University.
 Statement: Because his secretary was not to lunch, Mr. Anderson
answered Bill’s call himself.
 Restatement: Bill called Mr. Anderson.
 Problem 10
Causatives
Causatives are the verbs help, let, have, get,
make when they cause a person to do
something or cause something to be done.
In some statements on Part A , you will hear
these verbs when one person is causing another
person to do something.
When you hear a statement, you must
remember who caused the action or situation,
and who did it.
It will help you to study causative in Chapter
3, “Review of Structure and Written Expression.”
 Example 10
 Statement: Betty let Karen keep to kitten.
 Restatement: Betty allowed Karen to keep the pet
 Statement: Julie made the insurance company pay for the repairs.
 Restatement: Julie had the insurance company pay.
 Statement: The security guard made the boys go outside.
 Restatement: The boys had to go outside.
 Statement: Vicki had the neighbours get her mail while she was
away.
 Restatement: Vicki asked her neighbours to collect her mail.
 Statement: Brad got his advisor to initial the changes on his
schedule.
 Restatement: The advisor initialed the changes.
 Problem 11
Correlative Conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of words
that are used together. Correlative conjunctions
often express inclusion or exclusion.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
correlation conjunctions.
When you hear a statement, you must be
able to recognize whether people or things are
included or excluded.
It will help you to study correlation
conjunction in Chapter 3, “Review of Structure
and Written Expression.”
 Examples 11
 Statement: Both of us should take the orientation course.
 Restatement: I should take the orientation course, and you should
too.
 Statement: You can hand in your report either Professor William or
his secretary.
 Restatement: Both Professor Williams and his secretary can take
your report.
 Statement: Ali has studied not only in the United States but also in
Europe.
 Restatement: Ali has studied in the United States and in Europe.
 Statement: It was not his wife but his sister who called you.
 Restatement: His sister called.
 Statement: They have neither the time nor the money to take a
long trip right now.
 Restatement: They don’t have the time or the money for a long trip.
 Problem 12
Comparatives
Comparatives are comparisons of two or more
people or things. In many ways, comparatives are like
references.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
descriptions of two or three people or things. When you
hear a statement, you must remember how each was
compared with the other.
It will help you to study the meanings of
comparative phrases like the same as, more than, as/as,
and adjectives with –er and –est endings in Chapter 3,
“Review of Structure and Written Expression.”
 Examples 12
 Statement: Mary gets better grades in English than she does in
math.
 Restatement: Mary’s grades in math are not as good as her grades
in English.
 Statement: There are more small cars than big cars on the road
now.
 Restatement: there are fewer big cars.
 Statement: We were no more surprised than Jane.
 Restatement: We were all surprised.
 Statement: Tony would rather watch sports on TV than play.
 Restatement: Tony prefers watching to participating in sports
 Statement: Although Paul has more creative ideas, Susan is a better
writer.
 Restatement: Susan writes better than Paul even though he is more
creative.
 Problem 13
Conditionals
Conditionals are statements of conditions and imagined results.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear a conditional
introduced by the word if; in others you will hear a conditional
introduced by the word whether or unless.
When you hear a statement, you must be able to restate the
information as facts instead of imagined results.
It help you to review conditionals in Chapter 3 “Review of
Structure and Written Expression.”
Sentence-combining techniques will also be helpful. For
example, sentences one and two below can be combined and
restated as sentence three.
1. I am not as if as he is.
2. I will not go to the hospital.
3. If I were as if as he is (but I am not as ill), I would go to the
hospital (but I will not go because I am not as ill)
 Examples 13
 Statement: We would have had a good time at the football game if it hadn’t
been so cold.
 Restatement: We didn’t have a good time because it was so cold.
 Statement: If I were going to take a long trip, I’d get the car tuned up first.
 Restatement: I am not going on a long trip
 Statement: Whether or not you decide to join the club, you can still go to
the party.
 Restatement: You can go to the party even if you don’t join the club.
 Statement: If you want to see Professor Smith, Wednesday afternoon is a
good time to find him in his office.
 Restatement: Professor Smith is usually in his office Wednesday
afternoons.
 Statement: Unless we leave now, we’ll miss our ride home.
 Restatement: We won’t miss our ride home if we leave now.
 Problem 14
Concessions
Concessions are statement of unexpected
results.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a concession introduced by the word but. The
word instead or anyway be the last word in the
statement.
When you hear a statement, you must be
able to restate the information. It will help you
to review the words and phrases in more
complex statements of concession like although,
though, since, because, in spite of, and despite.
 Examples 14
 Statement: The computer will be available any time but one o’clock.
 Restatement: The computer will not be available at one o’clock.
 Statement: Jim gets C’s in most of his subject, but he gets A’s in his
major.
 Restatement: Although he is just an average student, Jim gets A’s
in his major.
 Statement: I’d love to go with you, but I’m beat.
 Restatement: I will not go with you because I am too tired.
 Statement: We would like to visit all of our friends before we leave,
but we won’t be able to.
 Restatement: We are sorry that we can’t visit everyone before we
leave.
 Statement: Bruce didn’t want to tell me the truth, but I found out
anyway.
 Restatement: Although Bruce didn’t tell me, I know.
 More Concessions
Remember, concessions are statements of
unexpected results.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a concession introduced by a situation with
although, though, even though, in spite of,
despite, or contrary to.
When you hear a statement, you must be
able to restate the information. It will help you
to review less complex statement of concession
with but
 Examples
 Statement: Contrary to what Ellen had expected, the city was very
nice.
 Restatement: Ellen had not expected the city to be nice.
 Statement: In spite of what the rest of them may think, I believe
Ted’s story.
 Restatement: I believe Ted even though the others think he is lying.
 Statement: Although several of his friends have tried to talk with
him, Jerry refuses to let anyone drive him home.
 Restatement: Jerry won’t let anyone drive him home in spite of his
friends’ urging.
 Statement: Mary wouldn’t cry even if she was unhappy.
 Restatement: When Mary is unhappy, she still doesn’t cry.
 Problem 15
Causal
Causal is a statement of cause or explanation.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a causal introduced by the word since, or
because, or the phrase so long as
When you hear a statement, you must be
able to restate the information.
It will help you to review statements of
cause and result. Sentence combining
techniques will also be helpful. For example,
sentences one and two below can be combined
and restated as sentence three.
 Examples 15
 Statement: Since Mark couldn’t find his key, he had to pay for it.
 Restatement: Mark paid for his key because he lost it.
 Statement: So long as you are here, you might as well stay for
lunch.
 Restatement: Because you are here, you might as well stay for
lunch.
 Statement: Since the rates go down at five o’clock, you should wait
until the to call.
 Restatement: You can save money by calling after five o’clock
because the rates are cheaper then
 Statement: Because his neighbour plays the stereo so loud, James
has to study at the library.
 Restatement: James studies at the library because of his noisy
neighbour.
 Problem 16
Cause-and Result Adjectives
Cause-and result adjectives are adjectives that end in –ing or
ed. They are usually verbal from verbs such as surprise, interest,
bore, encourage and annoy
In some statements on Part A, you will hear a cause adjective
(-ing), a result adjective (ed), or a verb form.
When you hear a statement, you must be able to restate the
information.
It will help you to study –ing and ed adjectives in Chapter 3,
“Review of Structure and Written Expression.” Sentences-
combining techniques will also be helpful. For example, sentences
one and two can be combined and restated as sentence three.
1. This book is interesting. (causes interest)
2. I am interested . (result)
3. This book interests me.
 Examples 16
 Statement: The project interests my professor.
 Restatement: My professor is interested in the project.
 Statement: My little brother can be so annoying sometimes.
 Restatement: I am so annoyed by my little brother sometimes.
 Statement: This lecture bores me to tears.
 Restatement: I am bored with his lecture.
 Statement: Mary was encouraged by the news.
 Restatement: The news was encouraging to Mary.
 Statement: Your decision to get married before finishing your
degree surprised us.
 Restatement: We were surprised by your decision.
 Problem 17
Tag Questions
Tag questions are short questions at the end
of statements. They are used to encourage
agreement with the statement that they
precede.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
tag questions at the end.
When you hear a tag question, you must
remember the statement that preceded it. It will
help you to study tag questions in Chapter 3,
“Review of Structure and Written Expression.”
 Examples 17
 Statement: She won’t be home for dinner, will he?
 Restatement: She will probably not eat with us.
 Statement: The paper looks good, don’t you think?
 Restatement: I am pleased with the way the paper
looks.
 Statement: I don’t suppose that Larry would be free on
Sunday, would he?
 Restatement: Larry probably won’t be free on Sunday.
 Statement: You can eat one more piece of cake, can’t
you?
 Restatement: I think that you would like another piece
of cake.
 Problem 18
Passives
Passives are sentences that change the
emphasis from the actor to what the actor has
done, or the result of the action.
In some statements on Part A, you will hear
a passive.
When you hear a passive, you must be able
to restate the information in the active, changing
the emphasis from the result to the actor.
It will help you to study passive in Chapter 3,
“Review of Structure and Written Expression.”
 Examples 18
 Statement: That dress was made by Carol.
 Restatement: Carol made that dress herself.
 Statement: The Athletic Club was founded by a group of
businessmen.
 Restatement: A group of businessmen founded the
Athletic Club.
 Statement: The decision was opposed by Anne’s doctor.
 Restatement: Anne’s doctor opposed the decision.
 Statement: The president of the college was interviewed
by a student reporter.
 Restatement: A student reporter interviewed the
president of the college.
 Problem 19
Chronological Events
Chronological events are events that take
place in time relationship to each other.
In some statements on Part A, two or more
events will be mentioned.
When you hear a statement, you must
remember which event took place first, second,
and so on. It will help you to listen time words
like before, while, during, after, and later
 Examples 19
 Statement: We plan to meet at the car a few minutes
after the shopping center closes.
 Restatement: The shopping center will close before we
meet at the car.
 Statement: After thinking about it a little more, you may
want to open a savings account.
 Restatement: He will think about it first.
 Statement: Let’s go to the zoo after we eat.
 Restatement: After we eat let’s go to the zoo.
 Statement: While he was mailing some letters in the
post office, Bob got a parking ticket.
 Restatement: Bob got a parking ticket while he`was in
the post office.
TYPES OF PROBLEMS
in Part B
CONVERSATION
 Problem 20
Direct Conversations
 Direct means stated.
In some conversations on Part B, you
will hear all of the information that you
need to answer the problem correctly. You
will NOT need to draw conclusions.
When you hear a conversation
between two speakers, you must
remember the details that were stated .
 Example 20
Man: Tell me about your trip to New York.
Woman: It was great! We saw the statue of
Liberty and the Empire State Building
and all of the tourist attractions the first
day, then we saw the museums the
second day and spent the rest of the
time shopping and seeing shows.
Third Voice: What are the man and woman
talking about?
Answer: The woman’s trip.
 Problem 21
Computation Conversations
Remember, computations means simple
mathematics.
In some conversations on Part B, you will have to
add, subtract, multiply, or divide in order to answer the
problems correctly. In other conversations, you will be
given all of the information, and you will NOT need to
add, etc.
when you hear a conversation between two
speakers, you must decide whether it is necessary to
compute the answer to the question asked by the third
voice. If you need to make a computation, you must be
accurate.
it will help you review the computations on Part A
 Example 21
woman: How many stamps do I need to send this
package airmail?
Man : Airmail? Well, that’s not going to be
expensive. Airmail postage is 50 cents for the
first half-ounce and 45 cents for each additional
half-ounce, up to two ounces. You have one
ounce here.
Third Voice: How much will it cost the woman to
mail her package?
Answer: 95 cents
 Problem 22
Place Conversations
Place means the location where the conversation
occurred.
In some conversations on Part B, you will hear
words and phrases that will suggest a location. For
example, “books” a “card catalog,” and a “Checkout
desk” suggest a library.
When you hear a conversation between two
speakers, you must listen for information that will help
you draw a conclusion about where the conversation
most probably took place.
It will help you if you prepare to listen for place
information when you see four places as the possible
answers in your test book.
 Example 22
Woman: I’ll need a dozen three-penny nails
and six wood screws, too.
Man: The screws come in packages of ten
for ninety-nine cents. I hope that’s all
right.
Third Voice: Where does this conversation
most probably take place?
Answer: At the hardware store.
 Problem 23
Implied Conversations
Implied means suggested, but not stated. In many
ways, implied conversations are the place conversations.
In some conversations on Part B, you will hear
words and phrases or intonations that will suggest how
the speakers felt, what they will probably do, or what
kind of work or activity they were involved in during the
conversation.
When you hear a conversation between two
speakers, you must listen for information that will help
you draw a conclusion about the situation.
It will help if you prepare to listen for implied
information when you see the word that as the first
word in the four possible answers in your test book.
 Example 23
Man: Could you please book me on the next
flight out to Los Angeles?
Woman: I’m sorry, sir. Continental doesn’t
fly into Los Angeles. Why don’t you
try Delta or Trans World?
Third Voice: What will the man probably do?
Answer: He probably get a ticket for a flight
on Delta or Trans World Airlines.
Types of Problems
in Part C
Mini-Talks
 Problem 24
Overheard Conversations
Overheard conversation are
conversations heard by someone who is
not talking.
In some talks on Part C, you will be
able to summarize the important ideas.
You will usually NOT be required to
remember small details.
It will help you to review the
conversation in Part B
 Example 24
Ted Parker: Are you Mrs. William?
Mrs. William: Why, yes.
T P : I’m Ted Parker. I talked with you on the telephone earlier today.
M. W: Oh, good.
T P: Let me show you what we have in a new Oldsmobile Cutlass.
M.W: I want to look at last year’s model, too, if you have any.
T P: I have one. A red Delta 88, with 2,000 miles on it. It was a demonstrator.
M.W: A demonstrator?
T P: That means that only the sales staff have driven it.
M.W: Oh, well, let’s just look at the new ones then.
T P: Okay. Everything on this side of the lot is the Cutlass model. You said on the phone that you are
looking for automatic. Did you have any idea of other options that you’d like to have on the car?
Air conditioning, power windows, maybe cruise control?
M.W: Just air conditioning… and an FM radio.
T P: Then I suggest that you just spend some time looking at the cars in the last row there. Those
six. They have the options and the prices on the sticker on the window, and if you have any
questions, I’ll be glad to help you.
M.W: Thank you.
T P: Let me just say that the best way to know whether you want a car is to drive it. So, when you
find something you think you may be interested in, we can take it out for a test drive and let you
get the feel of it.
M.W: Okay. That sounds like a good idea.
 Questions
Question: Who is the man?
Answer: A car salesman
Question: What is the woman looking for?
Answer: A new Oldsmobile
Question: Besides automatic shift, what options
does the woman want?
Answer: Only air conditioning and a radio.
Question: What will the woman probably do?
Answer: Take the car for a test driver.
 Problem 25
Announcements and Advertisement
Announcements are short talks that provide factual
information. Advertisements are short talks that provide
persuasive information.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear factual or
persuasive information.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to
summarize the important ideas. You must also be able
to answer questions that begin with the following words:
who, what, when, where, why?
It will help you to listen to announcements and
advertisements on the radio. Listen carefully. Ask
yourself questions to test your ability to remember the
information.
 Example 25
During this holiday season you’ll be glad that you
look pictures. So, get your Kodacolor film at Foto-land,
this week only two rolls for $4.25. Remember, good
pictures start with good film, and Kodacolor is the best!
Get your film now at Foto-land, and bring it back
after the holiday to be developed. Unless we develop
your picture in three days. you don’t pay us a penny,
and you never pay unless they turn out the way you
want them to.
With Foto-land, you can depend on larger, clearer
prints. Pictures will make your memories of this
Christmas last forever.
From all of us at Foto-land, best wishes for a Merry
Christmas, and many more pictures this year!
 Questions
Questions: What is the advertisement about?
Answer: Film and film processing
Questions : When would this advertisement most
probably be used?
Answer: In December.
Question: What is customer offered when it takes
longer than three days to develop pictures?
Answer: Free service.
Question: Who sponsors this message?
Answer: Foto-land.
 Problem 26
News Report
News reports are short talks that provide
information about the news of the day.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear
information about the news.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to
summarize the information. You will usually NOT
be required to remember small details.
It will help you to listen to news report on
radio and television. Listen carefully. Ask
yourself questions to test your ability to
remember the information.
 Example 26
This is Morning News Magazine, and I’m Jack Stevens. I’ll be your host while
Mark Watkins is on assignment in the Middle East.
Today’s story is about the flight from the cities. Everyone knows that it’s
happening, but only recently have we been able to determine where the people are
going. To the suburbs? To the fringes of the city? Surprisingly not. In a marked
reversal of U.S. migration patterns, non-metropolitan areas have started growing
faster than metropolitan areas. City dwellers are leaving to settle in small-town
America.
Census figures confirm both the shrinkage of many urban areas and the revival
of small towns, a trend that began to become apparent in the last two decades. For
example, while the national population increased by 4.8 percent from 1970 – 1975,
towns of 2,500 to 25,000 persons rose 7.5 percent, and the smallest towns with
population of less than 2,500 rose 8.7 percent, or nearly double the national rate.
Recent surveys consistently show that a majority of people, including four out
of ten big-city dwellers, prefer life outside the urban environment. They associate
small town with a feeling of community and a sense of security.
Tomorrow’s report will focus on crime control. Till then, this is Jack Stevens
wishing you a good morning.
 Questions
Question: What is the topic of this talk?
Answer: Migration out of the cities.
Question: Where are many people moving?
Answer: To small town.
Question: Which areas have experienced the most growth?
Answer: The towns with a population of 2,500 or fewer
people.
Question: According to surveys, why are people moving?
Answer: Because people feel secure in small towns.
 Problem 27
Weather Reports
Weather reports are short talks that predict
the weather.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear
predictions of the weather.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to
summarize the prediction. You will usually NOT
be required to remember small details.
It will help you to listen to weather reports
on radio or television. Listen carefully. Ask
yourself questions to test your ability to
remember the predictions.
 Example 27
Good morning. this is Danny Jackson with Weather Watch,
brought to you every day at this time by the Austin Chamber of
Commerce. The week-long extended forecast for Austin and the
Texas Hill Country calls for mostly sunny weather today and
Tuesday, with temperatures in the high seventies. By Wednesday, a
cold pressure area that has been building out over the Gulf of
Mexico should begin to move inland over Texas, bringing about a
ten-degree drop in temperatures over the south central part of the
state. By Wednesday night, that same low pressure should probably
be dropping rain over the Austin area, with rain continuing into
Thursday and possibly even early Friday. By Friday afternoon
though, if all goes well, we should begin to see clear skies again,
with a corresponding rise in temperatures back into the seventies.
Saturday and Sunday look like they’ll be just beautiful. Danny
Jackson with Weather Watch. Have a good wee. Austin.
 Questions 27

Question: Where is this weather report being

broadcast?
Answer: In Austin, Texas
Question: What is the weather like today?
Answer: Warm and sunny
Question: When will it be likely to rain?
Answer: The middle of the week.
Question: What will the weather be like for the
weekend?
Answer: Clear and warm.
 Problem 28
Informative Speeches
Informative speeches are short talks that provide
factual information. In many ways, informative speeches
are like announcements and advertisements.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear factual
information.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to
summarize the important ideas. You must also be able
to answer questions that begin with the following words:
who, what, when, where, why?
It will help you to listen to speeches on radio and
television. Listen carefully. Ask yourself questions to test
your ability to remember the information.
 Example 28
Welcome to the Lincoln Memorial, located, as you can see, on the west bank of the
Potomac River, on the axis of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.
The structure itself was designed by Henry Bacon in 1912 and completed ten years later
at a cost of 2.9 million dollars.
The outer walks of the memorial are white Colorado marble, 189 feet long and 118
inches wide. The thirty-six outer columns are also of marble, representing the thirty-six states
that were in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The name of each state is cut into stone
above the column.
Inside the memorial, the walks are Indiana limestone and the floor is pink. Tennessee
marble. Three commemorative features include the huge seated statue of Lincoln and two
inscribed stone tablets.
The marble statue occupies the place of honor, centrally located, as you will note, and
facing the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. The statue is 19 feet high and 19 feet
wide, made of twenty-eight blocks of Georgia white marble. Because of the immense size, it took
two men four years to complete the carving.
On the north wall, inscribed in stone, is Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address; on the south
wall, similarly inscribed, is the Gettysburg Address.
There is a mural above each inscription, representing the two greatest accomplishments
of Lincoln’s presidency – the emancipation of the slaves and the unification of the North and
South after the Civil War.
This memorial is open daily from eight o’clock in the morning to midnight. Stay as long as
you like, and be sure to ask one of the park service employees if you have any questions.
 Questions
Question: What material was used in the construction of
most of the Lincoln Memorial?
Answer: Marble
Question: Why are there thirty-six columns?
Answer: there is one for each state in the union at the time
of Lincoln’s death.
Question: What other buildings can be seen from the
memorial?
Answer: The Capitol Building and the Washington
Monument.
Question: When is the memorial open?
Answer: Every day from 8 a.m. to midnight.
 Problem 29
Academic Statements
Academic statements are short talks that provide
academic information. They are like short lectures that
might be heard in a college classroom.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear academic
information.
When you hear a talk, you must be able to
summarize the important ideas. You must also be able
to answer questions that begin with the following words:
who, what, when, where, why?
It will help you to listen to documentary programs
on radio and television. Programs on educational
broadcasting networks are especially helpful. Listen
carefully. Ask yourself questions to test your ability to
remember the information.
 Example 29
Ernest Hemingway began writing career as an ambitious, young
American newspaperman in Paris after the first World War. His early books,
including the Sun Also Rises, were published in Europe before they were
released in the United States.
Hemingway always wrote from experience rather than from
imagination. In Farewell to Arms, published in 1929, he recounted his
adventures as an ambulance driver in Italy during the war. In For Whom
the Bell Tolls, published in 1940, he retold his memories of the Spanish Civil
War.
Perhaps more than any other twentieth-century American writer, he
was responsible for creating a style of literature. The Hemingway style was
hard, economical, and powerful. It lured the reader into using imagination
in order to fill in the details.
In 1952, Hemingway published the Old Man and the Sea, a short,
compelling tale of an old fisherman’s struggle to haul in a giant marlin that
he had caught in the Gulf of Mexico. Some critics interpreted it as the
allegory of man’s struggle against old age; others interpreted it as man
against the forces of nature. This book was the climax of Hemingway’s
career. Two years later he was awarded the Nobel prize for literature.
 Questions
Question: What theme did Hemingway use for many of his
book?
Answer: War
Question: What was the Hemingway style?
Answer: Short and powerful.
Question: What prize did Hemingway win after he wrote
The Old Man and the Sea?
Answer: The Nobel prize for literature.
Question: What advice would Hemingway probably give to
other writers?
Answer: Write from experience about things you have seen
and people you have known.
 Problem 30
Class Discussions
Class discussions are conversations that
occur in classroom. In many ways, class
discussions are like overheard conversations.
In some talks on Part C, you will hear a long
conversation between two, three or more
speakers.
When hear a conversation, you must be able
to summarize the important ideas. You will
usually NOT be required to remember small
details.
It will help you to review overheard
conversations
 Example 30
Miss. Richard: Good morning. my name is Miss. Richard, and I’ll be your
instructor for Career Education 100. Before we get started. I’d appreciate it
if you would introduce your selves and tell us a little bit about why you
decided to take this class. Let’s start here …
Bill: I’m Bill Jensen, and I’m a sophomore this term, but I still haven’t decided
what to major in. I hope that this class will help me.
MR: Good, I hope so, too. Next.
Patty: I’m Patty Davis, and I’m majoring in foreign languages, but I’m not sure
what kind of job I can get after I graduate.
MR: Are you a sophomore, too, Patty?
Patty: No. I’m a senior. I wish I’d taken this class sooner, but I didn’t know
about it until this term.
MR: Didn’t your advisor tell you about it?
Patty: No. A friend of mine took it last year, and it helped her a lot.
MR: How did you find out about the course, Bill?
Bill: The same way Patty did. A friend of mine told me about it.
 Questions

Question: In what class does this discussion take

place?
Answer: Career Education
Question: What are the two students talking
about?
Answer: They are introducing themselves.
Question: Why is the woman taking the course?
Answer: To help her find a job after graduation.
Question: How did the students find out about the
course?
Answer: From friends who had taken it