Designed by: teacher Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai

AN OVERVIEW:1. TEST MANAGEMENT: Tests of listening

comprehension Total amount: 6 passages including conversations

and lectures ( 3 – 6 minutes for each); After each passage: 6 questions.

Total length of time for test: 30 – 40 minutes Way to administer the test: the testees receive note

paper and take notes while they listen to the lectures Questions: multiple-choice items, no questions on

vocabulary or sentence structure

2. QUESTION TYPES:

Type 1: Main idea: What are the speakers mainly discuss? What is the talk mainly about? What is the discussion mainly about?

Type 2: Understanding details and facts: According to the professor, what is ____ ? What does the professor say about___? What is the evidence for___?

Type 3: Purpose / Inference / Organization:Purpose and Organization: Why does the professor mention___? How does the professor describe ___? In what order does the student tell about ___?

Type 4: Purposes / Inference and attitudes: Why does the professor mention the ___? Why does the professor say this:? What is the student’s attitude toward___?

3. A TYPICAL ORDER OF QUESTIONSQs Type Description1 Main idea Choose the best phrase or sentence

2 – 3 Factual information

Choose the statement that is true according to complete a chart

4 Purpose / inference / organization

Recognize the speakers purpose, draw an inference, or explain how the speaker communicated certain information.

5 – 6 Repeated listening: Purpose InferenceAttitude

Hear a particular portion of the listening passage again and recognize the speaker’s purpose, attitude or the implied meaning of a statement.

A SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST

1. What are people mainly discussing?(A) Not having enough fun(B) The university’s money problems(C) Getting money from a student activity

fee(D) A plan for the summer holidays

A SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST4. Listen again to part of the conversation

and answer the question: What does the man remember when he says

this: (A)A time with his girlfriend(B)Last summer’s theater class(C)An idea for a special program(D)A play he saw

A SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST

8. According to the professor, what is the definition of embroidery?

(A)Needlework that makes clothes(B)Needlework that creates designs and

pictures(C)Paintings that show famous scenes from

history(D)Stitching strands of thread or wool

A SAMPLE PRACTICE TEST

24. What does the professor imply when he says this:

(A)Rats and mice are the same size(B)Rats and mice can have babies together(C)Rats and mice are nearly identical.(D)Rats and mice can be very different.

NOTE TAKING SKILLS When using preparation materials and other

practice tests, it’s important to practice taking notes (especially in the Listening section) in order to maximize your chances to correctly answer the questions.

Advantages: The testees are allowed to take notes

not too heavy load on the memory avoid testing memorization of unimportant points in a talk

Questions not to involve memorization of individual words in sentences. (no completion of a summary of a talk with omitted words essential to the meaning in the whole talk.

Weaknesses:Difficulties for the test takers:

Multiple choice items may cause confusion difficult to choose the correct answers.

SOME TIPS ON NOTE TAKING

Use a large 8 1/2" x 11" notebook with plenty of paper.  Divide the notebook into sections, one section for each subject (e.g: biology, geography, history, etc.). If your notes for each subject are together, this consolidates your knowledge. 

Keep your attention focused on what the speaker is saying. Listen for “signal statements” that tell you that what he or she is about to say is important to write in your notes.

Examples of signal statements: -“The most important point…” - “Remember that . . .”

Be sure to include in your notes information that the speaker repeats. Try to keep your attention from wandering until the speaker finishes.

Listen actively instead of passively. Put down main ideas, but also include

supporting details. Listen for clues. If the speaker stresses specific pieces of information, write it down.

Do not copy verbatim every word that is spoken.  Take notes selectively, Do NOT try to write down every word.

The average lecturer speaks: approximately 125-140 words per minute the average note-taker: about 25 words per minute.

In your own words, summarize the main ideas and key facts in a few brief, logical phrases.

Don't be too concerned with spelling and grammar. 

Ex: (original text from speech)At first, Freud tried conventional, physical methods of treatment such as giving baths, massages, rest cures, and similar aids. But when these failed, he tried techniques of hypnosis that he had seen used by Jean-Martin Charcot. Finally, he borrowed an idea from Jean Breuer and used direct verbal communication to get an unhypnotised patient to reveal unconscious thoughts.Notes:Freud 1st -- used phys. trtment; e.g., baths, etc. This fld. 2nd -- used hypnosis (fr. Charcot) Finally -- used dirct vrb. commun. (fr. Breuer) - got unhynop, patnt to reveal uncons. thoughts.

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