Strategies of Listening for TOEFL

There are 6 specific listening strategies on part A:

1. As you listen to each short conversation,focus on the line of the conversation. The answer of the question is generally found in the second line.
2. Keep in mind that the correct answer is probably a restatement of a key word or idea in the second line of conversation. Think or possibles restatement.
3. Keep in mind that certain structure and expression are tested regularly in Listening part A
4. Keep in mind the question generally progress from easy to difficult. This means that questions 1 through 5 will be the easiest and the question 26 through 30 will be the hardest.
5. Read the answer and choose the best answer to each question. Remember to answer each question even if you are not sure of the correct respone. Never leave any answers blank.
6. Even if you don't understand the complete conversation,you can find the correct answer.

• if you only understood a few words or ideas in the second line, choose the answer that contains a restatement of those words or ideas.
• if you don't understand anything at all the second line of the conversation, choose the answer that sounds the most different from what you heard.
• never choose the answer because it sounds like what you heard in the conversation.

There are 5 listening strategies on part B:

1. If you have the time, preview the answers to the Listening Part B questions.

    While you are looking at the answers, you should try to anticipate the questions for each of the groups of answers.

2. Listen carefully to the first line of the conversation.

   The first line of the conversation often contains the main idea, subject, or topic of the conversation, and you will often be asked to answer such questions.

3. As you listen to the conversation, follow along with the answers in your test book, and try to 
    determine the correct answers.
   Detail questions are generally answered in order in the conversation, and the answers often sound the same as what is said on the recording.

4. You should guess even if you are not sure. Never leave any answers blank.

5. Use any remaining time to look ahead at the answers to the questions that follow


Next: Strategies of Structure and Written Expressions