Part 4 - SHORT TALKS
You will be given 30 questions. There will be 10 short talks with 3 questions for each talk. You will hear one speaker talk. You have to choose the answer that is true according to what the speaker says.
STRATEGY 1:
Learning different ways to state keywords; Becoming familiar with questions about numbers and quantitiesSNEAK PEEK 1
SNEAK PEEK 1: Identifying restatements of keywords
A. Instructions: Circle the words in the audio script that repeat the same or a similar meaning to the words in each answer choice after each question.
1. Where is the announcement made?
(A) At an annual convention
2. Which of the following is NOT true about Or. Abrahams?
(B) He has fewer than three qualifications.
3. What will Or, Abrahams do tomorrow?
(C) Take part in a seminar
AUDIO SCRIPT
Our final speaker today was also our guest presenter at last year’s conference. Or. Harel Abrahams is perhaps best known for his best-selling work “Meeting Business Challenges”, but his area of expertise extends far beyond the topics dealt with in that book. A graduate of Yale University, with three graduate degrees to his name, he is the current chair of Economics at McGuire University, and we are delighted that he has agreed to speak to us once more. As well as today’s lecture, Or. Abrahams has kindly agreed to join tomorrow’s round-table discussion, which i am sure you will all be keen to attend. So, without further ado, to speak on “Small Companies and Macro Economics”., let me present Dr. Harel Abrahams.
Now listen to three sets of sentences and mark the answer choice that is closest in meaning.
-
Part of the shipment was damaged.
(A) ❑ (B) ❑ (C) ❑
-
They started the job a month ago.
(A) ❑ (B) ❑ (C) ❑
-
Mr. Holmes has been a huge help to the team.
(A) ❑ (B) ❑ (C) ❑
LET'S TRY IT 1:
Using keywords in the questions and answer choices to predict the context
A. Instructions: Read the audio script and answer the question that follows.
AUDIO SCRIPT
The Jamestown boat race starts Saturday afternoon at 14 hundred hours, that’s 2 P.M., of course. With 70 racing boats competing this year for 3500 dollars in prizes, this is sure to be one of the sailing events of the season. Spectators should try ...
1. How many boats will join the event?
(A) 14
(B) 17
(C) 35
(D) 70
B. LET'S LISTEN
2. How many salvaged items are on display?
(A) 19
(B) 90
(C) 150
(D) 200
Try to listen for these words and try to understand the meaning, don't just look for the keywords.
15. Specific information questions sometimes come in the same order as the answers in the audio.
Try to take note of the questions in order. Every time you hear the answer, mark it and move on to the next one quickly.
16. Pay attention to the numbers in the questions.Read the questions carefully and make sure the number you choose from the answer choices answers the question and isn't just a distractor.
LET'S PRACTICE 1
A. LET'S LISTEN
Use the tips you have learned to answer the following questions.
1. How many people are requested to attend the conference?
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
2. How long does the conference last?
(A) A couple of hours
(B) One afternoon
(C) All day Saturday
(D) Two days
3. How much time off can volunteers expect?
(A) About an hour
(B) About four hours
(C) A day
(D) Two days
STRATEGY 2:
Learning different ways to state "how" and "why" questions and answers; Avoiding same word distractorsSNEAK PEEK 2
SNEAK PEEK 2: Brainstorming related words
A. Instructions: Choose one word from the list of related words on the right that does NOT match the words in each answer choice.
RELATED WORDS
A - fallen, double, dropped, half, slumped
B - possible, clients, manager, increased, has gone up
C - stable, increased, the same, constant
1. How has the change affected business?
(A) It has decreased by 50%.
(B) The number of potential customers
(C) There has been no change.
RELATED WORDS
A - hotel staff, speak to, call, chef
B - pay, transit, sort out, organize
C - ring, telephone, luggage, make
2. Why might guests need to dial 9?
(A) To contact the concierge
(B) To arrange their flight transfers
(C) To place a direct call
LET'S TRY IT 2:
Listening for related words and statements
A. Instructions: Find the keywords in the following questions and answer choices. Then read the audio script below and choose the best answers.
1. Why must attendees wear their identification tags?
(A) So that people can see their names
(B) To get into the presentations
(C) Because presentations are starting shortly
2. How can attendees find out about the presenters?
(A) By looking at the schedule they were given earlier
(B) By checking with the conference organizers
(C) By checking the information on their telephones
3. Why do attendees have to use silent mode?
(A) To ensure safety
(B) To disturb the presentations
(C) To avoid bothering the participants
AUDIO SCRIPT
The conference organizers would like to remind attendees that identification tags must be worn at all times, in order to gain entry to the lecture halls. The presentations will be starting shortly, but before that, there are a couple of other announcements to make. Firstly, I would like to remind all conference guests to read the presentation timetable, which includes the names of all the presenters. Secondly, I have to ask all guests to ensure their mobile telephones are on silent mode, so as not to disturb any presentations. OK. That’s enough of me, I’ll hand you over to your first presenter.
B. LET'S LISTEN
Skim the questions and answer choices below and take note of the keywords. Then, decide which answer is correct.
1. Why should customers choose Seymour suits?
(A) They use high quality cloth but are reasonably priced.
(B) They are expensive but good quality.
(C) They are 25% warmer.
2. How can customers tell if their suit is a genuine Seymour suit?
(A) It is made of cheaper materials.
(B) There is a special inner laver.
(C) It will keep them warm in winter.
3. Why should customers hurry to buy the suits?
(A) It is winter.
(B) The suits create a good first impression.
(C) There are limited quantities.
Before listening to the talk, try to look at the answer choices and think of other ways each one might be said. Then, listen for words with a similar meaning to one of the answer choices. The correct answer to a "how" or "why" question is sometimes a restatement of the lines in the audio.
18. Avoid same-word distractors.
If you see the same word in an answer choice as you hear in the audio, think if it is related to the meaning before choosing your answer.
LET'S PRACTICE 2
A. LET'S LISTEN
Use the tips you have learned to answer the following questions.
1. Why should Mr. Heinrich go to the information counter?
(A) To collect his unattended bag
(B) To make an announcement
(C) To retrieve an important travel document
(D) To report an unattended package
2. Who is told to go to gate number 12?
(A) Mr. G. Heinrich
(B) Passengers traveling to Moscow
(C) Passengers traveling to Berlin
(D) Airport security
3. Why should passengers going to Moscow hurry?
(A) Their flight will leave soon.
(B) They must collect their packages.
(C) The duty-free shop is about to close.
(D) They must collect their boarding passes.
4. How can guests purchase razors or toothbrushes?
(A) By placing a call to the hotel front desk
(B) By dialing 2
(C) By visiting the housekeeper
(D) By using a coin-operated machine
5. How can outside calls be made?
(A) By dialing 1
(B) By contacting the concierge
(C) By dialing the number, followed by 9
(D) By dialing 9 first, then the number
6. Why might guests visit the housekeeper on the first floor?
(A) To get their clothes washed
(B) To make an inquiry
(C) To make an outside call
(D) To purchase toiletries
LET'S DO THE CHALLENGE!
Instructions: Your mentor will give you 30 seconds to skim the questions and answer choices before the first listening starts. When you finish answering the questions about one short talk, start skimming the questions for the next talk immediately.
Please listen to the audio.
1. Who is probably making this announcement?
(A) A history teacher
(B) A company executive
(C) A tour guide
(D) Samuel Weller
2. What is suggested about the candy?
(A) It is named after a child.
(B) It is a healthy dessert.
(C) It is no longer available.
(D) It is difficult to make.
3. What was the original price of a box of candy?
(A) 10 cents
(B) 25 cents
(C) 10 dollars
(D) 45 dollars
4. What change in weather is expected in the north?
(A) It will get warmer.
(B) It will become sunny.
(C) It will begin to rain.
(D) It will snow a little.
5. What temperature is predicted during the day?
(A) 28 degrees
(B) 33 degrees
(C) 38 degrees
(D) 40 degrees
6. Why should drivers be careful tonight?
(A) The roads may be icy.
(B) There will be heavy fog.
(C) It will get dark early.
(D) The roads will be very crowded.
7. Where is the announcement probably being made?
(A) At an airport
(B) At a bus stop
(C) At a train station
(D) At a travel agency
8. Why was there a delay?
(A) There was a mechanical problem.
(B) There was a power outage.
(C) There was a great deal of traffic.
(D) There was bad weather.
9. What does the speaker recommend?
(A) Buying food and drink before departure
(B) Finding a different mode of transportation
(C) Reserving a seat
(D) Delaying the trip
10. Why was the first presentation delayed?
(A) The previous speaker took too much time.
(B) There were technical difficulties.
(C) There were announcements.
(D) People had a lot of questions.
11. How might people know the next speaker?
(A) He is a political leader in his country.
(B) He is a well-known film producer.
(C) He introduced a product to southeast Asia.
(D) He attended the previous conference.
12. What is the topic of the next presentation?
(A) The opening of a new factory
(B) Political changes in Seoul
(C) Developments in production technology
(D) Competition among semiconductor producers
Sometimes, the answers are not stated directly in the passage. You should think of other words related to the choices and listen to infer the general meaning.
14. The correct answer choice normally uses different words from what you hear.
Try to listen for these words and try to understand the meaning, don't just look for the keywords.
15. Specific information questions sometimes come in the same order as the answers in the audio.Try to take note of the questions in order. Every time you hear the answer, mark it and move on to the next one quickly.
16. Pay attention to the numbers in the questions.
Read the questions carefully and make sure the number you choose from the answer choices answers the question and isn't just a distractor.
17. Brainstorm and listen for related words and restatements.Before listening to the talk, try to look at the answer choices and think of other ways each one might be said. Then, listen for words with a similar meaning to one of the answer choices. The correct answer to a "how" or "why" question is sometimes a restatement of the lines in the audio.
18. Avoid same word distractors.
If you see the same word in an answer choice as you hear in the audio, think if it is related to the meaning before choosing your answer.
Reference: The book “スコアが上がるTOEIC L & Rテスト本番模試600問 改訂版 新形式問題対応” by Izumi Irie. Publisher: Obunsha Co., Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Listen to the rest of the audio script and choose the best answer.