A Chauncey dup International and CISA Baba ey Peterson's Neoware COMPREHENSION SKILLS CMC ae Cs sO Hee ee a a ay A whsidio Cee ea . ORE Cele R Di) ETSA EEA ES eee SSSSSSSSSSSESSSS Tips and Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations In the lesson for Day 1, you tried some sample questions from Part Ill of the test. Today, you will start to work on Part ill, the Short Conversations section. This is the part of the test in which you hear a conversation between two people. In the test book, you will read a question about the conversation, and you will also see four choices. You should choose the best answer to the question from the four choices, The following are important points to remember about this part: ‘There are 30 questions in the Short Conversations section In the test book, you will see only the question and the four choices. You will not see the text of the conversation. As in the rest of the Listening Comprehension section, you will hear the record- ing only once. On the recording, there is @ pause of 8 seconds between questions. Today's lesson begins with a tip that will help Example 1 you select the best answer when you hear the con- On the recording, you will hear: wersation @ TIP Read the question (Woman) Have you heard? Mr. Olmos is going to first. Africa, (Man) Is that right? I guess he'll be gone for some time. Try to read each question before you listen to the (Woman) Not to long. realy. Just for fourteen days. conversation. If you have time, quickly read the four choices, too, Reading the question first can help you ‘Mf Now, STOP the recording, to focus your listening and may give you some idea esate oat hase ohh ei of what the conversation is about. Consider the following question: Ree gOryeoril Maeve We seen? (A) Four days. How long will Mr, Olmos be away? (B) One week (C) Two weeks. After reading the question, you can see that you need to find out how long something will happen. You can then listen to the conversation to find out (D) Over ane month the length of time that Mr. Olmos will be away. ARCO ™ 30 Daysto the TOEIC Test www-petersons.com/arcoILE IS BESS FEZGRE 02 8: Tips and Exercises for Part ll: Short Conversations When you listen to the conversation, it is not nec~ essary to note where Mr. Olmos is going. The answer to the question can be heard when the woman says, just fourteen days.” Because fourteen days is the same as two weeks, (C) is the best answer Now, read the following question: What does the woman want to do? Now that you have read the question, when you hear the conversation, you can listen for what the ‘woman wants. You know that you do not need to know where the people are, who they are. or what the woman is doing. Example 2 e (On the recording, you will hear (Woman): Is that today’s paper? I want to see if our advertisement is in it? (Man): No, this is yesterday's. Today’s hasn’t come in yet. (Woman): Oh, I'll call downstairs and see if they have a copy. @ Now, STOP the recording, In your test book, you will read: What does the woman want to do? (A) Put an advertisement in the paper. (B) Order a newspaper subscription. (C) Have some photocopies made. (D) Check the paper for an advertisement, In the first line, the woman says, “I want to see....” If you have already read the question, you will realize that you are about to hear the answer. ‘The woman says that she wants to see if the adver tisement is in the paper. See and check have a similar meaning in this situation. Choice (D) is therefore the best answer. EXERCISE A: LISTENING FOR REQUIRED INFORMATION In Example 1, the key words, or the words that supply the answer, are “just fourteen days.” In Ex- ample 2, the key words are “want to see...advertisement.” In Exercise A, you'll practice listening for requited information. Look at the ques- tion and read the choices before you listen. On the lines underneath, answer the question and write the key words that help you answer the question. e 1. Where are the photographs? (A) In the woman's office. (B) On the conference table. (©) On the man’s desk, (D) In the break room. 2. What does the woman say about the electrical equipment? (A) It can be modified easily. (B) It was made in Europe. (C) Itwas bought at a trade show. (D) Itoperates quickly. 3. When is the man’s economics class? (A) On Tuesdays. {B) On Wednesdays. (C) On Thursdays. (D) On Fridays. Now, STOP the recording.ee Day 8: Tips and Exercises for Part Ill Short Conversations [EA The sample questions in Exercise A all asked about specific details from the conversations. With other types of questions, you will have to imagine the setting of the conversation and to think about ‘who is speaking in order to choose the correct an- ‘swer. These questions will ask you to make an infer- ‘ence, of to come to a conclusion about what is hap- ‘pening. Questions such as “Who are the speakers?” and “Where does the conversation probably take As you listen to the conversations, ask yourself following questions: Who are the speakers? Where are they? What are they doing? What is their relationship? ‘The question written in the test book can often you to determine the setting of the conversa- . For example, from the question Who mailed the reports? might guess that the speakers work in an office. Certain vocabulary words in the conversation can help you figure out the setting. For example, if hear the following words: bly line plant supervisor foreman cians production line might guess that the setting of the conversation 1A lnctory or a production facility of some kind. If you hear the words: patient xray doctor exam appointment medicine ‘you might guess that the conversation takes place in a hospital or medical clinic. When you imagine the setting, or picture the scene of the conversation, you can prepare yourself to answer questions about it. Now, listen to Example 3. Think about who the ‘speakers are, where they are, and what they are doing, Example 3 @ (Man) Thanks for your help with our trip to New Orleans. The hotel was beautiful and we had a great time. (Woman) My pleasure. I guess you're planning an- other trip? (Man) Yes, and I'll be needing plane tickets, a rental car, and of course, a hotel recom- mendation. Now, STOP the recording. ‘The man thanks the woman for her “help with our trip.” He also tells her he will need “plane tick- ets, a rental car, and.,.a hotel recommendation.” The woman asks the man if he is “planning another trip.” These are services usually provided by a travel agent, Therefore, you can infer from the conversa- tion that the woman is a travel agent and the man, a customer. The conversation may be taking place at a travel agency.ee EDS ones [ZENE Day 8: Tips and Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations EXERCISE B: IMAGINING THE SETTING AND WHO IS SPEAKING ‘As you listen to the recording, imagine the setting, and who is speaking. You will have to make conclu to write down key words that tell you who the speak- ‘ers probably are, where they probably are, that they could be doing, and what their relationship might be. @ 1. Whoare the speakers? Where are they? —— What are they doing? ‘Whats their relationship? 2. Whoare the speakers? Where are they? What are they doing? ‘What is their relationship? 3. Whoare the speakers? Where are they? What are they doing? What is their relationship? Who are the speakers? Where are they? ‘What are they doing? ‘What is their relationship? 5. Whoare the speakers? Where are they? What are they doing? What is their relationship? Now, STOF the mcording. + FOR ADDITIONAL PRACTICE Script FOR Day 8 Exercise A L (Woman) — Where are the pictures from the At- (Man) Janta Conference? 1 put them upstairs in your office Didn’t you want them there? ‘Well, 1 left them here in the break room foe people to look at cm —2 (Man) Exercise B L (Woman) (Man) (Woman) (Man) who oon eee Day 8: Tips and Exercises for Part ill: Short Conversations [CA Have you shipped the electrical equipment to the European trade show? We have to make some modifica- tions to it, but that won't be diffi- cult, I'm sure we can do it. ‘We've got to doit quickly. Wedon’t have that much time. I thought you had an economics class on Tuesday nights. No, it was switched to Wednesdays, and the finance class was canceled, so now I'm free on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Well, since you're free, why don’t we meet at the library later? 1 didn’t expect to see so many people here this early. The show doesn't start for another hour, and half the seats are already full, Well, the lead actor is very popular these days, He's been in a number of successful plays. Not only that, but the set design is supposed to be quite unique. ‘Your story on last night’s game was very good, but I've suggested some changes. Thope it won't take much time. I've got to get to the stadium for an in- terview this afternoon. You just need to make it a bit shorter. We want to add another photo. 3. (Man) (Man) (Man) ‘And this is the latest model. You'll save money because it doesn’t use much hot water or electricity. don’t know. The restaurant can get very busy. How fast is it? Faster than the machine you're us ing now. You'll find it cleans pots and pans better, too. Tunderstand you had to shut down the third assembly line this morn- ing. What happened? ‘Apower supply problem. The elee- trician had to replace a cable. It was off for about an hour. Have him check the cables in lines one and two and let me know if there are any more problems, I'll be in my office. ‘We should have just ordered from the catalog. This will take all after- noon. This store is cheaper, and they de- liver. Besides, I don’t want to see a picture; I want to see what we're getting. Well, weneed filing cabinets, desks, and chairs. Let's look at the cabinets first.ee ee ee ee eee Ea Day 8: Tips and Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations ANSWER KEY FOR DAY 8 Exercise A Answers: Possible key words: “L put them...in your office.” A “make...modifications” and “that won't be difficult” B “switched to Wednesdays” Exercise B Possible answers: They are in a theater. They are waiting for a play to begin. ‘They are in a newspaper office talking about a story. The man is 4 sportswriter, and the woman isan editor. The man is trying to sell a dishwasher, and the woman is a restaurant owner, They may bein an appliance store. They are in a factory. The woman may be a su- pervisor, and the man might be a foreman. They are shopping at an office supply store. They may be colleagues. They may have just started their own business.I EE EISSN SeSsSsssssesss EN i) Further Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations ‘On Day 8, you learned that you should read the question while you are waiting to hear the recorded conversation. Yau also learned that you should try to imagine the setting of the conversation, and you practiced answering two types of questions: questions that ask about specific details and questions that ask you to come to a conclusion. In today’s lesson, you will learn additional strategies for the Short Conversations portion of the TOEIC test. In your test book, you will read: . Look at all four choices before answering. What does the man want Sally to do? (A) Postpone the proposal [B) Hand him some Words that are spoken in the conversation often ” nae Appear in the four choices. You need to determine if (C) Tell him what time the train leaves, Mime repeated words provide an answer to the ques (D) Help him with a project. M08 oF not. Consider the following example: Choice (A) mentions the woman’s proposal. It’s Hxample 1 true that she is working on a proposal. However, the man never tells her to delay working on it. ne Ym wie tase In Choice (B), the man asks for “a hand,” which 0 means to ask for help. However, he does not ask her to hand, or to give, him anything. (Man) Sally, can you give me a hand with this ee eee See ‘The woman does mention the time of the train, but marketing project this afternoon? Sey this is not what the man wants to know. Woman) Weil, | need to finish this product proposal Choice (D) ts correct because the man asks for today, then I'm going to catch a train at help, or a hand, with the project. 55, (Man) OK. Could we start on it first thing tomor. row morning, then? Bow, STOP the revonting,AE OEE AEE OES AES Day 9: Further Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations Exercise A: READING THE CHOICES (CAREFULLY BEFORE ANSWERING In the next three questions, words that are spoken in the conversation appear in the four choices, Read the question and listen to the recording. Then read the choices carefully before answering. @ 1. What does the woman suggest? (A) Trying different colors. (8) Changing the style, {C) Using other fabrics. (D) Opening a new account. 2. Whats Mr. Brower’s current position? (A) Driver. {B) Salesman. (©) Partner (D) Manager. 3. What sport did the man see last night? (A) Basketball. {B) Rugby. (©) Soccer. (D) Baseball. Now, STOP the recording When you listened to the conversations, you probably heard some of the words written in the four choices. Look at the scripts and the answer key at the end of this section to check your answers. If you selected any wrong answers, try to decide why. Ask yourself the following questions: * Did you read the question first? * Did you try to imagine the setting of the conver~ sation? * Did you carefully read all four choices? * Did you listen to the entire conversation? When choosing your answer in Part III of the test, be aware that there will be only one correct choice The phrasing of that choice, however, may be differ- ent from what you heard in the conversation. Example 2 Consider the following question: When will the woman leave for Hawaii? ‘The correct answer may be a day, a date, a time, or a period of time. Now listen to the conversation: @ (Man) I'm very tired. At least can sleep late tomorrow. (Woman) I won't be sleeping late. Il be up at five since the plane for Hawaii leavesatseven. Friday and | (Man) —_ That's right. Tomorrow, you're starting your vacation. Have a good time! B Now, STOP the recording, There are different ways to answer the preceding question. Look at the following choices. Which ones are possible answers to the question? When will the woman leave for Hawaii? Tomorrow Today At five Atseven In the morning In the afternoon On Friday On Saturday PmAmoas> Choices A, D, E, and Hall correctly of these answers the tent aswer theA ES Day 9: Further Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations [EAM EEE _ EXERCISE B: LOOKING AT DIFFERENT Ways OF ANSWERING THE QUESTION Read through the following lines from Short Con- ‘Yersations (they are not complete conversations). ‘The line from the conversation—in italics—is fol- Towed by a question. Try to come up with as many “answers for each question as possible. When you have finished, go back and decide which answers are ‘the most likely and which are the least likely. ‘The file you need is upstairs in my office in the top drawer. Where is the file? t prices are a bit high here, but the styles are up-to-date. ‘Where is the conversation taking place? “5 going to be an hour delay. Let's see if we can find shop nearby. Where is the conversation taking, place? led his presentation to be interesting and informa- but it wasn't, it does the woman think about the presenta- In the lesson for Day 5, you practiced identifying the purpose of the question. This skill is useful throughout the test. In the following conversation, for example, there are different ways to ask a “when” question. Look at this conversation: Example 3 (Man) —_I'mealling tolet you know that your credit card payment is several weeks overdue. (Woman) Hmm... thought I paid that last month. Perhaps it was delivered to the wrong address, Well...please check your records to see if you've already paid. Here are two possible questions “when” ques- tions for the conversation: (Man) 1. When was the payment due? 2. When does the woman think she made the pay- ment? In Exercises C and D, you'll practice writing your ‘own questions and answers.OE ILLES BESS FEZZBE 0 «y 9: Further Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations EXERCISE C: UNDERSTANDING THE PURPOSE OF THE QUESTION Listen to the following conversation. Then write questions for the answers that are given. Some pos- sible answers are listed at the end of this unit. Your answers may be slightly different. T'mcalling to let you know that your credit card payment is several weeks overdue. (Woman) Ham...1 thought I paid that last month. Perhaps it was delivered to the wrong address. Well...please check your records to see if you've already paid. 8 Now, STOP the recording, Questions 1. Answers To check her records. ‘She thought she had already paid her bill. Several weeks ago. Last month. She missed a credit card payment. Because the woman missed a payment. Acaedit card payment. Ina billing office, a Exercise D: PRACTICE WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS For this exercise, there are three conversations on the recording. Listen carefully to each conversation, then write either a question or an answer in the space provided. You might need to listen to each conversation more than once. Questions 1. A. Where does the man want to go? B. C. What does the man ask the woman to do? 2. A. Where is the woman going? C._ Whenis the woman going to the new restauEEE ISSEES BEES Day 9: Further Exercises for Part Ili Short Conversations EEA What does the man say about the reception? |. Why is the woman disappointed? ANSWERS » * . Toa doctor's appointment. ). He will take a taxi. ‘He has other plans. Going to the new restaurant again next week. The visiting professors. . tthe beginning of next month. @ Now, STOP the recording.ATE EEA ES BS EZ 02 9: Further Exercises for Part Il: Short Conversations FoR ADDITIONAL PRACTICE + Make a set of conversation cards. See the sample below. On one side of the card (or small piece of paper), write one of the Part III conversations from this chapter or from other sections of this book. * On the other side of the card, write possible ques- tions for the conversation. Read the conversation out loud then tum the card over and try to an- swer the questions without looking at the conver- sation again. + Make several cards and practice with a friend or colleague. Read the short conversations out loud and ask your friend to answer the questions that you have prepared. Repeat the process with cards that your friend has made. Front of card (Woman) We should think about finding another hotel for staff meetings. (Man) Why? The food and service are great here, and there's plenty of space! (Woman) Yes, but the prices keep going up. Back of card Why is the woman unhappy with the hotel? What does the man think about the hotel? Where is this conversation probably taking place? Who are the speakers? SCRIPTS FOR Day 9 Exercise A 1. (Man) We've tried different colors and differ- ent fabrics, but we haven't been able to satisfy the client, (Woman) This client isn’t interested in new col- ors and fabrics. You'll have to try changing the style. I don’t want tolose this account. (Man) I'll go back to production and get started again 2. (Man) Did you hear that Mr. Brower is retir- ing next month? (Woman) I know. Is he an area manager or a part- ner? He's a partner. He started forty years ago as a driver and worked as a sales- ‘man, too. 3. (Woman) [hear you took some French clients to the baseball game last night. How was it? They said that they still prefer soccer and rugby to baseball. (Woman) Maybe you should try basketball next time. It's more exciting.NE eee Day 9: Further Exercises for Part Ill: Short Conversations Ei (Man) Could you take me to the station after my meeting? (Woman) Sorry, I'm not going downtown. Ihave a doctor's appointment near here, (Man) That's OK, I'l get a taxi. (Woman) We're planning to go to the new Ital- ian restaurant this afternoon. Would you like to join us? (Man) — I’dloveto, but I'vealready made plans for lunch. Maybe we can go some time next week. (Woman) OK. Ifit's good, I'm sure everyone will want to go back again. (Man) heard this morning that Wednesday's reception for the visiting professors has been postponed. (Woman) Really? 1 was looking forward to meet- ing Dr. Greene and the others. (Man) They've rescheduled it for the begin- ning of next month.OS AEG EAE ES BS FEZGBE bey 9: Further Exercises for Part ll: Short Conversations ANSWER KEY FOR Day 9 epetee a Possible questions and answers: Exercise A Questions Answers. LB LA To the station. 2 4 B. Where is the epi woman going? ane c Take him to the station. ercise ; D. How will the man Possible answers: get to the station? 1, Upstairs. In the man’s office. In the top drawer. Tuan Italian Ina desk. restaurant. 2, Asshoe store. A clothing store. A boutique. A de~ B. Why is the man Partment store. not able to go to 3. Anairport. A train station. An office. the Italian ° restaurant today? 4. It was boring. It was dull. It was not informative. c This afternoon. 5. Amarketing executive. Abusiness owner. Acom- pany president. 1D. What does the man suggest? Exercise C 3. A. Whois the Possible questions: reception for? 1. What does the man ask the woman to do? B. Ithas been postponed. 2. Why's the woman surprised? C. When will the 3. When was the payment due? tion been held? 4. When does the woman think she made the pay- 2 D. ‘She wants to meet the Tr>AOFr> ePaNtT FN ON ASS ONS > > 0 80.OE EES BESS Tips and Exercises for Part IV: Short Talks In the lesson for Day 1, you tried some sample questions from Part IV of the test Today you will take a closer look at the Short Talks portion of the TOEIC test. This is the part of the test in which you will hear several short talks, each consisting of authentic examples of spoken English from workplace, travel, and leisure situations. These talks will vary in level of formality and will include such spoken language as announcements, short speeches, and advertise- ments. The following are important points to remember about this part: There are 20 questions in this part of the test. In the test book, you will see two or three written questions about each talk, with four choices for each question. You will not see the text of the talk. Each talk is read by one speaker only and will be read one time only On the recording, there is a pause of 8 seconds between questions. Here are some suggest Ability to make the best choice. Aa the questions Each talk will have two or three questions related to what you hear. Try to read the questions before You listen to the talk. Reading the questions can help you to focus your listening and may give you some idea of what the talk will be about. Reading the questions and choices can also let you know if you feed to listen for gene Consider the following types of questions: ‘General Information Questions; What is the purpose of this talk? ls this tatk being given? kor? for improving your | information or for details, All of these que: about a short talk. To find the answers to general in- formation questions, concentrate on listening for the main ideas. Now consider these questions: jons ask for general information Questions about Details: Whaat is the final destination of the flight? How long is the flight to Dubai? Where will the plane stop first? All of these questions ask about specific details of the short talk. To answer questions about details, you will need to pay attention to specific facts, times, and dates Now listen to a short talk. As you listen, try to answer the 1 informa xl detail questions at you can guess that the ¢ flight even before you have heand the recordingA EES Day 11: Tips and Exercises for Part IV: Short Talks @ Example 1 ‘Good afternoon and welcome aboard Global Air Flight 875 from Copenhagen to Bangkok, with in- termediate stops in Dubai and Calcutta. We are pre- paring to depart ina few minutes. At this time, your seat back should be returned to its full upright po- sition and your seat belt should be fastened. Our anticipated flying time to Dubai is six hours and twenty-five minutes. We hope you enjoy the flight. Now, STOP the recording. Inference Questions The information that you need to answer a ques- tion may not always be stated directly. You may need to make inferences, or draw conclusions, from information given in the talk, These conclusions may be about general information or specific details. In Example 1, the general information question "Who is the speaker?” requires an inference. We infer from the entire talk that the speaker is a flight atten dant. A question about specific details may also require you to make an inference. For example, “Where will the plane stop first?” is not directly answered in the talk. However, we can infer that the first stop is Dubai, ‘because the speaker states the flying time to that city. ‘The first question in Exercise A is also an inference question. You can infer from the talk who the speaker is, although that information is not directly stated. Exercise A: READING THE QUESTIONS FIRST Read the following questions and choices and de- cide whether you are being asked to listen for gen- eral information or for details. 1. Whois speaking? (A) A police officer: (B) A weather forecaster, (C) Aradic (yA nnouincer 2, According to the report, what is causing the traf fic delays? (A) Traffic accidents. (8) Fog, (C) Road construction. (D) Floods. Now cover up the following short talk with a piece of paper, listen to the talk, and try to answer both questions. ‘Questions 1 and 2 refer to the following report And for all of you getting ready for your drive home, I’m happy to report that there are no major traffic delays in the metropolitan area, There are however, a few minor problems. On Route 9 near River Road, expect delays due to paving. Also, because of the rebuilding of the Lincoln Bridge only one lane will be open. Stay tuned for an wp» date in twenty minutes. Now, STOP the recording. Notice that the first question is asking about ge ral information, while the second question is asking, about a specific point. Did reading the questions be fore you heard the talk help you to choose the cor rect answer? On Day 2, you learned about listening for stressed words. Remember, these are usually the most important words for understanding the me ing of spoken English. If you listen for stressed words, then you don’t have to worry if you do wot understand every word of the talk. for stressed words as you comple