TOEFL Listening: An Introduction to TOEFL Listening Section

TOEFL Listening Test

Structure
The TOEFL Listening section is around 60 to 90 minutes long, wherein a long audio recording is played based on which questions need to be answered. The recording lasts for a few several minutes and is only played once. The Listening section has a total of 34 to 51 questions. For every test, around 4 to 6 audio recordings are played, followed by 5 to 6 questions each.

The audio usually consists of lectures, conversations between friends or discussions in the classroom etc. While the recording is being played, test-takers should keep in mind the key points, essential details of the speaker's intention, and the format of the information being provided to answer questions efficiently and effectively.

Five common themes observed in the Listening test

TOEFL Listening- Types of Questions

The following types of questions are usually asked in the TOEFL Listening test. Here's a list –

FUNCTION QUESTIONS
This type of question asks why the speaker said a particular thing, i.e. the function or purpose of the speaker's words in the context of the discussion. Most of the time, the speaker uses slang, phrases or synonyms of a specific word or sentence. The applicant must be attentive while the recording is being played and figure out the context of what is being said.

DETAIL QUESTIONS
This type of question generally questions about a detail in the recording. Such questions are observed in most scenarios following a conversation or lecture-based audio.

INFERENCE QUESTIONS
Such questions require the test-taker to draw conclusions or infer from the conversation or lecture that was played in the audio clip. To answer these questions, one must comprehend an indirect message by delving beyond the literal meaning of the speech.

ATTITUDE QUESTIONS
Much like function questions, the attitude style question type tests one's ability to pinpoint the speaker's attitude, tone, purpose, or intention while speaking. Such questions can be tricky. Therefore, one must listen to the prompt carefully.

ORGANIZATION QUESTION
Such questions deal with understanding the organization and the primary purpose of the lecture. One must recognize how the specifics and information are arranged in the lecture or talk to respond correctly to these questions. The popular organization forms are cause and effect, comparison and process steps.

GIST QUESTIONS
The gist is the crux or the main idea of something. Gist questions in this way ask to identify what the essence, purpose or content of the audio was. These can alternatively also be called main idea questions as they question the main theme, the central idea, also known as the gist of the narration by the speaker.

Must Know Tips and Tricks

Practice- Know the pattern.
Knowing beforehand what the pattern and structure of the listening section look like is an added advantage. Attempting the section for the first time can be daunting for a layperson. Don't let yourself be in that position. Practice and familiarize for yourself with potential TOEFL questions.

Inculcate the habit of taking notes.
One of the biggest hurdles most students face while attempting the TOEFL Listening test is that they miss out on information. Therefore, making quick, concise and precise notes can’t be understated at any cost. Jotting down key points is imperative to answer the questions later.

Use Practice Material
Another challenge that many students encounter is not understanding the speaker's accent, diction or speed in the audio. To overcome this barrier, mock practice is imperative. There are loads of online materials available that can come in handy for students preparing for the TOEFL exam. Additionally, listen to podcasts, news broadcasts and more such content.

Broaden your vocabulary
Many words, phrases or idioms are said in the listening test, which some may only understand. Enhancing your vocabulary is always a great attribute and will always be beneficial while giving the listening test.

Don't forget to recheck in the end.
As a rule, always recheck and review your answers if time permits. Going through the answers for the second time helps spot errors that were overlooked or left blank initially. Do not panic if you miss out on any specific detail. Stay calm and try rereading e question. In some cases, one can predict the answers based on the context of the sentence.

Conclusion
As we navigate through this blog, it's evident that having basic knowledge about the TOEFL Listening section, including the pattern, structure, question types, and strategies, is an added advantage if one wishes to score more in the TOEFL exam. There is a misconception that the listening section of the TOEFL exam is challenging, but that is hardly the case if one has prepared and practiced thoroughly. Remember, there is no shortcut to working hard, so don't avoid it while preparing for the TOEFL Listening test.