2. It's good to know...
4 parts
30 questions
40 minutes
Each correct answer 1 mark.
TM: 30 PM: 18
in sentence-completion tasks, use CAPITAL LETTERS.
no marks deducted for wrong answers.
Use time wisely: task instruction and the set of
sentences provide a lot of information about what you
are going to hear.
3. PART 1
Multiple choice.
Three short extracts from exchanges between
interacting speakers with two multiple-choice questions
on each extract.
FOCUS: ability to listen to short dialogues and show
understanding of gist, detail, function, agreement and
course of action, speakers’ purpose, feelings,
attitudes and opinions.
NO. OF QUESTIONS: 6
4. PART 2
Sentence completion.
Candidates are required to
complete the sentences with information heard on the
recording.
FOCUS ON: ability to follow the main points of a text,
retrieve specific information and stated opinion.
Use the actual words on the recording.
NO. OF QUESTIONS: 8
5. PART 3
Multiple choice.
A conversation between two or more speakers of
approximately 4 minutes. There are six multiple-choice
questions, each with four options.
FOCUS ON: ability to listen to longer interviews &
discussions, show understanding of the speakers’
attitudes and opinions. Agreement, gist, feeling,
purpose, detail may also be tested.
NO. OF QUESTIONS: 6
6. PART 4
Multiple matching.
Five short themed monologues, of approximately 30
seconds each. Each multiple-matching task requires
selection of the correct options from a list of eight.
FOCUS ON: ability to identify the gist of a number of short
texts on a theme, e.g. by identifying main points, gist,
attitude and opinion.
NO. OF QUESTIONS:10
7. Use time to familiarise with the
task and begin to make
predictions about what you are
likely to hear.
8. HOW TO IMPROVE?
Regular exposition to audio materials: the
more English you hear, delivered at
natural speed in a variety of voices and
contexts, the more confident you will
become in extracting key information and
gist meaning.
