LISTENING TEST

Multiple Choice:

Multiple Choice expects you to understand the speaker's view and choose the relevant option.

WARNING: Multiple Choice is a challenging aspect of the Listening Module

Probable Challenges:

• - The speaker would usually utter all the options given in the question.
• - The speaker would use the synonyms instead of the exact words in the option.
• - All the options usually would seem similar

Strategies:

• - Read the instructions and understand what needs to be marked on the answer sheet
• - First try to read and understand ONLY the question and mark the relevant KEYWORDS/ PROMPTS.
• - Listen to the relevant aspect of the question and make quick notes related to the options given.
• - Listen to the audio and focus on the options along with notes-taking - all at the same time. Practice multitasking!
• - Wait for the entire conversation to end related to the question topic before marking the answer. Do not mark what you hear first.
• - Quickly match the right answer against the option along with the help of the quick notes within the 30 seconds given at the end of the entire conversation. The quick notes would definitely help you match the answer at the later part of the test as well.

Matching:

This question type requires candidates to make connections between different pieces of information. Questions of this nature provide candidates with a set of choices, which must then be paired with items from a numbered list.

• - Read the instructions and understand what needs to be marked on the answer sheet
• - First try to read and understand ONLY the question and mark the relevant KEYWORDS/ PROMPTS.
• - Listen to the relevant aspect of the question and make quick notes related to the options given.
• - Listen to the audio and focus on the options along with notes-taking - all at the same time. Practice multitasking!
• - Wait for the entire conversation to end related to the question topic before marking the answer. Do not mark what you hear first.
• - Quickly match the right answer against the option along with the help of the quick notes within the 30 seconds given at the end of the entire conversation. The quick notes would definitely help you match the answer at the later part of the test as well.

Map/Plan/Diagram Labeling:

These questions involve graphical representations of the topics being discussed in the recordings. Candidates will be shown an image, such as a map of a city or the diagram for a piece of machinery. Certain elements will be left off of the graphic, and candidates must fill them in.

In most instances, candidates will be given a list of possible responses and asked to choose the most appropriate one for each blank.

WARNING: This is a challenging aspect of the Listening Module.

Probable Challenges:

• - Juggling between the options given and the Map.
• - Failing to apply the verbal instructions to the Map.

Strategies:

• - Do not worry about the options given.
• - Follow the speaker and initially start marking the locations on the question paper (in paper-based test) along with the audio.
• - Later go back and match the marking with the options given.

Table/Form/Note/Summary/Flow-Chart Completion:

The completion part of the Listening section requires candidates to finish incomplete outlines related to the recordings. Possible outlines include:

• Tables: These will organize the key data in a recording according to well-defined categories, such as time, place, price, etc.
• Forms: Examinees will be given a form containing details about the recording. For example, they might be given a shipping agency's quotation form and asked to fill in the dimensions and destination of a package, among other information.
• Flow-Charts: These diagrams show the order in which a process moves from one stage to the next.
• Notes: These appear in a variety of layouts and require an understanding of how different parts of a recording are linked. For example, test takers might be given a brief outline summarizing an arts center's history, amenities, and event schedule and asked to fill in the blanks.

The number of words used to fill in each blank is strictly monitored. The question paper will provide clear directions on how responses should be filled out, including information on word limits ('no more than three words,' 'only one word,' etc.). Any student whose response exceeds the word limit will be penalized.

Strategies

• - Read the instructions and understand what needs to be marked on the answer sheet
• - First try to read and understand the question and mark the relevant KEYWORDS/ PROMPTS.
• - Listen to the relevant aspect of the question and mark the answers.

Sentence Completion:

Questions in this category are composed of several sentences with important words and phrases omitted. Candidates will need to plug these gaps using content from the recordings.

As with the other completion tasks, candidates can only use a certain number of words and will be penalized for writing too much.

Strategies:

• - Read the instructions and understand what needs to be marked on the answer sheet
• - First try to read and understand the question and mark the relevant KEYWORDS/ PROMPTS.
• - Listen to the relevant aspect of the question and mark the answers.

Short-Answer:

Unlike the previous question types that provide potential answers or text with gaps to fill in, this section requires candidates to create their own responses. Candidates will be asked questions related to the recordings, and will need to answer it in their own words.

Strategies:

• - Read the instructions and understand what needs to be marked on the answer sheet
• - First try to read and understand the question and mark the relevant KEYWORDS/ PROMPTS.
• - Listen to the relevant aspect of the question and mark the answers.