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Listening Comprehension Sample Questions

Level 1, Section 1

Below is an example of what you'll hear during the Listening section of the test. The content on screen corresponds to the audio players throughout the page. You can also view the transcript for each item by clicking the link beneath the player.

As you're going through the questions, select the appropriate answer for each by clicking on it. When you have answered all the questions, click "Show all answers" at the end of the page to highlight the correct answer for each question.

Introduction

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In the Listening Comprehension section of the test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand spoken English. There are three parts to this section with special directions for each part. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers in this test.

Directions: In Part A, you will hear short conversations between 2 people. After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you hear:

(Woman) I don't like this painting very much.

(Man) Neither do I.

(Narrator) What does the man mean?

On the screen, you read:

  1. He does not like the painting either.
  2. He does not know how to paint.
  3. He does not have any paintings.
  4. He does not know what to do.

You learn from the conversation that neither the man nor the woman likes the painting. The best answer to the question "What does the man mean?" is A, "He does not like the painting either." Therefore, the correct choice is A.

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In the Listening Comprehension section of the test, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to understand spoken English. There are 3 parts to this section with special directions for each part. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated or implied by the speakers in this test.

Part A

Directions

In Part A, you will hear short conversations between 2 people. After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you hear:

On the screen, you read:

  1. He does not like the painting either.
  2. He does not know how to paint.
  3. He does not have any paintings.
  4. He does not know what to do.

You learn from the conversation that neither the man nor the woman likes the painting. The best answer to the question "What does the man mean?" is A, "He does not like the painting either." Therefore, the correct choice is A.

Sample Short Conversation Questions 1–3

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(Narrator) Question 1.

(Man) Should I lock up the computer lab now before I go home?

(Woman) Don't bother. I'm not leaving for a while—I can check it on my way out.

(Narrator) What will the woman probably do?

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  1. The answer to question 1 is:
    1. Lock the computer lab later
    2. Leave with the man
    3. Buy a new lock for the computer lab
    4. Show the man where the lab is

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT CONTENT

(Narrator) Question 2.

(Man) Do you mind if I turn the television off?

(Woman) Well, I'm in the middle of watching a program.

(Narrator) What does the woman imply?

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  1. The answer to question 2 is:
    1. The man should watch the program too.
    2. The man should leave the television on.
    3. The program will be over soon.
    4. She will watch television later.

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(Narrator) Question 3.

(Woman) I heard the math requirements for graduation are being charged.

(Man) Yes. And I may be short one course.

(Narrator) What does the man mean?

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  1. The answer to question 3 is:
    1. He is not sure what course to take.
    2. He may not meet the graduation requirements.
    3. The math course is too short.
    4. The graduation date has been changed.

Part B

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Directions: In Part B, you will hear longer conversations. After each conversation, you will hear several questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

END TRANSCRIPT CONTENT

Directions

In Part B, you will hear longer conversations. After each conversation, you will hear several questions. The conversations and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

Sample Long Conversation Questions 4–7

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(Narrator) Questions 4–7. Listen to part of a conversation between a student and a professor.

(Man) Hi, Professor Adams. My name is Larry.

(Woman) Hi, Larry. How can I help you?

(Man) I was told that you place students in internships for various university programs.

(Woman) Yes.

(Man) Well, I'm interested in the internship at the university art museum... what responsibilities interns have, what qualifications they need to have...

(Woman) Sorry, those positions are all filled for this year...

(Man) Oh! But I just saw the announcement on the museum Web site this morning.

(Woman) Unfortunately, the Web site is out of date.

(Man) I want to do museum work after I graduate, and the job experience would look great on my résumé. Plus it's the only paid internship on campus.

(Woman) I understand. However, there are some other ways to get some work experience, even if it's not exactly what you want. For instance, the library is looking for student volunteers.

(Man) The library? But...

(Woman) Well, they're planning an exhibition of photographs documenting the history of the university. And they're looking for student volunteers to help go through the archives and select images that'll show how the university's changed over the last hundred years.

(Man) Hmm...

(Woman) Now that's only a four-week project, I think. And, of course, it's unpaid.

(Man) But it would be something to put on my résumé...

(Woman) Exactly. Why don't you read the job description—it's posted on the library's Web site. If you're interested, let me know, and I'll put in a good word for you with Emily Peterson. She's the library's exhibitions director and will be interviewing applicants.

(Man) OK, I'll do that right away.

(Narrator) Question 4. What do the speakers mainly discuss?

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  1. The answer to question 4 is:
    1. Work opportunities for students
    2. The professor's work at the museum
    3. The man's qualifications for a job
    4. Possible careers for the man after he graduates

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(Narrator) Question 5. Why is the student disappointed?

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  1. The answer to question 5 is:
    1. He has to quit his job at the library.
    2. The professor will not allow him to take her class.
    3. The university recently closed its museum.
    4. The internship he wants is unavailable.

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(Narrator) Question 6. What will be displayed in the exhibition at the university library?

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  1. The answer to question 6 is:
    1. Rare books
    2. Paintings
    3. Photographs
    4. Historical reports

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(Narrator) Question 7. What can be inferred about the library's exhibitions director, Emily Peterson?

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  1. The answer to question 7 is:
    1. She will select the library's volunteers.
    2. She studied art with the student's professor.
    3. She used to work at the art museum.
    4. She joined the library staff recently.

Part C

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Directions: In Part C of the test, you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The talks and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you hear:

(Narrator) Listen to an instructor talk to his class about a television program.

(Man) I'd like to tell you about an interesting TV program that'll be shown this coming Thursday. It'll be on from 9 to 10 P.M., on Channel 4. It's part of a series called Mysteries of Human Biology. The subject of the program is the human brain—how it functions and how it can malfunction. Topics that will be covered are dreams, memory, and depression. These topics are illustrated with outstanding computer animation that makes the explanations easy to follow. Make an effort to see this show. Since we've been studying the nervous system in class, I know you'll find it very helpful.

Now listen to a sample question.

(Narrator) What is the main purpose of the program?

On the screen, you read:

  1. To demonstrate the latest use of computer graphics
  2. To discuss the possibility of an economic depression
  3. To explain the workings of the brain
  4. To dramatize a famous mystery story

The best answer to the question "What is the main purpose of the program?" is C, "To explain the workings of the brain." Therefore, the correct choice is answer C.

Now listen to another sample question.

(Narrator) Why does the professor recommend watching the program?

On the screen, you read:

  1. It is required of all science majors.
  2. It will feature the professor's research.
  3. It can help viewers improve their memory skills.
  4. It will help with course work.

The best answer to the question "Why does the speaker recommend watching the program?" is D, "It will help with course work." Therefore, the correct choice is answer D.

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Directions

In Part C of the test, you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will hear some questions. The talks and questions will not be repeated.

After you hear a question, read the 4 possible answers on the screen and select the best answer by clicking on it.

Here is an example.

On the recording, you hear:

Now listen to a sample question.

On the screen, you read:

  1. To demonstrate the latest use of computer graphics
  2. To discuss the possibility of an economic depression
  3. To explain the workings of the brain
  4. To dramatize a famous mystery story

The best answer to the question "What is the main purpose of the program?" is C, "To explain the workings of the brain." Therefore, the correct choice is answer C.

Now listen to another sample question.

On the screen, you read:

  1. It is required of all science majors.
  2. It will feature the professor's research.
  3. It can help viewers improve their memory skills.
  4. It will help with course work.

The best answer to the question "Why does the speaker recommend watching the program?" is D, "It will help with course work." Therefore, the correct answer is D.

Sample Talk Questions 8–10

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(Narrator) Questions 8–10. Listen to a talk in an animal behavior class.

(Man) Today's discussion is about a common animal reaction—the yawn. The dictionary defines a yawn as "an involuntary reaction to fatigue or boredom." That's certainly true for human yawns, but not necessarily for animal yawns. The action can have quite different meanings in different species.

For example, some animals yawn to intimidate intruders on their territory. Fish and lizards are examples of this. Hippos use yawns when they want to settle a quarrel. Observers have seem two hippos yawn at each other for as long as two hours before they stop quarreling.

As for social animals like baboons or lions—they yawn to establish the pecking order within social groups, and lions often yawn to calm social tensions. Sometimes animals yawn for a strictly physiological reason—that is, to increase oxygen levels. And curiously enough, when they yawn for a physical reason like that, they do what humans do—they try to stifle the yawn by looking away or by covering their mouths.

(Narrator) Question 8. What is the speaker's main point?

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  1. The answer to question 8 is:
    1. Animals yawn for a number of reasons.
    2. Yawning results only from fatigue or boredom.
    3. Human yawns are the same as those of other animals.
    4. Only social animals yawn.

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(Narrator) Question 9. According to the speaker, when are hippos likely to yawn?

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  1. The answer to question 9 is:
    1. When they are swimming
    2. When they are quarreling
    3. When they are socializing
    4. When they are eating

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(Narrator) Question 10. What physiological reason for yawning is mentioned?

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  1. The answer to question 10 is:
    1. To exercise the jaw muscles
    2. To eliminate fatigue
    3. To get greater strength for attacking
    4. To gain more oxygen

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