Selasa, 25 Maret 2014

Tugas Bahasa Inggris 2



Nama : Erni Rismayana

NPM   : 22211475

 

TOEFL Strategies for Listening Section

TOEFL listening section, tests the ability of a student, especially a non-native English speaker, to understand spoken English (accentuated) in educational setting. Listening is an important skill to understand the concepts and ideas. Only when the concepts are understood completely it becomes a lighter task to score in the listening section of TOEFL test. In order to develop the listening skills for TOEFL, there are certain set of listening strategies or steps. They are explained in detail given below.

Requirements for TOEFL Listening Strategy

Listening strategies for TOEFL aims at providing each and every minute detail that are required to respond to all the questions within the given time in this section. Responding to the questions in time is very important because, it will help TOEFL candidates to save time, which they might spend on, one specific part of the test section.

There are certain steps in strategies that would help in managing time in each part of listening test section (recordings). There are some basic requirements for listening skills which serves the steps in TOEFL listening strategies as detailed below:
  • Basic Comprehension
When students listen to a recorded lecture or a conversation, they should understand the central or main idea in it. Then they should skim the recording for key points, important facts, purpose and the relevant details that connects the key points.
  • Practical Understanding
It may also be called as “pragmatic understanding” where the meaning of a word should be taken, according to the context. Students are needed to find the intended meaning of the speaker i.e. from his point of view. A wide range of vocabulary is necessary for this process because, the recordings in listening test are usually from academic background. Practical understanding also becomes a must to find the purpose of a lecture or a conversation.
  •  Relate Ideas given in multiple information sources
Relating ideas is the final state where the key points and the important facts are compared to find the relationship between them. This method would initially lead to construct an argument. Then a string of supportive and non supportive elements are categorized and as a result the causes for the events are traced. This is where a student would end up identifying the conclusion which is expressed indirectly.
  •  Inference
Inference is to find the implied conclusion in recordings from the author’s point of view. The conclusion might be implied or expressed indirectly anywhere in the passage.
These are the basic requirements necessary, in each part of the strategy of listening section, which consists of two recorded lectures and one long conversation. These fundamentals are to be followed, in the following few preparatory steps.
Strategies in Preparation
  • Spoken English From Various Sources And Accents
There are variations between the accents of English. It is the best to listen to English from various sources like television, music, radio etc. And also it is good to listen to the native speakers of English with different pronunciation and dialect. By doing this students would be able to improve their listening skills and also they will get used to different kinds of accents. It will be helpful very much if they listen to academic passages or conversations.
  • Making Notes
While listening to a recording, notes should be jot down. These notes would help you to remember the important points given by speaker. The reason is also that, during the test you will be given only one chance to listen to a passage. Note making will help you to remember the details and the clues effectively.
  • Main Idea
The main idea of a passage should be identified in a recording, as a first task while taking notes. Main idea of a lecture is usually given in the introductory part. The other details would be given in the rest of a lecture. Once the main idea is found it becomes a lighter task to find the purpose of the speaker.
  • Pointer Words, Important Facts And Relationship Between The Facts
The pointer words may be defined as signal words or clues, given by the speaker. These keywords should be collected along with important facts and events. This should be done in order to compare them and identify the relationship between them. In turn this would give you the cause of the events.
  • Summary of Observation
Give a summary of the recording which was listened, using the notes that are taken down. During this process, only important facts, relevant details, main idea and the key facts are covered. This is a good time saving technique, to prevent going through the notes again and again.
  • Building your Vocabulary
Above all it is also important to build a student’s vocabulary, to find the meaning of a word, according to the context of the speaker. Students should get familiar with the words which they consider as new ones and practice them in their everyday life.

The steps and the requirements in TOEFL strategies for listening section, which are elaborated above should be followed and practiced to manage time while taking up the test. The most important part in listening section is to concentrate on the subject of the speaker, and a student does not have to be distracted by the accent. 

There are three sections in Listening Comprehension sessions. These parts are :

1.      Part A. This section consists of thirty short conversation (short conversations) between two people, both men and women. Each conversation ended with a question. You are required to choose one of the answer choices (A, B, C, and D) the most precise available on the question paper. The questions in Part A number ranging from 1 to 30.

2.      Part B. This section consists of two long conversations (longer conversations) between two people, both men and women. Each conversation is followed by four questions. You are welcome to choose the best answer (A, B, C, and D). The questions in Part B starting from number 31 to 38.

3.   Part C. The final section consists of three long speeches (talks) and only involves one person (monologue). Usually in the form of academic lectures or describe someone who was giving a lecture. Each talk is followed by four questions. You are required to answer by selecting one best answer. The questions in Part B starting from number 39 to 50.
For most people, Listening Comprehension is the hardest part when TOEFL tests. This time I will try to summarize what strategies should be done in order to answer the questions in the Listening Comprehension well.

Part A : Short Conversations, a strategy that should be done is :

This section consists of short conversations between two people (dialogue), both men and women. The conversation is usually the theme of daily life, from the workplace to the academic environment. Here is an example of a conversation in Part A.

Example :

You will hear the conversation of two people as follows :

(man)               : What’s the matter? You don’t look too good.
(woman)          : I was frightened by a loud noise.
(narrator)         WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :
(A)   She was not allowed to fight.
(B)    Something scared her.
(C)    She mad a loud noise that frightened some people.
(D)   Some loud neighbors had a fight.

Answer (B) is the most appropriate. I was Frightened by a loud noise means something is scaring her.

Part B: Longer Conversation, a strategy that should be done is :

In part B you will hear longer conversatios between 2 people and every 1 long dialogue followed by some questions. After conversation, you will be asked some questions. The conversations and quetions will be spoken by just one time. They will not be written out for you, so you will have to listen carefully in order to understand and remember what the speaker says.

When you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your test book and decide which one would be the best answer to the question you have heard. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the problem and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Tips and trick of part B :

1.       When the narrator read the instructions for part B. you should read the answer choices perpetually fleeting and then record it and predict what will be the theme of conversation.
2.             When listening to the conversation. you must know the theme or topic.
3.             Beware of each question.
4.             Look at the conditions and situations that occur during the conversation, the conversation regarding the place and time, what and who is concerned.

Script Part B :

Man                 : I can’t believe we have to read this entire book by Monday.
Woman            : Some teachers think you have nothing else to do besides prepare for their class.
Man                 : Well, my boss thinks the same thing about my job that it’s the only thing i have to do.
Woman            : Oh, I didn’t know you were working. What do you do?
Man                : I do bookkeping work for a small company on Saturdays. This weekend, I have to prepare end of the quarter reports to give to do the accountant on Monday.
Man     : You’d better start reading soon.

The question :
1.      What does the man imply about the assignment?
2.      What does the man imply about some teachers?
3.      What does the woman suggest that the man do?
4.      What does the amn say about his work?

Writting in your test book:

1.         A. It is too much to read in such a short time.
B. He has already read the material.
C. He can read at work.
D. The teacher knows that he has a job.

2.         A. They are understanding.
B. They give thought provoking assignment.
C. They act like taking their class is the only thing a student has to do.
D. They are unprepared.

3.         A. Skip work.
B. Begin work on the assignment as soon as possible.
C. Quit the class.
D. Stay up all night.

4.         A. He does manual labor.
B. He dislikes his job.
C. His employer is very understanding.
D. He works with figures.

Discussion to the questions above:

1.   Answer            : A
Keyword         : can’t believe.
Discussion       : the idiom of can’t believe indicates that the disclosed a remarkable thing.

2.   Answer            : C
Keyword         : some teachers think you have nothing else to do besides prepare for    their class.
Discussion       : the sentence of keyword implies that teachers are not overly concerned with the preoccupations of students, and the teachers think that the students are just following their class.

3.   Answer            : B
Keyword         : you would better start reading soon.
Discussion       : the sentence of keyword indicates that the man should immediately begin work as soon as possible.

4.   Answer            : D
Keyword         : end of the quarter reports to give to the accountant.
Discussion       : the man say that week that he had to finish a report for accountant. So  the work associated with the figures.


Part C: Talks

In Part C, you will hear several talks. After each talk, you will be asked some question. The talks and questions will be spoken just one time. The will not be written out for you, so you will have to listen carefully in order to understand and remember what the speaker says.

When you hear a question, read the four possible answers in your test book and decide which one would be best answer to the question you have heard. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the problem and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Tips and trick of Part C :

1.      If you have time, take a look at the answer choices listed in a booklet and find the key word.
2.      Watch out for the talks in the first sentence because it usually will be the topic for the next sentences
3.      Focus your hearing on matters relating to the 5W questions ( what, who, when, where, why) and how.
4.      Make conclusion or make inferences about the situation when the conversation is done.
5.      After the several talks is done, you will hear once spoken question. questions usually begin with question word especially:
(What, How, Where, Why, Who, Whom)

Script of part C :

Today, we continue talking about vegetable and fodder plants. We spoke of other types of these, including kale and collards, previously. Today we will review what is normally referred to as cabbage in common conversation.

Cabbage is a common vegetable native to England and northwestern France but now grown in many part of Europe, Asia, and the American continents. There are three kinds of cabbage, all with the same basic characteristic: the leaves grow very closed together, forming a hard, round head. The three types of cabbage are white, savoy, and red. While the white and red cabbage, have prominent eins in their leaves, savoy has rinkled and blistered leaves. All forms of cabbage have succulent leaves covered th a waxy coating. They are low in calories, have little fat, and are an excellent source of ascorbic acid, minerals,and bulk, which help digustion.

Cabbage seeds are quite small. Farmers normally sow the seeds in rows that are about 36 inches apart. After young plants have sprouted, the rows are thinned to allow a space of 18 to 24 inches between plants.

Cabbage is biennial, meaning that it grows vegetatively one season, and its flowering and seed production occurs in the second season, after which the plant dies. Cabbage plants grow best in mild to cool climates, although they will tolerato frost and maybe even colder climates. Very hot weather affect the quality of the cabbage and impairs growth.

Please read the materials provided, and then we will discuss brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and broccoli.
1.             Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, what is biennial?
2.             Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, where was cabbage originally found?
3.       Q. Narrator: According to the speaker, what is the main difference between the types of cabbage mentioned?
4.         Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, which of the following is not a characteristic of all cabbage types?
5.             Q. Narrator : which type of plant does the speaker say was discussed previously?

1.             Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, what is biennial?
a.              A plant able to fertilize seeds without another plant.
b.             A member of the cabbage family.
c.              A plant that grows over two year period, alternating between producing plants and seeds.
d.             A plant that cannot withstand cold temperatures.

Answer : C
Key word : biennial : grows vegetatively one season, and its flowering and seed production occurs in the second season, after which the plant dies.

2.             Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, where was cabbage originally found?
a.              All over the world.
b.             In France and England.
c.              In Europe, the Americas and Asia.
d.             In Asia.

Answer : B
Key word : native.

3.             Q. Narrator : According to the speaker, what is the main difference between the types of cabbage mentioned?
a.              Taste.
b.             Method of cultivation.
c.              Appearance.
d.             Ability to withstand cold.

Answer : C
Key word : three kinds of cabbage; same basic characteristic;white, savoy, and red.


4.             Q. Narrator : which type of plant does the speaker say was discussed previously?
a.              Kale and collard greens.
b.             Brussels sprouts.
c.              Broccoli.
d.             Cauliflower.

Answer: A
Key word : continue talking, including kale and collards, previously.

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