LISTENING

For listening, students are assessed on their ability to understand various types of oral texts. Students will be
tested on the following aspects:

Knowledge Application Synthesis

Comprehension Analysis Evaluation
Students will be required to listen to recorded texts twice and answer question on them. Questions consist of
Information transfer, short answer questions, 4-option multiple-choice questions. The possible genres are:

Lecture Interview Announcement News

Talk Briefing Telephone Conversation Meeting
Instructions Advertisement Documentary

You are encouraged to listen carefully before filling in the blanks with appropriate words. Sometimes you will
need to summarize what you have heard. You may also need to rephrase certain parts of the text so that your
answers will be accurate.

USEFUL TIPS

STEP 1 The recording is played for the first time. Students are given one minute to read
the questions.

STEP 2 The recording is played for a second time. Students are given one minute to mark
their answers on the answer sheet.

WHEN THE RECORDING IS PLAYED FOR THE FIRST TIME

DO:

 LISTEN CAREFULLY for the MAIN IDEA. What is the overall meaning of the text?
 Get as many KEY POINTS as possible.
 Try to TAKE DOWN SHORT NOTES.

DON’T:

 Try to remember details.

 Panic if you do not understand the recording or are not familiar with the intonation or style of the
speaker.

WHEN THE RECORDING IS PLAYED FOR THE SECOND TIME

DO:

 Go through and READ the questions CAREFULLY

 Find out what the questions require you to listen for.
 Underline keywords/key phrases in the questions and options
 Identify any other questions of similar nature that give hints/clues to the answer
 If it is a multiple-choice question, delete options that are totally wrong/irrelevant
 Identify the tenses/nouns/pronouns used.

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DON’T:

 ASSUME that you know the answers. Sometimes what you know and what you listen to, are completely
different.

WHEN THE RECORDING IS PLAYED FOR THE SECOND TIME:

DO:

 LISTEN CAREFULLY for the SPECIFIC INFORMATION or DETAILS. What are you required to
know? Facts and figures?
 MARK the answers that you are sure of on the answer sheet. If you are UNSURE, move on to the next
question.

HOW TO TACKLE THE LISTENING PAPER:

A Step-by-step Guide

Step 1 Pre-listening: Look over

questions to get overview
 Skim through all the questions and the answer options. of listening test.
 Get a general idea of what is being asked.

Step 2 Pre-listening: Underline

 Underline the key words in the questions so that you know what to key words in questions
listen for later on.
Example: What is the main benefit of writing a will?

Step 3 While listening: listen for

specific info, based on
 When listening for the first time, listen for the required information underlined key words.
 Jot down important notes to help you especially for the short answer Note important points
questions.
Example: society not - impatient Remember you have only
one minute to answer the
questions
Step 4 While litening:
Focus on missing info/
When listening to the recording for the second time, try to get the required answers. Check answers
information that you missed out in the first listening. also.

Post listening:
Check that answers follow
word limit.

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LINKING WORDS

Good speakers indicate when they are moving from one point to another point by using linking words or linkers.
These linking words serve as transition signals which indicate when a speaker is about to introduce a new point,
explain the pint or wind up a point.

EXPRESSION/ WORDS FUNCTION

Now…
Allow me to…
Right, … To introduce a new point
Moving on…
My next point…

Firstly…
First of all… To list the main points
Let’s start by…
For a start,…
We’ll begin by…
Secondly…
Next …
Then…
Also…
Following this…
Finally…
Lastly…

This is what I mean by …

What I’m trying to say is… To explain the main points
It means that…
You have to remember that…
Let me explain/clarify…
In other words…
You must understand that…

…such as…
… like… To illustrate a point/ give an
For instance… example
For example…
Let me show you…
Further to this…
Thefore it is clear that…
In conclusion,… To sum up the point/topic
To conclude…
Let me sum up…

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DEVELOPING LISTENING SKILLS

Good listening skills are important for academic studies as well as at the workplace. Therefore, it is vital to
develop these skills and apply them appropriately.

SKILLS Useful Notes Tips

Recalling information  It means to recollect info that you have While listening, jot down short
notes that can help you
already listened to. remember and recall information
 Look out for questions that ask you to later.
list, name, state etc. Pay attention to names, places,
dates, events, location, time, etc.

Recognizing main  It means to get the main idea or the gist of After listening ask yourself what
ideas the recording i s about.
the text Look for only main points,
exclude details and examples.

Recognizing  It means to get the specific details that Listen for details such as names,
supporting details places, time, dates, location,
support a main point. number, etc.

Deriving meaning of  It means to infer and elicit the meaning of Pay attention to the events that
words, phrases, take place. For example, a sad
words, phrases or sentences based on occasion, a celebration, a
sentences from context situations and examples presented in the meeting, a conversation between
text. a boss and staff
 Look out for questions that ask you to
provide definitions or meanings, restate in
your own words, etc.
Paraphrasing  You have to restate or retell the When you restate what you have
heard, the original meaning
information in your own words. should be retained.

Predicting outcomes  It means to forecast what is going to Look for clues that may help you
to guess what is coming.
happen next.
Applying a concept to  It means using previously learned Try to understand how a concept
a new situation or theory works
methods, concepts, theories in new
situations.
 Look out for questions that ask you to
solve, use, illustrate, complete, etc.
Understanding  The functions of language refer to its Listen to the intonation and tone
language functions of the speaker.
purpose: what it does and its uses, for Then try to gauge the speaker’s
example, to relay information, to express attitude, feeling and purpose of
feelings, to give instructions, etc. speaking those lines/reason for
speaking the way he does.

Distinguishing the  You have to determine which information Look for points that are related
relevant from the to a subject or an issue. For
is linked to the subject or an issue. Use example, if the question
irrelevant your good judgement. Think critically. asks,”What are the implications
of inflation…?” look for the
implication of the subject
discussed which is inflation, and
not some other information.

Distinguishing facts  You have to separate facts from opinions. Facts are usually expressed in
words like It is proven that…,
from opinions  Facts are statements that can be proven or research shows..
are known to be true. Eg: it is a fact that Opinions are usually expressed
broccoli is good for you ( you can look in words like I think.., I feel..

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 this up in books about healthy diets and
there is research to prove it). A fact can
also state something that actually
happened eg. The road was flooded
yesterday.
 Opinions express how a person feels
about something. Opinions do not have to
be based on logical reasoning. For
example, it is an opinion that broccoli
tastes good ( or bad).
Drawing inferences  When you infer, you form an opinion or a Read beyond the speaker’s words
to draw your own conclusion.
conclusion based on the facts or
information given by the speaker. In other
words, you reach an opinion or decision
on something based on what has been
said by the speaker.
Identifying roles and  Different speakers have different roles to Listen carefuly to salutations and
relationships expressions used. For example,
play. “Morning, my dear!”, “Please
 A speaker may lay the role of a doctor, sir..”, etc
counsellor, student, etc.

Following the  It means to follow the logical progression Pay attention to connectors like
development of a point therefore, however, subsequently,
of a point or an argument on the contrary, after, after that.
or an argument
Summarizing  It means to extract the main ideas of a Leave out details such as
information examples and irrelevant points.
text.
 You may also be asked to get the gist
(general idea) of the whole passage.

Appraising  It means to evaluate and verify the value Ask yourself this ‘Is this piece of
information information reliable/
of evidence or information. correct/useful?’
 Look out for questions that ask you to
justify, evaluate, etc.

Making judgements  It means to make value judgements on Make a list of reasons for your
judgement
something based on personal values or
opinions.
 Look out for questions that ask you to
assess, decide, choose, etc.
Drawing conclusions  It means to arrive at a conclusion based Ask yourself ‘What can I say
about this’ after listening to a
on facts and information given.
piece of information

Recognizing and  The speaker’s view could be biased, Listen to the intonation and tone
interpreting speakers’ of the speaker. A bored tone or a
impartial, negative, positive etc. rise in pitch reveals the speaker’s
views, attitudes or  The speaker’s attitude maybe one of attitude and thus gives you some
intentions anxiety, concern, indifference, anger, etc. clues as to the speaker’s view
 The speaker’s intention could be to and intention
advise, educate, reprimand, etc.

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STRATEGIES TO TACKLE THE LISTENING QUESTIONS

Short-answer Questions

Write your answer in Write your answer in NOT

NOT MORE THAN MORE THAN FIVE
THREE words words

Information Transfer

What You Should Do

Do this before the listening test Skim through all the questions and the answer options to get a general
idea of the text that you are going to listen to later.
begins
Underline the keywords in the questions so that you know what to listen
for.

Pay attention to linkers/connectors/ While listening, pay attention to the content and the flow of information
delivered by the speakers
transitions that show relationship
between ideas. Remember that generally the questions in Part 1 (Information Transfer)
follow the order of information in the recording.

Jot down important points or ideas. Write down your answers.

You may use abbreviations to help
During the second listening, get the information that you missed out.
you write quickly when jotting down Check your answers too.
ideas. When writing answers, write
in full.

Carry out final check. Check for spelling and grammar. Make sure your
answers follow the word limit.

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Multiple Choice Questions

What you should do

Skim through all the questions and the answer options to get a general idea of the
text that you are going to listen to.

Underline the keywords in the questions so that you know what to listen for later on.

Listen for the specific information.

Pay attention to the content and the flow of information as delivered by the speaker(s).

Check each possible option given carefully.

Remember that some of the most likely answers may be paraphrased.

Some vocabulary given in the options may be found in the text.

Choose the most suitable answer/response to the questions.

Dos and Don’ts

Do Don’t

 Concentrate and listen actively  Get distracted

 Read and listen to the instructions  Spend too much time on one question
 Read ahead to be prepared  Panic if you miss a question – continue
 Use the words that you hear in your with the next question and go back to
answers the missed question later.
 Use the pause to check your answers  Leave any answer blank

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LISTENING TASK 1

(T11)PART I

For Question 1, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS

1. Unresolved conflict can destroy productivity and ____________________________.

For Question 2, 3 and 4, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

Six-Step Procedure for Dealing with Workplace Conflicts

STEP 1

2.___________________

STEP 2

3 ___________________

STEP 3

Show concern for the relationship

STEP 4

Identify both parties’ interests

STEP 5

4 _____________________

STEP 6

Determine a standard of fairness

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For Question 5 and 6, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS

What are the two positive responses people have when facing a conflict?

5. ______________________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________________

For Question 7 and 8, circle the correct answer.

7. The trainer says that avoidance is the best response when

A. the issue is trivial.
B. the issue complicated.
C the issue is to your advantage.

8. What is the purpose of the talk?

A. To illustrate positive and negative ways to deal with workplace conflicts.
B. To explain how angry people deal with workplace conflicts.
C To provide effective ways to resolve workplace conflict.

(T12) PART 2

For Question 9 and 10, complete the sentences using the letters A-F from the box below.

A explore other aspects of growing up

B develop friendships
C challenge other people
D have a positive mind and attitude
E stay out of trouble
F ignore criticism

9. If we like and accept ourselves the way we are, we __________________________.

10. A healthy attitude allows us to ________________________________________.

For Question 11, 12, 13 and 14, circle the correct answer.

11 According to the conversations, we should follow the steps below to develop a

healthy lifestyle except
A. doing physical exercise
B. having good friendship
C having good eating habit

12. Family life can sometimes influence a person’s self-esteem because

A. parents do not love their children
B. parents do not praise their children
C parents criticize their children frequently

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 13. People feel negative about themselves because of the following reasons except
A. lack of motivation in life
B. bad influence from the media
C hurtful comments from the media

14. The conversation is between

A. two friends
B. a parent and a daughter
C a counselor and an student

(T13)PART 3

For Question 15 to 20, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS

15. To get free Transformer tickets, you need to be the nominated caller through, say the
password and __________________________.

16. If you call through during the ‘Bonus Hour’ you can even win _________________
___________________________________________________________________

17. After Valentine’s Day, roses can be cut into small pieces, ____________________
___________________________________________________________________.

18. Apart from roses, _______________ and bottles of wine or champagne can also be
recycled.

19. Applications for the Wan Foundation Scholarship can be emailed, faxed ,
___________ or posted to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

20. Applicants should submit their scholarship application by 2nd of March for
_________________________________________.

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Guidelines
Effective listening skills
To develop effective listening skills, you have to:
 Be fully prepared to listen actively to the recording
 Concentrate on what you are listening to. Do not let your
mind wander.
 Set aside your thoughts and feelings. Direct your attention
to the speaker
 Listen actively and jot down the important points, i.e. key
words, key phrases and main ideas.

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 LISTENING PRACTICE 1

(T14)PART 1

For Question 1- 3, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS

1. Dr. Anthony Smith feels the public should be aware that the avian flu is a pandemic flu, and is
__________________________________.

How does Dr. Smith explain the differences between an epidemic and a pandemic?

2. An epidemic can affect a state, _____________________.

3. A pandemic can affect ____________________.

For Question 4 to 6 , write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

What are the precautionary measures taken to control the risk of an outbreak of avian flu?

Precautionary Measures if an Outbreak Occurs

Public Farmers

4. _______________ Report sick animals

5. Take measures which are _____________ 6. ______________________
_______________________________

For Question 7 and 8, circle the correct answer.

7. According to Dr. Smith, an outbreak of the avian flu in Asia is

A. difficult to hypothesize
B. not as risky as expected
C already at a critical level
8. We can conclude that the interview conducted is

A. a warning to all Asian countries

B. upsetting and worrying the listeners
C educational and informative for the listeners

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(T15)PART 2

For Question 9 to 12, circle the correct answer.

9. In Toastmasters, you can improve your ability

A. to organize a Toastmasters meeting

B. to present ideas with confidence
C in leading others on a journey

10 The following are not true about Toastmasters except

A. members must sit for a test

B. all presentations are given a grade
C members learn by studying the manual

11. After completing the ten special projects, the members

A. will lead the Toastmasters Club

B. can improve their speaking skills
C will be able to teach others to speak

12 The intention of the speaker is to

A. persuade other to join Toastmasters

B. exchange ideas about Toastmasters
C promote Toastmaster to others

For Question 13 and 14, complete the sentences using the letters A-F from the box below.

A by quick thinking skills

B in a classroom learning environment
C by preparing and presenting speeches
D with The Ice Breaker speech
E by doing and watching fellow club members
F with an examination

13 A member will begin the first speech _____________________

14 A member of Toastmasters can learn ______________________

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(T16)PART 3

For Question 15 to 20, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS

15. The passenger Madam Mageswari Hariram has to proceed to ______________________

16. The flight to Montreal is delayed slightly because of _____________________________

17. Organ donation is a gift because it provides patients with _________________________

18. The speaker is appealing to Malaysians to respond to the urgent need of patients by _____

______________________________

19. The announcement of the pay hike has affected the __________________ food and beverages.

20. Traders should be compelled to place a weighing machine next to the ready-packed food to

enable ______________________________.

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 LISTENING PRACTICE 2

(T17)PART 1

For Question 1, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS

1. Tun Tan Cheng Lock is respected as one of the men who were instrumental in the
____________________________ for the Federation of Malaya.

For Question 2, 3 and 4, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s Early Occupation

STEP 1

teacher

STEP 2

2 ___________________

STEP 3

3.______________________

STEP 4

4. ______________________

STEP 5

Commissioner

For Question 5 and 6, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS

Who are the two people who inspired Tun Tan Cheng Lock’s determination for independence?

5. ______________________________________________________________________

6. ______________________________________________________________________

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For Question 7 and 8, circle the correct answer.

7. Upon returning to Malaya, Tun Tan Cheng Lock

A. tackled the social problems of the Chinese immigrants.
B. was elected as the first president of MCA.
C fought aggressively for independence.

8. What was the legacy that was left behind by Tun Tan Cheng Lock?
A. Two streets that were named after him.
B. Tun Tan Siew Sin, his son, who is also a great man.
C His contribution to the nation towards independence

(T18)PART 2

For Question 9 and 10, complete the sentences using the letters A-F from the box below.

A anti-shake technology
B low-light sensitivity
C stylish, metal body
D 2.5 inch screen
E picture adjustment mode
F movie mode
9. Sony Cyber-shot T9 shoots steady pictures due to its __________________________.

10. Sony has enabled the camera to maintain its bright colours in dim conditions with its
________________________________________ feature.

For Question 11, 12, 13 and 14, circle the correct answer.

11 The Sony Cyber-shot T9 is still impressive despite being unable to match the
stability of the tripod because it
A. could match paparazzi-style zoom lenses
B. has a super compact credit card-sized body
C has a stabilizer that captures good photos at twilight or indoor portraits

12. screen blooms to life means that the camera

A. takes pictures exactly the way they look in real life
B. has a big 2.5 inch screen to capture the whole scene
C captures bright colors in the part instead of natural tones

13. These features of the T9 camera are quick and competent except
A. scene modes
B. movie mode
C 3x zoom

14. You would buy this camera because it

A. Takes great photographs in parks
B. Is stylish and easy to use
C Has complex features
D Is a T-series model

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(T19)PART 3

For Question 15 to 20, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS

15. The locals feel that working as a domestic helper is a low-class job because it is
_________________________________________________________

16. Domestic helpers need to stay in the household that they work in because they need
to ________________________________________________________

17. Sumo wrestler suffer various health problems mainly due to

___________________________________________________________

18. Eating with his eyes closed to the point of throwing up shows that Kazuhiro
Kirishima ___________________________________________________

19. Powerpoint presentations to impress bosses at meetings are a waste of time because
____________________________________________________________.

20. The debater hold firm to his belief that we should not _________________________
to increase productivity.

Source: AceAhead Text MUET 4th Edition

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