Tugas Bahasa Inggris Bisnis 2

LISTENING COMPREHENSION STRATEGY

TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is a test of English language proficiency (American accent) are required to enroll into college (college) or university in the United States or other countries in the world. This exam is required for applicants whose native language or the speaker is not English. The purpose of the TOEFL is to measure the extent of our ability in mastering the English language, TOEFL is also often used to get a scholarship either inside or outside the country.

There are many types of TOEFL tests, such as TOEFL ITP TOEFL or international. This kind TOEFL recognized International Standards and are typically used to get an international scholarship. Other types of the TOEFL prediction. TOEFL this type can only be used only in the country (national standard). TOEFL is usually used to get a scholarship or apply for a job in the country. Lately, too many companies that also include TOEFL State as a condition of acceptance of new employees. Someone has deemed dominate English (advance) if the TOEFL score has reached 500 points. It is a standard value of the applied current TOEFL.

For some people, to reach a value of 500 in the TOEFL test is not easy. That is because they do not know how to do the TOEFL test correctly. In the TOEFL test work we need to do some strategies for TOEFL test scores we can achieve 500 points or more. TOEFL consists of 2 types of computer-based testing and paper-based testing. There are four sections in the test TOEFL test them, namely: Listening Comprehension, Structure And Written Expression, Reading Comprehension and Written Test Of English.

The first session is a session on TOEFL Listening Comprehension test. In general, this session consists of 50 questions or inquiries. The duration of time provided to answer the third part is only for 35 minutes. We are required to hear some of the conversations that have been recorded previously, and then answer the questions based on the information that has been mentioned by cassette / tape recorder. This conversation is not shown on the question paper, but you will only see about numbers (1, 2, 3, etc..) Along with possible answers to each question (A, B, C, and D). In this first part you will need to listen carefully and concentrate on the conversation (dialogue and monologue). This is because you will not get a second chance to re-listen to a conversation.

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.

A. There are several common strategies for the Listening Comprehension, including :

1)     Understand the forms of the command (direction) in each section (part) well before the day exam.

By understanding the form of an order well in advance before the exam so you can save time and direct examination focused on about being tested. Learn the forms of direction on the part of each of the following so you do not have to listen to it again at the time of examinations.

Part A

Directions : In Part A you will hear short conversations between two people. After each conversation, you will hear a question about the conversation. The conversations and questions will not be repeated. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of quetions and fill in space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Part B

Directions : In this part of the test, 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 four possible answers in your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

Part C

Directions : In this part 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 four possible answers in your test book and choose the best answer. Then, on your answer sheet, find the number of the question and fill in the space that corresponds to the letter of the answer you have chosen.

2)  Read the options on each question as much as possible when the narrator is reading direction and example problems.

This way you can save time. After reading the answer choices, you should better remember it, so you can focus when listening to the conversation. By knowing your answer choices will also be able to estimate the themes that will be discussed in a later conversation.

Example :

In the booklet you will find a selection of the following answers :

1. (A) Winter

    (B) Spring

    (C) Summer

    (D) Fall

By reading the answer options you can estimate that the conversation will be tested in terms of the number 1st is on the season. As for the answer consists of one sentence or sentences that are longer, you can simply read and remember the key word.

2. (A) A course where the Professor lectures.

    (B) A course where the students just listen and take notes.

    (C) A course with Professor Patterson.

    (D) A course where the students take part in discussion.

By reading the answer choices you will get a more vivid picture of the conversations that will be tested.

3)  Listen with full concentration and focus your attention on the conversation you are listening.

In addition to accustom our ears to familiar with the conversation in English, you also have to train yourself to concentrate. Once lost concentration, most likely you will lose the idea to answer the question correctly. This is because the listening test no playback over the conversations that have been played.

4)      Maximize your listening skills on the first questions in each part.

By maximizing the answer to the first questions you will be able to compensate for deficiencies in answering your last questions are usually more difficult. If you can not answer one question you should not be glued or regret. Soon forget and do not worry about it because you still have questions you need to do next. Even if you can not answer certain questions do not let your answer sheet blank, because your score will not be reduced if the wrong answer questions. It will be lucky if you chose answer was correct. Dala luck factor also plays the TOEFL exam.

B.     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.

As for the keys that you can use in the face of Listening Comprehension Part A is as follows:

5)      Focus your hearing on the second speaker.

Most of the matter in question in Part A is a clarification question about what was said or intended by the second speaker. There are several commonly used forms of questions in Part A. Among these questions are as follows :

§  What does the woman (man) mean?

Example :

(woman)  : Did you or Elaine finish the assignment? I know she didn’t want to do it.

(man)       : I made Elaine finish the assignment.

(narrator) : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

§  What does the woman (man) say about (...)?

(The points in brackets typically contains objects that they are talking about, it could be a person, a place, a certain item, etc.).

Example :

(woman)   : Did Tim ever figure out what that word meant?

(man)        : She had to look it up an unabridged dictionary

(narrator)  : WHAT DOES THE MAN SAY ABOUT TIM?

§  What does the woman (man) imply?

Example :

(man)        : This television cost me fifty dollars.

(woman)   : Only fifty dollars? Mine cost a fortune.

(narrator)  : WHAT DOES THE WOMAN IMPLY?

§  What has the man (woman) assumed?

Example :

(man)        : Here’s the book that you asked me about.

(woman)   : So you did remember that I wanted to borrow it.

(narrator)  : WHAT HAD THE WOMAN ASSUMED?

§  What can be concluded about (...)?

(The points in brackets is usually about an object in question contains a specific person).

Example :

(woman)   : I don’t know if Simon liked the appartment or not.

(man)        : He said he liked it, but then he didn’t to sign the lease.

(narrator)  : WHAT CAN BE CONCLUDED ABOUT SIMON?

6)    Don’t panic if you can not understand the word-for-word in a conversation is complete. You only need to capture an idea or content of the conversation.

Although not a complete understanding conversations you still have the opportunity to answer correctly. This is because the matter in question is usually a main idea of ​​the conversation. You just need to focus more on the second speaker. Then select the answer that is a restatement of the second speaker that has changed in another sentence.

Example :

(woman)         : I hope you were able to be really productive today.

(man)              : It was so hot that I couldn’t get any work done.

(narrator)        : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

7)      If you absolutely can not understand what the speaker said the second, the answer choices are different from what you have heard.

It has become a standard pattern in the TOEFL test, where the desired answer is usually to use words that are completely different to what was spoken by the second speaker.

Example :

(woman)         : Is Nicky going to work on the science project with us?

(man)              : She prefers not to work on group projects.

(narrator)        : WHAT DOES THE MAN SAY ABOUT NICKY?

8) Understand the functional forms of expression (agreement, uncertainty, suggestion, surprise), idiomatic expressions, and situations when the conversation is done.

Listening Comprehension Part A contains questions with a certain pattern, as shown below :

·         Functional Expression

Matter in question is usually the particular statements are used to express something, such as agreement, uncertainty, suggestions, and surprise.

Consider the following example :

a.       Agreement

(woman)   : I never want to take another test like that again.

(man)        : You can say that again.

(narrator)  : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) The woman is always talking about the test.

(B)  It’s all right if the woman keeps talking.

(C)  He would like the woman to repeat what she said.

(D) He agrees that the exam was terrible.

“You can say that again” indicates that the second speaker (man) agree that the test is difficult (D)

b.      Uncertainty

(woman)   : Have you seen the announcement in the lobby?

(man)        : What announcement is that?

(narrator)  : WHAT DOES THE MAN MEAN?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) He’s seen the announcement.

(B)  He isn’t sure whatthe announcement means.

(C)  He’s uncertain where the lobby is.

(D) He doesn’t know what she’s referring to.

c.       Suggestion

(man)        : Is the lecture tonight worth atending?

(woman)   : Without a doubt!

(narrator)  : WHAT DOES THE WOMAN SAY ABOUT THE LECTURE?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) She’s doubtful about the lecture.

(B)  She’ll go to the lecture without her watch.

(C)  The worth of the lecture is uncertain.

(D) She believes the talk will be valuable.

d.      Surprise

(man)        : You know, Janson really didn’t do a good job on his presentation.

(woman)   :  I couldn’t believe that he was unprepared!

(narrator)  :  WHAT DOES THE WOMAN SAY ABOUT JANSON?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) The amount that he prepared was unbelievable.

(B)  She was surprised that he wasn’t ready.

(C)  It was impossible to prepare for his presentation.

(D) What he presented was unbelievable.

·        Idiomatic Expression

Idiomatic expression is a set of words or phrases that make up a particular meaning such that it can not be interpreted word for word. For example, the phrase "fly into a rage" in no way related to the meaning of "fly" as the meaning of the word "fly". This phrase means "became very angry".

This model can certainly be out in each TOEFL exam. So you should specifically learn idiomatic expressions in English that contained a book that specifically addresses the idioms or slang words.

Consider the following example :

1.  (woman)    : I asked Roger if he was going to help us, but he really didn’t answer my question.
    (man)         : Oh, he’s always beating around the bush.
    (narrator)   : WHAT DOES THE MAN SAY ABOUT ROGER?
    In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) He never gives them any help.

(B)  He enjoys working in the garden.

(C)  He never gives direct answers.

(D) He always beats them when they play.

The phrase “beating around the bush” is used to express that Roger always provide answers to how convoluted or in other words never give a direct answer (B).

2.      (man)          : I haven’t taken the introductory course, but I’ve decided to take the advanced
                           course anyway.

(woman)      : I think you’re putting the chart before the horse.

(narrator)     : WHAT DOES THE WOMAN MEAN?

In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) The man should take the advanced.

(B)  The man should attach the chart to the horse.

(C)  The man is doing things in the wrong order.

(D) The man would like learning to paint horses.

·    Situation Problems in Part A is also often ask about a situation or condition that is being discussed by the two speakers. Usually a place, it is likely that will happen, or theme they were talking about.

Example :

1.      (man)       : Did you get the tickets?

(woman)  : Yes, I did. Let’s go on in because the film’s about to start.

(narrator) : WHERE DOES THIS CONVERSATION PROBABLY TAKE PLACE?

 In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

(A) At a sporting event.

(B)  In front of the police station.

(C)  In front of a movie theater.

(D) At a film developer’s.

2.      (man)              : I’d like to see the personnel manager, please.

(woman)         : He’ll be in tomorrow at 10.00 would you like to make an appointment?

                         (narrator)         : WHAT WILL THE MAN PROBABLY DO?

 In the booklet you will get the following answer choices :

 (A) See the personnel manager immediately.

 (B)  Wait for the personnel manager to arrive.

 (C)  Arrange to meet with the personnel manager next day.

 (D) Break his appointment with the pesonnel manager.

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

This section examined the two long dialogue between two people, both men and women. Each dialogue is followed by four questions. So eight questions in Part B of this. Conversations in this section is usually the theme of the life of the campus and the school, such as how a professor delivering lectures, talks between the two students who were discussing the task, or the atmosphere when a student presented a paper.

Here's an example of a conversation on part B :

In a tape recorder / audio device you hear :

(narrator)  : Question 31 through 34. Listen to a conversation between two
                   students.

(man)        : Hey, Tiffany. How would you like to increase the extent of your

                   educational and historical background?

(woman)   : John, I don’t understand what you’re saying about.

(man)        : I just look my final in History 101 this afternoon, and I’m trying to

                   get rid of the books. They cost eighty dollars.

(woman)   : Why don’t you try to sell them back to the bookstore?

(man)        : I tried, but they’d only refund twenty dollars, and I paid so much
                   more for them. I’d like to get at least fourty dollars.

(woman)   : Well, I'm not going to take History 101, so I'm not really
interested in those books. Maybe you should ask some other friend.
(man)       : I already have. Everyone I know has already taken History 101
                  and doesn't want those books.

(woman)   : Why don’t you put up some advertisements in history bulding?
                   Maybe someone you don't know will call you and buy them.

(man)        : I'll try, but I do not think that'll work.

(woman)   : Then you'll have to go back to the bookstore. After all, twenty
                   dollars is better than nothing.

The questions :

31. In a tape recorder / audio device you hear :

(narrator)   : What is the topic of this conversation?

Answer options :

(A) The price of textbooks.

(B) History 101.

(C) The university bookstore.

(D) Ways to sell used books.

32.  In a tape recorder / audio device you hear :

(narrator)   : Why is the man interesting in selling his books?

Answer options :

(A) He desperately needs the money.

(B) Reading does not interest him.

(C) He's finished using them.

(D) He'd rather have cheaper books.

33. In a tape recorder / audio device you hear :  

(narrator)   : Why does the man not want to sell the books on the bookstore?

Answer options :

(A) The bookstore does not want to buy them.

(B) He would not get enough money.

(C) He does not like the bookstore's advertisement.

(D) It's too late to sell them to the bookstore.

34. In a tape recorder / audio device you hear :  

(narrator)   :What does the woman suggest that the man do?

Answer options :

(A) Post some advertisements.

(B) Take history 101.

(C) Give the books to the bookstore for nothing.

(D) Keep the books.

To work on the problems of the Part B the following keys you can use as a weapon in order to work well.

9)  When the narrator reads Part B direction you should read the answer choices at a glance and then record it and predict what will be the theme of conversation.

You just need to catch a few words that can describe the conversation later. In this way we will be hearing much easier to follow and understand the speech you will hear.

10) When listening to the conversation, you have to know what theme / topic.

You can train yourself to get used to quickly read the answer choices and then think carefully about the estimated theme or topic.

Beware of spoken conversation enumerated by the first speaker, because usually this is where the main idea, topic, or subject in question.

11) Beware of each question.

Different from Part A, Part B in listening you will hear a series of long dialogue and then have to answer the four questions at once without any repetition of the conversation. For that you have to be alert and focused to hear the questions read by the narrator. You only have a very short time to choose the correct answer before the narrator reads the following questions.

12) Pay attention to the conditions and circumstances that occurred during the conversation, the conversation regarding the place and time, what and who is concerned.

You should be able to make conclusions about the situation because the talks in Part B are often asked to make inferences or conclusions about the conversation. In order to obtain the conclusion of a conversation you should be able to capture the data or information as much as possible from the conversation. Record matters relating to the time, place, who talks and what is being said in your memory. To that end, focused concentration is crucial in this section TOEFL exam.

If you can not answer, choose one that is the most you believe. You will not get the consequences, otherwise you have a chance to get extra scores.

A.    Part C: Talks

This section consists of three lengthy monologue conversation. Discussion in this section is usually also take the background of academic life : like a lecture or presentation speech, and the topic of the news that is being warmed in the United States.

13)  If you have time, take a look at the answer choices listed in a booklet and find the key word.

You do not have to read in detail because time is very short. Remember, you only have time for the narrator read direction. Because after that you have to concentrate on the conversation you are listening. So when reading the answer choices, you only need to capture a few key words and then try to get an idea of ​​the topics that will be discussed. You should also be able to anticipate or predict what questions will be raised. This way you are going to listen to the conversation will become much easier. This is because when you can expect a theme, your memory for all things related to the theme will be active. Aktiasi allows you to be more familiar to the material you are going to listen to the conversation.

14) Beware talks in sentences first because it usually will be the topic for the next sentences.

Topics is a question that is raised on listening Often Part C. It is usually always lies in the first part talks items, namely the first sentence to the third. Armed with a key to the 13th, you will be steady for the first part of the conversation listening monologue.

15) Focus your hearing on matters related to the 5WH questions (what, who, when, where, why) and how.

This section is mostly questioned things related to the question: what, who, when, where, why, and how. Untu it, you must be smart about the observed object in question, where the conversation took place and so on.

16)  Draw conclusions / inferasi of the situation when the conversation is done.

In Part C exam questions are often posed requires our ability to perform inference of what is discussed in the talk. This is what makes most of the TOEFL test takers difficulty in working on the problems in Part C. This is reasonable, because we don’t get the same exact sentence between answer choices are available with a monologue that was acknowledged by participants. Therefore before the exam, you must train your ability to conclude a conversation.

Similarly, 16 keys that you can use for the exam TOEFL Listening Compregension. Even if you do not know at all the answers on specific questions, you should still choose one of the available answers. You still get an extra chance to score in this way.

Sumber :

• Irham Ali Saifuddin, 2005, Buku Pintar TOEFL, DIVA Press, Yogyakarta.