How to Ace the TOEFL Listening Section
The Listening section of the TOEFL consists of:
| Length | Number of questions | |
| 4 to 6 academic lectures |
3-5 minutes each | 6 questions each |
| 2 to 3 conversations | 3-4 minutes each | 5 questions each |
As always, knowing the format of the exam and preparing in advance are key to your success on the TOEFL. If you want to do well on the listening part, master the following strategies:
- Find the main idea or purpose: At the beginning of the lecture, the reader may introduce the main idea by using specific phrases, such as “I want to talk about” or “I wanted to look at,” etc. Work on identifying these introductory keywords to locate the main idea or topic.
- Focus on the structure: In addition to listening to the content, you must also think about the structure of the conversation or lecture. For example, why is a certain detail mentioned? Is it meant to support or to contradict a previous point?
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- Listen for tone or attitude: The tone of the speaker’s voice will shed light on the overall purpose of the conversation or lecture. Is the tone neutral, confused, upbeat, etc.? In a lecture, tone can explain how the professor perceives a question posed by a student, or why a student disagrees with a certain point. Figuring out the attitude of the speakers will help you to form a deeper understanding.
- Pay attention to transitions: Take note of the words that organize the conversation or lecture. You’ll know to expect a list with “first,” “next,” “last,” and so forth. Certain words including “on the other hand” or “however” signal a change in opinion or a counter-argument. Also, take note of relationships and correlations marked out with “x leads to/causes y” or “x impacts/affects/influences y.”
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