Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
In IELTS Listening Part 3 and TOEFL conversations, speakers seldom say “I think X is good” or “I disagree”. Instead, attitude is spread across the conversation in small signals. Questions then ask you what a speaker feels, believes, agrees about or decides.
The key skill is to listen for the final position, not the first reaction. Speakers often:
| What you hear | Likely meaning |
|---|---|
| I'll give you that. / Fair enough. | I accept this point (but may still disagree overall) |
| I wouldn't go that far. | I partly agree, but your view is too strong |
| I'm not entirely convinced. | I doubt it (polite disagreement) |
| I'd be wary of relying on that. | I don't trust it enough |
| That's hardly a model of… | It's a bad example of… |
| Let's just say it wasn't my favourite. | I didn't like it (understatement) |
| I was going to…, but… | I've changed my plan |
| Now that I like. | Strong approval after earlier doubts |
| Exactly what I was going to say. | Full agreement |
Read each comment and choose the speaker's attitude.
What is Daniel's overall view of the lecture? His first words sound positive (“the data were impressive”), but but introduces his real view: the study proves less than the lecturer claimed. He then makes two concessions (“I'll give her that”, “I suppose the drop in sick days is hard to argue with”). Overall attitude: interested but sceptical.
Which evidence does Priya find most convincing? “For me, that was the most convincing part” refers back to the drop in sick days. A question might paraphrase this as the fall in staff absence.
Do they agree about the customer survey? No. Daniel says surveys are “notoriously unreliable”. Priya answers “I wouldn't go that far”, which is partial disagreement: she thinks the comparison is fair. Daniel's “Hmm, maybe” shows he is not fully persuaded.
Will Priya use the study? “I was planning to, but…” signals a change of plan. She will probably look for a study with a longer time frame. Daniel's final line shows that on this point they fully agree.
Listen to Mia and Owen and choose the correct answer.
The university has moved all first-year lectures online. Listen to four students. What is each student's attitude to the decision? There are two attitudes you do not need.
Listen to each remark. What is the speaker really saying? Choose the most appropriate reply.
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“He conceded that the flood data was reliable.”
“The farmers were sceptical about the project at first.”
“The report skates over the costs to local businesses.”
“Two years of arguing is hardly good planning.”
“She didn't like the idea at first, but she's come round to it.”
“Students felt short-changed when classes moved online.”
“Self-reported surveys are notoriously unreliable.”
“I'd be wary of drawing conclusions from three measurements.”
“The data might win over some of the critics.”
““It was a bit wet” was an understatement: the whole street flooded.”
“Everyone will take the obvious angle, so let's try something different.”
