Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
In a talk, people often speak at around 150 words a minute, but most of us can write only 20 to 30. So good notes are not a copy of the talk. They are a map of the meaning.
In IELTS Listening Part 4 you hear one speaker give a talk on an academic subject with no break in the middle, and you complete a set of notes. In TOEFL Academic Talk you hear a short lecture, and then answer questions you cannot see in advance, so your notes are your memory.
The good news: lectures are organised. Speakers usually introduce a topic, then give causes, examples, effects or solutions. If you know the structure, you know where to put each note.
| Write | Meaning |
|---|---|
| → | leads to, causes, results in |
| ↑ / ↓ | increase, rise / decrease, fall |
| = | is, means, is the same as |
| ≠ | is not, is different from |
| ≈ or approx. | about, approximately |
| e.g. | for example |
| b/c | because |
| w/ and w/o | with and without |
| esp. | especially |
| vs | compared with, against |
Match each symbol or abbreviation to its meaning. There is one meaning you do not need.
Urban heat island (UHI)
Causes (3)
Why matters: health, heatwaves → ↑ hospital patients, esp. elderly
Solutions
Listen to the lecture and complete the notes. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Take notes while you listen. Then answer the questions. Try not to look at the transcript.
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“Dark roofs absorb more heat than white ones.”
“Concrete releases heat slowly at night.”
“Hospitals are busier during a heatwave.”
“The container was a breakthrough in global trade.”
“There was a dramatic fall in loading costs.”
“Many old ports went into decline after the 1960s.”
“Modern ports are highly automated.”
“A delay at one port can affect the whole supply chain.”
“Sleep plays an important part in memory consolidation.”
“Sleep helps move new words into long-term memory.”
““Govt” is a common abbreviation for “government”.”
