Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.
Listening is much easier when you know what you are waiting for. In IELTS you are given time to read each group of questions before you hear the recording, and in TOEIC Parts 3 and 4 the questions are printed in front of you. Strong candidates use every second of this time to predict.
For each gap or question, predict three things:
| Gap | Clue | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per person: £___ | the £ sign | a number: a price |
| Bring a pair of ___ | “a pair of” | a plural noun, e.g. gloves, boots, trousers |
| The tour starts at the ___ entrance | “the ___ entrance” | an adjective or direction, e.g. main, north, side |
| Most visitors arrive by ___ | “arrive by” | a means of transport, e.g. train, coach, ferry |
| Members get a ___ discount | “a ___ discount” | a percentage (e.g. 10%) or a word that describes the discount (e.g. student, special) |
| The course is aimed at people with no ___ | “no” + noun | probably an uncountable noun (e.g. experience) or a plural noun (e.g. qualifications) |
You haven't heard anything yet. Read each gap and choose the best prediction.
The words in the question are often not the words you hear. Before listening, think of other ways the speaker could express the key idea.
Predictions guide your attention, but they are not answers. Write what you hear, not what you guessed. Remember that the speaker may mention a word that fits your prediction and then reject it. For example, you predict a time, and you hear two times.
Here are some notes with five gaps. Before listening, a strong candidate writes a quick prediction next to each one.
In four of the five gaps, the prediction was right and a distractor matched the prediction too. Prediction tells you when to listen hard. Careful listening tells you which answer is correct.
Before you listen, take a minute to predict the type of answer for each gap. Then listen and complete the form. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Read the notes and predict each answer. Then listen and complete the notes. Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Time | Room | Booked for |
|---|---|---|
| 9.00 | Room A | Budget meeting |
| 10.30 | Room B | Client presentation |
| 1.00 | Room C | Staff training |
| 3.30 | Room D | Project review |
First read the questions and the schedule above, and predict what you need to listen for. Then listen and choose the best answer.
Save words to review them later with flashcards.
“Try to predict the type of word that fits each gap.”
“The speaker paraphrased “cheap” as “it won't cost you much”.”
“The garden is run entirely by volunteers.”
“Gloves and tools are provided.”
“We paid a deposit of twenty per cent.”
“There's an extra charge for cleaning.”
“Harbour Cottage is available in August.”
“Many urban hives are kept on rooftops.”
“City parks contain a huge variety of flowers.”
“The slides need the manager's approval.”
“The course is aimed at complete beginners.”
