- listen for specific facts and details: places, names, times, dates and directions
- predict what kind of information you will hear before you listen
- select the correct multiple-choice option based on what the speaker says
Listening skills
IGCSE English · Topic 9
9.1
Listening for facts
Syllabus
Source: Cambridge International syllabus
In the listening exam you hear each recording 录音 twice. Use both chances well.
Predict before you listen
- Read the question before the recording starts.
- Predict 预测 what kind of answer you need: a place, a name, a number, a time?
Catch the detail
- Listen for specific 具体的 facts: places, names, dates, times and directions 方向.
- The answers usually come in the same order as the questions.
Use both playings
- On the first listening, choose your answer.
- On the second, check it. Do not change a right answer without a good reason.
Vocabulary
Train
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| recording | 录音 | lù yīn |
| predict | 预测 | yù cè |
| specific | 具体的 | jù tǐ de |
| directions | 方向 | fāng xiàng |
9.2
Hearing opinions and attitudes
Syllabus
- understand speakers' ideas, opinions, feelings and attitudes
- follow how ideas connect across a longer talk or conversation
- notice the language that speakers use to express how they feel
Source: Cambridge International syllabus
Some questions ask how a speaker thinks or feels, not just what they say.
Opinions and feelings
- Listen for the speaker's opinion 观点 and feelings 感受.
- Notice the words they choose. Strong words show strong feelings.
Follow the connections
- In a longer talk, ideas connect 连接. Follow how one point leads to the next.
- Words like "but", "because" and "so" show how ideas link.
Vocabulary
Train
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| opinion | 观点 | guān diǎn |
| feelings | 感受 | gǎn shòu |
| connect | 连接 | lián jiē |
9.3
Listening between the lines
Syllabus
- understand what is implied but not directly stated
- work out a speaker's overall intention or attitude
- deduce the meaning of an unfamiliar word from the words around it
Source: Cambridge International syllabus
Not every answer is said directly.
Implied meaning
- Sometimes a speaker suggests 暗示 something without saying it openly.
- Think about what they really mean, not only the exact words.
Watch the distractors
- In multiple-choice 选择题 questions, the wrong options are called distractors 干扰项.
- A speaker may mention an option, then change their mind. Listen to the whole idea before you choose.
Words that signal the answer
Trained ears listen for small words that point to the answer.
- A correction is coming: actually… / sorry, I mean… / on second thought… — the words after these usually hold the real answer, not the ones before.
- The key point: the main thing is… / what matters is… / above all…
- A feeling or attitude 态度: to be honest… / the trouble is… / I'm delighted that…
- Order of steps: first… next… finally… — these help you follow a sequence.
Catching one signal word can win you a mark. Note them down as you hear them.
Vocabulary
Train
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| suggests | 暗示 | àn shì |
| multiple-choice | 选择题 | xuǎn zé tí |
| distractors | 干扰项 | gān rǎo xiàng |
| attitude | 态度 | tài dù |
9.3
Exam tips
- Read the questions before the audio starts and underline the key words in each one.
- You hear everything twice: answer what you can in round one, check and fill gaps in round two.
- Speakers often correct themselves with numbers, days and spellings. The last version is the answer.
- Missed one? Let it go and follow the next question; return to the gap in the second play.
- Write something for every question. There is no penalty for a wrong guess.