Written ByRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
A candidate aspiring to study abroad has to be competent enough in listening, and the TOEFL listening section exactly measures the desired skills. It tests how well a candidate can perceive the language and reciprocate accordingly.
TOEFL Listening Section: Overview
The TOEFL listening syllabus examines the flair of the person in perceiving the meaning of the words spoken abroad. The candidate will be played dialogues, and educational talks based on which they will be answering.
The following information will provide the candidate with an answer to ‘how many listening questions in TOEFL?’.
TOEFL listening includes listening for:
- Basic comprehension,
- A realistic understanding of the speaker’s gesture,
- Arranging information
Total time allotted for TOEFL listening: 41 to 57 minutes
Total TOEFL listening number of questions: 28 - 39
TOEFL Listening Question Types
The TOEFL listening types of questions can be categorized into 7 main parts:
TOEFL Listening Question: Detail
These kinds of TOEFL listening questions focus on those specific points which are considered essential while listening. It doesn’t include core factual details like dates or numbers, but what the candidate will generally find vital while listening.
TOEFL Listening Question: Central Idea
Generally, the TOEFL iBT listening questions commence with main idea questions like:
- Why does the teacher ask to see Lucy?
- What issues was Lucy going through?
- What is the central idea of the lecture?
- What is the subject matter of the lecture?
All these kinds of TOEFL listening questions aim towards understanding the main idea of the text and not focusing on the counter or supportive examples or ideas.
Note: There is an exception to this type, if the question is like the first instance given, the answer will be based on the ‘main purpose’ whose answer will be found in the initial portions of the test. As the passage will proceed, the purpose might change.
TOEFL Listening Question: Inference
If the passage has questions like:
- What can be inferred from the lecturer’s discussion on humanity?
- What is the student’s next aim?
- What is implied when the lecturer states (a short segment is played)?
While answering these TOEFL listening questions, never go for an answer which disproves the main context and keeps a focus on the speaker’s tone. The accurate answer will consist of few keywords not found in the recording.
TOEFL Listening Question: Organization
These organization questions in TOEFL listening questions appear mostly in the lectures and are of three parts. The first type deals with an overall arrangement of the passage, the second deals with the candidate’s link with one or more sections of the passage, and the last type is more like the function question but focuses on the whole sentence.
TOEFL Listening Question: Attitude
TOEFL exam listening section has attitude questions that are based on the attitude of the speaker – focus on the kind of words and intonation they are using while discussing the subject. These TOEFL listening question can also include feelings which are mentioned or firmly mentioned.
TOEFL Listening Question: Function
These TOEFL Listening questions concentrate on the implied meaning of the passage. The test-taker is questioned about a specific part followed by playing the recording of the topic of the question followed by only the topic. The whole answering has to be done only through listening.
TOEFL Listening Question: Classifying
This one is a common TOEFL question type that asks the candidates to classify specific details according to the criteria mentioned. Few answers will be given while a few are hinted.
TOEFL Listening Questions: Additional Information
- The recording might take place between a faculty and a student, or a librarian, coordinator, administrator, and more;
- Generally, the context of the audio consists of a student addressing their problems asking for a remedy and the other person providing them with a solution;
- The lectures are mostly based on knowledgeable topics which are equally important during real-time lectures;
- Topics like history, science, business, management, art, social science, gender studies, all are discussed in the lectures;
- Specialized knowledge is not required as the topics will not extend to US history, or government policies and alike.
- A preliminary idea about the common phenomenon is needed to answer the questions properly.
Note: The audio will contain pauses, hesitations, interruptions, false starts (e.g., “I’m not . . . I don’t really know the answer to that question”), idioms (e.g., “I don’t have a clue what you mean”), and colloquial language (e.g., “The scientists were sort of surprised by the results”).
TOEFL Listening Preparation Tips
The TOEFL listening requires the test taker to be extremely careful as missing any fact might cost them huge marks. Here are few TOEFL listening preparation tips which will guide the candidates in giving the best of them.
- Listen to the principal idea: Most of the lecturers have their first question based on the central idea/gist. The professor speaking the passage mostly states the central idea, but the problem arises when it shifts to other specific details. It is always, therefore, recommended to keep the ears glued to the voice;
- Notice the speaker’s tone of voice: What is that the speaker is trying to convey, and that can be performed by studying the expressions and gestures;
- Pay attention to how the ideas are associated: While listening, write down notes of the vital points for future reference. You can make this a habit while practicing from the TOEFL listening papers;
- Stay fixated on key points and not specific points: TOEFL listening questions are always based on overall view and not minute details like certain names, locations, or events.
- TOEFL listening section time per question may vary. But you need to be focused while listening.
TOEFL Listening Practice Questions
Here are TOEFL listening number of questions for your practice:
Therefore, the above details about the TOEFL listening questions will serve the candidates while preparing for TOEFL.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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