- 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.
Use the two playings differently: answer first, then check
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.
A distractor is mentioned first, then corrected - the correction is the answer
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.