Listening: academic talks
Введено| English | Значение |
|---|---|
| lecture/ˈlektʃə/ | A structured talk in which a speaker explains or teaches a subject to an audience. |
| contrast/ˈkɒntræst/ | contrast |
| note-taking/nəʊt ˈteɪkɪŋ/ | note-taking |
The belief and the fact
- A teacher says: "Many people think bats are blind. In fact, most bats can see quite well."
- The first sentence is a belief; the second is the fact. TOEFL Junior almost always asks about the fact.
"Many people think bats are blind. In fact, most bats can see quite well." What is the fact?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The idea after "in fact" is the fact.
The third kind of talk
- The last Listening talks are short lessons or class discussions in science, history, art or geography: a lecture 讲座. Each has four or more questions.
- You hear it once and may not see the questions first, so you need a way to keep the key ideas.
Academic talks in Listening are followed by four or more questions.
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
Announcements have one question, conversations three or more, academic talks four or more.
Which subjects can academic talks be about? Choose all that apply.
Сложность 2/5 · 140 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
All four appear in academic talks.
Find the topic early
- Teachers name the topic near the start: "Today let's look at…", "We've talked before about…". The first question usually asks for this main topic.
- A good topic answer covers the whole talk, not one example.
Listen to the biology teacher. What is the talk mainly about?
What is the biology talk mainly about?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The whole talk explains how otters sleep in the water (kelp, rafts) and stay warm (fur).
Which phrase usually names the topic of a talk?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
Teachers name the topic near the start.
A good main-topic answer covers the whole talk, not one example.
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
One example is a detail.
Contrast signals
- Words like but, however, in fact and actually signal a contrast 对比. The idea after the signal is usually the one the teacher wants you to learn.
- A popular belief is often a wrong option. Ask: did the teacher agree with it, or correct it?
- "Many people think sea otters sleep on the beach. In fact, they spend almost their whole lives in the water, and they sleep there too."
- True: sea otters sleep in the water. The beach is the belief the teacher corrects.
Belief or fact?
Follow examples, comparisons and surprises in an academic talk
According to the teacher, what do many people wrongly believe?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The teacher corrects this belief with "In fact, they sleep in the water".
Why do sea otters wrap themselves in kelp?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The kelp is fixed to the sea floor and works like an anchor while they sleep.
Which words often signal that a teacher is correcting a belief? Choose all that apply.
Сложность 2/5 · 140 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
In fact, actually and however signal contrast. For example introduces an example.
How do sea otters sleep?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
"They float on their backs."
What problem does the teacher mention?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
"While an otter sleeps, the water can carry it away."
Why does the teacher compare kelp to an anchor?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
Kelp holds the otter in one place, like an anchor holds a boat.
Groups of resting sea otters are called ___. (one word)
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
"Groups, called rafts."
Why may sea otters hold paws?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
"They may hold paws so they stay together."
Notes that help
- Note-taking 记笔记: 3–5 words per idea, in order. Use arrows and symbols: kelp = anchor, fur → warm.
- Write down numbers, names, causes and results. Do not try to write full sentences; you will miss the next idea.
Notes for the sea otter talk:
- sleep in water (NOT beach)
- kelp → don't drift
- rafts, hold paws
- fur thickest → traps air → warm
How do sea otters stay warm, according to the talk?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The teacher says they have no thick fat layer; their very thick fur traps air.
Which note is the most useful while listening?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
A few words with an arrow keep the cause and result in order.
How does the fur keep sea otters warm?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
The fur is the thickest of any animal and traps air.
Which note is in a good style?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
3–5 words and a symbol per idea.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the popular belief that the teacher corrected.
- Choosing a true detail when the question asks for the main topic, or the main topic when it asks why something happens.
Sea otters holding paws so they don't float apart is real, and very cute. It is also the kind of detail a question likes to ask about.
What is the sea otter talk mainly about?
Сложность 1/5 · 100 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
Kelp, rafts and fur all explain sleeping and staying warm in the water.
Recap
- Topic in the first lines; one answer must cover the whole talk.
- After but / in fact / actually comes the idea to remember.
- Short ordered notes: causes, results, numbers.
Put the ideas in the order the teacher gives them.
Сложность 3/5 · 200 монет + небольшой бонус за первое завершение сегодня
Belief, correction, kelp, then fur. Order in notes helps with order in answers.
Official sources
- Format checked on 15 November 2026 in the TOEFL Junior Test Taker Handbook (ETS, PDF).
- Official academic-talk samples: Listening Comprehension sample questions (ETS). The sea otter talk is original.