STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING PART A / SHORT CONVERSATION

1. FOCUS ON THE LAST LINE

1. Listen to the first line of the dialogue. If you understand it, that’s good. If you don’t
understand it, do not worry because it probably does not contain the answer
2. Be ready to focus on the last line of the dialogue because it probably contains the answer.
Repeat the last line in your mind as you read through the answers in the text

Exercise 1 (focus on the last line of the dialogue, read the question, and then choose the best answer to
that question)

(Man) Can you tell me if today’s matinee is a a. She has strong ideas about movies
comedy, romance or western? b. She prefers comedies over westerns
(Woman) I have no idea and romances
(narrator) What does the woman mean? c. She does not like today’s matinee
d. She does not know

(Man) Was anyone at home at Barb’s house a. Barb answered the bell
when you went there to deliver the b. The house was probably empty
package? c. The bell wasn’t in the house
(Woman) I rang the bell, but no one answered d. The house does not have a bell
(narrator) What does the woman imply

2. CHOOSE ANSWER WITH SYNONYMS

1. As you listen to the last line of the dialogue, focus on key words in that line
2. If you see any synonyms for key words in a particular answer, than you have probably
found the correct answer

Exercise 2 (underline key words in the last line of each short dialogue. Then underline synonyms for
these key words in the answers, and choose the best answer for each question)

(Man) Did you see the manager about the job a. He got a job as bookstore manager
in the book store? b. The bookstore was not accepting
(Woman) Yes, and I also had to fill out an applications
application c. He saw a book about how to apply for
(narrator) What does the woman mean? jobs
d. It was necessary to complete a form

(Man) Was the concert well-received? a. The performance went on for a long
(Woman) The audience applauded for a long time
time after the performance b. There was applause throughout the
(narrator) What does the woman say about the performance
concert? c. The people clapped on and on after
the concert
d. The audience waited for a long time
for the concert to begin

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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3. AVOID SIMILAR SOUND
1. Identify key words in the last line of the dialogue
2. Identify words in the answers that contain similar sounds, and do not choose these answers

Exercise 3 (underline key words in the last line of each short dialogue. Then underline words with
sounds similar to these key words in the answers, and choose the best answer to each question)

(Man) I heard that sally just moved into a a. Sally has no sense of responsibility
new, big house near the beach b. Sally sent her friend to the house
(Woman) But Sally doesn’t have a cent! c. Sally has no money
(narrator) What does the woman mean? d. Sally is on the set with her

(Man) Did they get the new car they wanted? a. They locked the map in a car
(Woman) No, they lacked the money b. They looked many times in the car
(narrator) what does the woman mean? c. It cost a lot of money when the car
leaked oil
d. They didn’t have enough money to
buy another car

4. DRAW CONCLUSION ABOUT WHO, WHAT, WHERE

It is common for you to be asked to draw one of the following conclusions in the short
dialogues:
1. WHO is probably talking?
2. WHAT will she/he probably do next?
3. WHERE does the dialogue probably take place?

Exercise 4 (read each short dialogue and question, underline the clues that help you answer the question,
and then choose the best answer.)

(Woman) Can you tell me what assignments I a. A newspaper editor

missed when I was absent from your b. A police officer
class? c. A teacher
(Man) You missed one homework assignment d. A student
(narrator) Who is the man?

(Man) Are you going to read those books a. Sit down in the library
here, in the library? b. Look for some more books
(Woman) I think I’d rather check them out now c. Return the books to the shelves
and take them home d. Go to the circulation desk
(narrator) What will the woman probably do next

(Man) Did you get the bread, eggs, and milk? a. In a restaurant
(Woman) Now we need to stand in line at the b. At a bakery
checkout counter c. On a farm
(narrator) Where does this conversation probably d. In a market
take place?

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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5. LISTEN FOR NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS
The most common kind of correct response to a negative statement is a positive statement
containing a word with an opposite meaning.
Types of negative expressions
Expression Example Correct answer
Regular negative: not or n’t Tom is not sad about the results Not sad = happy
Other negatives: nobody, Nobody arrived on time Nobody…on time = late
none, nothing, never Sal never works hard Never works hard = lazy
Negative prefixes: un-, in-, The patient was insane Insane = not sane = crazy
dis-

Exercise 5 (underline the negative in the last line of each short dialogue. Then read the question and
choose the best answer to that question)

(Man) I can’t seem to get the door unlocked a. The key in the drawer is on the right
(Woman) That isn’t the right key for the door b. The man should write the message on
(narrator) What does the woman mean? the door
c. The man has the wrong key
d. The rig ht key isn’t in the drawer

(Man) Were you pleased with last week’s a. The convention was disorganized
convention? b. She didn’t plan to attend the
(Woman) Nothing went as planned convention
(narrator) What does the woman mean? c. She planned the convention last week
d. She wasn’t pleased with the last week
of the convention

6. LISTEN FOR DOUBLE NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS

Two negatives ideas appear in one sentence
Expression
Negative word (e.g., not, no,
none) and a negative prefix
(e.g., un-, in-, dis-)
Two negatives verbs
Neither or not … either
Double negatives
Example
He didn’t like the unclean office
It isn’t snowing, so they aren’t
going to the mountains
Sue didn’t like the movie, and
neither did Mark
Correct answer
Did not like unclean office
= liked clean office
Implies that they would go
if it were snowing
Both did not like the
movie

Exercise 6 (underline the two negatives in the last line of each short dialogue. Then read the question
and choose the best answer to that question)
(Man) Paula, you worked so hard setting up a. She hopes everyone will be pleased
the field trip b. She knows no one is happy with what
(Woman) I hope no one’s unhappy with the she has done
arrangement c. She’s arranged to take trip because
(narrator) What does Paula mean? she’s unhappy
d. Everyone’s happy with the condition
of the field

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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 (Man) How was your history exam? a. He studied a lot and passed
(Woman) I didn’t study enough, so I didn’t do b. He failed in spite of his effort
well c. He got a good grade even though he
(narrator) What does the woman mean? didn’t study
d. His grade was poor because of
inadequate preparation

7. LISTEN FOR “ALMOST NEGATIVE” EXPRESSION

Common almost negative expressions
Meaning Expression Example
Almost none Hardly, barely, scarcely, only There is hardly any food in the refrigerator
Almost never Rarely, seldom He rarely drives to work

Exercise 7 (underline the “almost negative” expression in the last line of each short dialogue. Then read
the question and choose the best answer to that question)

(Man) I hear that Mona’s been offered the a. Mona hasn’t worked hard
manager’s job b. Mona’s experience has been hard
(Woman) But she has hardly any work c. Mona’s job as manager is hard
experience! d. Mona hasn’t worked for very long
(narrator) What does the woman say about Mona

(Man) Does Steve usually park his car there? a. He parks his car there once in a while
(Woman) Only once has he parked his car in that b. He’s parked his car there a lot
lot c. He only leaves his car there for short
(narrator) What does the woman mean? periods of time
d. He left his car there on just one
occasion

8. LISTEN FOR NEGATIVE WITH COMPARATIVES

A sentence with a negative and a comparative has a superlative, or very strong, meaning
Comparatives with negatives
Comparative Example Meaning
More No one is more beautiful than she is She is the most beautiful
-er He couldn’t be happier He is extremely happy

Exercise 8 (underline the negative and the comparative in the second line of each short dialogue. Then
read the question and choose the best answer to that question)

(Woman) What did you think of Mike when you a. Mike was extremely friendly when he
first met him? met him
(man) He could not have been more b. Mike could have met him sooner
unfriendly c. Mike didn’t seem to like him at all
(narrator) What does the man mean? d. When he met mike, he didn’t have a
friend

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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 (Man) Did you see Theresa’s grade on the a. Theresa could’ve gotten a higher
math exam? It was unbelievable grade
(Woman) No one else could have done better b. Anyone could get a good grade
(narrator) What does the woman mean c. Theresa got the highest grade
d. A high grade is impossible for anyone

9. LISTEN FOR EXPRESSION OF AGREEMENT

Expressions of Agreement
Agreement with positive statements Agreement with negative statements
So do I Neither do I
Me, too I don’t either
I’ll say!
Isn’t it!
You can say that again!

Exercise 9 (underline the expression of agreement in each short dialogue. Then read the question and
choose the best answer to that question)

(Woman) The paintings are really fascinating a. These paintings aren’t very
(man) Aren’t they! interesting
(narrator) What does the man mean? b. He isn’t fascinated by these paintings
c. He isn’t sure how he feels
d. He finds these paintings interesting

(Woman) I don’t really care for the way the a. He thinks the building was not
building was renovated renovated
(man) I don’t either b. He has the same opinion of the
(narrator) What does the man mean? building as the woman
c. He doesn’t care about the renovation
of the building
d. He suggest being careful in the
renovated building

10. LISTEN FOR EXPRESSIONS OF UNCERTAINTY AND SUGGESTION

Expressions of uncertainty and suggestion
Uncertainty suggestion
…. Isn’t it? Why not …..?
As far as I know Lets …..
As far as I can tell

Exercise 10 (underline the expression of uncertainty and suggestion in each short dialogue. Then read
the question and choose the best answer to that question)

(Man) Do you know what time they’re leaving a. She’s not completely sure when they
for the city? are leaving
(Woman) They have to leave at four o’clock, b. They are returning from the city at
don’t they? about 4:00
(narrator) What does the woman mean c. She knows when they are leaving

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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11. LISTEN FOR EMPHATIC EXPRESSIONS OF SURPRISE (ASSUMPTION)
When surprise is expressed, it implies that the speaker did not expect something to be true
Expressions of emphatic surprise
Verb Emphatic form Example Meaning
Be Be, with emphasis Then he is here! I thought he was not here
Modal Modal, with emphasis Then you can go! I thought you could not go
Present tense Do(es), with emphasis Then you do play tennis! I thought you did not play
tennis
Past tense Did, with emphasis Then she did read it! I thought she had not read it
Perfect tense Have, with emphasis Then she has gone there! I thought he had not gone
there

Exercise 11 (underline the expression of emphatic surprise in each short dialogue. Then read the
question and choose the best answer to that question)

(Woman) Would you like to go skiing this a. The woman was a good skier
weekend? b. The woman was going skiing this
(Man) So you can ski! weekend
(narrator) What had the man assumed c. The woman did not know how to ski
d. The woman did not intend to go
skiing

12. LISTEN FOR WISHES

The important idea to remember about wishes is that a wish implies that the wish is true
Key information about wishes
Point example meaning
- An affirmative wish implies a - I wish I had time to = no time to help
negative reality help
- A negative wish implies an - I wish I did not have = time to help
affirmative reality time to help
- A past tense verb implies a - I wish he were at = is not at home
present reality home
- A past perfect tense verb - I wish he had been at = was not at home
implies a past reality home

Exercise 12 (underline the expression of wish in each short dialogue. Then read the question and choose
the best answer to that question)

(Man) Do you think we’ll be able to have the a. The sky is not very cloudy
picnic today? b. The sky yesterday was cloudier than
(Woman) I wish the sky weren’t so cloudy it is today
(narrator) What does the woman mean? c. The sky is too cloudy
d. The sky is rather clear

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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 STRATEGIES FOR LISTENING PART B / LONGER CONVERSATION

1. General Features
Conversation between two speakers (four-line exchange with each person speaking twice or three-line
exchange with one of the two people speaking only once) followed by a set of three questions.
Situations :
- Information exchanges about people, things, activities, times, places
- Extracts of meetings or interviews
- Invitations to formal or informal events
- Telephone conversations
- Discussions on general topics (sports, travel, etc)

2. Types of questions
Ask for information in the same order as it is presented in the conversation.
- General questions
The purpose is to ask main subject/ purpose of a conversation.
(it is often the first question asked in listening part three)

 What are they discussing?

 What are the speakers doing?
 Where is this conversation taking place?
 Where does the conversation probably take place?
 When will the car probably be repaired?
 Who is the woman speaking to?

- Detail questions /
The purpose is to ask specific information mentioned in the conversation directly/indirectly.
This information generally refers to people, occupations, places, times, plans, activities, reasons
or effects, opinions, suggestions or advice

 Who left message?

 Where did the woman put the files?
 When will the plane take off?
 Why is the store closed?
 How will the man probably go to the station?
 What is the woman going to do next?
 When will the order probably be delivered?
 What can be inferred about the meeting
 What can be said about the new procedure?

3. Effective listening
Do not spend time listening to the directions for part three when taking the test. Use the time to read and
understand the first three questions in the test book in order to get
- A general idea of the topic and context of the conversation
- Identify the type of information you need to listen for.
* Between each question, there is eight-second pause, total of twenty-four seconds per conversation

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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4. Typical distracters
- Repeated words
Words / phrases from the conversations are sometimes repeated in the answer choices but with a
different meaning. They are used as distracters.

Man 1 Did you see the baseball game on TV last night? It was a terrific game! I’m glad it
was tied a few minutes before the end
Man 2 Well, actually I went to the stadium to see it but the stands were packed so I
wasn’t allowed in. Did you record it by any chance?
Man 1 I did. I’ll lend you the tape if you like.

What did the first man do last night?

a. He wrote the minutes of a meeting
b. He packed his baggage
c. He was tied up in a meeting
d. He watched television

- Similar-sounding words
Beware of words which have:
 Very similar pronunciation (e.g. than and then)
 Different spellings
 Different meanings

Man 1 Did you see the baseball game on TV last night? It was a terrific game! I’m glad
it was tied a few minutes before the end
Man 2 Well, actually I went to the stadium to see it but the stands were packed so I
wasn’t allowed in. Did you record it by any chance?
Man 1 I did. I’ll lend you the tape if you like.

What was the second man unable to do?

a. Attend a sporting event
b. Watch a television
c. See a terrible baseball game
d. Leave the stadium

- False information
These words or phrases generally add information that either contradicts or misstates.

Man 1 Did you see the baseball game on TV last night? It was a terrific game! I’m glad it
was tied a few minutes before the end
Man 2 Well, actually I went to the stadium to see it but the stands were packed so I
wasn’t allowed in. Did you record it by any chance?
Man 1 I did. I’ll lend you the tape if you like.

What will the second man probably do?

a. Go to the stadium
b. Borrow the first man’s recording
c. Buy tickets for the next game

MU – EPT (Mulawarman University – English Proficiency Test) 2019 / Listening – Puji Astuti Amalia
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 d. Record the next game
PRACTICE PART A

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PRACTICE PART C

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