So what are we listening for?
A comparison of the English listening constructs
in the Japanese National Centre Test and TOEFL® iBT

Appendix G: Sample TOEFL® iBT
basic comprehension questions


1. Gist-Content: Listen to a professor's lecture on seismology (plate structures)



Q: What is the main topic of the talk?

The differences in climate that occur in different countries
How movement of the earth's plates can affect climate
Why the ocean has less effect on climate than previously thought
The history of the climate of the region where the college is located

2. Gist-Purpose: Listen to a conversation between a professor and a student



Q: Why does the student visit the professor?

To get some note cards for his presentation
To show her some examples of common research errors
To review the notes for his presentation with her
To ask for help in finding a presentation topic

3. Detail: Listen to a professor's lecture on glaciers



Q: What are kettle lakes?

Lakes that form in the centre of a volcano
Lakes that have been damaged by the greenhouse effect
Lakes formed by unusually large amounts of precipitation
Lakes formed when pieces of glaciers melt
Source: ETS (2006a)

Main Article Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E
Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Appendix I Appendix J Appendix K
2006 Pan SIG-Proceedings: Topic Index Author Index Page Index Title Index Main Index
Complete Pan SIG-Proceedings: Topic Index Author Index Page Index Title Index Main Index

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