ABLE Listening Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A speaker says: 'I'd rather we postponed the meeting until everyone has reviewed the proposal.' What is the speaker requesting?
- Cancel the meeting entirely
- Delay the meeting until participants are prepared (Correct answer)
- Start the meeting without the proposal
- Schedule the meeting for tomorrow morning
Correct answer: Delay the meeting until participants are prepared
The phrase 'rather we postponed...until everyone has reviewed' indicates a request to delay until a condition is met.
Question 2: You hear: 'The report is due by end of business Friday, without exception.' Which word signals that no flexibility is allowed?
- report
- due
- Friday
- without exception (Correct answer)
Correct answer: without exception
'Without exception' explicitly signals that no alternatives or delays will be accepted.
Question 3: A caller leaves a voicemail: 'If it's not too much trouble, could you send me the agenda before the conference call?' What tone does this convey?
- Demanding and urgent
- Polite and tentative (Correct answer)
- Formal and authoritative
- Frustrated and impatient
Correct answer: Polite and tentative
'If it's not too much trouble' is a softening phrase that makes the request sound polite and non-imposing.
Question 4: You hear a lecture: 'Unlike passive listening, active listening requires the listener to engage, question, and reflect.' What is being contrasted?
- Speaking and writing
- Active and passive listening (Correct answer)
- Questioning and reflecting
- Formal and informal communication
Correct answer: Active and passive listening
The word 'unlike' directly signals a contrast between passive and active listening.
Question 5: A colleague says: 'I'm swamped this week, but I'll try to get it to you by Thursday.' What can you infer?
- The colleague refuses to help
- Delivery by Thursday is guaranteed
- The colleague is busy but will attempt to meet the deadline (Correct answer)
- The colleague needs help with the task
Correct answer: The colleague is busy but will attempt to meet the deadline
'Swamped' means very busy, and 'I'll try' signals effort without a firm guarantee.
Question 6: A teacher says: 'Pay close attention to the stressed syllables in each word you hear.' What skill is being practiced?
- Reading comprehension
- Phonological awareness and stress recognition (Correct answer)
- Grammar identification
- Vocabulary memorization
Correct answer: Phonological awareness and stress recognition
Identifying stressed syllables is a core component of phonological awareness in listening tasks.
Question 7: You hear: 'The train departs at 8:15, not 8:50 as previously announced.' What is the key change communicated?
- The train is cancelled
- The departure time is earlier than originally stated (Correct answer)
- The train now departs 35 minutes later
- The platform has changed
Correct answer: The departure time is earlier than originally stated
8:15 is earlier than 8:50, so the corrected departure time is sooner than originally announced.
ABLE Listening Comprehension 2
A speaker says: 'I'd rather we postponed the meeting until everyone has reviewed the proposal.' What is the speaker requesting?