- English Language Test for International Students Listening for Main Ideas Questions and Answers Flashcards

A student giving a presentation says: "Recycling paper saves trees, reduces trash in landfills, and uses less energy than making new paper." What is the main idea?

Answer: Recycling paper has several benefits

All three points are benefits of recycling paper.

Man: "The cafeteria food has been cold all week." Woman: "Maybe we should tell the manager." What is the conversation mainly about?

Answer: A problem with the cafeteria food

Both speakers respond to the problem of cold cafeteria food.

A radio host says: "Heavy snow is expected tonight. Schools will open two hours late tomorrow, and drivers should travel slowly." What is the main purpose of the announcement?

Answer: To warn listeners about the snowstorm and its effects

The host shares the coming storm and how it will affect people.

A teacher spends most of a lecture describing the causes of the American Revolution and mentions one battle briefly. What is the lecture mainly about?

Answer: The reasons the American Revolution began

The speaker spends most of the time on causes, so that is the main topic.

Which question best helps a listener find the main idea of a talk?

Answer: What is the speaker mostly trying to tell me?

Asking what the speaker mostly wants to communicate leads to the main idea.

A librarian says: "Our new online system lets you reserve books from home, renew them, and see when they are due." What is the main idea?

Answer: The new online system makes using the library easier

Each feature shows how the system helps library users.

A friend says: "I've been studying every night, I joined a study group, and I asked the teacher for extra help." What can you infer is the main point?

Answer: The friend is working hard to do well in a class

All the actions show strong effort to succeed in a class.