Listening Skills Flashcards
7 cards from real Language Proficiency practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Listening Skills flashcards as text
A speaker says, 'The meeting has been pushed back an hour.' What does this mean?
Answer: The meeting starts one hour later than planned
'Pushed back' means delayed, so the meeting now starts one hour later.
You hear a radio announcement say, 'Expect significant delays on the interstate due to an earlier accident.' What should drivers anticipate?
Answer: Slower travel times than normal
'Significant delays' indicates traffic will move slower than usual.
A professor lectures: 'Unlike the first hypothesis, the second assumes constant variables.' Which listening skill is MOST useful here?
Answer: Listening for sequential comparison signals
The word 'unlike' signals a contrast, so listening for comparison cues helps you follow the argument.
A colleague says, 'I suppose we could try that approach,' in a flat, unenthusiastic tone. What is the MOST likely meaning?
Answer: She is reluctant or unconvinced about the approach
Hedging language like 'I suppose' combined with flat tone signals reluctance or lack of enthusiasm.
During a podcast, the host says, 'To recap what we covered before the break...' What is the host about to do?
Answer: Summarize previously discussed content
'To recap' signals the speaker is about to review earlier information.
You overhear: 'We're running low on time, so let's table the budget discussion.' In an American English context, what does 'table' mean here?
Answer: Postpone the budget discussion for later
In American English, 'to table' a discussion means to postpone it, unlike British English where it means to bring something forward.
A speaker pauses frequently and repeats phrases like 'you know' and 'sort of' throughout an explanation. What does this MOST likely indicate?
Answer: The speaker may be uncertain or still formulating their thoughts
Filler phrases and repetition often signal that a speaker is thinking through ideas or is uncertain.