Listening for Speaker's Attitude Flashcards
7 cards from real TOEFL 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 for Speaker's Attitude flashcards as text
A professor says, "Now, you might THINK the answer is obvious, but..." The word "but" signals the professor will:
Answer: Challenge a common assumption
"But" after acknowledging an assumption introduces a contrast or correction.
A student says, "To be honest, I didn't really follow that." The phrase "to be honest" signals:
Answer: A candid admission of confusion
"To be honest" prefaces a frank confession, here admitting confusion.
A speaker's voice rises sharply when saying, "You did WHAT?" This most likely expresses:
Answer: Surprise or disbelief
A sharp pitch rise on "what" signals astonishment or disbelief.
A professor remarks, "I won't bore you with all the details." This implies the professor:
Answer: Will summarize rather than elaborate
The phrase signals an intention to keep things brief and skip lengthy detail.
A student replies, "Sure, whatever you say," in a clipped tone. This most likely conveys:
Answer: Annoyance or reluctant agreement
A clipped "whatever you say" signals grudging or irritated compliance.
When a speaker stresses, "I NEVER said that," the emphasis on "never" indicates the speaker is:
Answer: Firmly denying or defending
Heavy stress on "never" marks an emphatic, defensive denial.
A professor says, "Frankly, this theory has been largely discredited." The word "frankly" signals:
Answer: A blunt, direct opinion
"Frankly" introduces a candid, straightforward critical judgment.