Listening Part A : Listen For Who & What With Multiple Nouns (Skill 6)

Previous Skill: Listen For Who & What in Passives (Skill 5)

When there is more than one noun in a sentence in Listening Part A, it is common for the answers to confuse which noun does what.

Example.

On the recording, you hear:

(man)      : Do you know who is in the band now?

(woman) : I heard that Mara replaced Robert in the band.

(narrator): What does the woman say about the band?

In your test book, you read:

(A)  Robert became a new member of the band

(B)  Robert took Mara's place in the band.

(C) Mara didn't have a place in the band.

(D) Mara took Robert's place in the band.

Analysis:

• In the woman's response to the man's question, she says "Mara replaced Robers". It means that Mara is in the band, and Robert is not. Therefore, the best answer is (D). 

EXERCISE 6:

1.       (man) : Why is Bill not at work this week?

     (woman) : His doctor made him take a week off

    (narrator) : What does the woman mean?

    (A)  The doctor decided to take some time off from work.

    (B)  The doctor told Bill he wasn't too weak to work.

    (C)  Bill was mad when  the doctor took some time off

    (D)  Bill took a vacation on his doctor's orders.

Analysis:

• In the conversation,the woman says " His doctor made him take a week off".
• The best answer is (D), "Billl took a vacation on his doctor's order" 

2.        (man) : Why is Paul going back home this summer?
      (woman) : He's returning to Vermont for his sister's wedding.
     (narrator) : What does the woman mean?

      (A) Paul is getting married this summer.
      (B) Paul's sister is returning from Vermont to get married
      (C) Paul will be there when his sister gets married this summer
      (D) Paul's sister is coming to his wedding in Vermont

Analysis:

• In the conversation, the woman says "....for his sister's wedding".
• The best answer is (C), ".............when his sister gets married this summer".

Next : TOEFL Exercise 6