Listening: Listen and Choose a Response
Master the short functional phrases this task turns on — the natural reply to an offer, a complaint, an apology or an invitation.
How to use these words: You hear one short turn and pick the natural reply. What decides it is register and function, not meaning alone: a correct-sounding sentence can still be the wrong reply.
Frequently asked questions
Why do the wrong options sound plausible?⌄
They are usually grammatical and topical but socially wrong — too blunt, too formal, or answering a different speech act. Knowing the usual reply to each function is the defence.
Is idiomatic language tested here?⌄
Yes. ETS notes that listening items at the higher levels include idiomatic and colloquial expressions.
More Listening vocabulary
Listening Part 1: Problem Solving→Listening Part 2: Daily Life Conversation→Listening Part 3: Information→Listening Part 4: News Item→Listening Part 5: Discussion→Listening Part 6: Viewpoints→Listening: Listen to a Conversation→Listening: Listen to an Announcement→Listening: Listen to an Academic Talk→
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