Preparing for Part 3: Conversations

Visualizing the setting

In this part of the test you will hear some conversations between two or three people. You will be asked to answer three questions about the conversation.

Some of the questions in this part are about specific details in the conversations. However, for other types of questions you will need to visualize the setting of the conversation and identify the speakers. You may not hear the answer to the question directly stated in the conversation.

As you listen to the conversations, ask yourself the following questions:

Who are the speakers?

Where are the speakers?

What are they doing?

What is their relationship?

Certain vocabulary words in the conversation can also help you work out the setting. For example, if you hear the words: computer, e-mail, meeting, desk you might guess that the conversation takes place in an office.

The wording of the test question can also help you understand the topic of the conversation. For example, if you read the question: What treatment does the doctor suggest? you might guess that the speaker works in a hospital or clinic.

Tip

If you have time, try to read the questions before you listen to the conversation. Reading the question first can help you focus your listening and give you some idea of what the conversation is about.

Tip

Remember that the test is measuring skills you’ll need in the real world. You can use these same strategies to understand the purpose and context of conversations that you hear anywhere in English. The difference is that, instead of having questions to read, you will have an idea in your mind about what you want to know from the conversation.