STRATEGIES FOR PAPER 1/B- LISTENING COMPREHENSION

QUESTION 1

What you will most likely need to do​:

Identify, summarize and state the main idea/point or main intention.

Remember:

Main idea/point​= the central message of the passage.

Main intention​= the central objective of the writer.

To identify the ​MAIN IDEA/POINT​:

1) Remember that the main idea/point is more than just the subject/topic of the passage; it is
something ​about​ the subject/topic.
2) Listen carefully to the first and last sentences of the passage. If the main idea/point is
directly stated it will most likely be contained in either of these sentences.
3) Jot down details of the passage- subject, characters, place, and time.
4) Look out for repeating ideas. This indicates a link to the main idea. (It also may help you
answer question 2).
5) Begin your answer with “The main idea is that…”
6) Pretend you are simply telling a friend in a few words what the passage is about.
7) When you re-read your answer, make sure that it is reflective of the overall passage, not
just a few sentences.

To identify ​MAIN INTENTION​:

● Listen to the tone of the passage. Is it neutral? Critical? Emotional?

● Observe the language of the passage. Is it scientific? Artistic?
● Consider where you might see/hear a passage like this. Magazine? Scientific journal?
Textbook? Electoral campaign?
● Begin your answer with “The main intention is to…”
● When you re-read you answer make sure that it reflects some kind of action.

Some words that describe intention:

Inform Argue Describe Amuse

Explain Persuade Evoke a feeling/mood Analyze
Criticize Convince Narrate Advertise
Complain Sensitize/Raise Awareness Dissuade

QUESTION 2

What you will most likely need to do​:

● Give details to support what you said in question 1.

● Give details/statements from the passage which helped you answer question 1
● Give details to support a statement from the passage.

Your answers must be relevant to the main idea/intention or statement given in the question.
QUESTION 3

What you will most likely need to do​:

● Identify literary devices

● Identify organizational strategies

To identify literary devices:

● Listen for figurative language.

● Listen for “like” or “as” for similes.
● Quote the device completely for your answer.

To identify strategies:

● Listen for link words/phrases:

As a result, thus, therefore, consequently, subsequently- Cause and effect.

Likewise, similarly, also, on the other hand, however, nevertheless- Comparison/Contrast

First, afterwards, after, earlier, later, eventually, before, now, meanwhile, next, during-
Chronological Sequence/Process Sequence.

QUESTION 4

What you will most likely need to do​:

● Comment on the effectiveness of the device/strategy

To comment on effectiveness:

● Ask yourself what the device is doing (relate this to main idea)
● Decide whether it achieves it and why.

Common uses of Literary Devices:

o To compare two things, usually to add meaning to one of the things.

o To appeal to the reader’s senses and imagination.
o To make an association.
o To reinforce the writer’s meaning.
o To evoke a feeling.

e.g. “The remaining trees hung their head in sadness after the hurricane had passed”

The device effectively creates a mental picture of what the damaged trees looked like due to the
hurricane. Also, it evokes a feeling of sadness.

e.g. “They’ll call me freedom just like a waving flag”

This simile is effective because it associates an abstract idea, freedom, with a tangible object
which is closely related to the freedom of a country, a flag. Readers, therefore get a mental
picture of freedom which makes the concept more vivid and easy to relate to.

OTHER POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1) Identify mood- the emotional atmosphere or feeling evoked.

2) Give an appropriate title- must be reflective of the main idea and should be short and
catchy​.