2-1e Test and Short Conversations Overview

TOEFL ITP Short Conversation Strategies

Managing Timing

1. Only focus on the current question in front of you. Do not go back to previous questions or preview the next ones. This will cause you to lose focus and possibly forget which question you should be answering.
2. After each question is read by the narrator, you only have 12 seconds to choose from the four answer choices. Do not waste unnecessary time on one or two answers. Be sure to look at all of them quickly, then take more time to choose.

Determining Meaning

3. What the first speaker says sets the context of the conversation and the second speaker adds key information to that. Therefore, nearly always, you will find the answer to the question in what the second speaker says. The correct answer is most often a re-statement of a key word or some idea that the second speaker has said. It is important to imagine rephrasing of ideas and even synonyms for vocabulary used.
4. Consider the purpose of function of the conversation. Often one speaker will be giving or asking for advice, offering opinion, providing information, or there may even be an expression of agreement or disagreement. Listen for non-verbal cues such as raised of lowered intonation which could show surprise or disappointment.
5. Be able to distinguish between fact and inference. A fact question asks for something that was directly mentioned in the conversation whereas inferred or implied information is that which the listener has to figure out from the clues given by the speakers.

Choosing Correctly

6. Multiple choice questions usually consist of three types of answers. First, there are two choices which are wrong that can be easily be eliminated, or removed as possibilities, by looking at the basic information. Second, there is the correct answer; however, it is the third choice that is the problem because it is designed to distract the test-taker by using similar vocabulary, phrases, pronunciation or grammatical structures as the conversation. These questions are what cause the most problems. The key is to eliminate the first type of question so that there are only two choices remaining and time can be better spent on the important questions.
7. If you can not choose the correct answer, it is very important not to leave any answers blank. You will be marked on your correct answers and are not penalized for your incorrect ones. Always guess, intelligently, and answer every question.