Listening Strategy
The information that you need to understand in the recorded text may be expressed differently in the task. Listen out for synonyms (e.g. hate / can’t stand) and antonyms (e.g. win / lose), and also for information and ideas that are paraphrased (worded differently).
1. Read the sentences and choose the best synonym ore paraphrase for the underlined words (a, b or c).
- 1 The image of an outlaw appeals to a lot of people
- a is attractive to
b is similar to
c annoys - 2 Members of the gang made large amounts of money.
- a were very short of money
b needed a lot of money
c became very rich - 3 They stole rings and necklaces from shops.
- a treasure
b jewellery
c clothes - 4 Many people were unemployed at that time.
- a didn’t have jobs
b were working
c were poor - 5 The robbery did not last very long.
- a was not successful
b was short
c was the first of many - 6 She told the police that she didn’t own the car
- a she disliked the car
b she didn’t use the car
c the car didn’t belong to her.
2. Listen to six short monologues. Answer the questions about each speaker.
- 1) Does speaker 1 usually buy clothes or jewellery for his wife’s birthday?.
- ………………………………………………….
- 2) Did speaker 2 have a long or short illness after a holiday in Africa?
- ………………………………………………….
- 3) Does speaker 3 like or dislike the idea of going BASE jumping?
- ………………………………………………….
- 4) Did speaker 4’s computer company make her rich?
- ………………………………………………….
- 5) Did speaker 5’s parent own the house he lived in when he was a child?
- ………………………………………………….
- 6) When speaker 6 lived in Greece, was her father employed or unemployed?
- ………………………………………………….
3. Choose the word which makes sentence b mean the same as sentence a.
1 A They were like celebrities.
B They were / weren’t very well-known.
2 A We made up some of the stories about them.
B All / Not all of the stories about them were true.
3 A He was a good student.
B He did badly / well at school.
4 A They were always in trouble with the law.
B The police often / never caught them committing crimes.
5 A We rarely argued.
B We often had / did not often have disagreements.
6 A Neither of them got out of the castle alive.
B They both died inside / outside the castle.
7 A He never killed anyone.
B He was / was not a murderer.
B They were / weren’t very well-known.
2 A We made up some of the stories about them.
B All / Not all of the stories about them were true.
3 A He was a good student.
B He did badly / well at school.
4 A They were always in trouble with the law.
B The police often / never caught them committing crimes.
5 A We rarely argued.
B We often had / did not often have disagreements.
6 A Neither of them got out of the castle alive.
B They both died inside / outside the castle.
7 A He never killed anyone.
B He was / was not a murderer.
4. Listen to a radio programme about a famous criminal called Ma Barker and her sons. Complete the fact file.
5. Listen again. Chose the correct answer, a or b. Sometimes both answers are correct.
- 1 During her own lifetime, Ma Barker was
- a a very well-known criminal.
b the only well-known criminal in the USA. - 2 The newspapers printed some stories about Ma Barker which were
- a true
b invented - 3 At school, Ma Barker’s sons. from shops.
- a were not good students.
b behaved well most of the time. - 4 George Barker argued with his wife because at that time.
- a she did not support their sons.
b he did not want their sons to be criminals. - 5 In 1935, the police killed
- a Ma Barker.
b Ma Barker’s son, Fred.