30 min
Listening
for details
for details
1 topic
1 tasks
THE DEVIL’S IN THE DETAILS
Listening comprehension is rather a complex thing where the overall meaning and separate words are closely entwined.
In the context, we normally know what to expect and tell ourselves how to interpret what we heard thus disregarding the details. In practice, it’s called 'practically understood'.
In the context, we normally know what to expect and tell ourselves how to interpret what we heard thus disregarding the details. In practice, it’s called 'practically understood'.
1.
As a warm-up
Try to understand what this piece is about.
Most of the words are clear:
However, without the missing bit, what we heard does not make much sense.
Let’s give it another try:
Sounds a bit like loo and someone called Besby, but, seriously, loo?!
Let’s listen a few more times. There’s clearly a diphthong at the beginning, which sounds a lot like oh. Yep, it’s got to be Oh then. What about the loo? There’s this trace of an extra sound after it. Exactly.
Now, what do we do about Besby? As we know, English speakers hate consonant clusters and leave out sounds whenever they can. What could he be saying in that situation? Eureka!
- _________ there’s my bus into town, ____________ off.
However, without the missing bit, what we heard does not make much sense.
Let’s give it another try:
- ____[lʊ]_____ there’s my bus into town, _____[besbɪ]_______ off.
Sounds a bit like loo and someone called Besby, but, seriously, loo?!
Let’s listen a few more times. There’s clearly a diphthong at the beginning, which sounds a lot like oh. Yep, it’s got to be Oh then. What about the loo? There’s this trace of an extra sound after it. Exactly.
- Oh, look, there’s my bus into town.
Now, what do we do about Besby? As we know, English speakers hate consonant clusters and leave out sounds whenever they can. What could he be saying in that situation? Eureka!
- Oh, look, there’s my bus into town, I’d best be off.
2.
Read between the lines (even if there’s only one line)
Let's proceed with the warm-up. Try to determine the context of the phrase uttered.
1.
1.
'About you' will be identified even by a complete beginner and even kids will be able to hear 'comfort' – with several repetitions, perhaps:
Got it now!
That comes from The Big Lebowski, by the way.
2.
- _________ about you, _________ comfort _______.
Got it now!
- I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that.
That comes from The Big Lebowski, by the way.
2.
This one, too, is as clear as can be.
The meaning is obvious and the phrase itself could be uttered in any kind of context, from a restaurant to friends wishing to talk in private.
Over to you now. Let's see how you manage to determine the context with no prompts at all.
- Could you just give us a moment, please?
The meaning is obvious and the phrase itself could be uttered in any kind of context, from a restaurant to friends wishing to talk in private.
Over to you now. Let's see how you manage to determine the context with no prompts at all.
END OF THE GUIDE
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