Listening Skills Enhancement - Skill 1- Gist Questions

Responding to Gist Questions Questions following each TOEFL iBT Listening passage generally include a Gist Question,which asks about the overall topic. There are two types of Gist Questions: Gist Content andGist Purpose. As the name implies, Gist Content Questions relate to the subject matter of alecture or conversation. Gist Purpose Questions, on the other hand, are usually found afterconversations and ask about the reason for the conversation.Response TipsHow to Answer ExplanationListen for The signal words in the introduction...... today we're going to be examining ... clearly point to the topic oAlso... check on the final comments in the introductionThe body of lectures includes main points, they will be useful for other kinds of questions.Let's get down to business.... Couch SurfingTest Question1. What does the professor mainly discuss? The popularity of Facebook and MySpace Reasons for the growth of hospitality networks The basis for social-networking websites Reasons CouchSurfing.org is successful Gist Purpose: ConversationTest Question1. Why does the student visit the student housing office? To meet new people To find out the pros and cons of living on campus To find out about dorm facilities To get assistance with making a choice about accommodation Global WarmingTest QuestionWhat is the lecture mainly about? An increase in the rate of climate change The causes and effects of global warming Global warming and its implications A natural versus an enhanced greenhouse effect Global Warming PresentationTest QuestionWhat is the student's problem? He needs the professor to approve his topic before proceeding. He is uncertain his topic is appropriate for the environmental studies course. He doesn't have enough supporting material to develop his topic. He doesn't feel his topic is interesting enough. A Living HomeTest QuestionWhat is the main topic of the lecture? Architectural innovations at Massachusetts Institute of Technology An architectural problem and solution A specific example of an eco borne A comparison of standard versus environmental architecture Virtual RealityTest QuestionWhat is the main topic of the discussion? The difference between real and virtual solutions in the medical profession The cost-effectiveness ofvirtual reality solutions in treating patients The need for virtual reality and robotics in surgery The benefits of specific virtual reality applications in medicine Culture ShockTest QuestionWhy does the student go to see her advisor? She thinks she has culture shock. She is emotionally distraught and regrets choosing to study in a foreign country. She feels nervous and unfriendly toward the people in the city. She finds the customs of her new environment unfamiliar. The Milgram ExperimentTest QuestionWhat does the professor mainly discuss? A theory linking authority with aggression A study about the influence of authority An experiment about shock treatment in an educational setting Research about authority and conformity in education