A keyword in the clip does not prove that an option is correct. Speakers mention things in order to reject, replace or limit them, and the option that uses the heard word is often the one that was rejected. This lesson closes listening for detail and uses everything from conditions after a pause.
Why do keywords mislead?
Listening tasks are written so that wrong options contain words from the clip. That way, a student who only matches sounds gets the answer wrong, and a student who follows the meaning gets it right.
The keyword often appears in a sentence with but, instead, not, no longer or was planned. These words reverse the status of the thing just mentioned.
A four-step check
- Predict in your own words before looking at the options.
- Test each option and write a tick or a cross with a reason, such as “mentioned, but rejected”.
- Check the end of the sentence. The final clause often contains the real answer.
- If two options survive, ask what differs between them and listen for that difference only.
Worked example
Listen once to this clip (have someone read it aloud, or read it once and cover it).
We planned to have the party at the beach, but the forecast says rain, so we are moving it to the community hall. The food will stay the same, pizza and fruit.
Question: Where will the party be held? A: at the beach B: in the community hall C: at the school
Step 1, predict. A reasonable prediction is “somewhere indoors, because of rain”.
Step 2, test. A: beach was heard, but it was the plan that was changed. Cross. B: moving it to the community hall matches. Tick. C: school was never mentioned. Cross.
Step 3, check the end. The food is a separate detail and does not alter the place.
Answer: B
The mistake to watch for
The common mistake is to choose the option whose word you heard first.
Mistaken answer: A
The student matched beach and stopped listening after but.
The correction is to write a reason beside every cross.
If your reason for A is “heard it”, you have not yet tested it. A good reason sounds like “mentioned, but the plan changed”. That habit also stops you choosing an option that sounds sensible but was never said.
Check yourself
Read each clip once and answer before opening the solution.
1. “Kai said he would take the train, but the station is closed this week, so he will take the coach.” How will Kai travel?
Show answer
By coach. The train was his first plan and it was changed because of the closed station.
2. “The café normally sells sandwiches and drinks, but today the sandwich machine is broken, so it is only drinks.” What can you buy today?
Show answer
Drinks only. Sandwiches are mentioned, but they are not available today.
3. “The concert starts at seven, but the doors open at six thirty, and the band asks you to be in your seat by a quarter to seven.” By what time should you be seated?
Show answer
6.45. Seven is the start time and 6.30 is the opening time. A quarter to seven is the time the band asks for.
Where this leads next
Take the listening for detail practice set to combine all five skills. For listening about attitudes and opinions rather than facts, continue to listening for viewpoint.
If you notice that you choose options by sound rather than meaning, a teacher in online one-to-one English as a Second Language tuition can go through your choices one by one.