Question

    Are you preparing for a standardized English exam? Do you find the listening section particularly challenging?

The world of standardized examinations to assess candidates’ abilities in the English language has grown rapidly, especially in the last 30 years. Most of these exams include a listening paper, in which a number of micro-skills are tested, such as listening for detailed information, understanding an author’s attitude and more. Despite the different types of exams out there, they all share many things. We can call them “skills”, as they can be applied while taking the listening test.

You need to exercise your skills to make “educated guesses” although you won’t ever have super powers. Most standardized tests give you some time to read ahead. You must use this time wisely, as this is crucial to predicting as much as possible a number of things. You should quickly ask yourself: What is their relationship? Where are they? Why are they talking? What are their tones?

By doing this, you will be able to set the situation and expect specific vocabulary which might be used in the coming listening materials. All this can be done very quickly. If the passage contains gaps that you must fill out, you should try to predict the type of word or expression (noun, adjective, verb, etc.). Do not try to read everything in detail; only focus on the key words. With practice, you will be able to predict with a certain level of precision. Even if you find it difficult, trying to make a prediction will always help you concentrate on the task, thus making it a lot more manageable and understandable.

Becoming a successful candidate takes time and practice. Unless you have had enough practice in English, you won’t probably be able to get your desired score. Keep in mind that most standardized exams are more about skills than knowledge.

1.The underlined term “educated guesses” in Paragraph 3 can be replaced with _____.

A.efforts to achieve high scores B.quick decisions about the choice

C.better options using the same words D.predictions with a certain level of precision

2.What should be stressed more in a standardized listening test according to the passage?

A.Skills. B.Vocabulary. C.Scores. D.Knowledge.

3.Who do you think the passage is intended for?

A.Teachers. B.Managers. C.Speakers. D.Candidates.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要就如何准备标准化英语考试中的听力部分说明了一些方法，指出在听力测试中应当更加注重技能，通过有准确性的预测来设定情境，并预期在接下来的听力材料中可能用到的特定词汇。表明大多数标准化考试更多的是关于技能而不是知识。

1.

词义猜测题。根据后文Most standardized tests give you some time to read ahead. You must use this time wisely, as this is crucial to predicting as much as possible a number of things. You should quickly ask yourself: What is their relationship? Where are they? Why are they talking? What are their tones?可知大多数标准化考试都会给你一些时间提前阅读。您必须明智地使用这段时间，因为这对于预测尽可能多的事情是至关重要的。你应该马上问自己：他们是什么关系？他们在哪儿？他们为什么要说话？他们的语气是什么？由此可知，后文的问题说明，你需要练习你的技能来做出“具有一定准确性的预测”，划线短语意思为“具有一定精确度的预测”。故选D。

2.

细节理解题。根据最后一段中Keep in mind that most standardized exams are more about skills than knowledge.可知请记住，大多数标准化考试更多的是关于技能而不是知识。由此可知，在标准化的听力测试中，更强调技能。故选A。

3.

推理判断题。根据第一段Are you preparing for a standardized English exam? Do you find the listening section particularly challenging?可知你在准备标准化英语考试吗？你觉得听力部分特别有挑战性吗？以及最后一段第一句Becoming a successful candidate takes time and practice.可知成为一个成功的考生需要时间和练习。结合文章主要就如何准备标准化英语考试中的听力部分说明了一些方法，指出在听力测试中应当更加注重技能，通过有准确性的预测来设定情境，并预期在接下来的听力材料中可能用到的特定词汇。表明大多数标准化考试更多的是关于技能而不是知识。由此可推知，这篇文章是写给考生的。故选D。