WHO,WHERE

It is common in Listening Part A to ask you to draw some kind of conclusion. In this type of question the answer is not clearly stated; instead you must draw a conclusion based on clues given in the conversation. 

WHO 

One kind of conclusion that is common in this part of the test is to ask you to determine who the speaker is, based on clues given in the conversation.

Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man)       : What do you do during your performances?
(woman)  : I play the piano and sing.
(narrator) :  Who is the woman most likely to be?

In your test book, you read:

(A) An athlete.
(B) A member of the audience.
(C) A clerk in a music store.
(D) A musician

The clues performances, piano, and sing in the conversation tell you that the woman is probably a musician. Answer (D) is therefore the correct answer.

WHERE

Another type of conclusion that is common in Listening Part A is to determine where the conversation probably takes place, based on clues given in the conversation.

Example

On the recording, you hear:

(man)       :  I’d like to open an account, please.
(woman)  :  What type of account would you like, a checking or savings account.
(narrator) :  Where does this conversation probably take place?

In your test book, you read:

(A) In an accounting class.
(B) In a bank.
(C) At a service station.
(D) In a market.

The clue checking or savings account in the conversation tells you that this conversation probably takes place in a bank. Answer (B) is therefore the correct answer.

The following outlines the key point that you should remember about this type of question.

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT WHO AND WHERE

It is common for you to be asked to draw the following conclusions in Listening Part A:

1. Who is probably talking?

2. Where does the conversation probably take place?

EXERCISE 5

In this exercise, read the short conversation and question, underline the clues that help you answer the question, and then choose the best answer. You will have to draw conclusions about who and where.

1. (man)       :  I’d like to mail this package, please.
    (woman)  :  First or second class?
    (narrator) : Who is the woman most likely to be?

    (A) A school administrator.
    (B) A postal worker.
    (C) A banker.
    (D) A teacher.

2. (woman)  :  How much are the flowers?
    (man)       : Ten dollars a bouquet.
    (narrator) : Where does this conversation probably take place?

    (A) In a bakery
    (B) In a grocery store.
   (C) In a florist shop.
   (D) In a garden.

3. (man)      :  I need to get this prescription filled.
    (woman) : If you’ll take a seat, I’ll have your medicine ready for you in a moment.
    (narrator): Who is the woman most likely to be?

    (A) A pharmacist.
    (B) A baby-sitter.
    (C) A flight attendant.
    (D) A doctor

Continue with:
TOEFL Exercise 5 and TOEFL Review Exercise (Skill 1-5)