TOEFL® TIP: Listen for Intonation
Pay attention to intonation and other ways that speakers indicate that information is important.
- Important key words are often:
- repeated
- paraphrased (repeated using different words)
- said louder and clearer
- stressed
- Pay attention to body language and intonation patterns used to express different emotions.
- Emotions are often expressed through changes in intonation or stress.
- Facial expressions or word choices can indicate excitement, anger, happiness or frustration.
- Listen for pauses between important points.
For more practice developing your listening skills, try Idioms in English, an interactive
program in our English Skills Series from ETS® and AmEnglish.com® that features 100 current English idioms and expressions.
Article references
www.ets.org