14 LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Srcu 2: NEGATIVES
Negative erpressions are verv common in Listening Part A. The most common
kind of correct response to a negative statement is a positive statement containing
a r.r,ord with an opposite meaning.

Example
On the recording, vou hear:
(rvoman) Did you get a lot of-w,or* done at the libram todav?
(man) I couldtt't. lt r.vasn't ven'quiet there.
(narrator) IMhat doe-s the ntan utean?
In vour test book-, vou re-ad:
(A) The liblar-r'rvas noisv.
(B) He got a lot donc'.
(C) He couldn't quite get to the library todav.
(D) The librarv's a good place to rl,,ork because it's quiet.

The correct answer is answer (A). If it rvas not quiet in the library this means that
it rvas nois1,. Notice that the correct answel'uses rzoi.s"rr, the opposite of qtdet.
The fbllorving chart shows horv negatives can be tested on the TOEFL test.

NEGATIVE SENTENCES
EXAMPLE CORRECT ANSWER NEGATIVE EXPRESSION

Tom is not sad about the Tom is happy about the results. not sad = hoppy
results.

The door isn't open. The door is closed. not open = closed

Steve drd not pass the class. Steve failed the class. did not pass = failed

EXERCISE 2: In this exercise, underline the negative expression in the second

line of each short conversation. Then read the question, and choose the best
ans\\,er to that question. Remember that the best answer is one that uses an oppo-
site meaning.

l. (rvoman) \bu nnde so ntanv tttistakes (A) He was rather careless.

in t/is ltorrrcttorlc. (B) He cloes not care about mistakes.
(man) [ tvasn't ven' careful. (C) He took care of the work at home.
(narrator) What does the nnn ttean? (D) He did not can-v the u'ork home.
 LISTENING PART A 15

) (man) Is there a ktt of- sottp? I'rn
kirtd of'lttmgrr.
(.\vontan) Sor-rr.; there's not o lot.
(narrator) I'l'ltat does the w,ottturt
ItIean?
(A) Theres not verl much soap.
(B) She doesn't like soup.
(C) Therc's onlv a little soup.
(D) The man should not be hungn.

Hoty w'as the u,eather nrt

(r,rrclman) (A) It rvas cloud-v.
tottr trip? (B) He couldn't see the skv.
(man) Tlrcre wasrt't a cloud in tlrc (C) It ll,asn't vern'crou'ded.
skr'. (D) There was Lr lot of sunshine.
( nalrator ) I4/Jmt cloes the rnatt nleltt?

TOEFL EXERCISE 2: In this exercise, listen carefullv to the shoft conversation

and question on the recording, and then choose the best answer to the question.
You shor,rld pay particular attention to negative expressions.

I J Now BEGIN rHE RECoRDTNG Ar TOEFL Exrncrse 2.

(A) He rvas on time. 6. (A) He closed the rvindou,s.

(B) Hes sonr, he was late. (B) It didn't rain.
(C) He doesn't knor,r, rvhv he rvas late. (C) The r,vindows were open during
(D) He hasn't come there latelv. the storm.
(D) He sau,the rain through the
L. (A) She's sorn
she brought the book. rvindou,s.
(B) She remembered to say she rvas
sorl-\, 7. (A) Shc.is certain the plantis alive.
(C) She fbt'got the book. (B) Sheis not snre n'hat happe.ned to
(D) She didn't remember the ring. the plant.
(C) She planned to throw it out.
.r. (A) The babvs nodding off. (D) Shes sure the plant should be
(B) The babvs asleep. throu,n out.
(C) The babv'.s on the wav home.
(D) The babv's just t'aiking up. (A) The apple is good because it'.s
su'eet.
,1
T. (A) He u,ants to -eo by himself. (B) Thele is an apple in each suite.
(B) Hc' isn't going on the trip. (C) The apple doesn't look good.
(C) He has a large number of friends. (D) The apple is sour.
(D) He isn't traveling alone.
9. (A) Its cheap.
). (A) She does not have time to park (B) It costs a Iot.
the car. (C) It has a Ien,problems.
(B) She hlrs some {l'ec'tirne. (D) I1's hard to finil.
(C) She has not been to the par-k in a
rvhile. 10. (A) She must leave the rock there.
(D) The park is too rvild. (B) She needs a big rock.
(C) She should take the rock u'ith her.
(D) She should take a bigger rock.