Unit 4 |

Understanding speaking situations

Vocabulary: Meanings of two-word verbs

SPOTLIGHT ON TESTING

Some vocabulary questions on tests focus on two-word verbs that can have
more than one meaning. Use the context to decide which meaning is most likely.

1 Understanding two-word verbs in context

Read the e-mail. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. Verb: brought up (paragraph 2)
Meaning: a. mentioned

b. took care of

c. put in a higher place

2. Verb: turned into (paragraph 2)

Meaning: a. moved

b. changed

c. driven

b. arrive

c. create

3. Verb: draw up (paragraph 4)

Meaning: a. pull

holdenmsa@nddcorp.biz
mccord@nddcorp.biz
June 13
Re: Green Roof

Id like to follow up on our last meeting about energy policy. We decided to be more active in cutting
down our buildings use of energy. Of course, we want to save money, but we also want to be good citizens
of our community. Using less energy is the right thing to do.
We brought up several ideas for reaching our goal. Im focusing here on one ideaa green roof for
our building. This is a good starting point because it can be accomplished quickly and without a lot of
expense. The plan is simple. Open areas of the roof will be turned into a garden for local wildflowers,
grasses, and small bushes. The plants will keep our building cooler by absorbing sunlight and providing
shade. It will have other benefits as well. Less rainwater will run off the roof. Carbon dioxide gas will be
used up by the plants, helpingin a very small wayto reduce the warming of our climate.
Here are some concerns: (1) Can our roof hold the extra weight of dirt and plants? (2) Will the roots of the
plants damage the roof? (3) Will the green roof attract harmful animals and insects? (4) Will it be hard for
us to maintain the new roof? Will we have to hire more maintenance workers? (5) Do local laws restrict
the use of green roofs?
As soon as possible, we should hire an architectural consultant to draw up a green roof design and answer
these questions. I would be happy to contact several local design firms and ask for bids. Please let me
know if you would like me to do this. Thanks.
The basics of a speaking situation
Many questions in listening tests are about the basic situation. Who is
speaking? Where are they? Listen for identifiers like doctor or professor.
Also listen for phrases including the words here and this. They may contain
place clues.

Spotlight on Testing Unit 4

Strategies for taking the:

TOEFL Test

TOEIC Test

IELTS Test

2 Who and where

AUDIO FILE
Listen to Conversation 1. Check (3) the true statements.
1.

The speakers are named Mark and Jenny.

2.

They are in Singapore.

3.

The two speakers are brother and sister.

4.

They are in a classroom.

Identifying purpose
Other listening questions ask about the purpose of a conversation. Listen for
expressions of what a speaker wants, hopes, or is trying to do. If a problem is
mentioned, the speaker may want help solving it.

3 Purposes and problems

AUDIO FILE
Listen to Conversation 2. Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. Why does Megan go to see Professor James?
a. To hand in an assignment
b. To find out what happened in class
c. To talk about a problem with an assignment
2. Why is Megan worried?
a. Because her work is too long to fit the assignment
b. Because she cant finish reading the chapter
c. Because she doesnt have time to finish writing
3. What does the professor suggest?
a. Megan should change her report to an outline
b. Megan should change her outline to a report
c. Megan should write both an outline and a report
4 Check your understanding
AUDIO FILE
Listen to Conversation 2 again. Write T for true or F for false.
1.

Megan is a student in the professors class.

2.

Megan read a chapter about a Roman myth.

3.

The professor says Megan read the wrong chapter.

4.

The professor will let Megan hand in a report

instead of an outline.

5 Skills in review
Complete Exercise 11 on p. 27 of the
Workbook. Read through your completed
interview. Circle all the two-word verbs.

Conversations on English
tests often give basic information in the
first few sentences. The speakers say each
others names. One speaker may say why he
or she wants to speak to the other. Listen
for these up-front identifiers.

Spotlight on Testing Unit 4