Comments on: IELTS listening practice – how to listen for key words – a tip http://www.dcielts.com/blog/listening-blog/ielts-listening-practice-how-to-listen-for-key-words-a-tip/ A teacher's guide to IELTS preparation Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:49:02 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Dominic Cole http://www.dcielts.com/blog/listening-blog/ielts-listening-practice-how-to-listen-for-key-words-a-tip/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Dominic Cole Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:56:25 +0000 http://www.dcielts.com/?p=1104#comment-301 There are different types of eclipse. There is the solar eclipse when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is wholly or partially invisible. Then there is the lunar eclipse when the earth passes between the sun and the moon so that no sunlight is reflected from the moon's surface. What is typically most impressive there is the red ring around the moon. In the SOLAR eclipse, on the other hand, it is the darkness that falls on earth. Are you still reading? If so, you will surely now understand that the key word here is solar, not lunar. The point is you cannot tell what the key words are until you listen. READ THE WHOLE QUESTION. I know it's rude to use capital letters. I don't want to shout, but if you focus on the whole question and not just a few words, your listening will improve. There are different types of eclipse. There is the solar eclipse when the moon passes between the sun and the earth so that the sun is wholly or partially invisible. Then there is the lunar eclipse when the earth passes between the sun and the moon so that no sunlight is reflected from the moon’s surface. What is typically most impressive there is the red ring around the moon. In the SOLAR eclipse, on the other hand, it is the darkness that falls on earth.

Are you still reading? If so, you will surely now understand that the key word here is solar, not lunar. The point is you cannot tell what the key words are until you listen. READ THE WHOLE QUESTION. I know it’s rude to use capital letters. I don’t want to shout, but if you focus on the whole question and not just a few words, your listening will improve.

]]> By: Dominic Cole http://www.dcielts.com/blog/listening-blog/ielts-listening-practice-how-to-listen-for-key-words-a-tip/comment-page-1/#comment-300 Dominic Cole Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:50:59 +0000 http://www.dcielts.com/?p=1104#comment-300 Solar eclipses are fascinating for many reasons. There is the scientific point of view that they are undoubtedly important as total eclipses are so rare. Then there is the supernatural or elemental aspect: to have the sun blotted out. But for most people I would say it is the sheer beauty of an eclipse THAT MOST CATCHES THE IMAGINATION The key word here in the question is "most". There are different impressive aspects, but which is the MOST impressive. If you underline key words, would you underline "most" before you listened? I doubt it. The conclusion is: read the whole question. Solar eclipses are fascinating for many reasons. There is the scientific point of view that they are undoubtedly important as total eclipses are so rare. Then there is the supernatural or elemental aspect: to have the sun blotted out. But for most people I would say it is the sheer beauty of an eclipse THAT MOST CATCHES THE IMAGINATION

The key word here in the question is “most”. There are different impressive aspects, but which is the MOST impressive. If you underline key words, would you underline “most” before you listened? I doubt it. The conclusion is: read the whole question.

]]> By: Dominic Cole http://www.dcielts.com/blog/listening-blog/ielts-listening-practice-how-to-listen-for-key-words-a-tip/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Dominic Cole Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:46:03 +0000 http://www.dcielts.com/?p=1104#comment-299 If we look through history, the solar eclipse has always had a profound effect on mankind. If we think for a moment what it means to have the sun blotted out: the source of life eradicated. In ancient times, people were unaware of its natural cause and were profoundly impressed and believed it must be supernatural. Today most people know that it is caused by the moon passing between the sun and the earth and are more impressed by its beauty. SPEAKING AS AN ASTRONOMER, I FIND it scientifically fascinating. The key words here are "For the speaker". If you underline key words, would you underline those words before you listened. I doubt it. The conclusion is read the whole question. If we look through history, the solar eclipse has always had a profound effect on mankind. If we think for a moment what it means to have the sun blotted out: the source of life eradicated. In ancient times, people were unaware of its natural cause and were profoundly impressed and believed it must be supernatural. Today most people know that it is caused by the moon passing between the sun and the earth and are more impressed by its beauty. SPEAKING AS AN ASTRONOMER, I FIND it scientifically fascinating.

The key words here are “For the speaker”. If you underline key words, would you underline those words before you listened. I doubt it. The conclusion is read the whole question.

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