Synthesizing Information

QUESTION TYPE 3: READING AND CONVERSATION

PRACTICE 1

Step 1

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about.

Notice to Museum Patrons

Starting next month, the university art museum will begin charging an admission fee of $6 to offset costs. This summer the museum will begin construction on a new wing to house its collection of ancient Greek pottery. In addition, the museum will be hiring a tour guide to give patrons the most educational experience possible. To encourage students to use the museum, it is offering a 50% discount when a university ID is presented.

admission: the amount of money paid to enter a place.
offset: to balance the effect of something
collection: works of air that are kept together
encourage: to motivate
discount: a decrease in the price of something

Keywords/ Key Phrases:

Cover the passage, and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

charge: to ask a price or fee
donor: someone who gives money to an organization.
adequate: good enough or large enough for a particular purpose.
funding: money that an organization gives for a specific purpose.
strange: unusual or unexpected.

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

 The man expresses his opinion regarding the announcement. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

 USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

The man ____________ with the policy of charging admission to_____________. He thinks it is since the museum ______________ for a new______________ and to hire a new_____________. It receives plenty of funding from______________ and_____________. Also, he does not think_____________ should pay. They are required to go to_______________ and already______________.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording

QUESTION TYPE 3: READING AND CONVERSATION

PRACTICE 2

Step 1

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about.

Department Notice
The History Department is now offering its eight-week Research Methods seminar free of charge beginning September 28. The seminar used to be available to students at a cost of $120. Due to lack of interest, the department has decided to offer them for free in hopes of attracting students. The seminar is being held on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am until 11:31 am so it will not conflict with students’ class schedules during the week

offer: to present something that can be accepted or declined.
seminar: a meeting at which a group of people discuss a subject.
method: a way of doing something
lack: an absence of or not enough of something that is needed.
attract: To create interest and cause one to approach

Keywords/Key Phrases:

Cover the passage and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

bribe: to give something desirable to someone so they will do what you want
schedule: a plain of activities or events and when they will happen
conflict: a situation in which two things clash
participate: To take part in something
assume: to believe something is true with no proof.

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

 The woman gives her opinion regarding the announcement. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

 The woman ____________________ with the History Department offering the___________________. She says that they are___________________. She thinks ___________________ are not going to be interested in ___________________ they will only___________________ the seminar so they can___________________. Also, she says that even though the seminar is___________________, it will still conflict with ___________________. Many students ___________________ on the weekends to___________________.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording

 QUESTION TYPE 3: READING AND CONVERSATION

PRACTICE 3

Step 1

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about.

Tuition Notice
During their latest meeting, university administrators decided to raise tuition by 4.5% starting next fall. The additional money will be used to build new dormitories, which are needed for two reasons. Currently, the existing dorms are overcrowded. New dorms will mean more space for students. Secondly, having new dorms will make or university more attractive. It will present a better image to current and future students.

administrator: someone who manages a business or institution.
additional: extra
dormitory: a large building at a university where students live.
overcrowded: filled beyond the limit
image: appearance

Keywords/Key Phrases:

Cover the passage and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 TRACK 160

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

benefit: to help or give and advantage.
campus: area containing all the main buildings of a school or university-
condition: the physical state of something
improve: to make something better
appearance: the way someone or something looks.

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

 The man expresses his opinion regarding the notice. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

 USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

 The man _____________________ the university’s decision to_____________________ to build new dorms.  First, he does not think that it is _____________________ because not everyone _____________________ from the new dorms. He says_____________________ should be used for something_____________________ can use. Second, he thinks the new dorms will not make the Campus_____________________. The man says, they should fix the _____________________ instead. For these reasons, he _____________________ with the decision to raise tuition.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording.

QUESTION 4: READING AND LECTURE

PRACTICE 1

Step 1

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about

 Folkways

In sociology, norms are the understood rules of behavior that govern how people act. One type of norm is folkways. Folkways are the everyday rules of behavior that people in a society are expected to follow.

One feature of folkways is that they do not affect how society functions, s(:(there is some tolerance when they are not adhered to. Another feature of this kind of norm is that they are constantly changing within a society.

govern: to control or strongly influence
function: to work or operate correctly
tolerance: attitude of accepting another’s beliefs or way of life
adhere to: to obey a rule or law
constantly: always or regularly.

Keywords/Key Phrases:

Cover the passage and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

consequence: a result or effect of something
violate: to do something that is against a law or principle
adequate: good enough for a particular purpose.
censure: severe criticism
convention: a way of behaving that is considered normal and right.

Keyword/Key Phrases:

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

 Using the information from the lecture, explain the two features of folkways.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

 USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

 The lecture explains _________________, People are _________________ to follow folkways, but there are _________________ when they do not. The example given is of someone_________________ the folkway of _________________ and facing no serious consequences. Also, folkways are _________________ within society.  is an example of this. Over the _________________ society’s _________________ have required men to wear their hair _________________ or _________________ depending on what was _________________ at the time.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording.

QUESTION 4: READING AND LECTURE

PRACTICE 2

Step 1

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about

Non-Verbal Communication
Linguistic communication takes many forms—speech, sign language, and even computer languages. These are all considered varieties of linguistic communication. There is a very powerful method of communication known as non-verbal communication. This is defined as “any message expressed by non-linguistic means. These include facial expressions, gestures, and body stance.
Non-verbal communication serves many functions. It can mirror, or repeat, one’s spoken words. Furthermore, non-verbal communication can be used to accent one’s spoken language. Used in that way, the meaning of a word is emphasized.

variety: a collection of people or things that are all different from each other.
powerful: having great strength or influence
stance: a way of-standing or holding your body
accent: a special emphasis given to something.
emphasize: to give importance or attention to something

Keywords/Key Phrases:

Cover the passage and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

illustrate: to clarify by using examples.
repeat: to do again
direction: the way toward something
basically: for the most part; mainly
blame: to hold responsible for something done wrong.

Keyword/Key Phrases:

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

Using the examples in the lecture, explain the functions of non-verbal communication.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

 USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

The passage defines _________________ as non-linguistic communication, including _________________. Two of its functions are_________________ and ________________. First, the professor illustrates_________________ . He says when you say the _________________ place and then _________________ to the location, that you are basically. repeating your _________________ with a_________________. Next, he says_________________ at a friend to _________________ fault is an example of _________________.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording.

QUESTION 4: READING AND LECTURE

PRACTICE 3

STEP 1 

Read the following information. Write five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this passage to someone else. While reading, try to guess what the conversation will be about.

Geophagy
Geophagy refers to the practice of eating dirt and soil, and it has been going on for thousands of years. Generally, mineral-rich soils like clay are eaten by those who engage in geophagy.
Geophagy can be observed in many species of animals. Birds, deer, dogs, and butterflies are just a few examples of animals that eat dirt to help them digest their food. In addition, different human groups around the world eat dirt as a nutritional dietary supplement.

practice: a way of doing something.
soil: the top layer of the-Earth’s surface in which vegetation grows
clay: a type of heavy, wet dirt
dietary: related to the foods one eats
supplement: something added to make up for a. deficiency.

Keywords/Key Phrases:

Cover the passage and look at the keywords and key phrases only. Restate the passage in your own words.

Step 2 

Now listen to a conversation related to the passage in Step 1. As you listen, take notes on important information. Write down five keywords or key phrases that would be useful in explaining this information to someone else.

parasite: an organism that live in or on another organism and feeds on it.
engage in: to take part in a particular activity.
grind: to break something into very small pieces.
various: of different kinds
mineral: a natural substance that is needed for good health.

Keyword/Key Phrases:

Restate what you heard in the conversation using the notes or keywords you wrote above. Record your answer

Step 3

Read the prompt below. Circle the most important ideas in your notes from both the reading and the listening. Write down the main points you need to speak about

The professor gives examples of geophagy. Discuss how these examples explain the practice of geophagy.

STEP 4 

Listen to a sample response. Write down any useful expressions.

 USE YOUR NOTES TOOL

STEP 5

Now create your own response using words and expressions from Steps 1 and 2. Use the prompts below to help you.

The passage talks about geophagy, or ____________________. The lecture gives examples and reasons why____________________ First, the lecture gives the example of____________________ They eat dirt because it helps ___________________. Second, humans eat dirt to get____________________ in their ____________________. The lecture supports this by saying ________________ in traditional societies practice ____________ to get minerals needed to stay____________________.

STEP 6

Read the response you wrote above out loud. Try to read the response slowly and clearly. Practice saying the whole response several times. Then record the response without looking at the words and upload your recording.