Many TOEFL and IELTS test-takers face challenges with listening comprehension, particularly when it comes to understanding long sentences or complex conversations. Improving listening skills is an essential step in mastering English for these exams, and in this article, we will explain why it is difficult to understand long sentences and provide specific strategies to help you overcome this issue.
Why is it difficult to understand long sentences?
Focusing on individual words
A common mistake among TOEFL and IELTS test-takers is trying to listen word by word. In spoken English, especially by native speakers, words are often linked together, and focusing on individual words can cause you to lose the overall meaning. For example, "Did you eat yet?" can sound like "D'ya eat yet?" This is a common challenge for those preparing for TOEFL and IELTS, as it can affect comprehension in the listening sections of these exams.
Unfamiliarity with grammatical structures
Long or complex sentences can be difficult to understand without proper knowledge of grammar. For instance, sentences with conditional forms or relative pronouns often have subjects and verbs that are far apart, making it necessary to grasp the sentence structure accurately. This can be especially challenging for TOEFL and IELTS test-takers, as these tests often feature complex sentence structures in their listening sections.
Lack of background knowledge
Many English conversations contain cultural context or background knowledge that may be difficult to understand if you're unfamiliar with it. For example, discussions based on specific American social issues or trends can be challenging for non-native speakers, especially when preparing for TOEFL or IELTS exams, where understanding cultural context can play a role in comprehension.
Limited concentration
Listening to long sentences requires concentration, but when dealing with an unfamiliar language, the brain can get fatigued quickly, and you may lose track of the conversation. This is especially true when conversations are fast-paced, making it harder to maintain focus. The TOEFL and IELTS listening sections often feature rapid speech, so maintaining concentration is key to success.
Specific strategies for understanding long sentences
Focus on key words
Instead of trying to understand every word, focus on the key words within the sentence. For example, when listening to the sentence:
Example: "The meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 3 PM in the main conference room has been postponed to next week."
The important keywords here are "meeting," "tomorrow," "3 PM," "postponed," and "next week." You don’t need to understand every word perfectly. Practice getting the general meaning by focusing on the keywords. This method is especially helpful for TOEFL and IELTS listening sections, where you may encounter complex information.
Understand in chunks
When listening, try to focus on chunks of meaning rather than individual words. For example:
Example: "I’m thinking about taking a trip to California next summer." → "I’m thinking about" "taking a trip" "to California" "next summer"
Dividing the sentence into phrases makes it easier to understand the overall meaning.
Use audio materials with transcripts
Use resources like podcasts or English learning apps that provide transcripts. First, read the transcript to understand the content, and then listen to the audio. This approach helps familiarize you with the flow and structure of sentences, which can be especially useful for TOEFL and IELTS practice.
Practice shadowing
Shadowing involves repeating what you hear immediately after you listen. Break long sentences into shorter phrases for effective practice. This method helps you get used to pronunciation, rhythm, and the overall structure of sentences, which is valuable for TOEFL and IELTS listening preparation.
Practice summarizing
Try summarizing what you’ve just heard. For example, after hearing:
Example: "The company announced that they would be launching a new product line by the end of the year."
Summary: "The company is launching a new product this year."
This practice helps develop the skill of extracting key information, which is crucial for understanding long sentences efficiently. This is particularly useful for TOEFL and IELTS listening exercises, where you may be asked to summarize or infer meaning.
Deepen your understanding of American culture
Understanding cultural and societal contexts can significantly improve your listening skills. For example, gaining knowledge about American holidays, everyday life, and social issues will help you better understand conversations. Watching movies, TV shows, and news programs is highly recommended to get familiar with real-life conversations. This cultural knowledge is also beneficial for TOEFL and IELTS listening comprehension.
Practice with real conversations
To improve your listening skills, actual conversations are the most effective method. Use language exchange apps or online English classes to increase opportunities to talk with native speakers. By practicing real conversations, you'll gradually get used to understanding long sentences.
Practical example: Breaking down long sentences for better comprehension
Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you understand long sentences:
Listen to the audio once and focus on grasping the overall flow.
Break the sentence into chunks and listen to each chunk to understand the meaning.
Extract the key words or phrases and make a list.
Practice shadowing by repeating the audio and mimicking the rhythm.
Conclusion
For TOEFL and IELTS test-takers, understanding long sentences can be a significant challenge, but it’s an important skill to develop for success on these exams. If you're struggling to understand long sentences, it’s important to avoid focusing on individual words, break sentences into chunks, and focus on key words. Additionally, understanding cultural contexts and practicing real conversations will help improve your listening skills. Incorporating these strategies into your daily life will help you efficiently improve your listening skills, which is crucial for excelling in TOEFL and IELTS exams.
Author: Manami Palmini 
Past Support Experience
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