Strategies for Interpretive Communication: Audio Texts and Print and Audio Texts Combined

• Get a stopwatch or timer. On the actual test the timing will be done for you. However, for the practice in this chapter, you will need to time yourself.

• Use the time before the audio selection begins to read the introduction and as many questions as you can to get an idea of what you should listen for.

• While the narrator is speaking, give your full attention to what is being said.

• Take notes while you listen to the audio selections; notes you make in the test booklet will not be read or scored. It’s a good idea to take your notes in Spanish so that you capture some of the words directly from the passage and can refer to them when answering the questions. Don’t worry about writing full sentences of ideas; it’s better to just try to capture key words and phrases.

• While reading the printed passages, you should underline key ideas or phrases.

• As with any multiple-choice test, if you do not know the answer immediately, try to eliminate one or two of the possible responses and then make a guess.

• There is no penalty for guessing, so even if time is running out and you have to guess wildly, you should not leave any answers blank. After all, you have a 25-percent chance of getting even a wild guess right!

• After you have done the exercises and are checking your answers and reading the explanations, note any words that you do not know in the audio scripts and printed passages. Make a list and/or flash cards and review them from time to time before you take the test.

Chapter 7: Interpersonal Writing: E-mail Reply