Listening for Specific Information MCQs Quiz | Class 9
This quiz is for Class 9 students studying Communicative English (Code 101). It focuses on the Unit of Listening Skills, specifically testing your ability to listen for specific information in announcements, instructions, and directions. Answer all questions, submit to see your score, and then download the PDF answer sheet for your records.
Understanding: Listening for Specific Information
Listening for specific information is a crucial listening skill where you focus only on finding particular details you need, while ignoring everything else. It’s like searching for a specific word in a dictionary; you don’t read the whole page. This skill is essential for understanding announcements, following instructions, and getting directions correctly.
Key Strategies for Effective Listening
- Predict the Answer: Before you listen, think about what kind of information you are looking for. Is it a name, a number, a time, or a place? This helps your brain focus on the right details.
- Listen for Keywords: Pay close attention to keywords related to your question. If you need to find a time, listen for words like “o’clock,” “a.m.,” “p.m.,” or numbers.
- Ignore Irrelevant Information: In real-life situations like an airport announcement, there might be a lot of extra information. Learn to filter out the parts that are not important to your specific need.
- Take Short Notes: If the information is complex (like a phone number or a series of steps), jot down the key points quickly. Don’t try to write full sentences.
1. Listening to Announcements
Announcements are common in public places like airports, railway stations, and schools. They are designed to convey important information quickly.
Example Scenario: “Attention all passengers on flight BA249 to London. This flight is now boarding at Gate 15. Please have your boarding pass and passport ready. Gate 15.”
To listen for specific information here, you would focus only on the flight number (BA249) and the gate number (15), ignoring the rest if that’s all you need.
2. Following Instructions
Instructions require you to listen carefully to steps in a sequence. Missing one step can lead to an incorrect outcome. Signal words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally” are very important.
Example Scenario: “To make a cup of tea, first, boil some water. Next, put a teabag in a cup. Then, pour the boiling water into the cup. Finally, add milk and sugar as you like.”
Here, the order of actions is the most critical piece of information.
3. Understanding Directions
When listening to directions, you need to focus on landmarks, street names, and prepositions of movement (turn left, go straight, cross the road).
Example Scenario: “To get to the post office, go straight down this road for two blocks. Then, take the first right turn. You will see a large library on your left. The post office is right opposite the library.”
The key details are “two blocks,” “first right,” “library on your left,” and “opposite the library.”
| Listening Skill | Purpose | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| Listening for Gist | To understand the main idea or overall topic. | Overall theme, speaker’s tone, general context. |
| Listening for Specific Information | To find particular details like names, numbers, or facts. | Keywords, numbers, names, dates, times. |
| Listening for Detail | To understand most or all of the message. | Almost every word and its meaning in context. |
Quick Revision Points
- Purpose: Know exactly what you are listening for before the audio starts.
- Keywords: Identify and listen for words that are likely to be near the answer. – Numbers: Listen for times, dates, quantities, flight numbers. – Names: Listen for places, people. – Actions: Listen for verbs, especially in instructions.
- Sequence: Pay attention to the order of events, especially in directions and instructions.
- Don’t Panic: If you miss something, stay focused and keep listening for the next piece of information.
Extra Practice Questions
Read the short text (as if you heard it) and answer the question.
- Announcement: “Good morning students. Please remember that the annual sports day will be held on Friday, December 10th. All participants should report to the school field by 8:30 a.m.”
Question: What is the reporting time for participants? - Instruction: “To operate this machine, first ensure the power switch is on. Second, place the paper in the top tray. Third, press the green ‘Start’ button.”
Question: What is the step just before pressing the ‘Start’ button? - Direction: “Walk past the supermarket and continue for about 100 meters. You will see a bakery on your right. Our shop is next to the bakery.”
Question: Where is the shop located? - Voicemail: “Hi, this is a message for Mr. Sharma. This is City Bank calling about your application. Please call us back at your earliest convenience. Our number is 555-0199.”
Question: What number should Mr. Sharma call back? - Weather Report: “The weather tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high of 25 degrees Celsius. However, expect some light rain in the evening after 7 p.m.”
Question: What is the expected temperature high?
