Understanding the Function

WHY?What is the purpose of the statement?

Identify the Question

•Listen again to this part of the conversation

•Why does the speaker say this:

•What does the speaker mean?

How to answer•Think about context

•Avoid answers that focus on the literal meaning of the repeated sentence

•Listen actively by trying to predict what will be repeated

Characteristic of Incorrect Answer

• Answer choice is too extreme

• Answer choice is the opposite of the correct answer

• Answer choice uses the same word given in the repeated part of conversation

• Answer choice is literal interpretation of repeated part of conversation

Characteristic of Incorrect Answers

DialogueA: Can you help me with my homework tonight?B: Of course, you can count on me.

Question 2:What does the speaker mean when he says: you can count on

me

a) he will help her with her homeworkb) he will not help her with her homeworkc) he will help her count d) he will let her use his body to do her math homework

Characteristic of Incorrect Answers

DialogueA: I’m going to ask Michael if he’ll help me with these

problems.B: Save your breath. He’s too busy this week.

Question:1What does the speaker mean when they say: save your breath

a) Ask him nowb) Ask him next weekc) Don’t ask at alld) Don’t speak

Language of Answersto show

to call onto demonstrate

to stateto imply

to proposeto correct

to urgeto encourage

to indicateto suggestto verify

to question

Language of SuggestionCould

Can

Should

Ought to

Better

Why don’t

Might

May

Understanding the functions of common expressionsPay attention to secondary meanings

I’m sorry Turn down an invitationApologize

Ask for repetitionExcuse me

to get someone’s attentionto correct oneselfto excuse oneself

Come onto hurryto encourageto indicate someone should know

something