TOEFL STUDY GUIDE PART 2 LISTENING COMPREHENSION Conversational English Tips 26 - 30 Conversational English Tip 26 Practice speaking and listening to English (radio, TV, internet sites like Dave's ESL Café ( http://eslcafe.com ) Conversational English Tip 27 Voice emphasis can change the meaning of a statement. In spoken English, people place stress on certain words in a given sentence to convey additional meaning beyond the dictionary definitions of the words. The pitch or volume of one's voice to make the word stand out from the rest of the sentence. One fo the things that vocal emphasis can tell you is which information in the sentence the speaker considers to be the most important. Conversational English Tip 28 Emphasized expressions: What's Important When the following sentence is written on paper "Susan took the red purse?" every word is stressed equally. However, when emphasis is placed on specific words in the sentence, the intention of the speaker changes slightly. For example: "Susan took the red purse?" If you emphasize "Susan" one is surprised that Susan took the purse, and not someone else. "Susan took the red purse?" If you emphasize "took" one is surprised that Susan "took" the purse and not perhaps borrowed it. "Susan took the red purse?" If you emphasize "red" one is surprised that it was it was not the blue purse that was taken. "Susan took the red purse?" If you emphasize "purse" one is surprised that it was the purse that was taken, not the wallet for example. Conversational English Tip 29 Common TOEFL Exam Cliches All of the following are cliches that appear on the TOEFL and are used to express simple ideas. We've grouped them by meaning in order to make them easier to learn. Meaning: "I don't know." m I couldn't tell you. m I wouldn't know. m I haven't the vaguest. m I haven't the foggiest. m I haven't any idea. m Who knows? m It's a mystery to me. m Don't look at me. m Don't ask me. m You got me. m Beats me. Meaning: "No." m Not in a million years. m I wouldn't say that. m I doubt it. m Don't count on it. m Not likely. m Probably not. m Don't bet on it. m I don't think so. m Dont' be too sure. m Never. m No way. Meaning: "Don't do it!" m I wouldn't if I were you. m Oh no you don't! m Cut it out! m Not here you don't. m Better leave well enough alone. m Forget it! m Don't bother. Meaning: Agreement m To say the least. m That's putting it mildly. You can say that again. That's for sure. Now, That's an idea. There you go! -- Now youve said something I agree with, whereas you didn't before. I'll say. I couldn't agree with you more. Count me in. Why not! Won't I! Don't I! Aren't I! Meaning: "Thank you!" Thanks! I appreciate it. Thanks a lot. I don't know how to thank you. You're a lifesaver. I'll never be able to repay you. I 'm grateful. Meaning: "You're welcome!" It's the least I can do. Forget it. Don't mention it. Never mind. It doesn't matter No problem. Meaning: "What did you say?" Pardon me? Excuse me? Sorry? What? Meaning: Surprise / disbelief Isn't that something? My goodness! How about that! It/He/She's too good to be true! We made it! You're kidding! You're joking! Come on! It can't be! Who says? . TOEFL STUDY GUIDE PART 2 LISTENING COMPREHENSION Conversational English Tips 26 - 30 Conversational English Tip 26 Practice speaking and listening. example. Conversational English Tip 29 Common TOEFL Exam Cliches All of the following are cliches that appear on the TOEFL and are used to express simple