Study Guide

Field 120: French 
Sample Interpretive Listening Questions

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Test Directions for the Interpretive Listening Questions

[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold  These test directions are provided here to familiarize you with the directions you will see on the actual test. They may refer to features whose functionality is not enabled in this study guide]

This section of the test contains selected-response questions that involve listening to an audio recording. Listen carefully to the recording. Each excerpt will be followed by one or more selected-response questions. Each selected-response question has four answer choices. After listening to an excerpt, read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the  start uppercase ONE end uppercase  best answer. Excerpts will vary in length. Unless otherwise indicated, each listening passage will be read twice.

The first recorded excerpt will begin playing automatically once you advance to the next screen. There will be a period of silence at the beginning of each recording. During this silence, you should familiarize yourself with the test question(s) presented on the screen.

Once the audio begins, you will not be able to pause, stop, or replay it. Therefore, listen carefully, then answer the question(s) on the screen. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all. You will  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  be penalized for guessing.

 start bold You will not be able to go back and review your answers to questions in this section of the test. end bold  Once you move to the next question, you will not be able to go back to previous questions in this section. Therefore, be sure to select your answer carefully before you move to the next question. The next recorded excerpt will not begin playing until you advance to the next question.

Please be aware that the visual enhancements normal color scheme button and small font button are  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  available during this section of the test. Please  start uppercase DO NOT end uppercase  use these features until you have completed all listening items and proceeded to the remaining sections of the test.

Click the  start bold Next end bold  button when you have finished reading these directions and are ready to begin the listening selected-response section of the test. Be sure you have your headset on before proceeding.

Select the  start bold Next end bold  button to continue.

[After completing the listening comprehension assignment, you will see on the screen:]

This is the end of the listening comprehension section of the test. You may now remove your headset.

Select the  start bold Next end bold  button to continue with the remainder of the test.

Sample Interpretive Listening Questions

[ start bold Note to examinee: end bold  The announcement shown below represents the recorded text you would hear on the actual test. It is shown here for study purposes only; on the actual test you will not see printed text accompanying the recordings]

(You will hear and read:)

 start bold Écoutez attentivement les informations puis répondez aux questions. Vous allez entendre les informations deux fois. end bold 

(You will hear:)

Nous rappelons à nos auditeurs que le Marathon de Montréal aura lieu dimanche au centre-ville. Aux artères déjà fermées pour travaux de réparation, s'ajouteront pas moins de quarante rues qui seront interdites à la circulation pendant la durée de l'événement. Ces rues seront réservées aux participants ainsi qu'aux spectateurs venus pour les encourager tout au long du parcours. Le service d'autobus sera réduit et on demande aux automobilistes de s'armer de patience pour les inévitables bouchons.

Le départ se fera au pont Jacques-Cartier, qui sera donc fermé de 4 h du matin jusqu'à midi. Le point d'arrivée sera au parc Lafontaine où auront aussi lieu les festivités d'après-marathon.

Nous vous rappelons qu'un plan indiquant les artères concernées par cet événement ainsi que les nombreux chantiers de construction sur l'île de Montréal est disponible sur le site Web de la ville. Si possible ce dimanche, pensez à prendre le métro !

(You will hear and read:)

 start bold Vous allez maintenant réentendre les informations. end bold 

 start italics [Information is repeated] end italics 

(You will hear and read:)

 start bold Répondez maintenant aux questions. end bold 

Competency 0001 
Demonstrate literal comprehension of a variety of formal and informal spoken messages likely to be encountered in culturally authentic situations (e.g., announcements, dialogues, speeches, poetry).

1. Selon ces informations, pourquoi les automobilistes devront-ils être patients?

  1. Les bus rouleront lentement.
  2. Plusieurs rues seront fermées.
  3. La course débutera très tôt.
  4. L'horaire de la course sera variable.

correct response: b. as mentioned by the speaker at the beginning of the announcement, a marathon will take place in the city. the speaker explains that besides streets being closed for repair ("aux artères déjà fermées pour cause de réparation,") more streets will be closed to accommodate the marathon ("quarante rues seront interdites à la circulation"), which will inevitably cause traffic issues ("... on demande aux automobilistes de s'armer de patience pour les inévitables bouchons.").


Competency 0001 
Demonstrate literal comprehension of a variety of formal and informal spoken messages likely to be encountered in culturally authentic situations (e.g., announcements, dialogues, speeches, poetry).

2. Selon ces informations, pourquoi le pont Jacques-Cartier sera-t-il fermé dimanche matin ?

  1. pour le départ de la course
  2. pour éviter les bouchons
  3. pour les activités d'après-course
  4. pour permettre de faire des travaux

correct response: a. after warning people about closed streets, the speaker moves on to more detailed information regarding the event. the term "départ" announces important information such as the place and time of the start of the marathon: "le départ se fera au pont jacques-cartier, qui sera donc fermé de 4 h du matin jusqu'à midi." it also explains why the bridge will be closed.


Competency 0002 
Infer meaning and analyze information from a variety of formal and informal spoken messages likely to be encountered in culturally authentic situations (e.g., announcements, dialogues, speeches, poetry).

3. Qu'est-il conseillé de faire dimanche dans ces informations ?

  1. de participer au marathon de la ville
  2. de passer par le nouveau pont
  3. de venir encourager les coureurs
  4. de prendre le métro pour circuler en ville

correct response: d. the information about the marathon, closed streets, and closed bridge indicates that there will be traffic issues in the city on that day. at the end of the announcement, the speaker reminds people to use the subway on that day, which would be the logical thing to do to avoid traffic issues ("si possible ce dimanche, pensez à prendre le métro !").