Study · Academic listening skillsLesson 02
Listening for Specific Information
Level B1–B2
Listening for Specific Information
Recordings
- Recording 1 — A campus workshop — add
/audio/listening-skills/listening-for-specific-information-01-workshop.mp3underpublic/ - Recording 2 — A research visit — add
/audio/listening-skills/listening-for-specific-information-02-research-visit.mp3underpublic/
Learning goals
- By the end of this lesson, you will be able to predict the kind of answer a question needs, identify dates, times, places, reasons, and objects in short recordings, notice when a speaker corrects information, and check that your answer fits the question and the instructions.
Before you listen
You will hear conversations about a campus workshop and a research visit. Before you play the recordings, make sure you understand these terms:
- registration — putting your name on a list to take part
- deadline — the latest time or date for doing something
- originally — at first, before a plan changed
- sign in — to record that you have arrived
Read each question before you listen. Focus on the detail it asks for — not every word in the talk.
Step 1 — First listen (workshop details)
Listen to Recording 1. Focus on dates, times, places, and what students must bring or do.
1. When is the study skills workshop?Try again
1. When is the study skills workshop?
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2. Where should students go for the workshop?Try again
2. Where should students go for the workshop?
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3. By when must students register online?Try again
3. By when must students register online?
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Step 2 — Learn the strategy
What is specific information?
Specific information means particular facts a question asks for — such as a time, place, reason, price, or object. You do not need to understand every word. Listen for the detail that matches the question.
Read the question first
- When? Expect a day, date, or time.
- Where? Expect a place or room.
- Why? Expect a reason.
- How much? Expect a price or amount.
- What should someone bring? Expect an object or item.
Listen for meaning and corrections
A question may ask when registration closes while the speaker says, “You need to sign up by Monday evening.” These expressions can communicate the same information.
Listen carefully after actually, we changed the date, the original plan was, and instead. The final, corrected information is usually the answer.
Check your answer
Make sure your answer fits the question, follows any word limit, and matches the last detail the speaker gives.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the first detail you hear: the speaker may correct an earlier date or time.
- Confusing related times: registration may open before the session starts.
- Missing paraphrases: “sign up by Monday evening” means the registration deadline.
- Answering from general knowledge: use the recording, not what you think is likely.
Strategy guide
Predict the answer type
Know whether you need a time, place, reason, amount, or object before you listen.
- Read the question and underline words such as when, where, why, and how much.
- Predict the kind of detail you will hear.
- Listen for that type of information first.
Example: When does registration close? — listen for a day or time, not a room number.
Common mistake: Listening for every word instead of the detail the question asks for.
Corrections and paraphrases
Use the final, corrected detail and match meaning, not only exact words.
- Watch for signals such as actually, instead, and we changed the date.
- Treat paraphrases as the same information (e.g. sign up by Monday evening = registration deadline).
- Reject the first detail if the speaker corrects it later.
Example: The visit was going to be Thursday, but they go on Friday, 8 October.
Common mistake: Choosing the first time or date you hear before a correction.
Check your answer
Make sure each answer fits the question, instructions, and the recording.
- Confirm the answer type matches the question.
- Follow word limits for note-style tasks.
- Use the recording — not general knowledge.
Example: The workshop is free for enrolled students — not a price, but still specific information.
Common mistake: Adding extra words or ignoring the speaker’s final instruction.
Step 3 — Second listen (research visit)
Choose the best answer, then check your choices.
1. On which day will they visit the coastal research centre?Try again
1. On which day will they visit the coastal research centre?
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2. What time does the train leave Central Station?Try again
2. What time does the train leave Central Station?
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3. What time should they arrive at the centre?Try again
3. What time should they arrive at the centre?
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4. What should they prepare before the visit?Try again
4. What should they prepare before the visit?
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5. What do they know about lunch?Try again
5. What do they know about lunch?
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6. Which day was the original plan for the visit, before it changed?Try again
6. Which day was the original plan for the visit, before it changed?
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Step 4 — Apply the strategy
Read each question as if you were about to listen. Choose the best answer.
1. Which question asks for a place?Try again
1. Which question asks for a place?
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2. Which question asks for a reason?Try again
2. Which question asks for a reason?
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3. A speaker says, “It was going to be Tuesday, but we had to change the date.” Which date should you use for your answer?Try again
3. A speaker says, “It was going to be Tuesday, but we had to change the date.” Which date should you use for your answer?
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4. Registration opens at 9:15 and the first session begins at 9:30. Which statement is correct?Try again
4. Registration opens at 9:15 and the first session begins at 9:30. Which statement is correct?
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5. The workshop is in the Learning Centre, not the main library. Which statement is incorrect based on the workshop recording?Try again
5. The workshop is in the Learning Centre, not the main library. Which statement is incorrect based on the workshop recording?
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Step 5 — Choose the best summary
Read each paragraph quickly, then choose the best summary.
1. The receptionist confirms a study skills workshop on Wednesday 19 May in Room 204 in the Learning Centre. Registration opens at 9:15, the first session starts at 9:30, and students must register online by Monday evening. They should bring a notebook and a pen.Try again
1. The receptionist confirms a study skills workshop on Wednesday 19 May in Room 204 in the Learning Centre. Registration opens at 9:15, the first session starts at 9:30, and students must register online by Monday evening. They should bring a notebook and a pen.
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2. Leo and Nina plan a visit to a coastal research centre on Friday 8 October. They take a train at 8:20, arrive in Baytown at 9:05, and should reach the centre by 9:45. They should read a report and prepare two questions; lunch is not included but they can buy food or bring their own.Try again
2. Leo and Nina plan a visit to a coastal research centre on Friday 8 October. They take a train at 8:20, arrive in Baytown at 9:05, and should reach the centre by 9:45. They should read a report and prepare two questions; lunch is not included but they can buy food or bring their own.
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3. Online courses allow flexible timing, but learners must plan their study time carefully because contact with a teacher may be limited.Try again
3. Online courses allow flexible timing, but learners must plan their study time carefully because contact with a teacher may be limited.
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Step 6 — Quick review
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Before you listen for specific information, you should:Try again
1. Before you listen for specific information, you should:
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2. When a speaker corrects an earlier detail, you should usually choose:Try again
2. When a speaker corrects an earlier detail, you should usually choose:
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3. “Sign up by Monday evening” most closely matches a question about:Try again
3. “Sign up by Monday evening” most closely matches a question about:
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4. Registration at 9:15 and a session at 9:30 are:Try again
4. Registration at 9:15 and a session at 9:30 are:
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5. Listening for specific information means:Try again
5. Listening for specific information means:
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