A2 Listening for Detail: Understanding Key Details in Descriptions
Welcome to a new series! In this lesson, we will practice listening for key details1 in a description2. This means when someone describes a person, a place, or a thing, you can understand the important facts about it.
1. How to Listen for Details
The best strategy is to know what you are listening for before the description starts. Read the questions first to identify your targets. Are you listening for a color? A size? A job? This helps you focus on the information you need.
2. Describing a Person
Listen to this description of a man named John. Your targets are: his job and what he looks like.
"My friend's name is John. He is a teacher. He is tall and he has short, black hair. He always wears glasses."
Based on the description, which of these is John?
- A) A short man with long hair who is a doctor.
- B) A tall man with short, black hair and glasses who is a teacher.
- C) A tall man with brown hair who is a student.
Click to Show Answer
Answer: B). The key details were "teacher," "tall," "short, black hair," and "glasses."
3. Describing a Place
Now, listen to a description of a cafe. Your targets are: the name of the cafe and what it is like.
"My favorite cafe is called 'The Quiet Corner'. It is not very big, but it is very comfortable3. It has many books and plays soft music. The coffee is also very good."
What is true about 'The Quiet Corner' cafe?
- A) It is big and plays loud music.
- B) It is a small, comfortable cafe with books and soft music.
- C) It has bad coffee.
Click to Show Answer
Answer: B). The key details were "not very big," "comfortable," "many books," and "soft music."
4. Describing a Thing
Finally, let's listen to a description of a backpack4. Your targets are: its color and what is inside it.
"I have a new backpack. It's a large, blue backpack with two pockets. Inside, I always keep my water bottle, my phone, and a pen."
Which sentence correctly describes the backpack?
- A) It is a small, red backpack with a book inside.
- B) It is a large, blue backpack with a water bottle, phone, and pen inside.
- C) It is a blue backpack with only one pocket.
Click to Show Answer
Answer: B). The key details were "large," "blue," "two pockets," and the items inside.
Final Quiz: Listen for Details
Listen to a short description of a bicycle. Then, answer the questions below.
Description: (Listen to the audio)
- What color is the bicycle?
- What kind of bicycle is it?
- What does it have on the front?
Click to Show Answers
Answers: 1. Blue, 2. A mountain bike, 3. A white basket.
Homework Task
1. Describe an Object: Choose an object in your room (e.g., your phone, a chair, a lamp). Write three short sentences to describe it. Include its color, size, and one other detail.
2. Describe a Person: Think of a friend or family member. How would you describe them to someone who has never met them? Practice saying three sentences about them out loud to a friend.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Key Detail (noun phrase) - Khmer: ព័ត៌មានលម្អិតសំខាន់ៗ - An important, specific fact about someone or something. ↩
- Description (noun) - Khmer: ការពិពណ៌នា - A spoken or written account of what a person, object, or event is like. ↩
- Comfortable (adjective) - Khmer: មានផាសុខភាព - Providing physical ease and relaxation. ↩
- Backpack (noun) - Khmer: កាតាបស្ពាយ - A bag carried on the back, often used by students or travelers. ↩