Listening for Gist A2: Identifying the Speaker's Main Purpose
Welcome! In this lesson, we will practice listening for a speaker's main purpose1. This means asking yourself: "Why is this person talking? What do they want to happen?"
1. How to Identify the Speaker's Purpose
Listen for key 'function' words. For example, if you hear "can you...?" or "where is...?", the speaker's purpose is probably to ask for information2. If you hear action words like "open," "close," or "don't," the purpose is likely to give an instruction3.
2. Scenario 1: Asking for Information
Listen to this person. What is their main purpose?
"Excuse me, can you tell me what time the museum closes?"
What is the speaker's main purpose?
- A) To give an instruction
- B) To ask for information
- C) To make a suggestion
Click to Show Answer
Answer: B). The speaker wants to know the closing time. The phrase "can you tell me" signals they are asking for information.
3. Scenario 2: Giving an Instruction
Listen to this announcement at a temple in Siem Reap. What is the main purpose?
"Before you enter the temple, please take off your shoes and cover your shoulders."
What is the speaker's main purpose?
- A) To ask for help
- B) To complain about something
- C) To give an instruction
Click to Show Answer
Answer: C). The speaker is telling listeners what they must do. The action words "take off" and "cover" are key clues.
4. Scenario 3: Making a Suggestion
Listen to this dialogue. What is Speaker B's main purpose?
Speaker A: "I'm bored. I don't know what to do today."
Speaker B: "It's a beautiful day. Why don't we go for a walk by the river?"
What is Speaker B's main purpose?
- A) To give an instruction
- B) To ask for information
- C) To make a suggestion4
Click to Show Answer
Answer: C). Speaker B is offering an idea for an activity. The phrase "Why don't we..." is a common way to make a suggestion.
Final Quiz: What's the Purpose?
Listen to two more short talks and identify the speaker's main purpose.
-
Talk 1: (Listen to the audio)
Purpose? (a) Asking for information, (b) Giving an order, (c) Making a suggestion
-
Talk 2: (Listen to the audio)
Purpose? (a) To complain, (b) To give an instruction, (c) To apologize
Click to Show Answers
Answers: 1-b, 2-c
Homework Task
1. Purpose Hunt: Pay attention to conversations around you today. For three different short conversations, try to identify the speaker's purpose. Was someone asking for directions? Ordering food? Complaining about the heat?
2. Roleplay a Purpose: With a friend, choose a purpose (e.g., asking for help). Create a very short dialogue where one person asks for help and the other responds. Practice it.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Main Purpose (noun phrase) - Khmer: គោលបំណងចម្បង - The main reason why someone is speaking; their intention. ↩
- Information (noun) - Khmer: ព័ត៌មាន - Facts or details about a subject. ↩
- Instruction (noun) - Khmer: ការណែនាំ - A direction or command that tells someone what to do. ↩
- Suggestion (noun) - Khmer: សំណូមពរ - An idea or plan that you offer for someone to consider. ↩