Listening: Listening for Gist & Detail B2 - Lesson 3: Identifying a Speaker's Viewpoint and Justifications

B2 Listening for Detail: Identifying a Speaker's Viewpoint and Justifications

Welcome! In this lesson, we will practice identifying a speaker's viewpoint¹ and their justifications². A viewpoint is what a person believes, and justifications are the reasons they give to support that belief.

1. How to Listen for Viewpoints and Justifications

As you listen, first ask yourself: "What is this person's main opinion or belief?" This is their viewpoint. Then, ask: "What reasons do they give to make me believe them?" These are their justifications. Listen for signal phrases like "I believe...", "In my view...", "The main reason is...", and "For example...".

2. Practice 1: Viewpoint on Technology

Listen to a speaker share their viewpoint on smartphones. Your task is to identify their main viewpoint and the two reasons they give to justify it.

"In my view, smartphones have become too distracting³ in our social lives. I believe this for two main reasons. Firstly, when you are out with friends, people often spend more time looking at their phones than talking to each other, which I think is quite rude. Secondly, the constant notifications create a sense of anxiety, making it difficult to relax and be present in the moment."

Use your notes to answer the following:

1. What is the speaker's main viewpoint about smartphones?
2. What is the first justification they provide?
3. What is the second justification they provide?

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Answers: 1. They are too distracting in social lives. 2. People look at their phones instead of talking to each other. 3. Constant notifications create anxiety.

3. Practice 2: Viewpoint on Travel

Now, listen to a speaker's viewpoint on a style of travel. Identify their viewpoint and the reasons they give.

"I am convinced that solo travel is one of the most rewarding⁴ experiences a person can have. My primary justification for this is that it forces you to become more independent and self-reliant. You have to navigate new places and solve problems all on your own. Furthermore, I feel that you meet more people when you travel alone, because you are more open to starting conversations than if you were in a group."

Use your notes to answer the following:

1. What is the speaker's viewpoint on solo travel?
2. What are the two justifications they give?

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Answers: 1. That it is a very rewarding experience. 2. Justification 1: It makes you more independent. Justification 2: You meet more people.

Final Quiz: Identify the Viewpoint and Justification

Listen to this short talk about living in a big city. Then, answer the questions.

Monologue: (Listen to the audio)

1. What is the speaker's main viewpoint about living in a big city?
2. What is the first justification they provide for their viewpoint?

Click to Show Answers

Answers: 1. It is too stressful. 2. The constant noise and traffic.

Homework Task

1. Listen for Viewpoints: Watch or listen to an interview or opinion piece in English online (e.g., a movie review, a political commentary). What is the speaker's main viewpoint on the topic? What is at least one reason they give to support it?

2. State Your Viewpoint: Choose a topic (e.g., "Facebook is good/bad for society," "Traditional markets are better than supermarkets"). State your viewpoint clearly and provide at least two justifications for your opinion. Practice saying it out loud.

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Viewpoint (noun) - Khmer: ទស្សនៈ - A person's particular opinion or way of thinking about something. ↩
2. Justification (noun) - Khmer: ការបញ្ជាក់ - A good and acceptable reason or explanation for something. ↩
3. Distracting (adjective) - Khmer: រំខាន - Preventing someone from concentrating on something. ↩
4. Rewarding (adjective) - Khmer: ដែលផ្តល់ផល - Providing satisfaction; making you feel good that you have done it. ↩