How to Answer TOEFL iBT® Listening Organisation Questions

Organisation questions in the TOEFL Listening section focus on how information is organised and presented during a lecture. These questions often ask, “Why does the professor mention…?” or “Why does the professor discuss…?” Your task is to figure out why the professor is presenting certain examples or ideas, and how they fit into the overall structure of the lecture. Let’s explore effective strategies along with practical examples, to help you confidently tackle TOEFL Listening organisation questions.

Example: Blossom at the Art Museum

Blossom is a young artist with a deep love for Vincent van Gogh. She has read all his letters and feels connected to his works, especially his iconic painting, The Starry Night. One day, she visits an art museum to see her favourite artist’s works up close. Inspired by the colours and swirling patterns, she dreams of painting her own version of The Starry Night someday.

During her visit, Blossom listens to a lecture about Van Gogh’s life and artistic style. The professor discusses how Van Gogh’s letters reveal his thoughts on art, nature, and mental health. The lecture goes into detail about how these personal reflections influenced his later works, including The Starry Night.

Imagine you’re listening to this lecture. After hearing the professor describe Van Gogh’s love for nature and how it impacted his painting style, you’re asked an organisation question:

Sample Organization Question 1

Why does the professor mention Van Gogh’s letters in the lecture?

A) To show how Van Gogh developed his artistic skills over time
B) To provide an example of how Van Gogh’s personal reflections shaped his art
C) To explain why Van Gogh painted The Starry Night
D) To illustrate Van Gogh’s obsession with writing letters

Answer: The correct answer is B) because the professor uses Van Gogh’s letters as an example to show how his personal thoughts and feelings influenced his art, particularly in works like The Starry Night.

Sample Organization Question 2:

Why does the professor mention The Starry Night in the lecture?

A) To show how Van Gogh’s mental health influenced his art
B) To illustrate Van Gogh’s love for vivid colours
C) To explain Van Gogh’s fascination with night-time scenes
D) To provide an example of how his personal reflections influenced his later works

Answer: The correct answer is D) because the professor uses The Starry Night as an example to demonstrate how Van Gogh’s personal reflections, particularly his emotional struggles, shaped his later works.

Tips to Answer TOEFL Listening Organisation Questions

Here are expert strategies to help you tackle organisation questions effectively:

1. Listen for the Purpose of Examples

Professors often provide examples to illustrate or explain a point. In Blossom's example, the professor used Vincent Van Gogh's letters and The Starry Night as examples of how his personal life informed his artistic style. There is always a reason why professors introduce certain examples or details in a lecture. For example, the professor introduced The Starry Night as a means of describing Van Gogh's emotional state and how it influenced his later works.

2. Identify Signal Words

Signal words help you understand the structure of the lecture. Words like ‘for example,’ ‘because,’ ‘as a result,’ and ‘therefore’ often introduce key points or explanations. In the Blossom example, the professor might say, For example, Van Gogh's letters give us insight into how his personal reflections shaped his artistic style, or The Starry Night is an example of how Van Gogh's personal struggles influenced his later works. These signal words cue you to focus on important examples.

Check Out: Examples of Signal Words in TOEFL Listening

3. Understand the Lecture’s Structure

Organisation questions test your ability to follow the flow of the lecture. Most lectures are organized around an introduction, main points, examples, and conclusion. Sometimes, by recognizing this you'll anticipate when important information - such as examples - will be coming on. In the case of Blossom, the lecture about the letters of Van Gogh and The Starry Night likely followed an introduction about his life and work; in the examples, the main argument is drawn about how he personally influenced the art.

4. Eliminate Incorrect Answers

When answering organisation questions, you can always knock out any answer choices that do not fit with the purpose of the example you have identified. In the Blossom example, options like C) in the first question and B) in the second question can be ruled out because they don’t align with the context in which the professor mentioned Van Gogh’s letters and The Starry Night. Option B) in the first question and D) in the second are correct because they directly align with the professor’s purpose.

5. Listen for Repeated Themes

In many of the TOEFL Listening lectures, the professors repeat certain ideas or themes that are central to answering Organisation questions. If this professor speaks a number of times about how the personal life of Van Gogh, particularly about his emotional problems, influenced his work, then this is likely one of the key themes. This will be part of the Organization question because it mentions The Starry Night and his letters.

Check Out: Best Podcasts and Audio Resources for TOEFL® Listening Practice

6. Verify Your Answer

After selecting an answer, mentally review the relevant part of the lecture. Ask yourself, ‘Does this answer match the professor’s purpose for mentioning that example?’ In Blossom’s case, reviewing the professor’s discussion of Van Gogh’s letters and The Starry Night can help you confirm that the examples were used to illustrate how his personal reflections influenced his later works.

Organization questions in TOEFL Listening are all about understanding why a professor introduces certain details or examples. By focusing on the structure of the lecture and listening for key signal words, you’ll be able to confidently answer these questions.

Good luck with your TOEFL preparation, and remember, practice makes a man perfect!

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