This week's sessions
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- Write from Dictation basicsRead this week's lesson, then do the practice set below. After each sentence, check the small words and the word endings.
- Ten dictation sentencesDo ten Write from Dictation sentences. Write every word you missed or misspelled on your spelling list.
- Highlight Incorrect WordsRead the tips and do the practice. Follow the text with your mouse pointer, and only click when you're sure.
- Listening: Fill in the BlanksBefore each recording, read the text and decide what type of word each gap needs. Fix your spelling at the end.
- Repeat Sentence reviewDo ten Repeat Sentence items and record yourself. Compare with last week: are you remembering more chunks?
This week's lesson: Write from Dictation and careful listening
This week is about listening. The most important task is Write from Dictation: it comes at the end of the test, it counts towards Listening and Writing, and you can improve it quickly with practice.
Write from Dictation: how it's marked
You hear a short sentence once, then you type it. You get one point for each correct word, spelled correctly. Word order doesn't need to be perfect, but every word must be there and spelled right.
Four steps
- Listen for the meaning first. Don't try to type while you listen. Picture the situation: a manager, a roster, a meeting.
- Type the sentence straight away, while it's fresh in your memory. Start with the chunks you're sure about.
- Check the small words. a, the, to, of, in, on, will, can are easy to miss, but each one is a point.
- Check spelling and endings. Look at plurals (references), past forms (finished) and capital letters at the start.
You hear: Your manager will explain the new roster at the next meeting. Common mistakes: missing will, writing a new roster, or meetings.
If you miss a word, guess a word that fits the grammar. A sensible guess may be right, and it doesn't lose points.
Highlight Incorrect Words: follow and click
You read a text while you listen. Some words on the screen are different from what the speaker says. Click those words.
- Follow the text with your mouse pointer as the speaker reads, word by word.
- When you hear a different word, click straight away, then keep following.
- Only click when you're sure. Each wrong click loses a point, so don't guess.
Screen: The café is open from six in the morning. You hear: The café is open from seven in the morning. → Click six.
Listening: Fill in the Blanks
You see a text with gaps. You hear the recording and type the missing words.
- Read the text before the audio starts. Think about what type of word each gap needs: a noun, a verb, an adjective?
- Type quickly while you listen, even if the spelling isn't perfect. Then fix spelling at the end.
- Spelling counts. Emergency with one r is wrong.
Train your spelling
At this level, many listening points are lost on spelling, not on understanding. Keep a list of words you misspell in practice and test yourself every few days. Common problem words: accommodation, necessary, environment, government, receive, separate, schedule.
Choose one spelling style
Use either Australian or British spelling (organise, centre) or American spelling (organize, center), and keep the same style everywhere. Don't mix them.
Keep speaking too
Speaking still has the highest minimum, so this week has one Repeat Sentence session. Repeat Sentence also helps listening: both tasks train you to hold a whole sentence in your memory.
This week
Do Write from Dictation every day. Aim for 10 sentences a day. After each one, compare your answer with the correct sentence and write down any word you missed or misspelled.
Practice for this week
Write from Dictation basics
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Weekly check: Mock test 2, Listening
Do Part 3 (Listening) in one go. Check every Write from Dictation answer word by word.
When you finish, come back to your plan home: your dashboard updates with the new score.
Answers, explanations and transcripts
Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.
Write from Dictation basics
Transcript: Highlight Incorrect Words
The campus café is open from seven in the morning until four in the afternoon. Students who bring their own cup get fifty cents off every hot drink, and on Fridays there is a free cake with every coffee.
Transcript: Listening: Fill in the Blanks
Before your first shift, please read the staff handbook carefully. It explains how to request leave, what to do if you are sick, and who to contact in an emergency. If anything is unclear, ask your supervisor during your first week.
Answer key (9 answers)
| # | Question | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Write the sentence you hear | The lecture notes will be available online after class. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 2 | Write the sentence you hear | All students must wear closed shoes in the kitchen. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 3 | Write the sentence you hear | Your manager will explain the new roster at the next meeting. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 4 | Write the sentence you hear | The final report should include a list of references. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 5 | Highlight the words that differ from the recording | six (said: seven), bottle (said: cup), Mondays (said: Fridays) | Each correct click earns a point; each wrong click loses one. |
| 6 | Before your first shift, please read the staff ___ | handbook | Spelling counts: each word must be spelled correctly. |
| 7 | carefully. It explains how to ___ | request | Spelling counts: each word must be spelled correctly. |
| 8 | leave, what to do if you are sick, and who to contact in an ___ | emergency | Spelling counts: each word must be spelled correctly. |
| 9 | If anything is unclear, ask your ___ | supervisor | Spelling counts: each word must be spelled correctly. |
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