Listening Exercises B1 – Presentation and talks

Introduction

1. Stephanie Adams is a careers counsellor at a college in the US. She is giving a talk to final year students. Listen and number the stages of her introduction in order (1-4).

introduce the subject   ____

welcome the audience   ____

explain rules for questions   ____

give an overview of the structure of the talk   ____

Show answers

introduce the subject   2)

welcome the audience   1)

explain rules for questions   3)

give an overview of the structure of the talk   4)

2. Listen again and complete the expressions Stephanie uses.


a Good ________., and welcome.

b Today I’m ________. about job prospects.

c I’ll ________. describing the current position.

d _____. look at salaries.

e _____., I’ll move on to career choices.

f And ________., I’ll review the main points.

g We’ll ________. questions at the end.

Answer & Transcript

a afternoon, everyone

b going to talk

c start by

d Then I’ll

e After that

f   f inally, I’ll

g have time for

Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome. Today I’m going to talk about job prospects for graduates. I’ll start by describing the current position for graduates leaving university. Then I’ll look at salaries, and what you can expect. After that, I’ll move on to career choices, and show the most popular choices of career that graduates select, and finally, I’ll review the main points covering what employers look for when they are recruiting graduates. We’ll have time for questions at the end.

Keeping on track

1. Listen to this extract from the middle of a presentation. Complete the signposts the speaker uses.

Finishing one point

That’s ________. about our sales and marketing strategy.

Starting another point

Now I would ________. our overseas operations.

Giving an example.

To ________. example ___

Show answers

Finishing one point

all I have to say

Starting another point

like to turn to

Giving an example.

give you an

Transcript

Well, that’s all I have to say about our sales and marketing strategy. I hope you all agree with the direction we’re taking. Now I would like to turn to our overseas operations, where I see a lot of potential for growth and expansion, especially in China and the Far East. To give you an example of how important Asia is to our business, I want you to look at this graph which shows that when we go to Asia ___

2. Now listen to an extract from a different presentation. Tick the signposts you hear the speaker use.

Finishing one point

I’ve told you about our pensions policy.

We’ve looked at our pensions policy.

Starting another point

Let me now turn to staff recruitment.

Let’s move on to staff recruitment.

Giving an example.

A good example of this is ___

Another example of this is ___

Answer & Transcript

Finishing one point

I’ve told you about our pensions policy.

Starting another point

Let me now turn to staff recruitment.

Giving an example.

A good example of this is ___

Transcript

OK, so I’ve told you about our pensions policy. As I say, I see some tough times ahead, but I think we’ll get through them. Let me now turn to staff recruitment, which is an area of particular concern. We have been losing too many experienced staff. A good example of this is in the Accounts department, where last month alone three of our most senior staff resigned.

Concluding your presentation

1. Listen to Stephanie Adams conclude her presentation. Number each stage of her conclusion in order (1-3).

thanks the audience   ____

summarizes the main points   ____

invites questions   ____

Answer & Transcript

thanks the audience   2)

summarizes the main points   1)

invites questions   3)

Transcript

To sum up briefly, then, the future for graduates looks very bright indeed. There are more jobs, and salaries are increasing. I hope this comes as good news to you all as you approach the end of your time here at college. Thank you all for listening. Remember that you can ask either self or anyone here in the careers centre for advice at any time. Now, does anyone have any questions?

2. Listen and complete these phrases.

Summarizing the main points


a To ________ briefly, then, ___

b I’d like to ________ the main points.

c In ________, then ___

Thanking your audience

d Thank ________ listening.

e Thank you very ________ attention.

Inviting questions

f Now, does anyone ________?

g _____ any questions?

h Are there ________ questions?

Show answers

a sum up

b review

c conclusion

d you all for

e much for your

f have any questions

g Can I answer

h any final

3. Listen and repeat each phrase.

Transcript

Summarizing the main points


a To sum up briefly, then, ___

b I’d like to review the main points ___

c In conclusion, then ___

Thanking your audience

d Thank you all for listening.

e Thank you very much for your attention.

Inviting questions

f Now, does anyone have any questions?

g Can I answer any questions?

h Are there any final questions?

Questions and answers

Stephanie has a Q-n-A session at the end of her presentation. How does she encourage questions from the audience? Listen and complete the four phrases.

Sure. Go ________.

Yes? Please ________.

Yes, of course. What would you ________.?

Now, does ________. a question?

Answer & Transcript

Sure. Go ahead

Yes? Please ask your question.

Yes, of course. What would you like to know?

Now, does anyone else have a question?

Transcript

Stephanie:     Remember that you can ask either self on anyone here in the careers centre for advice at any time. Now, does anyone have any questions?

Student 1:   Yes, I have a question.

Stephanie:     Sure. Go ahead.

Student 1:     When did you carry out this survey?

Stephanie:     Between early February and the end of March this year.

Student 2:     Excuse me?

Stephanie:     Yes? Please ask your question.

Student 2:     Who exactly did you ask?

Stephanie:     We asked hiring managers. That is, those people within a company that recruit new employees.

Student 3:     Er, can I ask a question?

Stephanie:     Yes, of course. What would you like to know?

Student 3:     How many people did you ask?

Stephanie:     We asked hiring managers in more than 1,000 companies. Now, does anyone else have a question?

Student 4:     Yes, I have. How did you do the survey? I mean, was it by mail?

Stephanie:     That’s a good question! Actually, it was quite easy. We did it all by email. We emailed everyone direct and attached an online survey.

Student 5:     Yes, I have a question. How do employers ___ [fade]

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