Listening Comprehension Flashcards
7 cards from real C2 practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Listening Comprehension flashcards as text
You hear a historian say: 'The treaty was signed under duress, which would later prove its undoing.' What does 'under duress' mean?
Answer: The treaty was signed under coercion or pressure.
'Under duress' means forced or coerced — the implication is the treaty was not freely agreed upon, which later caused it to collapse.
A speaker says: 'His tone was measured, betraying none of the anxiety he must have felt.' What does 'betraying none of' mean?
Answer: His tone revealed no signs of his anxiety.
To 'betray' an emotion means to reveal it unintentionally — 'betraying none' means his tone showed no sign of the anxiety he presumably had.
You hear: 'The initiative gained traction slowly at first, then all at once.' What pattern does this describe?
Answer: The initiative had a slow start followed by rapid acceleration.
This describes an exponential or tipping-point pattern — slow initial growth followed by sudden rapid expansion.
A commentator says: 'The new legislation doesn't go far enough, but it's not without merit.' What is the overall assessment?
Answer: The legislation has some value but falls short of what is needed.
'Not without merit' acknowledges value, while 'doesn't go far enough' signals it is insufficient — together these express qualified but incomplete support.
You hear: 'The professor's lecture left the audience with a lot to chew on.' What does this mean?
Answer: The lecture provided substantial ideas requiring careful thought.
'A lot to chew on' is an idiom for material that requires careful thought and reflection after hearing it.
A speaker says: 'The situation is fluid.' In a formal context, what does this mean?
Answer: The situation is unstable and still changing.
'Fluid' in this context is a metaphor meaning changeable or in flux — it is commonly used in journalism and diplomacy.
You hear a speaker say: 'That ship has sailed.' What does this expression convey?
Answer: The opportunity has already passed and cannot be recovered.
'That ship has sailed' is an idiom meaning an opportunity or option is no longer available because it has already passed.