Identify and Understand Speakers' Ideas, Opinions, Feelings and Attitudes in a Range of Spoken Contexts and from a Variety of Sources

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

  • Identify and understand speakers' ideas, opinions, feelings and attitudes in a range of spoken contexts and from a variety of sources
  • Recognize different types of audio texts, including: phone messages, announcements, radio programmes, TV, film, plays, newsfeeds, podcasts, conversations, and interviews
  • Understand audio texts with different purposes and formality levels: formal, informal, and semi-formal
  • Identify the specific language that speakers use to express their ideas, feelings, attitudes, and opinions

Main Content

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What Does This Skill Mean?

When you listen to someone speaking, they're not just sharing facts – they're also showing you what they think, feel, and believe about something. This skill is about training your ears to pick up on these hidden messages.

Ideas = what someone thinks or believes about a topic
Opinions = personal views that may or may not be shared by others (e.g., "I think pizza is the best food")
Feelings = emotions like happiness, frustration, excitement, or worry
Attitudes = how someone generally feels about something (positive, negative, or neutral)

For example, if someone says "I can't wait for the weekend!" they're not just telling you about the weekend – they're showing excitement (feeling) and a positive attitude toward it.

Types of Spoken Contexts and Audio Texts

You'll need to understand speakers' ideas, opinions, feelings, and attitudes across many different types of audio. Here's what you might encounter:

Short Audio Texts

These are brief recordings, usually under 2 minutes:

  • Phone messages – voicemails or answering machine messages
    Example: "Hi, it's Sarah. I'm so sorry I missed your call – I've been really busy with work. Can we catch up this weekend?"

  • Announcements – public information given at train stations, airports, schools, or shopping centers
    Example: "Attention passengers, the 3:15 train to London has been delayed. We apologize for any inconvenience."

  • Short conversations – casual chats between two or more people
    Example: Two cousins discussing a family holiday (like in the textbook example)

Longer Audio Texts

These recordings are more detailed and can last several minutes:

  • Radio programmes – talk shows, news bulletins, or discussion panels

  • TV and film clips – scenes from documentaries, dramas, or news reports

  • Plays – recorded performances of theatrical productions

  • Newsfeeds or podcasts – audio reports on current events or topics of interest
    Example: A nature podcast about underwater wildlife

  • Interviews – conversations where someone asks questions to learn about another person's experiences or views
    Example: An interview with a cameraman about his career

Tip: Whether the audio is short or long, your job is the same – listen carefully for what the speaker truly thinks and feels, not just the words they say.

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