TOEFL COMPLETE COURSE
(LISTENING)
Skill 8: LISTEN DOUBLE NEGATIVE EXPRESSIONS
It is possible for two negative ideas to
appear in one sentence, and the result can be quite confusing.
Example
On the recording, you hear:
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man
|
I can’t
believe the news that I heard about the concert.
|
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women
|
Well, it isn’t
impossible for the concert to take place.
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narrator
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What does the woman say about the concert?
|
In your test book or on the computer
screen, you read:
A.
There’s
no possibility that the concert will take place.
B.
The
concert will definitely not take place.
C.
The
concert might take place
D.
The
concert can’t take place.
The correct answer to this question is
answer (C). If it isn’t impossible for the concert to take place, then it is
possible, and the modal might indicates
possibility.
The following chart outlines the
situations where double negatives can occur
TOEFL
EXERCISE 7: In this exercise, Listen carefully to
each short dialogue and question on the recording, and then choose the best
answer to the question. You should be particularly careful of double negative.
|
1
|
A.
He’ll
definitely be elected.
B.
The
election is now complete.
C.
She
has high hopes for his chances.
D.
It
may happen.
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6
|
A.
Steve
wanted to finish his paper, and so did Paul.
B.
Both
Steve’s and Paul’s papers were incomplete.
C.
Steve
and Paul were busy doing their term papers.
D.
When
Steve wasn’t able to finish his paper, Paul couldn’t help.
|
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2
|
A.
Both parts of his game were bad.
B.
He served better than he volleyed.
C.
Some parts of his game were better than others.
D.
He played rather well.
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7
|
A.
It wasn’t George’s responsibility to pay the bill.
B.
Bill was irresponsible about paying George’s rent.
C.
George acted carelessly by not taking care of the
bill.
D.
George took responsibility for the unpaid bill.
|
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3
|
A.
It is a surprise that he was prepared.
B.
He was not ready, as usual.
C.
He prepared a really big surprise.
D.
His strong preparation came as no surprise.
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8
|
A.
It’s fortunate that he was accepted.
B.
It’s good that he wasn’t admitted.
C.
Fortunately, the university didn’t admit him.
D.
It’s too bad he was rejected.
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4
|
A.
She felt good enough to go out.
B.
She went out to get some medicine.
C.
She felt like dancing, so she went out with
everyone.
D.
She stayed home because she was sick.
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9
|
A.
The first essay was better than the second.
B.
The first and second drafts couldn’t be better.
C.
The second draft of the essay was much better than
the first.
D.
Both versions were poorly written.
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|
5
|
A.
She has problems that others aren’t aware of.
B.
Others aren’t aware of her problems.
C.
She knows she’s been a problem.
D.
She doesn’t have a care in the world,
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10
|
A.
Roger has been bothered.
B.
Roger wasn’t the least bit disturbed.
C.
The problems have had little effect on Roger.
D.
Roger hasn’t been disturbed.
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ANSWER
KEY
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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10
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D
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A
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B
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D
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C
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B
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C
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D
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D
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A
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It’s good that he wasn’t admitted
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