1. Skills
  2. Listening
  3. A2 listening
  4. Taking notes

Taking notes

A person writing in a notebook

Listen to the conversation about taking notes and do the exercises to practise and improve your listening skills.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise before you listen. Then do the other exercises to check your understanding.

Preparation

Audio file

Transcript

Mark: What's the matter?

Clare: I've got a history exam on Friday and I'm worried I'll fail it.

Mark: Why? You're brilliant at history.

Clare: It isn't difficult but I have to remember a lot of information. These are my notes from today.

Mark: Can I see?

Clare: Yes.

Mark: These aren't notes! This is a full text!

Clare: What do you mean?

Mark: You don't have to copy everything! 'Notes' are just a few words. You have to write the important words. You don't need to write the extra bits. Look. King Henry the Eighth was married six times.

Clare: That's important information.

Mark: But you don't need to write all of those words. You can draw little pictures too. Pictures can help you to remember things and then you don't need to write so many words. Look.

Clare: That's so good! The crown is for 'King' and the 'H' is for Henry. That's cool. Then the heart is 'love' and a number six … well that is ehm … six.

Mark: Yes. So look at these notes. Let's test your memory.

Clare: King Henry the Eighth was married six times.

Mark: Exactly! Write notes like this, Clare. Then you won't have six pages of notes, you'll only have two or three!

Worksheets and downloads

Taking notes - exercises253.79 KB
Taking notes - answers239.25 KB
Taking notes - transcript250.61 KB
Discussion

How do you prepare for an exam?

Language level
A2 Pre-intermediate
Topics
study skills
school
exams
Average: 4.2 (24 votes)
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Comments

Profile picture for user Giovannichoi

Submitted by Giovannichoi on Mon, 06/22/2020 - 11:28

I just memorize those facts. That's the easiest way to remember the facts!!!!!
Profile picture for user DIGIOTANIMES

Submitted by DIGIOTANIMES on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 18:59

a few days before I study all the subjects seen all day until I learn the subjects well to be ready for the day of the exam
Profile picture for user Sherry4869

Submitted by Sherry4869 on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 14:16

I study a lot for exam. When I take good result I become very happy.

Submitted by _16lx on Tue, 04/07/2020 - 17:06

I study a lots for any exams I save the important information in my mind I usually don't write any information or take a notes

Submitted by Axelmele26Hernandez on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 20:07

Is very important the study draw with notes, I will consider. The exercises to practise is very goog but the listen to the conversation is more complicated to read the conversation

Submitted by Pablo_29 on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 19:24

Usually, i just read from my notes which by listening carefully to my teachers in class. it's very helpfull, because it's easier than reads from textbook.
Profile picture for user Windflower42

Submitted by Windflower42 on Thu, 02/20/2020 - 16:49

I write some notes and then I pray to the Rose of Guadalupe :v
Profile picture for user Raysan

Submitted by Raysan on Fri, 09/20/2019 - 15:10

First, I prepare my supplies, such as pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, ... Second, I review all the things I have learned. Third, I cheer up myself And then, I am ready for the test!

Submitted by Thu on Thu, 07/04/2019 - 11:18

Before the test, I often remember my lesson. That's it, but if the exam is too hard, my friends will write some important details on the table. Just a little cheat, hehe : >

Submitted by levansonqs on Sun, 06/30/2019 - 13:41

i try remember all thing via mindmap picture

Submitted by Milu2014 on Fri, 05/10/2019 - 15:55

I think Mark´s example is confusing. Because is not effective.

Submitted by teacher_11 on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 09:52

It's a very interesting conversation!

Submitted by nguyenninh on Fri, 02/22/2019 - 09:16

I have got an exam on Monday. This is a commission exam because I examed the first fail. So, I am worried for the next exam.
Profile picture for user khanhlinh92004

Submitted by khanhlinh92004 on Thu, 07/19/2018 - 08:35

Before having an exam, I always review the lessons I studied and try to be confident. You shouldn't be so stressful because when you stress, everything will become terrible.
Profile picture for user bilko

Submitted by bilko on Sun, 01/28/2018 - 17:25

When i study an exam firstly i read all text secondly i write important parts on the board and explain them as if i teach my virtual students . By using this mehthod i memorize the lesson finally. p.s: All my marks are 100 btw :) :) :)
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