Listening Summary
AdvancedTopic + main points.
- Summary formula: one topic sentence (plus reason), then two or three points, one each.
- Speakers mark their own points: 'First', 'Second', 'Third' hand you the list.
- Keep the numbers (7:30, 1 September) but paraphrase every sentence.
文體小知識：Write what you heard.
§Text Passage
1Good morning, everyone. Before the first bell, I have a short announcement about our school bus service. As many of you know, the traffic study we conducted last term showed serious congestion at the main gate. The transport committee has therefore approved three changes, which will take effect from the first of September.
2First, the departure time will move from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. Buses currently leave too early, and nearly forty per cent of passengers arrive before the classrooms are even open. Second, a new stop will be added at Mei Foo Estate, following requests from families in that district. Students there previously had to walk fifteen minutes to the nearest stop. Third, fees will remain unchanged this year, as the committee has decided to absorb the rising fuel costs rather than pass them on to parents. Please remember that these changes apply to all routes, including the Kowloon Tong line.
3To sum up: a later start, one new stop, and no change in fees. When you write your summary of this announcement, reorganise the three main points in your own words — do not copy whole sentences from my speech. Keep it concise: a good summary contains every key point but no unnecessary detail. Organize the information logically, paraphrase rather than repeat, and check that each note you took actually appears in your final version.
4Full timetables will be posted on the notice board and the school website this Friday. A new route map will also be attached to each student handbook. If you have questions, speak to Miss Chan in the general office. Thank you, and have a productive term.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Good morning, everyone.
各位，早上好。
Before the first bell, I have a short announcement about our school bus service.
在上課鐘響起之前，我有一則關於校巴服務的簡短宣佈。
As many of you know, the traffic study we conducted last term showed serious congestion at the main gate.
你們許多人都知道，我們上學期進行的交通研究顯示正門擠塞嚴重。
The transport committee has therefore approved three changes, which will take effect from the first of September.
因此，交通委員會通過了三項改動，由九月一日起生效。
First, the departure time will move from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m.
第一，開車時間由早上七時十五分改為七時三十分。
Buses currently leave too early, and nearly forty per cent of passengers arrive before the classrooms are even open.
目前校巴開出太早，近四成乘客到達時課室根本仍未開放。
Second, a new stop will be added at Mei Foo Estate, following requests from families in that district.
第二，應美孚新邨家庭的要求，將在該處增設一個新站。
Students there previously had to walk fifteen minutes to the nearest stop.
該區學生以往要步行十五分鐘才到最近的車站。
Third, fees will remain unchanged this year, as the committee has decided to absorb the rising fuel costs rather than pass them on to parents.
第三，今年車費維持不變，因為委員會決定自行承擔上升的燃油成本，而非轉嫁家長。
Please remember that these changes apply to all routes, including the Kowloon Tong line.
請謹記，這些改動適用於所有路線，包括九龍塘線。
To sum up: a later start, one new stop, and no change in fees.
總括而言：較遲開車、新增一站、車費不變。
When you write your summary of this announcement, reorganise the three main points in your own words — do not copy whole sentences from my speech.
你撰寫本宣佈的摘要時，須用自己的文字重新組織三個要點——切勿照抄我整句話。
Keep it concise: a good summary contains every key point but no unnecessary detail.
要精簡：好的摘要包含每個關鍵要點，卻沒有多餘細節。
Organize the information logically, paraphrase rather than repeat, and check that each note you took actually appears in your final version.
有條理地組織資料，用改寫而非照抄，並檢查你記下的每一點都真正出現在最終版本。
Full timetables will be posted on the notice board and the school website this Friday.
完整時間表將於本星期五張貼在佈告板和學校網站。
A new route map will also be attached to each student handbook.
每本學生手冊亦會附上新路線圖。
If you have questions, speak to Miss Chan in the general office.
如有疑問，請向校務處陳老師查詢。
Thank you, and have a productive term.
謝謝大家，祝你們有個充實的學期。
1Summary 重點摘要
Topic + main points.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Summary.
Main point.
Detail.
Rephrase.
Arrange.
Short.
Key.
筆記。
3Step by step Steps
- TopicThe topic sentence comes first: because of congestion at the main gate, the transport committee has approved three changes effective 1 September — one line covering what, who and when.
- PointsTwo or three points, one sentence each: the speaker signs them for you — First (departure moves from 7:15 to 7:30, since nearly forty per cent arrived before classrooms opened), Second (a new Mei Foo Estate stop, previously a fifteen-minute walk), Third (fees unchanged, the fuel rise absorbed by the committee).
- ParaphraseKeep the numbers, rewrite the sentences: 7:30 and 1 September stay, but “the departure time will move from 7:15 to 7:30” must be paraphrased — copying the whole sentence scores zero (paraphrase rather than repeat).
- LengthHold 50-80 words: complete, not long — when timetables are posted and where to get the route map can be cut; “a good summary contains every key point but no unnecessary detail”.
- Check after writingCheck after writing: does every point in your notes appear in the summary? All three present, numbers right, nothing copied — tick item by item before handing in.
- Logical orderOrder the logic: topic → point one → point two → point three, following the speaker or importance — “organize the information logically”, never one tangled lump.
- No opinionAdd none of your own opinion: only what the speaker said — paraphrase, yes, but never season it; your job is compression, not commentary.
5Worked example Example
The bus announcement contains three changes. Write a 50-80 word summary: one topic sentence plus three points, all in your own words.
- Step 1: Open with the topic and reason: following a traffic study at the main gate, the transport committee has approved three changes from 1 September.
- Step 2: Point one: departure moves from 7:15 to 7:30 am because forty per cent of passengers arrived before classrooms opened.
- Step 3: Point two: a new stop at Mei Foo Estate, saving students there a fifteen-minute walk.
- Step 4: Point three: fees unchanged — the committee absorbs rising fuel costs — and the changes cover all routes including Kowloon Tong.
- Step 5: Check: three points covered, numbers kept, sentences paraphrased, timetable details left out.
- Answer: A model summary runs about sixty words: 'Following congestion at the main gate, the transport committee has approved three changes to the school bus service from 1 September: departures move to 7:30 am so that students no longer arrive before classrooms open; a new stop serves Mei Foo Estate, sparing families a fifteen-minute walk; and fees stay unchanged, with rising fuel costs absorbed by the committee. The changes apply to all routes.' The method matters more than the words: one topic sentence with the reason, three points in logical order, every figure retained, every sentence paraphrased rather than copied, and notice-board details omitted. A good summary is complete but never long.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Write?
Q2Length?
Q3Tip?
Q4Include?
Q5Exclude?
Q6Tense?
8Recap Recap
- Summary formula: one topic sentence (plus reason), then two or three points, one each.
- Speakers mark their own points: 'First', 'Second', 'Third' hand you the list.
- Keep the numbers (7:30, 1 September) but paraphrase every sentence.
- Complete, not long: fifty to eighty words; notice-board details can go.
- Check at the end: does every note you took appear in the summary?