一、对话或讲座的目的(purpose)意指其功能，是这个对话或讲座发生的主要理由。对话中，说话人的目的是与对话的话题、说话人之间的关系以及谈话的背景相关的。
新托福听力考试中，关于目的的试题形式如下：
Why does the student go to see the professor? What is the man's
problem?
Why is the woman concerned?
What is the purpose of the conversation?
二、谈话或讲座的目的与主题相关。新托福听力考试中关于目的的试题形式如下：
What is the purpose of the talk? 'i What is the main purpose of the
lecture'l What is the speaker's main purpose?
三、有些关于目的的试题只与部分对话或讲座的内容相关。这些问题通常问的是某个短语或句子的作用：
Why does the student say _?
Why does the professor mention -?
Why does the instructor talk about ? Why does the speaker tell a story
about -? Why does the professor ask the class about _
四、有时考生可以再听一次部分对话或讲座的内容。之后会听到问题问及说话人的目的。
Listen again to part of the lecture. Then answer the question. (You hear
part oftbe lecture again.)
Why does the professor say this.
五、下面是一些新托福听力考试中对话或讲座目的的例子：
To ask for advice
To answer a question
To compare two or more things To complain about something To define a
term
To describe a process
To emphasize importance
To explain causes and effects
To give examples :
To give reasons
To introduce a new concept
To recommend a course of action
六、有时说话人会直接说出其目的：
“l need advice about my paper."
“I'm concerned about my grade for this class."
“I'm applying to graduate school,and l was wondering if you'd write me a
letter of recommendation.”
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