Introduction
In the TOEIC Listening & Reading test, you will often need to make logical deductions to answer questions correctly. This means using the information provided to infer or conclude something that is not directly stated. Mastering this skill is crucial for both the listening and reading sections, as it helps you understand implied meanings and make informed guesses.
Explanation
Logical deductions involve using clues from the text or conversation to arrive at a conclusion. For example, if you read a sentence like, "The meeting was rescheduled because Mr. Tanaka's flight was delayed," you can deduce that Mr. Tanaka was supposed to attend the meeting.
Here are some key phrases and words that often signal the need for deduction:
"because" indicates a reason.
"therefore" or "thus" shows a result or conclusion.
"however" or "but" introduces a contrast or exception.
Common mistakes
Ignoring context: Many learners focus too much on individual words instead of the overall context. Always consider the entire sentence or paragraph.
Overthinking: Sometimes, the simplest conclusion is the correct one. Avoid reading too much into the information.
Missing keywords: Words like "not," "unless," and "if" can change the meaning significantly. Pay attention to these.
Tips for the TOEIC test
Listen and read carefully: Pay attention to the tone and details. They can provide hints for making deductions.
Practice skimming and scanning: Quickly identify key information that can help you make logical deductions.
Look for signal words: These words often guide you to the correct deduction.
Mini practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct logical deduction based on the context:
1. If the email states, "Due to the software update, the system will be unavailable from 2 PM to 4 PM," you can deduce that the system will be available again at 4 PM.
2. "The client called to cancel the meeting because of an urgent issue." You can deduce that the meeting is canceled.
3. "Despite the heavy traffic, the delivery arrived on time." You can deduce that the traffic did not affect the delivery schedule.