Listening 37–38 Talk show

Listening · Hard

Optional

A talk show is a dialogue-style discourse where a host and an expert (or guest) go back and forth to explain a single topic. It typically covers general-interest knowledge — health, science, everyday life information. Item 37 asks for the expert's (usually a woman's) main point, and item 38 asks which statement matches the details. The host's question opens the topic, the expert explains the phenomenon, and then a phrase like '다만' or '단' ("but," "however") often adds a condition or exception. The core of the correct answer is frequently hidden in that condition or exception. For item 37, the option that best matches the condition or caveat that comes after '다만' — rather than the earlier phenomenon-description part of the expert's speech — is more likely to be correct. For item 38, the typical wrong answers swap a number (time or duration) for a different one or reverse a cause-and-effect relationship, so you need to listen carefully for the exact numbers and the direction of causation.

Talk show

• 오늘은 -에 대해 알아보겠습니다 — A set phrase the host uses to open the topic in a talk show. Whatever comes after '-에 대해' in this sentence is the day's topic.
• -가 정말 도움이 되나요? — A question pattern the host uses to prompt the expert for confirmation. The expert's key explanation begins right after this question.
• 다만 — A connective adverb the expert uses to add a condition or exception to what was just explained. The main point is often located after '다만'.
• -는데요 — A connective ending used in spoken, semi-formal explanations to leave a trailing pause before adding more. A specific number or condition follows.
• -는 것이 가장 이상적이다 — An expression used when the expert presents a recommended number or method. It often serves as the basis for the correct answer.
• 그 이상 -면 오히려 — A pattern describing the backfiring effect that appears once you go past the right amount. A negative result follows '오히려' ("instead," "on the contrary").
• -므로 — A connective ending closer to written style, expressing reason. Often used instead of '-아서/니까' in formal explanations or lectures.
• 되도록 -는 것을 권합니다 — An expression the expert uses to make a gentle recommendation. It carries the nuance of a suggestion rather than an obligation.
• -에 효과적이다 — An expression describing the efficacy of some action or habit. A sentence pattern that often carries the key claim in a talk show.
• -이 관건이다 — An expression pointing to the key factor that determines the outcome. The condition that follows this expression becomes the key to solving the item.
• 반대로 — An adverb used to introduce a situation that contrasts with what was just explained. You need to distinguish which of the two contrasting situations is the negative one.

• A topic introduced through the host's question
• A condition or exception attached after '다만' or '단'
• A specific number expressing time or duration

• Identify today's topic from the host's question
• Listen for the split between the earlier part of the expert's explanation (the phenomenon) and what comes after '다만' (the condition)
• Note down the exact value whenever a number or duration is mentioned
• Check the numbers and direction of causation in item 38's options one by one against the discourse

• Mistaking the general explanation before '다만' for the main point
• Getting caught by a wrong answer that swaps in a similar but different number

This is an optional section, but the dialogue structure is regular enough that catching just the sentence after '다만' gives you good odds on item 37.