Complete the following sentences using hear or listen (to).
1Suddenly I ............... a loud noise.
Wrong!
Use "heard" when a sound reached your ears suddenly or without effort.
2Can you speak a bit louder? I can’t ............... you.
Wrong!
Use "hear" for being able to receive a sound with your ears.
3You can ............... something without wanting to.
Wrong!
Use "hear" when you notice a sound without trying.
4Though I ............... them talking in the next room, I didn’t really listen to what they were saying.
Wrong!
Use "heard" because the sentence means the speaker noticed the sound of their voices.
5I didn’t ............... the doorbell because I was watching TV.
Wrong!
Use "hear" for noticing a sound such as a doorbell.
6............... carefully to what I am going to say.
Wrong!
Use "Listen" when you tell someone to pay attention to speech or a sound.
7Did you ............... the news yesterday?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "hear" and "listen to" are possible because news can be something you receive or something you pay attention to.
Answers
- Suddenly I heard a loud noise.
- Can you speak a bit louder? I can’t hear you.
- You can hear something without wanting to.
- Though I heard them talking in the next room, I didn’t really listen to what they were saying.
- I didn’t hear the doorbell because I was watching TV.
- Listen carefully to what I am going to say.
- Did you hear / listen to the news yesterday?