1.對話或講座的目的(purpose)意指其功能，是這個對話或講座發生的主要理由。對話中，說話人的目的是與對話的話題、說話人之間的關系以及談話的背景相關的。
新托福聽力考試中，關于目的的試題形式如下：
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?
2.談話或講座的目的與主題相關。關于目的的試題形式如下：
What is the purpose of the talk? ' i What is the main purpose of the lecture'l What is the speaker's main purpose?
3.有些關于目的的試題只與部分對話或講座的內容相關。這些問題通常問的是某個短語或句子的作用：
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 _
4.有時考生可以再聽一次部分對話或講座的內容。之后會聽到問題問及說話人的目的。例如：
Listen again to part of the lecture. Then answer the question. (You hear part oftbe lecture again.) : .
Why does the professor say this.
5. 下面是一些對話或講座目的的例子：
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
6.有時說話人會直接說出其目的：
“l need advice about my paper."
“I'm concerned about my grade for this class."
“I'm applying to graduate school,and l was wonde渤g if you,d wrjte me a
1etter Of reCommendatiOn.”