1.對(duì)話或講座的目的(purpose)意指其功能，是這個(gè)對(duì)話或講座發(fā)生的主要理由。
　　對(duì)話中，說(shuō)話人的目的是與對(duì)話的話題、說(shuō)話人之間的關(guān)系以及談話的背景相關(guān)的。
　　新托福聽(tīng)力考試中，關(guān)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(guān)。新托福聽(tīng)力考試中關(guān)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(guān)于目的的試題只與部分對(duì)話或講座的內(nèi)容相關(guān)。這些問(wèn)題通常問(wèn)的是某個(gè)短語(yǔ)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(shí)考生可以再聽(tīng)一次部分對(duì)話或講座的內(nèi)容。之后會(huì)聽(tīng)到問(wèn)題問(wèn)及說(shuō)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. 下面是一些新托福聽(tīng)力考試中對(duì)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(shí)說(shuō)話人會(huì)直接說(shuō)出其目的：
　　“l(fā) 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.”