Although they have similar meanings, there are significant differences that you need to know!

Listen / Hear

We ‘listen’ to something when we focus on it and pay attention to it. 有意的听

We ‘hear’ something that comes into our ears. It is not necessarily deliberate or intentional. 不一定是有意的
 

For example:

I was trying to watch television but all I could hear was my neighbour playing his guitar.

I went outside so I could listen to my neighbour play his guitar

练习题

When you ask someone for directions, it is important to _______ what they are saying.

I _______ a noise outside – perhaps you should go and take a look?

I was trying to _______ to the teacher’s instructions, but she has a very quiet voice and I couldn’t _______ her.

 _______ to that! It sounds like John’s car!

Where I work, we can _______ the radio if we want to.

I think there’s a storm coming – I just _______ some thunder.

I was talking to friend who is overseas, but she couldn’t _______ me because the phone line wasn’t clear.

The problem with some people is they never _______ good advice!

答案 

1. When you ask someone for directions, it is important to LISTEN TO what they are saying.

2. I HEARD a noise outside – perhaps you should go and take a look?

3. I was trying to LISTEN TO the teacher’s instructions, but she has a very quiet voice and I couldn’t HEAR her.

4. LISTEN TO that! It sounds like John’s car!

5. Where I work, we can LISTEN TO the radio if we want to.

6. I think there’s a storm coming – I just HEARD some thunder.

7. I was talking to friend who is overseas, but she couldn’t HEAR me because the phone line wasn’t clear.

8. The problem with some people is they never LISTEN TO good advice!