在托福听力考试中听出语篇结构是一大重点亦是一大难点，其实任何对话或文章都是有逻辑可循的，下面我们就来看看构成语段的三个基本要素。

大部分的语段都是由三个部分组成的：主旨句、扩展句和结尾句。主旨句用来点出语段的主题思想。扩展句围绕主旨句展开，用来说明、支持和阐述主题思想。结尾句用来得出结论，给读者留下深刻的印象。

下面来看一个托福真题中的例子：

New computing, on the other hand, refers to an approach to design that focuses on the end goal, or more specifically the end-user’s goal; what the individual might need or want out of the computer. It places human beings front and center. In new computing the focus shifts from what computers can do to what people can do with computers. So instead of thinking about big power for the sake of having a fancy impressive machine, developers concentrate on individuals or specific groups of individuals. For example, they create products that support human activities, activities like collecting information or communication or disseminating information to others. I think Da Vinci would be very surprised about how well-informed people are about medical issues today when they arrive at their doctor’s office.
语段分析

该语段的第一句话是主旨句，新的计算机设计将用户的目标用途作为中心。后面的句子是扩展句，进一步解释计算机程序设计尊重客户的需求，而不再仅仅局限于计算机技术本身的发展。紧接着使用举例论证，提到了帮助用户收集信息、交流信息和传播信息的计算机产品，并提出达芬奇一定会为普通人所掌握的医疗信息而感到惊叹不已。

只要明确了这三大基本语段要素，在之后的听力练习中我们基本都可以迅速理清篇章结构，更快更精准的找到听力重点信息，顺利斩获听力高分。