这是新托福听力中层次最高的能力考查，因而所占比例只有20% ~25%，主要通过Function Questions(功能/目的题)和Stance Questions(态度题)加以测试。比如当听到It sure is cold in here.你的第一反应永远是字面上的The temperature here is low.但在特定环境中，这句话的目的很可能是为了Get you to close the window.
功能/目的题主要分为一般功能题、重听题(回放题)和就词组/句式提问题三种：
1.一般功能题的常见题千汇编
Why does the student go to see the professor?
What is the man's problem?
Why is the woman concerned?
What is the main purpose of the conversation/talk/lecture?
What is the speaker's main purpose?
2.重听题(回放题)的常见题干汇编
Listen again to part of the passage. Then answer the question. (replay)
What does the professor imply when he says this? (replay)
What can be inferred from the professor's response to the student?(replay)
what is the purpose of the woman's response? (replay)
Why does the student/speaker say this? (replay)
3.就词组/句式提问题的常见题干汇编
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 speaker ask the class about...?
态度题的常见题干汇编：
What can be inferred about the student when he says this? (replay)
What does the woman mean when she says this? (replay)
Select the sentence that best expresses how the speaker feels.
What is the speaker/professor/student's attitude towards.,.?
What' is the professor's opinion of…?
What is the professor's point of view concerning...?
What does the professor think of...?