TOPIK II Listening: Understanding Formal Debates & Rebuttals

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TOPIK II Prep
✅
TL;DR
  • In TOPIK II formal debate listening, the answer often depends on stance + rebuttal logic, not isolated vocabulary.
  • Track whether the speaker accepts, partially concedes, rejects, or reframes the previous claim.
  • Listen twice: first for the main position, second for contrast markers like 그러나, 다만, 그렇다고 해서, 오히려, and 반면에.
🎧
🎧 Audio Practice
  • First pass: listen to each track without pausing and choose answers immediately.
  • Second pass: replay and underline stance markers, rebuttal phrases, and the speaker’s final recommendation.
  • Optional shadowing: repeat one rebuttal sentence aloud, copying formal intonation and pacing.

🔑 The Big Picture

Formal debate and rebuttal questions test whether you can follow argument movement. In TOPIK II listening, speakers may sound polite and balanced, but one side usually becomes stronger through evidence, concession, or a final recommendation.
You are not only listening for “what topic is discussed.” You are listening for:
  • Position: What does each speaker believe?
  • Rebuttal: Which part of the previous argument is challenged?
  • Evidence: What reason, data, or example supports the challenge?
  • Resolution: What action, policy, or conclusion is preferred?

🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns

1. Stance markers

Use these phrases to identify whether the speaker agrees or disagrees.
Function
Korean signal
Meaning in debate
Agreement
저도 그 점에는 동의합니다
The speaker accepts part of the previous point.
Partial concession
물론 … 그러나 / 다만
The speaker accepts one point but limits it.
Direct rebuttal
그렇다고 해서 …는 아닙니다
The previous conclusion is too strong.
Reframing
문제는 …가 아니라 …입니다
The speaker changes the center of the issue.
Stronger alternative
오히려 / 차라리
The opposite or a different option is better.

2. Common formal debate flow

  1. Speaker A states a policy or concern.
  1. Speaker B acknowledges part of it.
  1. Speaker B uses a contrast marker to challenge the conclusion.
  1. Speaker B gives evidence or a practical example.
  1. The answer asks for the speaker’s opinion, reason, or next action.

3. Useful rebuttal sentence frames

  • 그 의견이 타당한 면도 있지만, 실제 현장에서는 다른 문제가 발생할 수 있습니다.
  • 비용 절감만을 기준으로 판단하면 장기적인 효과를 놓칠 수 있습니다.
  • 찬성 여부보다 중요한 것은 제도를 어떻게 설계하느냐입니다.
  • 그 정책이 단기적으로는 효과가 있어 보여도, 지속 가능성은 다시 검토해야 합니다.

✅ Exam Strategy

The 2-pass method for debate listening

  1. First pass: choose the stance. Ask: “Who supports what?”
  1. Second pass: confirm the rebuttal target. Ask: “Which assumption is being challenged?”
  1. Final check: avoid keyword traps. TOPIK often repeats words from the wrong choice, but changes the logic.

Fast note symbols

  • A+ = Speaker A supports
  • B- = Speaker B opposes
  • △ = partial agreement
  • → = final recommendation
  • ! = important evidence
Example: A+ online voting / B△ convenience, - security, → gradual pilot

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • Mistaking politeness for agreement: 말씀하신 점은 이해합니다 often introduces disagreement.
  • Choosing the first opinion only: later rebuttals often decide the correct answer.
  • Overvaluing vocabulary repetition: a choice may repeat 비용, 효율, or 공정성 but reverse the speaker’s logic.
  • Missing partial concession: the speaker may agree with the problem but reject the proposed solution.
  • Ignoring final sentence: formal debates often place the strongest conclusion at the end.

🎙️ Listening Scripts for Practice

Use these scripts for TTS recording or partner reading. Read at a measured TOPIK II pace.

Track 1

A: 최근 대학에서 AI 번역 도구 사용을 허용해야 한다는 의견이 많습니다. 학생들이 외국어 자료를 더 폭넓게 읽을 수 있기 때문입니다.
B: 자료 접근성이 높아진다는 점에는 동의합니다. 그러나 번역 결과를 그대로 받아들이면 학생들이 글의 논리 구조를 스스로 파악하는 능력을 기르기 어렵습니다.
A: 그렇지만 도구 사용 자체를 금지하면 현실과 맞지 않는 교육이 될 수 있지 않을까요?
B: 금지보다는 사용 기준을 정하는 것이 필요합니다. 예를 들어 초안 작성에는 제한하고, 참고 자료 이해에는 허용하는 방식이 더 적절하다고 봅니다.

Track 2

Announcer: 다음은 시내버스 노선 개편에 관한 토론입니다.
A: 이용객이 적은 노선을 줄이면 운영 비용을 절감할 수 있습니다. 절감된 예산은 혼잡 노선 증차에 사용할 수 있습니다.
B: 비용 절감 효과는 있겠지만, 이용객이 적다는 이유만으로 노선을 줄이면 교통 약자의 이동권이 약화될 수 있습니다.
A: 하지만 빈 버스를 계속 운행하는 것도 비효율적입니다.
B: 그래서 폐지보다 운행 간격 조정이나 예약형 버스 도입을 먼저 검토해야 합니다. 효율성과 접근성을 함께 고려해야 합니다.

Track 3

A: 기업의 재택근무 제도를 축소해야 한다고 생각합니다. 대면 협업이 줄어 조직 문화가 약해졌기 때문입니다.
B: 조직 문화가 중요하다는 점은 인정합니다. 다만 재택근무 자체가 문제라기보다 협업 방식이 충분히 정비되지 않은 것이 문제입니다.
A: 그래도 신입 직원 교육은 온라인으로 한계가 있지 않습니까?
B: 맞습니다. 그래서 전면 폐지보다는 직무와 경력에 따라 출근일을 조정하는 혼합 방식이 바람직합니다.

Track 4

Announcer: 두 전문가는 청소년 봉사활동 의무화에 대해 의견을 나누고 있습니다.
A: 봉사활동을 의무화하면 학생들이 사회 문제에 더 관심을 갖게 됩니다.
B: 취지는 좋지만, 의무 시간만 채우는 방식으로 운영되면 오히려 봉사의 의미가 약해질 수 있습니다.
A: 그렇다고 자율에만 맡기면 참여율이 낮아질 가능성이 큽니다.
B: 참여율보다 중요한 것은 활동의 질입니다. 학교가 지역 기관과 협력해 학생이 선택할 수 있는 다양한 프로그램을 제공해야 합니다.

Track 5

A: 지역 축제 예산을 줄이고 온라인 홍보에 집중해야 합니다. 방문객 대부분이 SNS를 통해 정보를 얻기 때문입니다.
B: 온라인 홍보가 중요해진 것은 사실입니다. 그러나 축제의 핵심은 지역 주민과 방문객이 직접 만나 문화를 경험하는 데 있습니다.
A: 하지만 현장 행사는 비용이 많이 들고 날씨의 영향을 받습니다.
B: 그렇기 때문에 예산을 단순히 줄이기보다 현장 프로그램을 핵심 행사 중심으로 재구성하고, 온라인 홍보는 이를 보완하는 수단으로 활용해야 합니다.
📝
Practice Hub — 50 Questions
Complete all five sets. Each set has 10 questions, for 50 questions total.

Practice Set 1 — Track 1: AI translation in university classes

  1. What is Speaker A’s main reason for allowing AI translation tools?
      • A. They reduce tuition costs.
      • B. They help students access more foreign-language materials.
      • C. They replace foreign language classes.
      • D. They make exams easier.
  1. Which point does Speaker B accept?
      • A. Translation tools can improve access to materials.
      • B. All students already use translation tools correctly.
      • C. Translation tools should be banned completely.
      • D. Foreign language materials are unnecessary.
  1. What is Speaker B’s main concern?
      • A. Students may lose the chance to analyze text structure independently.
      • B. Universities cannot afford translation software.
      • C. Professors will have to translate all readings.
      • D. Foreign language materials are disappearing.
  1. What does Speaker A imply with the second question?
      • A. A total ban may not match reality.
      • B. Students should stop reading foreign materials.
      • C. AI tools are always inaccurate.
      • D. Universities should remove writing assignments.
  1. What solution does Speaker B suggest?
      • A. Permit all uses without rules.
      • B. Ban tools in every class.
      • C. Set usage standards depending on purpose.
      • D. Replace reading classes with technology training.
  1. Which use does Speaker B consider more acceptable?
      • A. Writing final answers entirely with AI.
      • B. Understanding reference materials.
      • C. Avoiding all reading assignments.
      • D. Translating exam questions during tests.
  1. Which phrase best shows partial concession?
      • A. 자료 접근성이 높아진다는 점에는 동의합니다. 그러나…
      • B. 외국어 자료를 더 폭넓게 읽을 수 있기 때문입니다.
      • C. 현실과 맞지 않는 교육
      • D. 초안 작성에는 제한하고
  1. What is the best summary of Speaker B’s stance?
      • A. AI translation should be used freely in all situations.
      • B. AI translation should be banned because it has no educational value.
      • C. AI translation can be useful, but its use should be limited by clear rules.
      • D. AI translation is only useful for professors.
  1. Which option is a keyword trap?
      • A. “Translation tools improve access, so controlled use is needed.”
      • B. “Translation tools improve access, so no restrictions are needed.”
      • C. “Translation tools may weaken independent reading skills.”
      • D. “Translation tools should be limited for draft writing.”
  1. What would Speaker B most likely agree with?
      • A. Technology should be ignored in education.
      • B. The purpose of use matters when deciding policy.
      • C. Students should not read foreign sources.
      • D. Translation quality is the only issue.
Answers and rationales — Set 1
  1. B — A says students can read a wider range of foreign-language materials.
  1. A — B explicitly agrees that access improves.
  1. A — B worries about students not building independent analysis skills.
  1. A — A questions whether prohibition fits reality.
  1. C — B recommends standards, not total permission or total ban.
  1. B — B allows use for understanding reference materials.
  1. A — Agreement plus 그러나 signals partial concession.
  1. C — This captures both usefulness and limits.
  1. B — It repeats “access” but reverses B’s conclusion.
  1. B — B distinguishes draft writing from reference comprehension.

Practice Set 2 — Track 2: Bus route reform

  1. What is Speaker A’s proposal?
      • A. Increase every bus route.
      • B. Reduce low-use routes to save operating costs.
      • C. Make all buses reservation-only.
      • D. Replace buses with subway lines.
  1. How would saved money be used according to Speaker A?
      • A. To lower fares.
      • B. To increase buses on crowded routes.
      • C. To build new roads.
      • D. To advertise public transportation.
  1. What concern does Speaker B raise?
      • A. Drivers may refuse to work.
      • B. Traffic lights are poorly managed.
      • C. Mobility rights of transportation-vulnerable people may weaken.
      • D. Crowded routes have too many buses.
  1. Which point does Speaker A use as a counterargument?
      • A. Empty buses are inefficient.
      • B. Reservation buses are illegal.
      • C. Transportation-vulnerable people do not use buses.
      • D. City budgets are unlimited.
  1. What does Speaker B recommend first?
      • A. Route abolition.
      • B. Fare increases.
      • C. Adjusting intervals or introducing reservation-based buses.
      • D. Removing all low-use stops immediately.
  1. What two values does Speaker B want to balance?
      • A. Speed and tourism.
      • B. Efficiency and accessibility.
      • C. Design and comfort.
      • D. Profit and advertising.
  1. Which statement best describes Speaker B’s rebuttal?
      • A. Cost savings are impossible.
      • B. Efficiency should be considered, but route cuts may harm access.
      • C. Crowded routes should receive no support.
      • D. Low-use routes are always unnecessary.
  1. Which phrase signals concession?
      • A. 비용 절감 효과는 있겠지만
      • B. 운영 비용을 절감할 수 있습니다
      • C. 빈 버스를 계속 운행
      • D. 혼잡 노선 증차
  1. What is the likely correct policy direction based on Speaker B?
      • A. Immediate cancellation of all low-use routes.
      • B. Maintaining every route exactly as it is.
      • C. Testing flexible alternatives before abolition.
      • D. Ending public transportation subsidies.
  1. Why is “reduce low-use routes because they are inefficient” incomplete?
      • A. It ignores Speaker B’s accessibility concern.
      • B. It incorrectly says costs do not matter.
      • C. It describes reservation buses.
      • D. It supports Speaker B’s final view completely.
Answers and rationales — Set 2
  1. B — A proposes reducing low-use routes.
  1. B — A wants to use the saved budget for crowded routes.
  1. C — B focuses on mobility rights.
  1. A — A says empty buses are inefficient.
  1. C — B suggests interval adjustment or reservation buses before abolition.
  1. B — B says both efficiency and accessibility must be considered.
  1. B — B partially accepts efficiency but rebuts simple cuts.
  1. A — -겠지만 marks concession before disagreement.
  1. C — B favors alternatives before route deletion.
  1. A — The statement misses access for vulnerable riders.

Practice Set 3 — Track 3: Remote work reduction

  1. What does Speaker A want companies to do?
      • A. Expand remote work for all employees.
      • B. Reduce remote work.
      • C. End all face-to-face meetings.
      • D. Hire only remote workers.
  1. What reason does Speaker A give?
      • A. Office rent has increased.
      • B. Online tools are too expensive.
      • C. Face-to-face collaboration has decreased and organizational culture has weakened.
      • D. Employees refuse training.
  1. Which part does Speaker B acknowledge?
      • A. Organizational culture is important.
      • B. Remote work is illegal.
      • C. New employees cannot learn anything online.
      • D. Companies should ignore collaboration.
  1. How does Speaker B reframe the problem?
      • A. The issue is not remote work itself but insufficient collaboration systems.
      • B. The issue is employee salaries.
      • C. The issue is office size.
      • D. The issue is customer complaints.
  1. What example does Speaker A use to continue the debate?
      • A. Customer service quality.
      • B. Training for new employees.
      • C. Online advertising.
      • D. International hiring.
  1. What does Speaker B admit about new employee training?
      • A. It has no importance.
      • B. Online training may have limits.
      • C. It should be fully automated.
      • D. It should be removed.
  1. What final solution does Speaker B support?
      • A. Complete abolition of remote work.
      • B. A mixed system adjusted by job type and experience.
      • C. Permanent remote work for everyone.
      • D. No rules about work location.
  1. Which sentence best captures Speaker B’s stance?
      • A. Remote work is the only cause of weak organizational culture.
      • B. Remote work should be managed differently depending on context.
      • C. Remote work should be expanded without conditions.
      • D. New employees should never come to the office.
  1. Which Korean phrase signals reframing?
      • A. 재택근무 자체가 문제라기보다
      • B. 대면 협업이 줄어
      • C. 신입 직원 교육
      • D. 전면 폐지
  1. Which answer choice would be a TOPIK-style distractor?
      • A. “Speaker B supports a mixed system.”
      • B. “Speaker B agrees that new employee training can be difficult online.”
      • C. “Speaker B says remote work should be completely abolished.”
      • D. “Speaker B says collaboration systems need improvement.”
Answers and rationales — Set 3
  1. B — A says companies should reduce remote work.
  1. C — A connects remote work to weaker organizational culture.
  1. A — B recognizes the importance of organizational culture.
  1. A — B says the real problem is collaboration design, not remote work itself.
  1. B — A mentions new employee training.
  1. B — B agrees that online training has limits.
  1. B — B recommends a mixed system by job and experience.
  1. B — It captures B’s conditional, balanced position.
  1. A — 문제가 …라기보다 reframes the cause.
  1. C — It exaggerates B’s view into total abolition.

Practice Set 4 — Track 4: Mandatory youth volunteering

  1. What does Speaker A support?
      • A. Making volunteer activity mandatory.
      • B. Removing all school activities.
      • C. Replacing volunteering with exams.
      • D. Allowing only online volunteering.
  1. What benefit does Speaker A expect?
      • A. Students will become more interested in social issues.
      • B. Schools will spend less money on classes.
      • C. Students will finish school earlier.
      • D. Local institutions will close.
  1. What concern does Speaker B express?
      • A. Students may only try to fill required hours.
      • B. Students are unable to travel.
      • C. Teachers dislike local programs.
      • D. Social issues are too easy.
  1. What does Speaker A say may happen under a fully voluntary system?
      • A. Participation may be low.
      • B. Participation may be too expensive.
      • C. Programs may become illegal.
      • D. Students may study abroad.
  1. What does Speaker B say is more important than participation rate?
      • A. Activity quality.
      • B. School uniforms.
      • C. Test scores.
      • D. Program length only.
  1. What should schools do according to Speaker B?
      • A. Cooperate with local institutions.
      • B. Cancel all programs.
      • C. Force every student into the same activity.
      • D. Count only online hours.
  1. What choice should students have?
      • A. Diverse programs they can select from.
      • B. No choice at all.
      • C. Only one national program.
      • D. Only programs chosen by parents.
  1. Which phrase shows Speaker B’s main rebuttal?
      • A. 오히려 봉사의 의미가 약해질 수 있습니다
      • B. 사회 문제에 더 관심
      • C. 참여율이 낮아질 가능성
      • D. 봉사활동을 의무화
  1. What is Speaker B’s likely position?
      • A. The purpose is good, but program quality and choice are more important than simple obligation.
      • B. Volunteering has no educational value.
      • C. Students should never volunteer.
      • D. Participation rate is the only standard.
  1. Why is “Speaker B opposes student volunteering” wrong?
      • A. B objects to poor implementation, not volunteering itself.
      • B. B says all volunteering should be online.
      • C. B wants fewer local institutions.
      • D. B ignores activity quality.
Answers and rationales — Set 4
  1. A — A supports mandatory volunteering.
  1. A — A expects more interest in social problems.
  1. A — B worries students may just fill hours.
  1. A — A says voluntary participation may be low.
  1. A — B says quality matters more than participation rate.
  1. A — B recommends cooperation with local institutions.
  1. A — B wants diverse selectable programs.
  1. A — 오히려 introduces the negative effect of poor obligation.
  1. A — B supports meaningful design rather than mere requirement.
  1. A — B critiques implementation, not the idea of volunteering.

Practice Set 5 — Track 5: Local festival budget and promotion

  1. What does Speaker A propose?
      • A. Reduce festival budgets and focus on online promotion.
      • B. Cancel all online promotion.
      • C. Increase only food programs.
      • D. Move the festival to another city.
  1. What reason does Speaker A give?
      • A. Visitors mostly get information through SNS.
      • B. Local residents dislike festivals.
      • C. Weather is always perfect.
      • D. Online promotion has no cost.
  1. What does Speaker B acknowledge?
      • A. Online promotion has become important.
      • B. SNS is useless.
      • C. Field events never cost money.
      • D. Visitors do not use online information.
  1. What does Speaker B define as the core of a festival?
      • A. Direct cultural experience between residents and visitors.
      • B. The number of online comments only.
      • C. The size of the poster.
      • D. The budget cut itself.
  1. What problems does Speaker A mention about field events?
      • A. They cost a lot and are affected by weather.
      • B. They are too short and too quiet.
      • C. They attract no visitors.
      • D. They cannot be promoted online.
  1. What does Speaker B suggest instead of simply cutting the budget?
      • A. Reorganize field programs around core events.
      • B. Remove all offline experiences.
      • C. Spend the entire budget on SNS ads.
      • D. Hold the festival without residents.
  1. How should online promotion be used according to Speaker B?
      • A. As a supplementary tool.
      • B. As the only festival activity.
      • C. As a replacement for culture.
      • D. As a reason to cancel programs.
  1. Which word best signals Speaker B’s contrast?
      • A. 그러나
      • B. 방문객
      • C. 정보
      • D. 날씨
  1. What is Speaker B’s overall stance?
      • A. Online promotion matters, but offline cultural experience should remain central.
      • B. Online promotion should be banned.
      • C. Local festivals should become fully online.
      • D. Weather makes all festivals impossible.
  1. Which conclusion is most consistent with the debate?
      • A. Budget decisions should preserve the festival’s core purpose while using online tools effectively.
      • B. The cheapest plan is always the best plan.
      • C. SNS information means residents are unnecessary.
      • D. Field programs have no cultural value.
Answers and rationales — Set 5
  1. A — A proposes reducing budgets and focusing online.
  1. A — A says visitors use SNS for information.
  1. A — B acknowledges online promotion’s importance.
  1. A — B says direct cultural experience is the festival’s core.
  1. A — A mentions cost and weather.
  1. A — B recommends reorganizing around core field events.
  1. A — B treats online promotion as a supplement.
  1. A — 그러나 marks contrast after concession.
  1. A — This combines concession and rebuttal accurately.
  1. A — The debate favors balanced budget design, not simple cuts.

Final Review Checklist

  • Identify each speaker’s stance before reading choices.
  • Mark concession phrases: 물론, 인정합니다, 동의합니다, -겠지만.
  • Mark rebuttal phrases: 그러나, 다만, 그렇다고 해서, 오히려, 문제는 …가 아니라.
  • Choose the answer that matches the final logic, not the answer that merely repeats familiar words.