Listening is an extremely complex communicative activity. In order to have a better understanding, to anticipate what is coming is very important.An effective listener should continuously develop more or less specific readiness for what will come next. If a listener hears what he has expected, it will be much easier for him to receive the information.But if what he hears is totally out of his expectation,he will fail to get the message. The skill to anticipate what is coming in listening comprehension depends largely on the listener's familiarity with the theme of the message.It also depends on the listener's knowledge of the speaker as well as the situation. Obviously, when we listen to something that we already have some information about, it is generally much easier for us to take in the new information. Therefore, pre-listening preparation seems to play an important role in increasing our comprehension .Before actual listening ,we could perhaps first give some thought to the topic ,discuss it with others ,and then read some related material and do some vocabulary work. If we could make ourselves fully prepared for the coming talks or lectures,we are more likely to become effective listeners. Of course,readiness beforehand is not at all enough .Active thinking must take place all the way through .In fact ,we should always try to think ahead of the speaker.