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Botany Class Discussion- TOEFL Listening Practice Test with Answers

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If you're preparing for the TOEFL test, you must already understand the significance of performing well in each segment to reach your target score. The Listening section, among the four parts of the TOEFL exam, can often pose unique challenges for test-takers.

Whether you're at the start of your preparation journey or seeking to enhance your skills, this practice test paper serves as an essential resource for improving your listening comprehension abilities and mastering this task of the test. To assist you in approaching this section confidently, we've developed a TOEFL Listening practice test paper with a comprehensive answer key on the topic- 'Botany Class Discussion'.

Listening Instructions:

  • You can listen to each conversation and lecture only once.
  • You have approximately 8 minutes to listen to the conversation/lecture and respond to the questions.
  • Each question generally carries one point unless otherwise specified in the instructions, which will explicitly state the assigned points for specific questions.
  • After listening to a lecture, respond to questions related to the topic based on explicit or implicit statements made by the speakers.
  • Feel free to make notes as you listen. You can refer to your notes to aid in answering the questions. 
  • We recommend practicing note-taking with a pen and paper, similar to what you'll do during the TOEFL.

Botany Class Discussion

Now listen to the Audio.

Questions

Mark your answer by selecting the right choice.

  1. What is the primary focus of the professor's lecture regarding Manila hemp fibers?
    1. The similarities between cotton fibers and Manila hemp fibers
    2. The different types of Manila hemp fibers
    3. The economic significance of Manila hemp fibers
    4. A specific utilization of Manila hemp fibers
  1. What is the professor's implication regarding the term "Manila hemp"?
    1. It serves as a commercial brand designation.
    2. Certain elements of the name are unsuitable.
    3. The name has undergone recent modifications.
    4. The name was initially utilized in the 1940s.
  1. Why did the professor bring up the Golden Gate Bridge?
    1. To illustrate a drawback of steel cables
    2. To exemplify innovative color usage
    3. To demonstrate the resistance of steel cables to saltwater
    4. To provide an instance of Manila hemp's use
  1. 4. According to the professor, what was the primary factor leading many ships to use Manila hemp ropes instead of steel cables?
    1. Manila hemp was less expensive.
    2. Manila hemp was simpler to manufacture.
    3. Manila hemp has greater resistance to saltwater.
    4. Manila hemp is lighter in mass.
  1. According to the lecture, what are two methods suggested for enhancing the durability of rope crafted from Manila hemp fibers?  - Choose 2 answers.
    1. Apply zinc-based paint to the fibers
    2. Group the fibers into bundles
    3. Submerge bundles of fibers in salt water
    4. Twist bundles of fibers

 

Listen again to part of the lecture by playing Audio.

Then answer the question.

  1. Why does the professor mention going away for the weekend?
    1. To tell the class a joke
    2. To apologize for not completing some work
    3. To introduce the topic of the lecture
    4. To encourage students to ask about her trip

Transcript of the Audio of Botany Class Discussion

Narrator:

Listen to part of a lecture from a botany class.

Professor:

Hello, everyone. It's great to see all of you today. I was actually anticipating a lower turnout. Typically, attendance ranges from 50 to 60 percent on the day when the research paper is due. I had hoped to return your exams today, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to. I had planned to complete grading them yesterday evening after returning from a weekend trip. However, my flight was delayed, and I didn't arrive home until 1 o'clock in the morning, well past my usual bedtime. I'll make every effort to have them ready by our next meeting.

Moving on to our topic from the last class, we started discussing the utility of plant fibers, focusing on cotton fibers, which are not only valuable in textiles but also in various industries such as chemicals, plastics, paper, and explosives. Today, we'll delve into other useful fibers, beginning with one commonly known as "Manila hemp."

Interestingly, many people mistakenly believe that Manila hemp comes from a hemp plant. However, it's not actually hemp; it belongs to the banana family and even produces small banana-shaped fruits. The name "Manila" is apt as Manila hemp is primarily produced in the Philippine Islands, with Manila being the capital city of the Philippines.

Manila hemp fibers are characterized by their considerable length, often extending several feet, and their notable strength and flexibility. Another crucial trait is their remarkable resistance to salt water. This unique combination of features—lengthy, robust, flexible, and salt water-resistant—renders Manila hemp an excellent material for ropes, particularly those used on sea-faring vessels. Interestingly, despite the availability of steel cables in the early 1940s, most ships in the United States Navy preferred using Manila hemp ropes for mooring. 

The primary rationale behind this choice was the rapid degradation of steel cables when exposed to salt water. This deterioration necessitated frequent repainting with zinc-based paint, as evidenced by the ongoing maintenance of the Golden Gate Bridge's steel cables in San Francisco. 

On the contrary, natural materials such as Manila hemp can endure prolonged exposure to seawater. They can withstand being immersed in saltwater for extended periods, making them suitable for tasks like anchoring in the ocean. Despite being individually fragile and easily breakable by hand, these plant fibers can be transformed into robust ropes capable of securing large ships weighing thousands of tons.

The process involves extracting long fibers from the Manila hemp plant and grouping them into bundles, significantly enhancing their strength compared to individual fibers. Further strengthening is achieved by twisting these bundles, creating even more resilient ropes. This grouping and twisting process is repeated with multiple bundles, progressively increasing the rope's strength until it becomes exceptionally durable.

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Answers and Explanations of the Botany Class Discussion 

1. Answer: D

This type of question, which inquires about the primary topic of discussion by the professor, falls under Gist-Content questions. Such questions have a narrower scope compared to others of the same category because they specifically target the main aspect of Manila hemp fibers that is discussed. The professor's main focus is on the attributes of Manila hemp and their utility in the shipping sector. Hence, the correct response to this question is option D.

2. Answer: B

This is Making an inference question. The lecturer clarifies that Manila hemp originates mainly from the region near Manila, making the inclusion of "Manila" in its name fitting. However, Manila hemp is not categorized as a variety of hemp plant, rendering the inclusion of "hemp" in its name inappropriate. Choice B is therefore the accurate response to this query.

3. Answer: A

This is an understanding organization question. The professor refers to the Golden Gate Bridge to draw a parallel between the steel cables used in the bridge and Manila hemp ropes. The drawback highlighted is that the steel cables require regular repainting, which is a disadvantage. Choice A is the correct answer to the question.

4. Answer: C

This is a Detail question.The statement is connected to the professor's primary argument regarding Manila hemp. The professor emphasizes that Manila hemp exhibits "remarkable resistance to salt water." A significant portion of the lecture is dedicated to the professor's efforts to reaffirm and illustrate this assertion. The correct choice for this question is option C.

5. Answer: B D

Towards the conclusion of the lecture, the instructor explains the process of manufacturing Manila hemp ropes. The solution to this Detail query is provided in that context. The instructor discusses combining fibers into bundles and subsequently twisting these bundles to enhance their strength. It should be noted that this question necessitates two responses. The accurate responses to this question are options B and D.

6. Answer: B

This replay question necessitates comprehension of the purpose of the statement. The professor explains that due to a delayed flight during the weekend trip, she arrived late. She shares this incident to express regret for not finishing grading exams. The accurate response to this question is option B.

Are you ready to share your progress? Let us know in the comments what you thought of this Practice test and if it was too easy for you to tackle. And be sure to check out other Practice tests and further your TOEFL preparation!

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