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Lecture on Anthropology - TOEFL Listening Practice Test with Answers

Smruti Das

7 min read

Updated On April 11, 2024

The TOEFL Listening section encompasses conversations and lectures, testing your ability to understand academic English. You'll hear 2-3 conversations and 3 lectures, followed by 5-6 questions each.

Usually, in this section, the majority of the listening questions that come after the talks and lectures are standard multiple-choice questions with four possible answers and only one right response. Worried about how to solve these questions within the stipulated time? Don't worry, because consistent practice is the key to acing this section.

In this blog, we will take up a listening practice set on the topic - Lecture on Anthropology - with detailed explanations to guide you on how to answer these TOEFL listening practice questions.

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 Exam.

Lecture on Anthropology

Now listen to the audio below.

Class lecture on Anthropology - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

Questions

Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

What is the primary topic of the professor's discussion?
1. Common mistakes found in ancient calendars
2. The historical shift towards the heliocentric model
3. Illustrations of diverse calendar systems across cultures
4. The astrological notion of planetary and stellar influences

The professor explores different hypotheses regarding the function of Stonehenge. What inference can be drawn regarding the professor's viewpoint?
1. She asserts that Stonehenge unequivocally served as a calendar.
2. She inclines towards the notion that Stonehenge likely functioned primarily as a religious site or burial ground.
3. She suggests that the stones primarily served as a commemoration of past occurrences.
4. She acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the intended purpose behind the construction of Stonehenge.

What are the three natural units for measuring the passage of time, as discussed by the professor?
1. Hours, weeks, and years
2. Days, months, and years
3. Minutes, months, and decades
4. Days, weeks, and centuries

Based on the information provided by the professor, what was one of the speculated functions of Stonehenge?
1. A temple or tomb
2. A marketplace
3. A library
4. A fortress

Which ancient civilization is specifically mentioned as developing a highly sophisticated calendar system incorporating the planet Venus?
1. Egyptians
2. Greeks
3. Mayans
4. Romans

Listen again to part of the lecture by playing the audio below. Then answer the question.

According to the professor, what celestial body influenced the Chinese calendar, leading to the development of the Chinese zodiac?
1. The orbit of Mars
2. The orbit of Venus
3. The orbit of Jupiter
4. The orbit of Saturn

Transcript of the Audio Lecture on Anthropology

Professor: Okay, I want to start today's discussion with a topic that may not initially captivate your interest—calendars. Now, before you dismiss it, consider this: the next time you glance at a calendar, I want you to keep something in mind. There are essentially three natural units for measuring the passage of time—by day, by month, and by year. These concepts are fairly straightforward: a day corresponds to one rotation of Earth, a month is defined by the Moon's orbit around Earth, and a year is determined by Earth's orbit around the Sun. However, each of these natural clocks operates on different cycles, making it challenging to synchronize them neatly. For instance, a lunar month is about 29 and a half days, while a year is slightly longer than 365 days. Consequently, creating a cohesive and precise calendar presents significant difficulties.

Nevertheless, various cultures throughout history have attempted to tackle this challenge. Take Stonehenge, for example—a remarkable circle of giant stones in England. While some speculate about its purpose as a temple or tomb, many believe it served as a calendar, marking significant celestial events such as the solstices and equinoxes. Similarly, the Mayans in Central America developed a highly sophisticated calendar system that incorporated not only Earth, the Moon, and the Sun but also the planet Venus. Their calendar was renowned for its accuracy in tracking long periods of time, making it comparable to any in the world.

In contrast, ancient Chinese culture placed great emphasis on astrology, with the belief that future events could be predicted based on celestial movements. Their calendar was influenced by the orbit of Jupiter, which completes one cycle around the Sun every 12 years. This 12-year cycle is reflected in the Chinese zodiac, with each year named after an animal. While calendars based on planetary orbits are less common, lunar calendars have played a significant role in many cultures worldwide.

Despite the prevalence of lunar calendars, the solar calendar—a system based on the number of days in a year—has become the global standard. Derived primarily from the calendar devised by the ancient Romans, this system accommodates approximately 365 and one-quarter days in a year by introducing a leap year every four years. With a few adjustments over time, the Roman calendar has endured and remains widely used today.

Before delving into the answers, go through the top tips to prepare for your TOEFL exam and make your way to your desired institution!

Answers and Explanations of the Lecture on Anthropology

1. Answer: C

Explanation: This question assesses the understanding of the lecture's content. Option C is the correct choice because the professor dedicates the majority of the lecture to discussing four types of calendars used historically in various civilizations such as England, Central America, China, and ancient Rome, along with the modern calendar used worldwide today. The lecture does not focus on the other options given.

2. Answer: A

Explanation: This question assesses your ability to grasp the speaker's attitude. The professor demonstrates her implicit certainty regarding Stonehenge's function as a calendar by stating, "a lot of us think it was designed, at least partially, as a calendar." The use of the pronoun "us" implies that she aligns herself with this viewpoint. Additionally, when referring to colleagues who propose alternative purposes for Stonehenge, she asserts that "they can't deny that it was also used as a calendar." Therefore, the correct answer is choice A.

3. Answer: B

Explanation: This is an Understanding Organization question. The passage explicitly mentions the three natural units for measuring time, which are by day (rotation of Earth), by month (Moon's orbit around Earth), and by year (Earth's orbit around the Sun). These units are described as fundamental in understanding the passage's discussion on calendars and their complexities. Therefore, the correct answer is B - Days, months, and years.

4. Answer: A

Explanation: The passage discusses various theories regarding the purpose of Stonehenge, including speculations about it being a temple or tomb. However, it emphasizes that many believe Stonehenge was designed, at least partially, as a calendar to mark celestial events. There is no clear indication in the passage that supports Stonehenge's function as a marketplace, library, or fortress. The correct answer to this question is choice A.

5. Answer: C

Explanation: The passage explicitly states that the Mayans developed a highly sophisticated calendar system that incorporated Earth, the Moon, the Sun, and the planet Venus. This information aligns with the answer choice indicating the Mayans as the civilization associated with the mentioned calendar. The correct answer to this question is, therefore, choice C, “Mayans”.

6. Answer: C

Explanation: According to the professor, the Chinese calendar was influenced by the orbit of Jupiter, which completes one cycle around the Sun every 12 years. This cycle forms the basis of the Chinese zodiac, where each year is named after an animal corresponding to the 12-year cycle. The answer choice C accurately reflects the influence of Jupiter's orbit on the Chinese calendar system as described in the passage.

Now that you have solved this test and verified your answers, be prepared to take up more of these TOEFL listening practice tests and boost your confidence!

Let us know in the comments below if you need more TOEFL Listening samples to practice and improve your preparation!