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Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

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"Dive into the TOEFL Listening Section and hone your skills with a practice test on 'Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills'. Familiarise yourself with the exam format and improve your comprehension skills in Listening Section."

The Listening section of the TOEFL iBT® exam is designed to assess the ability to understand spoken English in an academic context. There will be a conversation between students and instructors about different issues regarding campus life. Therefore, as you prepare for the TOEFL test, you should work on your listening skills in order to grasp the details mentioned in discussions in academic setting.

In this practice test on "Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills ", a conversation between two students, Oliver and Sam, will be played in which they will discuss about ways of improving their academic writing skills. The audio recording highlights the struggles which most students face and ways to overcome them. The questions entail the major comprehension of essential details, logical flow, and intentions of the speakers. Thus, this will show one's preparation towards effective communication skills academically.

While listening, ensure that you take notes on the specific details and the resources which were referring to as they guide you on how you would want to tackle a particular situation in your learning. Ready to get your skill boosted? Let's go!

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 the Conversation, 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.

Conversation on Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills

Now listen to the audio.

Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills - TOEFL Listening

Questions

Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

Gist-Content Questions

  1. What is the main purpose of Oliver's conversation with Sam?  
    1. To discuss his grades in other subjects
    2. To seek advice on improving his academic writing skills
    3. To complain about his workload
    4. To ask for help with a specific essay

Detail Questions

  1. According to Sam, what resource does he recommend for improving essay structure? 
    1. Online writing forums
    2. The university library
    3. The writing centre workshops
    4. Peer review groups

Function Questions

  1. What does Sam mean when he says, “The instructors provide practical tips and even offer one-on-one feedback on your writing”?
    1. The instructors will write the essays for the students
    2. The instructors will give general advice without personalising it 
    3. The instructors will help students improve their writing through direct feedback
    4. The instructors will only focus on grammar issues

Attitude Questions

  1. What is Sam's attitude towards the writing centre workshops?
    1. Skeptical, as he doubts their effectiveness
    2. Supportive, as he found them very helpful 
    3. Indifferent, as he has never attended them
    4. Critical, as he believes they are a waste of time

Detail Questions

  1. What specific workshop does Sam recommend to Oliver?
    1. The “Effective Research Techniques” workshop
    2. The “Crafting Strong Arguments” workshop 
    3. The “Advanced Grammar” workshop 
    4. The “Creative Writing” workshop

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills

Oliver: Hi, Sam! Do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you about improving my academic writing skills. I’ve been struggling a bit with my essays lately.

Sam: Of course, Oliver! I’d be happy to help. What specifically are you finding challenging?

Oliver: Well, I think my main issue is structuring my arguments clearly. I often feel like my ideas are all over the place, and I’m not sure how to connect them effectively.

Sam: That’s a common problem. Have you considered using any resources from the writing centre? They offer workshops that focus on essay structure and argument development.

Oliver: I’ve heard about the writing centre, but I’m not sure how to get started. Do you think I should sign up for a workshop?

Sam: Absolutely! I attended a few workshops last semester, and they were incredibly helpful. The instructors provide practical tips and even offer one-on-one feedback on your writing.

Oliver: That sounds great! I’ll definitely look into that. Are there any specific workshops you’d recommend?

Sam: I’d suggest the “Crafting Strong Arguments” workshop. It really helped me learn how to present my ideas logically. Also, they have a session on citation styles, which is crucial for academic writing.

Oliver: Perfect! I’ll check their schedule. Is there anything else I should consider?

Sam: You might also want to explore some online resources. Websites like Purdue OWL have excellent guides on academic writing and style. They cover everything from grammar to formatting.

Oliver: Thanks for the tips, Sam! I’ll make sure to utilise those resources. I really appreciate your help.

Sam: No problem, Oliver! I’m sure you’ll see improvement in no time. Just remember to practice regularly, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more assistance.

Check out our Top 5 Strategies to Crack TOEFL iBT in First Attempt which will guide you towards achieving success in the TOEFL exam!

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Asking About Resources for Improving Academic Writing Skills

1. Answer: B. To seek advice on improving his academic writing skills.

Explanation: The conversation primarily revolves around Oliver asking Sam for help with his academic writing, particularly in structuring his arguments. The other options, such as discussing grades, complaining about workload, or asking for help with a specific essay, are not the focus of their discussion.

2. Answer: C. The writing centre workshops.

Explanation: Sam specifically recommends the writing centre workshops as a resource for improving essay structure and argument development. The other options, such as online writing forums, the university library, or peer review groups, are not mentioned as resources in the conversation.

3. Answer: C. The instructors will help students improve their writing through direct feedback.

Explanation: Sam explains that the instructors at the writing centre provide practical tips and offer one-on-one feedback, which indicates a personalised approach to helping students improve their writing. Options a, b, and d are incorrect because they misinterpret the nature of the feedback provided by the instructors.

4. Answer: B. Supportive, as he found them very helpful.

Explanation: Sam expresses a positive attitude towards the writing centre workshops, stating that he attended them and found them incredibly helpful. The other options, such as being skeptical, indifferent, or critical, do not align with Sam's supportive comments about the workshops.

5. Answer: B. The “Crafting Strong Arguments” workshop.

Explanation: Sam specifically recommends the “Crafting Strong Arguments” workshop to Oliver, highlighting its effectiveness in helping him learn to present ideas logically. The other options, such as “Effective Research Techniques,” “Advanced Grammar,” or “Creative Writing,” are not mentioned in the conversation.

Dive into more Listening Practice tests to guide you through your TOEFL Listening preparation. We've created practice tests on various academic topics that closely resemble the actual exam format. With consistent practice, you will be able to boost your confidence and be self-assured on the test day.

Let's take a step forward and check out a few more practice tests!

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