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

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in an academic context. This part of the exam often features conversations between students and instructors, focusing on various topics relevant to university life. As you prepare for the TOEFL, it's essential to develop your listening skills to comprehend the nuances of academic discussions effectively.

In this practice set, we present a conversation between two students, Oliver and Sam, discussing ways to improve academic writing skills. This dialogue highlights common challenges faced by students and the resources available to overcome them. By engaging with this material, you will not only enhance your listening comprehension but also gain insights into effective writing strategies that can benefit your academic journey.

As you listen, pay attention to the specific advice given and the resources mentioned, as these will help you understand how to approach similar situations in your own studies. Ready to boost your skills? Let’s get started!

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.

Questions

Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Want to continue with the TOEFL Listening preparation? We've created different practice tests that mimic the actual exam format to boost your confidence and self-assurance, especially on the test day.

So, let's take a step forward and check out a few more practice tests to level up your listening skills!

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