Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Life - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken academic English, particularly in lectures. This section features a variety of topics, including science, history, and social studies, and requires you to listen carefully to extract key information. You will encounter multiple-choice questions that test your comprehension, so honing your listening skills is essential for success.

To aid in your preparation, we have created a listening practice set focused on "Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Life." This set will not only help you improve your listening abilities but also deepen your understanding of a critical global issue. As you listen to the lecture, pay attention to the main ideas, supporting details, and examples provided. Engaging with this content will enhance your ability to answer questions accurately and efficiently during the actual exam. 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 Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Life

Now listen to the audio.

Questions

Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

1. What is the main topic of the lecture?  
   
   1. The effects of pollution on marine life
   2. The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems
   3. The importance of coral reefs
   4. Fishing practices in coastal communities   

1. According to the professor, what happens to corals in acidified waters?  
   
   1. They grow larger and stronger
   2. They are able to construct their skeletons more efficiently  
   3. Their ability to build skeletons is impeded
   4. They thrive and attract more marine life   

1. What does the professor mean when he says, "This not only diminishes the aesthetic appeal of coral reefs but also jeopardises the entire ecosystem"?
   
   1. Coral reefs are becoming less popular for tourism.  
   2. Coral reefs are losing their beauty, which affects marine life.
   3. Coral reefs are no longer important for human activities.
   4. Coral reefs will eventually recover their beauty.

1. What is the professor's attitude towards the urgency of addressing climate change?
   
   1. Indifferent 
   2. Urgent   
   3. Pessimistic
   4. Confident  

1. What can be inferred about the future of coastal communities if current trends continue?
   
   1. They will thrive due to increased fish stocks.
   2. They may face economic challenges due to disrupted fishing grounds.  
   3. They will adapt easily to changes in marine life.
   4. They will become less dependent on marine resources.
      

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Life

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Climate Change and Its Effects on Marine Life

1. Answer: B. The impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

Explanation: The lecture focuses on how climate change affects various aspects of marine life, including ocean acidification, coral bleaching, and altered fish migration patterns. While pollution and fishing practices are mentioned, they are not the primary focus; instead, the emphasis is on the broader implications of climate change for marine ecosystems.

2. Answer: C. Their ability to build skeletons is impeded.

Explanation: The passage explains that ocean acidification, caused by excess carbon dioxide, negatively impacts corals by hindering their ability to construct their calcium carbonate skeletons. This impairment leads to weakened reef structures, which are crucial for maintaining marine biodiversity, highlighting the detrimental effects of acidified waters on coral health.

3. Answer: B. Coral reefs are losing their beauty, which affects marine life.

Explanation: The professor conveys a sense of urgency regarding the need for immediate action to combat climate change, as indicated by phrases like "the urgency for action cannot be overstated." This reflects a strong concern for the health of oceans and the implications for both marine life and human livelihoods, suggesting that inaction could lead to dire consequences.

4. Answer: B. Urgent.

Explanation: The professor conveys a sense of urgency regarding the need for immediate action to combat climate change, as indicated by phrases like "the urgency for action cannot be overstated." This reflects a strong concern for the health of oceans and the implications for both marine life and human livelihoods, suggesting that inaction could lead to dire consequences.

5. Answer: B. To provide an example of significant coral bleaching events.

Explanation: The mention of the Great Barrier Reef serves as a concrete example of the widespread coral bleaching caused by rising sea temperatures. By highlighting this specific case, the professor illustrates the real-world impact of climate change on coral ecosystems, reinforcing the seriousness of the issue discussed in the lecture.

6. Answer: B. They may face economic challenges due to disrupted fishing grounds.

Explanation: The passage suggests that as fish species migrate towards cooler waters, traditional fishing grounds will be disrupted, which could lead to economic difficulties for coastal communities that rely on these resources. This shift may result in overfishing in new areas and depletion of fish stocks, indicating that without intervention, these communities could struggle to sustain their livelihoods.

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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