Discussing Career Exploration Workshops with a Career Counselor - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings, which is crucial for success in an English-speaking environment. This section features conversations and discussions that mimic real-life interactions, helping you develop your listening skills in a practical context.

In this practice set, we will focus on a conversation between James and Mr. Thompson, a career counselor, discussing career exploration workshops. These workshops are valuable resources for students looking to explore various career paths and gain insights into different industries.

As you prepare for the TOEFL Listening exam, it's important to familiarise yourself with the types of questions you may encounter, such as understanding the main ideas, details, and the speakers' intentions. By practicing with dialogues like this one, you can enhance your comprehension skills and become more comfortable with the format of the exam.

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 Discussing Career Exploration Workshops with a Career Counsellor

Now listen to the audio.

Questions

Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

1. What is the main purpose of James's conversation with Mr. Thompson?  
   
   1. To discuss his academic performance
   2. To inquire about career exploration workshops
   3. To ask for a job recommendation
   4. To complain about the last meeting

1. What does Mr. Thompson say about the format of the workshops? 
   
   1. They are primarily lectures with no interaction
   2. They include interactive elements and breakout sessions
   3. They are conducted online only
   4. They are only for students in their final year

1. What does Mr. Thompson mean when he says, “networking is key”?
   
   1. It is important to have a large number of friends
   2. Building professional connections is essential for career success  
   3. Attending as many workshops as possible is crucial
   4. It is necessary to have a good social media presence

1. How does James feel about attending the marketing workshop?
   
   1. Indifferent and uninterested
   2. Excited and looking forward to it
   3. Anxious and unsure
   4. Disappointed about the timing  

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Discussing Career Exploration Workshops with a Career Counsellor

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Discussing Career Exploration Workshops with a Career Counsellor

1. Answer: B. To inquire about career exploration workshops.

Explanation: The conversation primarily revolves around James asking Mr. Thompson about the career exploration workshops, specifically their format and details about an upcoming marketing workshop. The other options, such as discussing academic performance, asking for job recommendations, or complaining about the last meeting, are not relevant to the main focus of the conversation.

2. Answer: B. They include interactive elements and breakout sessions.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson explains that the workshops are interactive, starting with a brief presentation followed by breakout sessions where students can engage with professionals. This indicates that the workshops are not just lectures, which makes options a, c, and d incorrect as they do not accurately represent the format described.

3. Answer: B. Building professional connections is essential for career success.

Explanation: When Mr. Thompson mentions that "networking is key," he is emphasising the importance of making professional connections, which can significantly aid in career advancement. The other options, such as having many friends or focusing solely on social media presence, do not capture the professional context of networking.

4. Answer: B. Excited and looking forward to it.

Explanation:  James expresses enthusiasm about attending the marketing workshop, indicating that he is looking forward to it. He acknowledges the advice given by Mr. Thompson and shows a positive attitude towards the opportunity. The other options, such as being indifferent, anxious, or disappointed, do not reflect his expressed feelings.

5. Answer: B. A list of questions related to his interests in marketing.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson advises James to come prepared with questions about aspects of marketing that interest him, which will help him engage more effectively during the workshop discussions. The other options, such as preparing a detailed report, a resume, or a presentation, are not mentioned as necessary preparations for the workshop.

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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