Discussing Fieldwork Requirements with a Faculty Mentor - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section evaluates your ability to comprehend spoken English in academic settings, a critical skill for thriving in an English-speaking academic environment. This section includes realistic conversations between students and faculty, simulating discussions you might encounter at a university. Each conversation is paired with multiple-choice questions designed to assess your understanding of the content.  

In this practice set, we’ll explore a conversation between Oliver, a student, and Dr. Thompson, his faculty mentor, as they discuss the fieldwork requirements for an anthropology course. This dialogue underscores the value of effective communication with faculty and highlights essential aspects of fieldwork, including ethical responsibilities and the importance of meticulous documentation.  

Working through this material will strengthen your listening skills and deepen your understanding of academic expectations, providing a solid foundation for TOEFL success. Let’s begin and refine your ability to navigate academic conversations!

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 Fieldwork Requirements with a Faculty Mentor

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 Dr. Thompson? 
   
   1. To discuss the grading criteria for the course
   2. To clarify the fieldwork requirements for the anthropology course
   3. To ask about the course schedule 
   4. To submit his fieldwork report

1. How many interviews does Dr. Thompson require Oliver to conduct for his project? 
   
   1. Three interviews
   2. Five interviews
   3. Seven interviews
   4. Ten interviews

1. What does Dr. Thompson mean when he says, “you must obtain informed consent from your participants”?
   
   1. Participants should be paid for their involvement
   2. Participants should be aware of the research purpose and agree to participate  
   3. Participants should be interviewed in a public setting
   4. Participants should be informed about the interview questions in advance

1. What is Dr. Thompson's attitude towards the importance of detailed field notes?
   
   1. Indifferent, as he believes they are not necessary
   2. Supportive, as he emphasises their role in effective data analysis 
   3. Critical, as he thinks they can be too time-consuming
   4. Uncertain, as he has not reviewed many students' notes   

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Discussing Fieldwork Requirements with a Faculty Mentor

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Discussing Fieldwork Requirements with a Faculty Mentor

1. Answer: B. To clarify the fieldwork requirements for the anthropology course. 

Explanation: The conversation primarily revolves around Oliver seeking clarification on the fieldwork requirements, including the number of interviews and ethical considerations. The other options, such as discussing grading criteria, course schedules, or submitting reports, are not the focus of their discussion.

2. Answer: B. Five interviews.

Explanation: Dr. Thompson explicitly states that Oliver needs to conduct at least five interviews for his project. The other options, such as three, seven, or ten interviews, are incorrect as they do not align with the information provided in the conversation.

3. Answer: B. Participants should be aware of the research purpose and agree to participate.

Explanation: When Dr. Thompson mentions obtaining informed consent, he refers to the necessity for participants to understand the purpose of the research and voluntarily agree to take part. The other options, such as paying participants, interviewing in public, or informing them about questions in advance, do not accurately reflect the concept of informed consent.

4. Answer: B. Supportive, as he emphasises their role in effective data analysis. 

Explanation: Dr. Thompson stresses the importance of detailed field notes, indicating that they are crucial for analysing data effectively. This shows his supportive attitude towards the necessity of thorough documentation. The other options, such as being indifferent, critical, or uncertain, do not reflect his clear endorsement of detailed notes.

5. Answer: C. At the end of the semester, on the last day of classes.

Explanation: Dr. Thompson clearly states that the fieldwork reports are due at the end of the semester, specifically on the last day of classes. The other options, such as at the beginning of the semester, midway through, or one week after the last class, do not match the information provided in the conversation.

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