Discussing Work - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in different contexts, including conversations and discussions. This section features realistic dialogues that mirror everyday interactions, providing a practical way to enhance your listening skills. Following each conversation, you’ll answer multiple-choice questions that test your ability to identify main ideas, extract details, and understand key information.  

In this practice exercise, we’ll focus on a conversation titled "Discussing Work," where two friends, Oliver and James, discuss James's experiences during his internship at a marketing firm. This dialogue explores both the challenges and benefits of internships, while also emphasizing the role of effective communication and teamwork in professional environments.  

By engaging with this material, you’ll familiarise yourself with the types of conversations found in the TOEFL Listening section, sharpen your listening skills, and build confidence for the exam. Let’s dive in and learn more about James’s internship journey!  

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 Work

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 Oliver?
   
   1. To discuss his plans for the future
   2. To share his experiences and insights from his internship
   3. To complain about the challenges of his internship
   4. To ask for advice on job applications

1. What specific tasks is James responsible for at the marketing firm? 
   
   1. Conducting market research and writing reports
   2. Creating content for social media and analysing engagement metrics
   3. Managing client accounts and organising meetings
   4. Developing marketing strategies and overseeing campaigns 

1. What does James mean when he says, “It can be a bit daunting at first, but I’ve found that asking questions and being proactive really helps”?
   
   1. The workshop will help them cheat on assignments
   2. The workshop will clarify the academic honesty policy and help them avoid mistakes  
   3. The workshop will teach them how to write better essays
   4. The workshop will provide tips on how to pass exams

1. What is James's attitude towards the support he receives from his team?
   
   1. He feels unsupported and isolated
   2. He appreciates the constructive feedback and collaborative environment 
   3. He is indifferent to the help he receives
   4. He believes that he should work independently without assistance  

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Discussing Work

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Discussing Work

1. Answer: B. To share his experiences and insights from his internship.

Explanation: The conversation primarily revolves around James discussing his internship, what he has learned, and the tasks he is involved in. The other options, such as discussing future plans, complaining about challenges, or asking for job application advice, are not the focus of their dialogue.

2. Answer: B. Creating content for social media and analysing engagement metrics.

Explanation: James specifically mentions that his responsibilities include creating content for social media platforms and analysing how different posts perform. The other options, such as conducting market research or managing client accounts, are not mentioned in the conversation.

3. Answer: A. He feels overwhelmed but is learning to cope by being active and inquisitive.

Explanation: James acknowledges that the internship can be daunting initially, but he finds that being proactive and asking questions helps him manage the challenges. The other options incorrectly suggest that he believes being passive is best or that asking questions is unnecessary, which contradicts his statements.

4. Answer: B. He appreciates the constructive feedback and collaborative environment.

Explanation: James expresses gratitude for the support he receives from his supervisor and colleagues, highlighting the constructive feedback and collaborative nature of the team. The other options, which suggest he feels unsupported, indifferent, or prefers to work independently, do not align with his positive remarks about his team.

5. Answer: B. He maintains a journal to reflect on his learning experiences.

Explanation: James mentions that he keeps a journal to track his progress and reflect on what he has learned each week. The other options, such as keeping a detailed report of daily tasks or creating presentations, are not mentioned in the conversation.

Your dedication in completing this assessment is admirable. Take advantage of our advanced series focusing on nuanced language skills and time management.

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