Dropping Out - TOEFL Listening Practice Test with Answers
The TOEFL Listening section evaluates your ability to comprehend academic English through various conversations and lectures. The questions in this section are presented in a multiple-choice format, with four possible answers and only one correct choice.
This practice test is designed to challenge your listening comprehension skills with realistic scenarios and thought-provoking conversations. Let's dive in and enhance your listening abilities, preparing you for success in your TOEFL 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 Dropping Out
Now listen to the audio.
Questions
Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.
- What is the primary focus of the conversation?
- Job prospects for students in their course
- Grades for a recent assignment
- The advantages and disadvantages of attending college
- The quality of the teaching on their course
- What is Amy worried about?
- She feels she is not learning anything useful.
- She has been receiving poor grades.
- She is not enjoying her course.
- She is finding the course very difficult.
- What does Jim value most about university life?
- Studying a subject in depth
- Getting involved in discussions
- Meeting people with diverse interests
- Teaching others about what he has learned
- According to Jim, what will employers value about Amy’s education?
- Transferable skills
- Ability to train others
- Enthusiasm
- Knowledge of history
- What is suggested about Professor Jacques?
- She has never worked outside the university.
- She is a good person to ask about careers.
- She is more approachable than other professors.
- She teaches both history and business courses.
Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Dropping Out
Narrator: Listen to a conversation between two students on the history course, then proceed to answer the subsequent questions.
Amy: Hey, Jim, can I ask you something?
Jim: Sure, Amy, what’s on your mind?
Amy: I'm thinking about leaving the history program.
Jim: You’re not planning to drop out of college, are you?
Amy: No, I don't think so. I'm considering switching to another major. I'm just not sure if history is the right path for me.
Jim: Why not? It’s not like you’ve been struggling with your assignments, right? I thought your grades were good.
Amy: Yeah, it’s not that.
Jim: Don’t you like the course?
Amy: Of course, I do. It’s just that I’m worried I won’t gain anything practical from it. There aren’t many jobs for historians, are there? So, when I finish, I’ll probably have to train for another career to get a good job. I figure I might as well start that training now instead of studying the... Romans.
Jim: But don’t you find it fascinating? I do. There's nothing else I’d rather be learning about!
Amy: Yes, Jim, the course is great, and the professors are really passionate, which is inspiring. But I just don’t see the point. It’s a lot of hard work, and I’m not sure I’ll come away with anything useful.
Jim: So, what are you thinking of doing instead?
Amy: Maybe something like business or management.
Jim: I can’t think of anything more boring.
Amy: Yeah, I know it’s not thrilling, but that’s not the point.
Jim: Actually, it is. To me, college isn’t about becoming employable. It’s about diving deep into something you’re passionate about, meeting like-minded people, and debating the world’s issues. It’s a unique chance to focus on what you love for four years without outside pressures. The employability aspect is just a bonus.
Amy: Mmm… So what do you plan to do after?
Jim: I’m thinking of training to be a teacher. That way, I can use what I’ve learned.
Amy: You’d be great at that. You’re enthusiastic and you get people excited about what they’re learning. I couldn’t do that, though. It’s not my thing.
Jim: Yeah, but there are many other employers who appreciate the skills we history buffs develop during our course.
Amy: Like what?
Jim: Like finding and evaluating sources, determining what’s relevant, critical thinking, and writing skills. Plus, all those presentations we’ve done. These skills are highly transferable to other fields, and employers really value them.
Amy: It still feels like a waste if you never use what you’ve learned directly.
Jim: I think you should visit the careers office and talk to them. They can tell you about the career paths available with a history degree and show you that it’s worth sticking with it.
Amy: I already talked to Professor Jacques.
Jim: Professor Jacques isn’t the best person for career advice. She’s probably been at the college for fifty years and might not know much about career options outside academia. The careers office staff are the experts. They can give you practical suggestions on what you can do with a history degree and hopefully persuade you that switching to business isn’t necessary.
Amy: Okay, I’ll do that.
Jim: Great.
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Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Dropping Out
1. Answer: A
Explanation: The correct answer is A. The main point of the conversation is Amy's concern about the practical value of her history degree and its implications for her future career. She expresses doubts about whether the skills she is acquiring in her history course will be useful in the job market. Throughout the conversation, both characters discuss the potential benefits and job prospects that could come from studying history. Jim reassures her that the skills she is learning are transferable and will be appreciated by employers. This focus on job prospects and the applicability of her studies to future employment is the central theme of their discussion.
2. Answer: A
Explanation: The correct answer is A. Amy's primary concern is her perception that her history course may not provide her with practical skills that are useful in the job market. She worries that by the end of her studies, she won't have gained any tangible skills that would help her secure a good job. This concern is compounded by her belief that there are limited job opportunities for historians. Her fear is that she might have to undergo additional training in a different field after graduating, making her current efforts seem less valuable. This worry about the usefulness and relevance of her education is the driving force behind her consideration of changing her major.
3. Answer: C
Explanation: The correct answer is C. Jim values the opportunity to engage with people who have diverse interests and perspectives. He emphasizes that college is not just about employability but about the chance to deeply engage with a subject, meet like-minded individuals, and participate in meaningful discussions. This broader experience is what he finds most enriching about university life.
4. Answer: A
Explanation: The correct answer is A. Jim highlights that the skills learned through the history course, such as sourcing information, critical analysis, and writing, are transferable and highly valued by employers in various fields. He reassures Amy that these skills will make her attractive to potential employers, even if they are not directly related to history.
5. Answer: A
Explanation: The correct answer is A. It is implied that Professor Jacques lacks practical career advice because she has spent her entire career within the university environment. Jim suggests that she may not be the best person to ask about job prospects or career paths, as she might not have real-world experience outside academia. This underscores her potentially limited perspective on careers beyond the university setting.
Great job completing this TOEFL Listening practice test! Looking to maintain your momentum? We have a wealth of practice tests that mirror the actual exam format. Dive into a few more and see your listening skills improve drastically! Keep practicing, and you'll be ready to ace the TOEFL iBT in no time!
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