Evolution and Natural Selection - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in an academic context, particularly in lectures. This part of the exam 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 "Evolution and Natural Selection." This set will not only help you grasp the fundamental concepts of these biological processes but also improve your ability to identify main ideas and supporting details in spoken lectures. By practicing with this material, you will become more familiar with the types of questions you may face on the TOEFL exam, boosting your confidence and enhancing your overall performance. Let’s get started on this journey to improve your listening skills!

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 Evolution and Natural Selection

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 role of genetic variation in species
   2. The process of natural selection
   3. Evolution and natural selection as fundamental concepts in biology
   4. The history of the peppered moth

1. According to the professor, what happens to lighter-coloured moths during the Industrial Revolution? 
   
   1. They thrive due to less visibility  
   2. They become more visible to predators
   3. They migrate to other regions
   4. They develop darker colours  

1. What does the professor mean when he says, "These variations provide the raw material for natural selection to act upon"?
   
   1. Variations are unnecessary for evolution.
   2. Genetic variations are crucial for the survival of all species.
   3. Natural selection relies on existing variations to favour certain traits.
   4. Variations lead to the extinction of species. 

1. What is the professor's attitude towards the concepts of evolution and natural selection?
   
   1. Skeptical   
   2. Enthusiastic
   3. Indifferent  
   4. Confused   

1. What can be inferred about the relationship between genetic variation and survival in changing environments?
   
   1. Genetic variation has no impact on survival.
   2. Species with less variation are more likely to survive.
   3. Greater genetic variation increases the chances of survival in changing environments.   
   4. All species will adapt equally regardless of genetic variation.

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Evolution and Natural Selection

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Evolution and Natural Selection

1. Answer: C. Evolution and natural selection as fundamental concepts in biology.

Explanation: The lecture primarily focuses on explaining the concepts of evolution and natural selection, highlighting their significance in understanding the diversity of life on Earth. While it touches on related topics such as genetic variation and specific examples like the peppered moth, the central theme revolves around these two fundamental biological processes.

2. Answer: B. They become more visible to predators.

Explanation: The professor explains that during the Industrial Revolution, the soot from factories darkened tree trunks, making lighter-coloured moths more conspicuous to predators. This increased visibility negatively impacted their survival, leading to a decline in their population as darker moths, which blended in better with the environment, thrived.

3. Answer: C. Natural selection relies on existing variations to favour certain traits.

Explanation: The statement indicates that genetic variations within a species are essential for natural selection to function effectively. Without these variations, there would be no traits for natural selection to favour or select against, thus hindering the process of evolution and adaptation in response to environmental changes.

4. Answer: B. Enthusiastic.

Explanation: The professor's tone throughout the lecture conveys enthusiasm for the concepts of evolution and natural selection. He presents these ideas as crucial for understanding the diversity of life and the mechanisms that drive biological change, indicating a positive and engaged perspective on the subject matter.

5. Answer: B. To demonstrate how natural selection works in a real-world scenario.

Explanation: The example of the peppered moth serves to illustrate the principles of natural selection in a tangible context. By detailing how the moths' coloration affected their survival during the Industrial Revolution, the professor effectively shows how advantageous traits can influence a species' adaptation to environmental changes.

6. Answer: C. Greater genetic variation increases the chances of survival in changing environments.

Explanation: The passage suggests that genetic variation is crucial for a species' ability to adapt to new challenges in their environment. When a population possesses a wide range of traits, it is more likely that some individuals will have advantageous characteristics that enhance their survival, thereby increasing the overall resilience of the species in the face of environmental changes.

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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