Facial Recognition- TOEFL iBT® Listening Practice Test with Answers

If you're getting ready for the TOEFL test, you understand the significance of performing well in each task to reach your target score. Among the TOEFL's four sections, the Listening Section can pose particular difficulties for first time test-takers.

Whether you're starting your preparation or refining your abilities, this blog is the ideal tool for sharpening your listening skills and excelling in this vital task. To boost your confidence in tackling this section, we've crafted a TOEFL Listening practice test with an Answer key centered on the theme of "Facial Recognition." 

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 a lecture, 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.
  
  

Now listen to the Audio.

Questions

Directions: Answer the questions. 

1. Where is the setting of the TV show 'Las Vegas'?
   1. Within a shopping complex
   2. Inside a law enforcement agency
   3. Within a gambling establishment
   4. Inside a forensic laboratory

1. . What is a faceprint?
   1. a code that recognizes a face
   2. unique contours on the face
   3. a 2D representation of the face
   4. the number of nodal points on the face

1. Identify TWO issues with 2D facial recognition from the options provided below.
   1. It is ineffective when the picture is poorly lit.
   2. The subject in the image must be directly facing the camera.
   3. Facial contours alter with age.
   4. Nodal points are not quantifiable.

1. What issue arises with 3D technology?
   1. It is restricted to situations where the person is directly in front of the camera
   2. The image may undergo alterations with time
   3. Matching a 3D image to a 2D image is challenging
   4. It lacks the ability to differentiate between identical twins

Listen again to part of the Audio then answer the Question. 

1. What does the professor mean when he says this:
   
   Professor: Every face has peaks and valleys, and these can be translated into what is termed as nodal points.
   1. Every face has unique features that can be converted into numerical codes for facial recognition.
   2. Facial recognition technology relies on identifying peaks and valleys on a face for accurate recognition.
   3. Nodal points refer to the points on a face where facial expressions are most pronounced.
   4. Facial recognition systems use nodal points to create a 3D model of a person's face.

Before you proceed to tally your answers, find out the Best Universities that accept the TOEFL in Canada in 2024.

Answers and Explanations of ‘Facial Recognition’

1. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is C. Within a gambling establishment. In the TV show "Las Vegas," facial recognition technology is used within a gambling establishment. This is evident from the lecture where the male professor mentions that the security team in Las Vegas utilizes facial recognition to manage card counters and banned gamblers at poker tables, indicating its application within a casino or similar gambling venue.

2. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is Choice C, “a 2D representation of the face”. The passage introduces "faceprint" as a technical term and then explains its creation process. Facial recognition technology analyzes facial features to identify individuals. In conventional methods, these features are translated into a numerical code based on measurements of a person's face from a two-dimensional image, like a photograph. This code, containing the key characteristics captured from the image, is essentially the "faceprint" used for comparisons. While option A (a code that recognizes a face) describes the outcome or purpose of a faceprint, it's not the specific term used in the passage. Option D (the quantity of nodal points on the face) narrows down to a single aspect of the faceprint creation. Nodal points are the individual measurements used to build the code, but "faceprint" refers to the complete numerical representation derived from a 2D image.

3. Answer: A, B

Explanation: The correct choices are Option A and Option B. 

Option A: It is ineffective when the picture is poorly lit: The passage mentions the need for "precise control" for 2D recognition to work effectively. Lighting variations can create shadows that alter the appearance of facial features, impacting the accuracy of nodal point measurements.

Option B: The subject in the image must be directly facing the camera: The passage states that 2D facial recognition relies on nodal points, which are measurements based on the peaks and valleys of a face in an image. These measurements can be significantly affected by variations in the angle of the face. If someone is not facing the camera directly, the nodal points will be different, leading to inaccurate recognition.

4. Answer: C

Explanation: The issue that arises with 3D technology according to the passage is Option C, “Matching a 3D image to a 2D image is challenging”. The passage mentions that 3D facial recognition excels at matching 3D images stored in the database. However, it acknowledges the difficulty when the system encounters a 2D image (like a photograph) that needs to be compared to the 3D model. While analysts can extract some measurements from the 3D image to convert it into a 2D format for comparison, it's presented as a hurdle compared to the straightforward matching of 3D images.

Options A, B, and D are not mentioned as limitations of 3D technology in the passage.

5. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct Option is A, “Every face has unique features that can be converted into numerical codes for facial recognition”. The passage explains that "nodal points" are derived from facial features described as "peaks and valleys." These points are then measured and converted into a numerical code, referred to as a "faceprint." This code serves as a unique identifier for facial recognition purposes. While option B emphasizes the role of nodal points, it doesn't mention the conversion to a numerical code. Option C focuses on facial expressions, which aren't directly linked to the definition of nodal points. Option D talks about 3D models, whereas the passage describes nodal points in the context of 2D facial recognition. Therefore, considering how the passage defines and uses "nodal points," option A best captures the professor's meaning.

Are you targeting a top score on the TOEFL test this year? If so, explore our additional Practice tests designed to assist you in reaching your target score!