Inquiring About Campus Shuttle Delays - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section aims to evaluate your understanding of spoken English within an academic context. This portion includes interactions between students and faculty members, as well as discussions regarding university policies. After each conversation, you will face multiple-choice questions aimed at testing your comprehension and analytical skills.

In this practice set, we will focus on a dialogue about university policies related to academic integrity—an essential topic for all students. Understanding these policies is crucial as you prepare for exams and assignments. The conversation between James and Tom reveals their insights and concerns about the university's stance on academic honesty, particularly concerning plagiarism and the importance of proper citation.

By engaging with this test, you will improve not only your listening abilities but also gain valuable insights that can assist you in meeting academic expectations. Let’s get started to enhance your TOEFL listening experience!

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 Inquiring About Campus Shuttle Delays

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 Mr. Thompson?  
   
   1. To complain about the campus library
   2. To discuss delays in the campus shuttle service
   3. To suggest improvements for the library 
   4. To inquire about campus events

1. According to Mr. Thompson, what has caused the delays in the shuttle service? 
   
   1. Increased student demand
   2. Maintenance issues with some of the buses
   3. Road construction near the campus
   4. Weather-related disruptions  

1. What does Mr. Thompson mean when he says, “We’re trying to adjust the schedules to minimise the impact on students”?
   
   1. They are planning to cancel the shuttle service
   2. They are attempting to reduce the inconvenience caused by delays  
   3. They are increasing the number of shuttles available
   4. They are changing the shuttle routes entirely

1. How does James feel about the current shuttle situation?
   
   1. Indifferent, as he rarely uses the shuttle 
   2. Frustrated due to the delays he has experienced
   3. Satisfied with the shuttle service
   4. Confused about the shuttle schedules   

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Inquiring About Campus Shuttle Delays

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Inquiring About Campus Shuttle Delays

1. Answer: To discuss delays in the campus shuttle service.

Explanation: The main focus of the conversation is James expressing his concerns about the delays in the campus shuttle service, particularly regarding his experiences waiting for the shuttle to the library. The other options, such as complaining about the library, suggesting improvements for it, or inquiring about campus events, are not relevant to the discussion at hand.

2. Answer: B. Maintenance issues with some of the buses.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson explicitly states that the delays are due to unexpected challenges, specifically mentioning maintenance issues with some of the buses. The other options, such as increased student demand, road construction, or weather-related disruptions, are not mentioned as causes for the delays.

3. Answer: B. They are attempting to reduce the inconvenience caused by delays.

Explanation: When Mr. Thompson says they are trying to adjust the schedules to minimise the impact on students, he means they are working to lessen the inconvenience that the delays have caused. The other options, such as cancelling the service, increasing the number of shuttles, or changing routes entirely, do not align with his intention to alleviate the current issues.

4. Answer: B. Frustrated due to the delays he has experienced.

Explanation: James expresses his frustration about waiting for the shuttle for over twenty minutes, indicating that he is not satisfied with the current shuttle situation. The other options, such as being indifferent, satisfied, or confused, do not accurately reflect his feelings as conveyed in the conversation.

5. Answer: B. To post updates on the campus website or through an app.

Explanation: James suggests that it would be helpful to have updates posted on the campus website or through a mobile app to keep students informed about shuttle service changes. The other options, such as sending emails, announcing delays over loudspeakers, or providing printed schedules, were not mentioned as suggestions by James.

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