Inquiring About New Student Orientation Programs - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in an academic context. This part of the exam features conversations and discussions that mimic real-life interactions you might encounter in a university setting. You will listen to dialogues between students, professors, and staff, and then answer questions based on what you heard.

To help you prepare effectively, we’ve created a listening practice set focused on "Inquiring About New Student Orientation Programmes." This set will not only familiarize you with the types of conversations you might hear but also enhance your comprehension skills. Understanding the nuances of spoken English is crucial for success in the TOEFL exam, as it tests your ability to grasp main ideas, details, and the overall context of discussions.

In this practice set, you’ll follow a conversation between two students discussing the orientation programs available for new students. By engaging with this material, you’ll gain insights into both the content of the conversation and the strategies needed to tackle similar questions on the exam. Ready to boost your listening skills? Let’s get started!

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 New Student Orientation Programmes

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 Tom? 
   
   1. To discuss academic performance
   2. To seek information about new student orientation programmes
   3. To arrange a meeting with faculty members
   4. To complain about the university's facilities

1. According to Tom, what is included in the orientation programme that he found particularly helpful?
   
   1. A session on financial aid
   2. A welcome session introducing faculty and staff
   3. A tour of the local area
   4. A workshop on time management

1. What does Tom mean when he says, “It’s a perfect time to meet people”?
   
   1. It is an ideal opportunity to make friends since everyone is new
   2. It is a good moment to avoid social interactions  
   3. It is a chance to focus solely on academic work
   4. It is a time to reflect on personal goals

1. What is Tom's attitude towards attending social events during orientation?
   
   1. Disinterested, as he believes they are a waste of time
   2. Supportive, as he thinks they are beneficial for making connections
   3. Critical, as he feels they are poorly organised
   4. Uncertain, as he has not attended any himself  

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Inquiring About New Student Orientation Programmes

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Inquiring About New Student Orientation Programmes

1. Answer: B. To seek information about new student orientation programmes.

Explanation: The conversation primarily revolves around James asking Tom for information regarding the new student orientation programmes. The other options, such as discussing academic performance, arranging meetings with faculty, or complaining about facilities, are not relevant to the content of their discussion.

2. Answer: B. A welcome session introducing faculty and staff.

Explanation: Tom specifically mentions that the orientation includes a welcome session where faculty and staff are introduced, which he found particularly helpful. The other options, such as a session on financial aid, a local area tour, or a time management workshop, were not mentioned in the conversation.

3. Answer: A. It is an ideal opportunity to make friends since everyone is new.

Explanation: Tom's statement highlights that orientation is a great time for new students to connect with one another, as they are all in a similar situation of being new to the university. The other options do not align with the context of making connections during orientation, making them incorrect.

4. Answer: B. Supportive, as he thinks they are beneficial for making connections.

Explanation: Tom expresses a positive attitude towards the social events, stating that they are a fantastic way to meet other new students. He encourages James to attend, indicating that he believes these events are valuable for building friendships. The other options, which suggest disinterest, criticism, or uncertainty, do not reflect Tom's supportive stance.

5. Answer: B. Icebreaker games and group activities.

Explanation: Tom mentions that the social events during orientation often include icebreaker games and group activities, which are designed to help students connect with each other. The other options, such as academic lectures, sports competitions, or job fairs, were not mentioned in the conversation and do not pertain to the social events discussed.

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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