Retirement Party- TOEFL Listening Practice Test with Answers

If you're gearing up for the TOEFL iBT® exam, you know how important it is to excel in every section of the test to achieve your desired score. Among the four components of the TOEFL iBT® exam- the Listening Section can often present unique challenges for first time test-takers.

Whether you're just beginning your preparation journey or looking to fine-tune your skills, this blog is your go-to resource for sharpening your listening comprehension abilities and acing this critical task. To help you tackle this section with confidence, we have created a TOEFL iBT® Listening test paper accompanied by an Answer key on the topic- ‘Retirement Party’. 

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. Why did the Student visit the professor?
   1. To submit an overdue assignment
   2. To inquire about employment opportunities in the department
   3. To talk about Dean Adams’ ongoing research
   4. To offer assistance in organizing an event

1. How did the student find out about Dean Adams' retirement? 
   1. By receiving an email notification.
   2. Noticing the announcement on a notice board.
   3. Learning from conversations among fellow students.
   4. Being informed directly by Dean Adams during a class session.

1. Why does the professor decline the student’s offer to assist with a party? Select 2 options.
   1. Two individuals are already handling it.
   2. She suggests he focuses on a different task.
   3. The party doesn't need extensive preparation.
   4. Dean Adams isn't leaving the department permanently.

1. Why does the professor mention speciation?
   1. To delineate the primary aspect of the project she requires assistance with
   2. To inform the man about a recent development in ethnological studies
   3. To elucidate Dean Adams' chosen research subject in Indonesia 
   4. To illustrate the diversity of Dean Adams' research endeavors.

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

1. What does the Professor mean when she says this:
   
   Professor: I'm hesitant to ask, but I suppose this isn't something you'd be interested in…
   1. Questioning the man's suitability for the project 
   2. Inquiring if he's open to working on it
   3. Seeking his recommendation for another person 
   4. Expressing regret for being unable to assign the project

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

Answers and Explanations of ‘Retirement Party’

1. Answer: D
Explanation: The correct answer is Option D. To offer assistance in organizing an event. In the conversation, the student visits the professor to offer help with organizing an event, specifically mentioning a party for Dean Adams. This is evident from Eric's statements such as "I just heard some graduate students talking about a party for Dean Adams" and "I wanted to offer my help for the party." He expresses his interest in contributing to the event, showing that his purpose for visiting the professor is to discuss event organization and offer assistance, making option D the correct choice.

2. Answer: C
Explanation: The correct answer is Option C, “Learning from conversations among fellow students”. In the conversation, the student Eric mentions, "I just heard some graduate students talking about a party for Dean Adams." This indicates that Eric learned about Dean Adams' retirement from conversations among fellow students. There is no mention of receiving an email notification, noticing an announcement on a notice board, or being informed directly by Dean Adams during a class session. Therefore, option C is the correct choice.

3. Answer: A, C
Explanation: The correct answers are Option A and Option C.

Option A: “Two individuals are already handling it”. The professor mentions that "the administrative assistants are handling that part," indicating that the party organization is already being taken care of by designated individuals.

Option C: “The party doesn't need extensive preparation”. The professor also mentions that the party will be simple, with coffee, cookies, and maybe a cake, and that it's not going to be extravagant as it's not Dean Adams' preference. This suggests that the party doesn't require additional assistance beyond what is already being done.

4. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is Option D, “To illustrate the diversity of Dean Adams' research endeavors”. The professor mentions speciation during the conversation to highlight the breadth and diversity of Dean Adams' research interests and accomplishments. She discusses Dean Adams' work in Indonesia and South America, emphasizing her contributions to ethnology and biological aspects, including speciation processes. By mentioning speciation and how populations of the same species can evolve separately to form distinct species, the professor illustrates Dean Adams' engagement in varied research areas, showing her versatility and wide-ranging scholarly pursuits. Therefore, (option D) is the most appropriate answer as it captures the purpose of the professor's mention of speciation in the context of Dean Adams' research.

5. Answer: B
Explanation: The correct answer is Option B, “Inquiring if he's open to working on it”. When the professor says, "I'm hesitant to ask, but I suppose this isn't something you'd be interested in…," she is expressing hesitation about suggesting the project to Eric. This hesitation suggests that she's not entirely sure if he would be interested in the task. By saying, "I suppose this isn't something you'd be interested in," she is indirectly asking if he is open to working on the project without directly assigning it to him. This indicates that she is testing his interest and willingness to take on the task rather than questioning his suitability (option A), seeking a recommendation (option C), or expressing regret for being unable to assign it (option D).

Great job acing that Listening Task! Are you aiming for a high score in TOEFL this year? If yes, check out some of our additional Practice tests tailored to help you achieve your desired TOEFL score.