Tips for Managing Academic Stress with a Wellness Coach - TOEFL Listening Practice Test

The TOEFL Listening section is designed to assess your ability to understand spoken English in an academic context, which often includes conversations between students and instructors or wellness coaches. This section can be challenging, as it requires you to grasp not only the main ideas but also the details and nuances of the dialogue.

In this practice set, we will focus on a conversation between a student, James, and his wellness coach, Mr. Thompson, discussing effective strategies for managing academic stress. As you listen, pay attention to the specific tips and techniques shared, as they can help you improve your own study habits and stress management skills.

Additionally, the TOEFL Listening section includes multiple-choice questions that test your comprehension, so it's essential to practice active listening. By engaging with thismconversation, you will not only enhance your understanding of the topic but also become more familiar with the types of questions you may encounter on the exam. Let’s get startedmand boost 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 Tips for Managing Academic Stress with a Wellness Coach

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 discuss his academic performance
   2. To seek advice on managing academic stress
   3. To complain about his coursework
   4. To request an extension on assignments

1. According to Mr. Thompson, what is one effective strategy to combat procrastination? 
   
   1. Completing assignments all at once
   2. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks
   3. Avoiding social interactions
   4. Ignoring the workload until the deadline

1. What does Mr. Thompson mean when he says, “Just make sure to take those breaks seriously—step away from your desk and do something relaxing”?
   
   1. He wants James to avoid taking breaks altogether
   2. He emphasises the importance of truly resting during breaks
   3. He suggests that breaks should be spent on social media
   4. He believes breaks should be used for additional studying

1. What is Mr. Thompson’s attitude towards socialising while studying?
   
   1. He thinks it is a waste of time
   2. He believes it can enhance productivity
   3. He is indifferent to the issue
   4. He discourages any form of relaxation

Transcript of the Audio Conversation on Tips for Managing Academic Stress with a Wellness Coach

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on Tips for Managing Academic Stress with a Wellness Coach

1. Answer: B. To express concerns about the academic honesty policy.

Explanation: The main focus of the conversation is James expressing his feelings of being overwhelmed with coursework and seeking tips from Mr. Thompson on how to manage academic stress. The other options, such as discussing academic performance, complaining about coursework, or requesting an extension, do not accurately reflect the purpose of the conversation.

2. Answer: B. Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson suggests that James can combat procrastination by breaking his assignments into smaller parts, which makes the workload feel less overwhelming. The other options, such as completing assignments all at once, avoiding social interactions, or ignoring the workload, are not effective strategies and were not mentioned in the conversation.

3. Answer: B. He emphasises the importance of truly resting during breaks.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson's advice to "take those breaks seriously" indicates that he wants James to genuinely relax during his breaks rather than just taking a short pause without any real rest. The other options, such as avoiding breaks, spending breaks on social media, or using breaks for additional studying, do not align with his emphasis on the importance of relaxation.

4. Answer: B. He believes it can enhance productivity.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson encourages James to socialise, stating that it can provide a mental reset and enhance productivity, which indicates a positive attitude towards balancing social life and studying. The other options, such as thinking it is a waste of time, being indifferent, or discouraging relaxation, do not reflect Mr. Thompson's supportive stance on socialising.

5. Answer: C. Meditation or yoga.

Explanation: Mr. Thompson suggests incorporating mindfulness and relaxation techniques, specifically mentioning meditation or yoga, as beneficial practices for reducing anxiety and improving well-being. The other options, such as watching television, playing video games, or reading novels, were not recommended as relaxation techniques in the conversation.

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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