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

The TOEFL Listening Section of the TOEFL iBT® exam challenges you with diverse accents in English and helps you get used to the natural flow of the conversations in academic setting. This section can seem challenging as it involves audio recording of conversations or lectures where you need to listen for important and main details while understanding the nuances of the dialogues. To ace this section, one needs to develop the skills in understanding Spoken English in conversations and lectures at a university level. 

In the Listening Practice Test on 'Tips for Managing Academic Stress with a Wellness Coach', you will hear a conversation between a student, James, and his wellness coach, Mr. Thompson, where they are discussing about efficient ways of addressing academic stress. In addition to that, listen closely which will be useful in enhancing your study habits and stress management. Remember that note taking is useful which you can refer back while choosing the correct answer from the options provided in multiple-choice questions. 

Are you ready? Listen closely for implied meaning that isn’t directly mentioned in the audio recording but can be understood through the context. So, get ready to improve your listening comprehension 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.

Great work! Remember that with diligent practice, you will be able to achieve your target score. Let's dive deeper into your TOEFL Listening preparation with more practice tests like this that mirror the actual exam format.

Continue to improve your listening skills and take a step closer towards success.

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