Update from Basketball Coach - TOEFL Listening Practice Test with Answers

The TOEFL iBT® Listening section assesses your understanding of academic English through discussions and presentations. Generally, each session consists of 2-3 conversations and 3 lectures, with 5-6 questions following each segment. These questions adhere to a standard multiple-choice format, offering four options with only one correct answer.

If you're feeling apprehensive about managing your time effectively during this section, worry not! Consistent practice is the key to mastering it.

To further aid you, we've curated a listening practice set focusing on an update from a Basketball Coach, complete with detailed explanations to help you tackle TOEFL iBT® listening practice questions confidently. 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.

Update from Basketball Coach

Now listen to the audio.

Questions

Directions: Mark your answer by selecting your choice.

1. What is the primary topic of conversation between the speakers?
   1. Strategies for the woman's upcoming game preparation
   2. The woman's role and duties as team captain
   3. Events that transpired during the woman's absence
   4. The design of the new team uniforms

1. Who is purchasing the new jackets for the team?
   1. The coach
   2. The team captain
   3. A former player
   4. A group of basketball fans

1. What reasons contribute to the woman's surprise upon being selected as the new team captain? Choose 2 answers.
   1. She is not the top player on the team.
   2. Her teammates did not inform her of the decision.
   3. She lacks a substantial number of friends on the team.
   4. She has frequently missed practice sessions.

1. Review the excerpt from the conversation once more. Then respond to the question given.
   
   Female student: Oh definitely. I'm sorry for missing my practice, though. I feel bad about that.
   
   Male coach: Family is very important.
   
   What is the coach implying when he makes this statement?
   1. He hopes the woman's family is doing well.
   2. He would like to meet the woman's family.
   3. The woman should spend more time with her family.
   4. The woman had a valid reason for missing practice.

Listen again to part of the Conversation by playing the audio. Then answer the question.

1. Why does the coach make this statement?
   
   Male coach: Good. That's all the news for now. Oh, let me get you that order form.
   1. He wants to confirm if the woman understood his message.
   2. He is urging the woman to take prompt action.
   3. He is indicating a transition to a different topic.
   4. He is signaling the conclusion of the conversation.

Hold on! Before checking your answers, go through our top TOEFL preparation tips curated by experts. They'll help you chart the course to your dream school!

Answers and Explanations of the Conversation on the Update from Basketball Coach

1. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is C. The primary topic of conversation between the speakers revolves around the events that occurred while the female student was away. The coach informs her about the team's preparations for the next game and updates her on recent developments, such as the decision to purchase new jackets for the team and the selection of a new team captain. This indicates that the conversation primarily focuses on discussing the occurrences during the woman's absence rather than strategies for her upcoming game preparation, her role as team captain, or the design of new team uniforms.

2. Answer: C

Explanation: The right answer is C. The former player, who visited town recently and watched a game, expressed a desire to contribute to the team by purchasing new jackets. The coach mentions that the former player, who had played for the team about 20-25 years ago, saw a game and wanted to do something for the team, so she decided to buy new jackets. This indicates that it is a former player who is purchasing the new jackets for the team, as mentioned in option C. The coach confirms this by stating, "So she’s buying us new jackets?" and responding with "Yep."

3. Answer: A, B

Explanation: The correct options are A and B. In the conversation, the student expresses surprise at being chosen as the new team captain, indicating that she may not consider herself the best player on the team. This aligns with the option that states she is not the top player on the team. She also mentions that she saw all her teammates in the morning, and none of them informed her about being chosen as the new captain. This suggests that her teammates did not inform her of the decision, contributing to her surprise. Therefore, options A and B are correct.

4. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is Option The woman had a valid reason for missing practice.

When the coach responds with "Family is very important" after the woman expresses regret for missing practice, he implies that he understands and accepts her reason for absence, indicating that it was valid. This suggests that the coach acknowledges the significance of family commitments and excuses her absence from practice. Therefore, option D is the correct interpretation of the coach's statement.

5. Answer: D

Explanation: The correct answer is He is signaling the conclusion of the conversation.

When the coach says, "That's all the news there is. I think that’s it for now," he is indicating that he has shared all the relevant information and that the conversation is coming to an end. This statement serves as a signal to wrap up the discussion and implies that there is nothing more to add at the moment. Therefore, option D is the correct interpretation of the coach's statement.

We're pretty sure you must have nailed the TOEFL Listening practice test! Want to keep the momentum going? We have a treasure trove of practice tests mirroring the real exam format. Take a few more and see your listening skills improve!

Let us know in the comments below, and we'll provide additional TOEFL listening samples to help you achieve your goals!