TOEFL listening: How to prepare for the listening test, exercises, scores and structure of the test

Listening exercises are one of the four parts of the exam. What is sought in this section is to evaluate how much listening comprehension the applicant has, that is, how much they can retain and understand when listening to an exam in English.

One of the benefits of Listening (just like speaking, since both go hand in hand) is that those who practice it canThey can learn the rest of the skills to master the language much faster.

TOEFL listening: Test structure and question types

Listening makes direct reference to oral comprehension, that is, the understanding of the spoken language, therefore, native accents from any country where English is spoken will also be taken into account.

In the case of the TOEFL, the exam is of an academic nature, so both the conversations and the monologues come from a university context, and therefore, they will be located in the spaces pertinent to it.

The details of the conversations are enough to know where the speakers come from or where they are. This part of the exam is structured in a total of between 28 and 29 questions, which are made based on the audio, and it can only be heard once.

TOEFL listening practice: How to prepare online

The practice of Listening goes hand in hand with Speaking, since oral comprehension depends in part on the vocabulary acquired and the ability to speak fluently.

One of the best ways to learn a new language is based on hearing, listening. However, Speakingathome offers the services of native teachers to improve listening from dialogue classes, and here you can get a free class.

TOEFL listening exercises: Audio examples for the exam

Directions: Listen to Track 1. Give yourself 10 minutes to answer the questions in this practice

Library Tour

Narrator Listen to a conversation between a student and a librarian.

Student Hi. I’m new here … I, uh, couldn’t come to the student orientation—and I’m

wondering if you can give me a few quick pointers about the library? I’d really

appreciate it.

Librarian Sure. I’d be glad to. What’s your major area of study?

Student Latin American literature.

Librarian OK. Well, over here’s the section where we have language, literature, and the arts,

and if you go downstairs you’ll find the history section. Generally the students

who concentrate in Latin American literature find themselves researching in the

history section a lot.

Student Uh-huh. You’re right. I’m a transfer student. I’ve already done a year at another

university, so I know how the research can go—I’ve spent a lot of time in the

history section. So how long can I borrow books for?

Librarian Our loan period is a month. Oh, I should also mention that we have an interlibrary

loan service … if you need to get hold of a book that’s not in our library. There’s

a truck that runs between our library and a few other public and university

libraries in this area. It comes around three times a week.

Student Hey, that’s great! At my last school, it could take a really long time to get the

materials I needed, so when I had a project, I had to make a plan way in advance.

This sounds much faster. Another thing I was wondering is … is there a place

where I can bring my computer and hook it up?

Librarian Sure. There’s a whole area here on the main floor where you can bring a laptop

and plug it in for power. But on top of that we also have a connection for the

Internet at every seat.

Student Nice! So I can do all the research I need to do right here in the library. I’ll have all

the resources, all the books and information I need right here in one place!

Librarian Yup, that’s the idea! … I’m sure you’ll need photocopiers, too. They’re down the

hallway to your left. We have a system where you have to use a copy card, so

you’ll need to buy a card from the front desk. You insert it into the machine and

you’re ready to make copies.

Student How much do you guys charge?

Librarian Seven cents a copy.

Student That’s not too bad. Thanks. Uh, where’s the collection of rare books?

Librarian Rare books are up on the second floor. They’re in a separate room where the

temperature is controlled to preserve the old paper in them. You need to get

special permission to access them, and then you’ll have to wear gloves to handle

them, ’cause the oils in our hands, you know, can destroy the paper, and gloves

prevent that, so we have a basket of gloves in the room.

Student OK, thanks … I suppose that’s all I need to know. You’ve been very helpful,

thanks.

Librarian Any time. Bye.

Student Bye

Directions: Answer the questions.

1. Why does the student come to the library?
   To learn about the library’s resources
   To ask about interlibrary loans
   To attend the new student orientation
   To start work on a research project
   
2. Why does the librarian point out the history section to the student?
   She wants to point out the closest area containing copy machines.
   She assumes that he will need to do research there.
   The student is looking for a book he used at his last school.
   Students sometimes mistakenly assume that the section contains literature books.
   
3. What does the student imply about the interlibrary loan service at his last school?
   He never used it.
   He came to appreciate it.
   It was inconvenient.
   It was expensive.
   
4. What does the student need to do before he can use any rare books? Choose 2 answers.
   Purchase a card
   Obtain permission
   Put on gloves
   Try interlibrary loan first

TOEFL listening: Score

Like the other sections, the Listening section is also scored based on the instructions to be solved. Almost all questions are worth one point.

However, at the time of testing, some have special instructions that will appear in a gray square on the screen with their specific value.