TOEFL Exercise 7, 10, 11

Summary

This TOEFL exercise focuses on listening comprehension, incorporating idiomatic expressions and scenarios common in academic and everyday life. It includes various dialogues, each followed by questions testing understanding of idiomatic phrases and key details from the conversations. The exercises involve discussions about topics such as finding part-time work, returning to work after a vacation, and discussing environmental issues like acid rain. The goal is to enhance listening skills by engaging with idiomatic language and contextual clues, while also assessing knowledge about academic and personal topics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script involves TOEFL listening exercises focusing on short conversations and idiomatic expressions.
• 😀 Each conversation includes a scenario where participants use common idioms, and the listener must understand their meanings.
• 😀 The first set of exercises presents 10 conversations, each with questions about the meaning of an idiomatic expression.
• 😀 Common idioms include expressions like 'better late than never', 'two heads are better than one', and 'to each his own'.
• 😀 The second exercise focuses on identifying the setting, characters, and context of short conversations between two people.
• 😀 The conversations cover topics such as finding part-time jobs on campus, returning to work after spring break, and reading an article for class.
• 😀 In the part-time job scenario, the man seeks advice about working hours, availability, and relevant skills.
• 😀 The conversation about kayaking explores an adventurous vacation, detailing experiences and contrasting opinions on outdoor activities.
• 😀 Another conversation addresses acid rain and its environmental impact, discussing how pollution from burning fossil fuels contributes to this phenomenon.
• 😀 The final exercise asks the listener to deduce the topic, causes, effects, and the woman’s next step after learning about acid rain.
• 😀 The exercises are designed to improve TOEFL listening skills, particularly with understanding idioms and contextual information in conversations.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'Better late than never' mean in the conversation?

It means that it is better to be late than not showing up at all.

What is the meaning of 'Two heads are better than one' in the context of the conversation?

It suggests that two people working together on a task will be more effective than one person doing it alone.

What does the phrase 'There's no time like the present' imply?

It means that the best time to do something is right now, without waiting.

What does 'Just my luck' imply when the woman says it?

It expresses her frustration or disappointment at having bad luck.

What does 'To each his own' mean when the woman says it about the restaurant?

It means that everyone has their own preferences, and it's okay to like or dislike different things.

What is meant by 'No sooner said than done' in the context of the conversation?

It means that the task will be completed immediately after being mentioned.

What does the phrase 'You could have knocked me down with a feather' mean?

It means the man was extremely surprised by the news about Abby winning the scholarship.

What does 'We're all in the same boat' mean in the context of the conversation about the workload?

It means that everyone is facing the same difficulty or challenge, so they are in the same situation.

What does 'head and shoulders above the rest' mean in reference to An's project?

It means that An's project was significantly better than the other projects.

What is the purpose of the campus employment office in the conversation?

The campus employment office helps students find part-time jobs on campus.

What kind of vacation did the man have, as mentioned in the second conversation?

The man had a fantastic vacation where he went kayaking on the Clamoth River.

What was the source of information about the acid rain article?

The source of information is an article assigned by the professor for the class.

How did the man prepare for his kayaking trip on the river?

He had three days of instruction in a shallow pool before going on the river.

What does the woman find unappealing about the kayaking trip?

The woman finds the idea of riding through rough water in a small kayak unappealing.

What is acid rain, and how is it formed according to the conversation?

Acid rain is precipitation polluted with acids formed when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from burning coal or oil react with water vapor.

Where is acid rain a problem, according to the conversation?

Acid rain is a problem in Northern America and Northern Europe.

What action does the woman think she should take regarding the acid rain article?

The woman thinks she should read the article as it is important and interesting.