TestMagic

nightmare1004 · 08-07-2005, 06:32 PM

Hello,

I just did one of the listening exercises I can download from the "TOEFL listening section".

Had quite a few mistakes, once I checked with the answer key. Some of the "right" answers, though, don't make sense to me. Maybe you can help me understand:

1.M: The root of the problem is hard to get.

W: It becomes more clear after a second read.

Q: What can be inferred about the woman?

1.(A) She has read it more than once.

(B) She thinks it takes some time to understand.

(C) She wants to read it again.

(D) She thinks it is difficult.

I chose (B), but (A) seems to be the right answer. Why? (A) fits, of course, but I think what she really tries to say is what is expressed in (B).

Next:

Man:

Is this Savannah? Sorry to catch you at this hour.

Woman:

Hey, Matt, I saw you hanging around forever at the financial office. They sure take their sweet time over there.

M:

You can say that again. I was there an hour and all I needed to do is hand in a lousy application.

W:

Yeah, the first week is always a lot of fun, isn’t it? So, what can I do for you?

M:

Well, I was just going to get a bit of information on Psychology 101 with Browden. Everyone’s telling me to bail out of that class if I hope to have even half a social life.

W:

That’s a bit of an exaggeration. You might find it interesting.

M:

In what way?

W:

Well, I used to think that much of our behavior was conditioned by society and that we start off as blanks.

M:

And now you know … otherwise do you?

W:

Yeah, we are already genetically equipped to handle many of life’s experiences but the experiences also modify this program.

M:

You’re losing me now, Savannah. It sounds as if my friends might be right.

W:

I think maybe you were born to follow whatever your friends want, a perfect example of what I meant just now. Anyways I gotta go. See you in Geology.

34. What can be inferred about how Matt and Savannah know each other?

1.(A) They are good friends.

(B) They are classmates.

(C) They have different friends.

(D) Savannah is one year ahead of Matt

I chose (D), but B seems to be the right answer. I know she said at the very end of the conversation “See you in Geology”. But she also took “Psychology”, whereas Matt didn’t, since he is asking for her advice on that class. Isn’t she ahead of Matt then? Confusing!

Next:

No, this lecture is not meant to be a joke and I am about to talk about a very serious topic – laughter. Why do we laugh? Even after centuries of scientific research, no one knows for sure why human beings laugh. Contemporary theorists believe that laughter evolved as a means for primates to diffuse tension and reduce the likelihood of confrontation when meeting and interacting with others. Even scientists still do not know why we laugh, but they have learned a lot about it. For example, you use 15 different kinds of muscles in your face to laugh. The sound of laughter is created when you inhale deeply and then release the air while your diaphragm moves in a series of short, spasmodic contraction. The typical laugh is made up of pulses that are about 1/15th of a second long and 1/5th of a second apart. When tape-recorded and played backwards, laughing sounds virtually the same as it does when it’s played forward. Hearty laughter produces physical effects similar to those resulting from moderate exercise: The pulse of the person laughing can double from 60 to 120, and the systolic blood pressure can increase from 120-200—about the same thing happens when you exercise on a stationary bicycle. When people stop laughing, just as when they stop exercising, the muscles in the body are more relaxed than when they were before the laughing started. Heartbeat and blood pressure are also lowered. This leads scientists to believe that laughing is a means of releasing stress and pent-up energy. Well, from joy to tears tomorrow folks, as we will discuss the purpose of crying. Make sure you read the chapter on it.

48. What does the lecturer say is the main reason that laughter improve one’ health?

48. (A) Heart beat and blood pressure is lower.

(B) Muscles are more relaxed.

(C) Pent-up energy is released.

(D) So much air is expended.

(A) is the right answer. I chose (C), since (C) made sense to me, too. Actually (A), (B) and (C) are all possible answers. How in the world does it have to be (A).

This is the “best one”

49. What does the lecturer infer about laughter in relation to exercise?

49. (A) That laughter may be more efficient than exercise.

(B) That laughter does a better job at releasing energy than exercise.

(C) That laughter reduces blood pressure better than exercise.

(D) That laughter is a better stress release than exercise.

I didn’t know what to choose. The lecturer only infers that laughter is like exercise. I cannot see any hint in the text that gives me the idea that laughter may be more efficient than exercise.

Thanks, people. Let me know if I upset you by asking you all those questions.

kingofloss · 08-14-2005, 12:45 PM

Your questions are very mixed and tricky.I keep thinkin' 'bout them but so far I can only make a comment for 48th question.This question is very widely-spreaded I think.In exam you can't think widely in a short time(and you've stress!)For me this question has some influences from biology.A is correct,if you look other choices,they are related with blood pressure,blood exchange,heart beat...etc. metabolical actions.But without heart beat and blood pressure,you can't release/waste energy or relax your muscles.I commented in this way.I couldn't have clear comments about others...

BICHHANG · 08-28-2005, 12:29 PM

dear
I think i can explain the problem happening in 34. In my opinion, B is the best choice. I think that man 's asking of woman 's experience made ur choosing wrong answer. as u knew, in any univ or college ,u must pass some forced subjects and some more , But that ls not all u need pass. U can choose the rest of subjects as u like. For example, u were a first-year student So u an ur classmate could learn in the same Math course. u chose chinese as minor subject this semester, but ur classmate took geology as minor subject. Next semester, u applied to geology.Certainly, u can learned some experiences from ur friends . ok

good luck to u

nightmare1004 · 08-28-2005, 04:07 PM

Thank you, Bichhang and Kingofloss. Let's hope questions at the real TOEFL are a little bit easier.

My test will be on October 4th. Until then... practice, practice, practice...

Thanks again.

N.

BICHHANG · 08-31-2005, 06:48 AM

Dear Nightmare1004!
I Am Also Practising By Myself For Toefl Tests Hope That I Will Hear Many Experiences From U
Good Luck

hfk · 08-31-2005, 04:33 PM

34. What can be inferred about how Matt and Savannah know each other?

1.(A) They are good friends.

(B) They are classmates.

(C) They have different friends.

(D) Savannah is one year ahead of Matt

I chose (D), but B seems to be the right answer. I know she said at the very end of the conversation “See you in Geology”. But she also took “Psychology”, whereas Matt didn’t, since he is asking for her advice on that class. Isn’t she ahead of Matt then? Confusing!

you never know S ahead M one year or more than one year because you have more options to choose the courses at different year. So B is always right.

48. What does the lecturer say is the main reason that laughter improve one’ health?
(A) Heart beat and blood pressure is lower.
(B) Muscles are more relaxed.
(C) Pent-up energy is released.
(D) So much air is expended.

(A) is the right answer. I chose (C), since (C) made sense to me, too. Actually (A), (B) and (C) are all possible answers. How in the world does it have to be (A).

Only A can present the improvement of health. Others are not the 'sign' of health improvement.

49. What does the lecturer infer about laughter in relation to exercise?
(A) That laughter may be more efficient than exercise.
(B) That laughter does a better job at releasing energy than exercise.
(C) That laughter reduces blood pressure better than exercise.
(D) That laughter is a better stress release than exercise.

D is the answer. A is wrong obviously. B,C is the results of D. So D should be the correct one.

08-07-2005, 06:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
nightmare1004 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6	TOEFL listening questions Hello, I just did one of the listening exercises I can download from the "TOEFL listening section". Had quite a few mistakes, once I checked with the answer key. Some of the "right" answers, though, don't make sense to me. Maybe you can help me understand: 1.M: The root of the problem is hard to get. W: It becomes more clear after a second read. Q: What can be inferred about the woman? 1.(A) She has read it more than once. (B) She thinks it takes some time to understand. (C) She wants to read it again. (D) She thinks it is difficult. I chose (B), but (A) seems to be the right answer. Why? (A) fits, of course, but I think what she really tries to say is what is expressed in (B). Next: Man: Is this Savannah? Sorry to catch you at this hour. Woman: Hey, Matt, I saw you hanging around forever at the financial office. They sure take their sweet time over there. M: You can say that again. I was there an hour and all I needed to do is hand in a lousy application. W: Yeah, the first week is always a lot of fun, isn’t it? So, what can I do for you? M: Well, I was just going to get a bit of information on Psychology 101 with Browden. Everyone’s telling me to bail out of that class if I hope to have even half a social life. W: That’s a bit of an exaggeration. You might find it interesting. M: In what way? W: Well, I used to think that much of our behavior was conditioned by society and that we start off as blanks. M: And now you know … otherwise do you? W: Yeah, we are already genetically equipped to handle many of life’s experiences but the experiences also modify this program. M: You’re losing me now, Savannah. It sounds as if my friends might be right. W: I think maybe you were born to follow whatever your friends want, a perfect example of what I meant just now. Anyways I gotta go. See you in Geology. 34. What can be inferred about how Matt and Savannah know each other? 1.(A) They are good friends. (B) They are classmates. (C) They have different friends. (D) Savannah is one year ahead of Matt I chose (D), but B seems to be the right answer. I know she said at the very end of the conversation “See you in Geology”. But she also took “Psychology”, whereas Matt didn’t, since he is asking for her advice on that class. Isn’t she ahead of Matt then? Confusing! Next: No, this lecture is not meant to be a joke and I am about to talk about a very serious topic – laughter. Why do we laugh? Even after centuries of scientific research, no one knows for sure why human beings laugh. Contemporary theorists believe that laughter evolved as a means for primates to diffuse tension and reduce the likelihood of confrontation when meeting and interacting with others. Even scientists still do not know why we laugh, but they have learned a lot about it. For example, you use 15 different kinds of muscles in your face to laugh. The sound of laughter is created when you inhale deeply and then release the air while your diaphragm moves in a series of short, spasmodic contraction. The typical laugh is made up of pulses that are about 1/15th of a second long and 1/5th of a second apart. When tape-recorded and played backwards, laughing sounds virtually the same as it does when it’s played forward. Hearty laughter produces physical effects similar to those resulting from moderate exercise: The pulse of the person laughing can double from 60 to 120, and the systolic blood pressure can increase from 120-200—about the same thing happens when you exercise on a stationary bicycle. When people stop laughing, just as when they stop exercising, the muscles in the body are more relaxed than when they were before the laughing started. Heartbeat and blood pressure are also lowered. This leads scientists to believe that laughing is a means of releasing stress and pent-up energy. Well, from joy to tears tomorrow folks, as we will discuss the purpose of crying. Make sure you read the chapter on it. 48. What does the lecturer say is the main reason that laughter improve one’ health? 48. (A) Heart beat and blood pressure is lower. (B) Muscles are more relaxed. (C) Pent-up energy is released. (D) So much air is expended. (A) is the right answer. I chose (C), since (C) made sense to me, too. Actually (A), (B) and (C) are all possible answers. How in the world does it have to be (A). This is the “best one” 49. What does the lecturer infer about laughter in relation to exercise? 49. (A) That laughter may be more efficient than exercise. (B) That laughter does a better job at releasing energy than exercise. (C) That laughter reduces blood pressure better than exercise. (D) That laughter is a better stress release than exercise. I didn’t know what to choose. The lecturer only infers that laughter is like exercise. I cannot see any hint in the text that gives me the idea that laughter may be more efficient than exercise. Thanks, people. Let me know if I upset you by asking you all those questions.

08-28-2005, 04:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
nightmare1004 Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6	Thanks! Thank you, Bichhang and Kingofloss. Let's hope questions at the real TOEFL are a little bit easier. My test will be on October 4th. Until then... practice, practice, practice... Thanks again. N.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-14-2005, 12:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
kingofloss Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4	Your questions are very mixed and tricky.I keep thinkin' 'bout them but so far I can only make a comment for 48th question.This question is very widely-spreaded I think.In exam you can't think widely in a short time(and you've stress!)For me this question has some influences from biology.A is correct,if you look other choices,they are related with blood pressure,blood exchange,heart beat...etc. metabolical actions.But without heart beat and blood pressure,you can't release/waste energy or relax your muscles.I commented in this way.I couldn't have clear comments about others...

08-28-2005, 12:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
BICHHANG Eager! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vietnam Posts: 35	dear I think i can explain the problem happening in 34. In my opinion, B is the best choice. I think that man 's asking of woman 's experience made ur choosing wrong answer. as u knew, in any univ or college ,u must pass some forced subjects and some more , But that ls not all u need pass. U can choose the rest of subjects as u like. For example, u were a first-year student So u an ur classmate could learn in the same Math course. u chose chinese as minor subject this semester, but ur classmate took geology as minor subject. Next semester, u applied to geology.Certainly, u can learned some experiences from ur friends . ok good luck to u

08-31-2005, 06:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
BICHHANG Eager! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vietnam Posts: 35	Dear Nightmare1004! I Am Also Practising By Myself For Toefl Tests Hope That I Will Hear Many Experiences From U Good Luck

08-31-2005, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
hfk Eager! Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 54	34. What can be inferred about how Matt and Savannah know each other? 1.(A) They are good friends. (B) They are classmates. (C) They have different friends. (D) Savannah is one year ahead of Matt I chose (D), but B seems to be the right answer. I know she said at the very end of the conversation “See you in Geology”. But she also took “Psychology”, whereas Matt didn’t, since he is asking for her advice on that class. Isn’t she ahead of Matt then? Confusing! you never know S ahead M one year or more than one year because you have more options to choose the courses at different year. So B is always right. 48. What does the lecturer say is the main reason that laughter improve one’ health? (A) Heart beat and blood pressure is lower. (B) Muscles are more relaxed. (C) Pent-up energy is released. (D) So much air is expended. (A) is the right answer. I chose (C), since (C) made sense to me, too. Actually (A), (B) and (C) are all possible answers. How in the world does it have to be (A). Only A can present the improvement of health. Others are not the 'sign' of health improvement. 49. What does the lecturer infer about laughter in relation to exercise? (A) That laughter may be more efficient than exercise. (B) That laughter does a better job at releasing energy than exercise. (C) That laughter reduces blood pressure better than exercise. (D) That laughter is a better stress release than exercise. D is the answer. A is wrong obviously. B,C is the results of D. So D should be the correct one.

TestMagic

Free GMAT, GRE, SAT Test, TOEFL practice tests