TOEFL IBT Listening Practice Test 11 Solution, Explanation & Transcripts

41. B, C

The professor discusses the network of limestone caves: The limestone pits inManitoba’s Interlake region are like nothing else in the world. He also discusses the concentration of garter snakes: This is the world s largest concentration of snakes. Tens of thousands of these snakes congregate at the surface of their winter dens each year. (2.2)

42. D

The professor’s purpose is to explain why so many snakes live in the region. The snakes are drawn to the region because the limestone pits provide winter dens where they can escape the cold winter temperatures, making the region an ideal home for them. (2.3)

43. C

The professor says The migration of garter snakes to the limestone pits is an example of a behavioral mechanism for dealing with seasonal variations in temperature; By gathering in a mass below the frostline, the snakes are able to survive the harsh prairie winter. (2.2)

44. B

The professor means that the snakes can survive a night of freezing temperatures. The snakes have the ability to endure short freezes, which means they can tolerate freezing temperatures for a short time. This ability will get them through till morning, which means the snakes can survive for one night. (2.4)

45. B

The professor implies that temperature plays an important role in the snakes’ behavior. Temperature causes a physiological-behavioral response in the snakes. Freezing temperatures are a signal for the snakes to alter their behavior, to move and find a warmer place. (2.4)

46. B, D

The arch was an important development because wide openings could be spanned without using wood: The invention of the arch made it possible to span wide openings without large timbers. Also, the arch led to a larger variety of buildings: They perfected a system of arch and vault construction. As a result, a larger variety of buildings appeared, each with a form suited to its function. (2.2)

47. A

The professor implies that the arch contributed to the success of these projects. The public works projects of the Romans all utilized the arch. The arch enabled the Romans to supply their vast public baths and fill the water needs of their citizens. (2.4)

48. C

The professor says The block at the highest point—the center of the arch—is called the keystone. The keystone is the most important block because it holds the other blocks in place. The keystone locks the other stones together. (2.2)

49. B

The professor says The round arch is extremely strong and stable. It s primarily the wedge shape of the blocks that gives the arch its stability. The wedge-shaped blocks are locked together tightly, transferring their weight downward on either side.(2.2)

50. B

The professor’s purpose is to define the concept of lateral thrust. Lateral thrust is the sideways pressure that supports the arch on each side. (2.3)

51. D

The professor says … behind all that beautiful brickwork is a system of steel beams. The beams are doing the real work of holding up the building. The brick arches are just for show. Steel beams for wides pans have reduced the arch to a mostly decorative function. (2.2)

TOEFL IBT Listening Practice Test 11 From Delta’s Key TOEFL Test Solution & Transcripts

Questions 1 through 5.

Listen to part of a conversation between two students.

W: How do you like your classes this semester?

M: Not bad, I guess. Thermodynamics is the hardest. It takes a long time for me to do the problems, and then I don’t have enough time to do the reading for English and history. There just aren’t enough hours in a day.

W:I hear you.

M:How are your classes?

W:Pretty good, actually. All of my professors are great, and I really like my discussion class in Russian history.

M:Oh, yeah? How come?

W:Well, it’s really useful to get a chance to talk about what Dr. Finley says in the lecture, and also hear what other people have to say. We have two really cool TAs who lead the discussions.

M:Oh, yeah?

W:One guy is working on his doctorate in Russian studies, and he spent a year in Russia learning the language. He has this amazing ability to tie Dr. Finley’s lectures to things that he’s actually seen and experienced in Russia. He’s a great storyteller. The other TA—Anna—her family is from Russia, and she also has great stories, but mostly I like her way of drawing everyone into the discussion.

M: That sounds great for you. But personally, I’ve never cared for discussion classes. I prefer the lecture format. I’d rather listen to my professor than to my classmates.

W: Really? I like the discussions because we can go beyond the lecture and the reading. Not that the lectures are boring or anything—I’m not saying that—what I mean is, I get a lot out of the discussions. I think I learn more, you know, when I get a chance to talk about Russian history. I certainly remember more of the details. And that sure helped me on the first test. 

M:Well, that’s good. I’m glad you like your class. So, are you still working in the pizza restaurant?

W:No. Not enough time. I need a job, but the restaurant was getting to be too much time. Somebody was always asking me to take their shift, and I’d end up working 25 hours a week. I never had enough time to study.

M:Hey, I know just the job for you! I saw—there’s a notice on the job board in the Student Center—I just saw it today. There’s a job opening for host of the graduate student lounge.

W:Oh, really? What does the host of the graduate student lounge do?

M:Oh, I don’t know … make coffee and talk to people, stuff like that. But maybe you’d get a chance to do some reading during the quiet times.

W:You know, I think that might be just the kind of job I could handle right now.