TOEFL listening practice on grocery shopping and eagles. 8 questions with video, full script, answers, and explanations.
How to use this practice: Watch the video first, try answering the questions in your head, then expand the answer key to check. Use the transcript only after you’ve attempted the questions.
Listen carefully — you'll answer questions about each clip below.
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Item 1: Conversation — grocery shopping
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. Planning a family trip.
- B. Deciding what to eat for dinner.
- C. Making a list of groceries to buy.
- D. Talking about healthy food choices.
Q2
Which item did the boy want to buy but his mom said no to?
- A. Milk
- B. Bread
- C. Orange juice
- D. Eggs
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. Making a list of groceries to buy.
Q2
C. Orange juice
Q1: The conversation says the mother and son are deciding which items to add to their shopping list.
Common mistake: D (“talking about healthy food choices”) is a trap since apples are called healthy in passing, but the conversation as a whole is about building a shopping list, not nutrition advice.
Q2: The conversation says the boy suggested orange juice, but his mom said they have juice at home and decided to skip it.
Common mistake: Option A (“milk”) is a distractor because milk is the very first item mentioned, so students sometimes default to it, but it's something they do decide to buy — the item the mom says no to is orange juice.
Transcript
W
Hi Alex. Ready for our shopping list?
M
Yes, Mom! What do we need?
W
Let's see. First, we need some milk. We don't have much left.
M
Okay, milk. Got it. What else?
W
We also need some bread.
M
Bread. And maybe some fruit? I like apples.
W
Good idea! Apples are healthy. Let's add them. Do we need bananas too?
M
Yes, please! And maybe some juice? Orange juice?
W
Hmm, we have juice at home. Let's skip it today. How about some eggs? We are almost out.
M
Eggs. Right. So, milk, bread, apples, bananas, and eggs. Is that everything?
W
Yes, I think so for now. We can get cheese later.
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Item 2: Conversation — missing homework
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. Sara's plans for after school.
- B. Mr. Davis giving new homework.
- C. Sara explaining why her homework is missing.
- D. Sara talking about her good health.
Q2
Why did Sara not finish her homework?
- A. She had too much other schoolwork.
- B. She felt sick with a headache and fever.
- C. She forgot to do it.
- D. She helped her family instead.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. Sara explaining why her homework is missing.
Q2
B. She felt sick with a headache and fever.
Q1: The script says Sara apologizes for not having her math homework and explains she was sick, which is the main topic of the conversation.
Common mistake: D (“Sara talking about her good health”) is tempting because Sara does say she feels better, but that's a small reassurance near the end — her explanation for the missing homework is the real subject.
Q2: The script says Sara 'felt very sick' and 'had a bad headache and a fever,' which prevented her from finishing the work.
Common mistake: A (“she had too much other schoolwork”) is a plausible-sounding trap since homework and schoolwork are related, but the script gives a specific reason — Sara was sick with a headache and fever — not workload.
Transcript
T
Good morning, Sara. Do you have your math homework?
S
Oh, good morning, Mr. Davis. I am so sorry, but I don't have it today.
T
You don't have it? Is everything okay?
S
Yes, I'm okay now. But yesterday, I felt very sick. I had a bad headache and a fever. I went to bed early and couldn't finish the work.
T
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you feeling better today?
S
Yes, much better, thank you.
T
That's good. Your health is important. Can you finish the homework by tomorrow morning?
S
Yes, Mr. Davis, I can. I will do it after school today.
T
Great. Get some rest too.
S
I will. Thank you, Mr. Davis.
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Item 3: Lecture — eagles
Answer the 2 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. How eagles use their sharp eyesight.
- B. The places where eagles live.
- C. How eagles build nests and hunt for food.
- D. The different types of food eagles eat.
Q2
According to the talk, what do eagles use to catch their prey?
- A. Their long beaks.
- B. Their sharp talons.
- C. Their fast wings.
- D. Their strong legs.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. How eagles build nests and hunt for food.
Q2
B. Their sharp talons.
Q1: The script says the talk is about how eagles build nests and how they hunt for food.
Common mistake: A (“how eagles use their sharp eyesight”) is tempting because eyesight is mentioned early, but it's a supporting fact for hunting — the lecture's real focus spans both nest-building and hunting.
Q2: The script says eagles use their strong, sharp claws, called talons, to catch their prey.
Common mistake: A (“their long beaks”) is a trap because beaks are a common association with birds of prey, but the script specifically credits sharp talons (claws), not beaks, for catching prey.
Transcript
Hello everyone. Today, let's learn about eagles, amazing birds of prey. Eagles are very strong and have excellent eyesight. They build their nests in high places, like tall trees or cliffs. This helps keep their babies safe. Eagles use big sticks, branches, and leaves to make their nests. These nests can be very large, sometimes as big as a small car! They use the same nest year after year, adding more materials each time.
Now, how do eagles find food? Eagles are expert hunters. They mainly eat fish, but they also catch small animals like rabbits or squirrels. They fly high in the sky, looking for food with their sharp eyes. Once they see something, they dive down very fast. They use their strong, sharp claws, called talons, to catch their prey. Eagles are truly powerful hunters in the animal kingdom.
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Item 4: Lecture — forests
Answer the 2 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. How to plant new trees in a forest.
- B. Why forests are important for animals.
- C. What kind of food humans can find in forests.
- D. How animals build their homes.
Q2
Why do animals build their homes in trees?
- A. To find more food easily.
- B. To stay safe from bad weather and other animals.
- C. To help the trees grow taller.
- D. To hide from small insects.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
B. Why forests are important for animals.
Q2
B. To stay safe from bad weather and other animals.
Q1: The script says the talk is about 'forests and why they are so important, especially for animals.'
Common mistake: C (“what kind of food humans can find in forests”) is a trap because food is discussed, but the lecture is about food, shelter, and safety for animals, not humans.
Q2: The script says animals build homes in trees to keep 'them safe from bad weather and other animals that might want to hurt them.'
Common mistake: A (“to find more food easily”) is tempting because food is a major theme of the talk, but the specific reason animals build homes in trees is safety from weather and predators, not food access.
Transcript
Today, let's talk about forests and why they are so important, especially for animals. A forest is a big area with many trees. Think of it as a giant home for countless creatures. First, forests give animals a safe place to live. Many animals, like birds, monkeys, and squirrels, build their homes in trees. This keeps them safe from bad weather and other animals that might want to hurt them.
Second, forests provide food. Trees have fruits, nuts, and leaves. These are food for many animals. For example, bears eat berries, and deer eat leaves. Even small insects find food there. So, a forest is like a big supermarket for animals.
Finally, forests help animals stay hidden. The tall trees and bushes provide cover, so animals can hide from predators. So, remember, forests are vital because they offer shelter, food, and safety for many different kinds of animals. They are truly amazing places!