TOEFL listening practice on bedtime and caterpillars. 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 — bedtime
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. A boy wanting to read a story.
- B. A mother reminding her child about bedtime.
- C. Why playing with toy cars is fun.
- D. When school starts in the morning.
Q2
According to the mother, why is sleeping on time important for the child?
- A. Because he needs to clean his room early.
- B. To help his body grow and make his brain smart.
- C. So he can wake up and play with his toy car.
- D. Because she wants to read a long story.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
B. A mother reminding her child about bedtime.
Q2
B. To help his body grow and make his brain smart.
Q1: The conversation says the mother reminds her child, Leo, that it's almost bedtime and explains why he needs to sleep.
Q2: The conversation says the mother explains that 'Sleeping helps your body grow and makes your brain smart for school.'
Transcript
W
"Hi, Leo. It's almost 8 o'clock. Do you know what that means?"
M
"Uh oh. Is it bedtime already, Mom?"
W
"Yes, it is! You need to be in bed by 8:30 tonight."
M
"But I want to play with my toy car for five more minutes!"
W
"I know it's fun, but you have school tomorrow. You need a good night's sleep to be ready."
M
"Why is sleeping important?"
W
"Sleeping helps your body grow and makes your brain smart for school. If you sleep late, you'll be tired in the morning."
M
"Oh, I don't want to be tired. Okay, I'll put my car away now."
W
"Good boy. Let's get your pajamas on, then we can read a quick story."
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Item 2: Conversation — school play
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. Sarah's plan to watch a play.
- B. Two friends discussing the school play.
- C. Tom helping Sarah with her homework.
- D. The history of the "Peter Pan" play.
Q2
Why is Sarah unsure about trying out for the play?
- A. She doesn't like the play "Peter Pan."
- B. She already has too much homework.
- C. She feels shy about performing on stage.
- D. She wants to be a director, not an actor.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
B. Two friends discussing the school play.
Q2
C. She feels shy about performing on stage.
Q1: The script says that Tom and Sarah are talking about trying out for the school play, "Peter Pan."
Q2: The script says Sarah is unsure because she is "a little shy about acting on stage."
Transcript
W
Hi Tom! Are you trying out for the school play this year?
M
Hi Sarah! Yes, I am! I really want to be in it.
W
That's great! What play are they doing?
M
It's "Peter Pan." I hope I can get a part.
W
Oh, "Peter Pan" is fun! Which character do you want to play?
M
I want to be Captain Hook! He's a funny bad guy. I practiced my pirate voice at home.
W
Captain Hook! That would be perfect for you. You have a loud voice.
M
Thanks! Are you going to try out too?
W
I'm not sure. I'm a little shy about acting on stage.
M
You should try! It's a lot of fun, and everyone helps each other. Maybe you can be Tinker Bell!
W
Hmm, maybe. When are the auditions?
M
They are next Monday. You still have time to think about it!
W
Okay, I will. Good luck with Captain Hook!
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Item 3: Lecture — caterpillars
Answer the 2 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. How butterflies fly
- B. What caterpillars eat
- C. The life cycle of a butterfly
- D. How to build a chrysalis
Q2
What does a caterpillar do before it becomes a butterfly?
- A. It flies away to find food.
- B. It makes a special house around itself.
- C. It lays eggs on a leaf.
- D. It sleeps for a few days.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. The life cycle of a butterfly
Q2
B. It makes a special house around itself.
Q1: The talk is about the process of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly, which is a key part of the butterfly's life cycle.
Q2: The talk says the caterpillar "finds a safe place and makes a special house around itself" before it transforms.
Transcript
Hello everyone! Today, we're going to talk about a very interesting insect: the caterpillar. You know, a caterpillar is not just a worm. It's actually a young butterfly or moth. Caterpillars are famous for eating a lot of leaves. They need to eat and grow big. After eating for some time, the caterpillar stops eating. It finds a safe place and makes a special house around itself. This house is called a chrysalis for butterflies, or a cocoon for moths. Inside this chrysalis or cocoon, amazing changes happen. The caterpillar doesn't just sleep; its body transforms completely. It takes several weeks. Finally, the chrysalis or cocoon opens, and out comes a beautiful butterfly! The butterfly then flies away, lays eggs, and the cycle starts again. So, a caterpillar is the first stage in the life of a butterfly. Isn't that amazing?
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Item 4: Lecture — the ocean
Answer the 2 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. Different types of ocean animals.
- B. How deep and big the ocean is.
- C. The problem of ocean pollution.
- D. The tallest mountains on Earth.
Q2
According to the teacher, why is it important to keep the ocean clean?
- A. Because many mysterious animals live there.
- B. Because it controls weather and gives us food.
- C. Because it has the Mariana Trench.
- D. Because it covers 70% of the Earth.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
B. How deep and big the ocean is.
Q2
B. Because it controls weather and gives us food.
Q1: The script says the talk is about how big and deep the ocean is, using examples like its coverage of Earth and the Mariana Trench.
Q2: The script states that keeping the ocean clean is important because it helps control our planet's weather and provides food.
Transcript
Today, let's talk about something amazing: the ocean! The ocean is a very big and deep place on Earth. It covers most of our planet, almost 70% of it. Imagine looking at a map; you see so much blue! That's the ocean. It's not just wide, but also very deep. Do you know how deep? The deepest part of the ocean is called the Mariana Trench. It's so deep that if you put Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain, into it, the top of the mountain would still be far below the water's surface! This makes the ocean a very mysterious place, full of things we don't fully understand. Many animals live there, some we know, and many more we haven't even discovered yet. It's important to keep the ocean clean because it helps control our planet's weather and provides food for many people around the world. So, the ocean is truly a giant, deep, and vital part of our world, full of secrets and life.