TOEFL listening practice on disagreement with parents and the respiratory system. 9 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 — disagreement with parents
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. Leo's struggle with his homework.
- B. Mia's parents wanting her to read more books.
- C. A disagreement between Mia and her parents about screen time.
- D. The benefits of using tablets for school projects.
Q2
What is one reason Mia's parents are concerned about her screen time?
- A. They think she uses her tablet for too many school projects.
- B. They believe she is not helping enough with chores around the house.
- C. They worry she is not getting enough sleep because of her tablet.
- D. They want her to spend more time with friends.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. A disagreement between Mia and her parents about screen time.
Q2
B. They believe she is not helping enough with chores around the house.
Q1: The script says Mia and her parents had "a big talk about my screen time again" and Leo mentions his parents are "always on my case about my phone," indicating a central disagreement about screen time.
Q2: The script says Mia's parents "want me to read or help around the house instead," showing a concern that screen time takes away from household responsibilities.
Transcript
M
Hey Mia, you look a bit down. What's wrong?
W
Oh, hey Leo. It's my parents. We had a big talk about my screen time again.
M
Ah, the usual battle? My parents are always on my case about my phone.
W
Exactly! They think I'm on my tablet too much after dinner. They want me to read or help around the house instead.
M
Yeah, mine say I should be doing homework or 'being active.' It's like they don't understand we need to relax sometimes.
W
I told them I use my tablet for school projects, not just games. But they just shake their heads and point to my grades.
M
That's tough. My mom always says "your brain needs a break from the blue light." It's annoying when they bring up science!
W
I just feel like they don't trust me to manage my own time. I try to explain I'm responsible, but it's hard to make them listen.
M
Maybe try showing them a schedule? Like, "Homework first, then 30 minutes of screen time, then help with dishes."
W
Hmm, that's a good idea. A plan might work better than arguing. Thanks!
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Item 2: Conversation — school election speech
Answer the 2 questions about this conversation.
Q1
What is the conversation mainly about?
- A. Alex asking Maya to help him write his speech.
- B. Maya giving Alex feedback on his class president speech.
- C. Alex and Maya discussing new ideas for school clubs.
- D. Maya preparing her own speech for the school election.
Q2
Why does Maya suggest Alex add more details to his speech?
- A. Because his current speech is too short and needs more words.
- B. Because she wants him to explain *how* he plans to achieve his promises.
- C. Because she thinks his ideas for new clubs are not good enough.
- D. Because he forgot to mention improving the lunch menu.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
B. Maya giving Alex feedback on his class president speech.
Q2
B. Because she wants him to explain *how* he plans to achieve his promises.
Q1: The script says Alex asks Maya to "look it over and give me feedback" on his "class president speech," and Maya then provides detailed comments.
Q2: The script says Maya suggests Alex "add more about *how* you'll do these things" to make his promises clearer.
Transcript
A
Hey Maya, can you help me? I just finished my class president speech. Could you look it over and give me feedback?
B
Sure, Alex! What should I focus on?
A
I want it to sound convincing. I'm nervous about speaking next week. Does it sound natural? Is it clear what I'm promising?
B
Let's see. (Pauses, reading) Your introduction is strong. You want to make our school better. That’s great.
A
Thanks! I thought about what students care about.
B
It shows. You mention new clubs and improving the lunch menu. Good choices. My main thought: add more about *how* you'll do these things. For the lunch menu, will you ask for student ideas?
A
Oh, good point! I just said I'd "work to improve it." "How" is important.
B
Exactly. Your ending is good, asking for their vote. It's strong, Alex. Just add detail on the 'how'.
A
Okay, I can add that. Thanks, Maya, this is super helpful!
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Item 3: Lecture — the respiratory system
Answer the 3 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. How to exercise your lungs effectively.
- B. The different parts of the human respiratory system.
- C. How the lungs bring oxygen in and push carbon dioxide out.
- D. What carbon dioxide does inside the body.
Q2
According to the talk, what happens to oxygen after it enters the lungs?
- A. It stays in the windpipe until it's exhaled.
- B. It moves from tiny air sacs into the blood.
- C. It is immediately pushed out of the body.
- D. It becomes carbon dioxide inside the lungs.
Q3
Why does the body need to get rid of carbon dioxide?
- A. Because it helps the body get energy.
- B. Because it is a waste gas that the body doesn't need.
- C. Because it makes the lungs expand.
- D. Because it travels to every part of the body.
🔑 Answer key — 3 questions
Q1
C. How the lungs bring oxygen in and push carbon dioxide out.
Q2
B. It moves from tiny air sacs into the blood.
Q3
B. Because it is a waste gas that the body doesn't need.
Q1: The talk explains the process of inhalation (taking oxygen in) and exhalation (pushing carbon dioxide out) by the lungs.
Q2: The script says, 'Oxygen from the air moves from these sacs into your blood.'
Q3: The talk explains that carbon dioxide is 'a waste gas your body doesn't need.'
Transcript
Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something vital your body does: breathing. We'll explore your respiratory system, focusing on your amazing lungs.
When you breathe in, or inhale, you take air from the environment into your body. This air travels down your windpipe into your lungs, which are like two big sponges. As they fill, they expand. Inside, tiny air sacs covered with small blood vessels do important work. Oxygen from the air moves from these sacs into your blood. Your blood then carries this oxygen to every part of your body, providing the energy it needs.
But there's more. As your blood delivers oxygen, it also collects carbon dioxide, a waste gas your body doesn't need. Your blood brings this carbon dioxide back to your lungs. When you breathe out, or exhale, your lungs push this carbon dioxide out of your body. It's a continuous exchange!
This process of taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide is essential for life. Without it, our bodies wouldn't have the energy to function. So, next time you breathe, remember your lungs' hard work!
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Item 4: Lecture — the Silk Road
Answer the 2 questions about this lecture.
Q1
What is the talk mainly about?
- A. How silk was made in ancient China.
- B. The challenges merchants faced on the Silk Road.
- C. The Silk Road as a network for trade and cultural exchange.
- D. Different religions that started in ancient Asia.
Q2
Why was the network of routes called the "Silk Road"?
- A. Because it was the only product traded there.
- B. Because silk from China was a very famous and valuable product.
- C. Because only silk traders were allowed to use the routes.
- D. Because the roads were made of silk.
🔑 Answer key — 2 questions
Q1
C. The Silk Road as a network for trade and cultural exchange.
Q2
B. Because silk from China was a very famous and valuable product.
Q1: The script says the Silk Road was a network of trade routes connecting Asia with Europe, used for exchanging goods and ideas, which is the main topic.
Q2: The script says it was called the Silk Road because silk from China was one of the most famous and valuable products traded along these routes.
Transcript
Hello everyone! Today, we're going to learn about a fascinating part of history: the Silk Road.
The Silk Road wasn't one single road, but a large network of trade routes. It connected Asia, especially China, with Europe and parts of Africa for over a thousand years. Think of it as an ancient super-highway for goods and ideas!
It was called the Silk Road because silk from China was one of the most famous and valuable products traded. People in Europe loved this beautiful cloth. But many other things also traveled along these routes: spices for food, tea, precious metals, and even new ideas and religions. For instance, Buddhism moved from India to China thanks to these routes.
This exchange was incredibly important. It allowed different cultures to meet, learn, and share knowledge. It also made many cities and regions along the Silk Road wealthy because of all the busy trade. Merchants traveled long distances, sometimes for months, to bring valuable items across continents.
So, the Silk Road was vital. It was a pathway for trade, culture, and progress that shaped the ancient world.