Listening Practice Question#2

Academic Writing, Research Methodology, Environmental Science, Education, Library and Information Science

---

Questions

Scenario:

A student is speaking with her professor about an upcoming research paper.

Voice By ondoku3.com

Questions:

1. What is the main concern the student expresses at the beginning of the conversation?
   • (A) She is unsure about the topic of her research paper.
   • (B) She is worried about the deadline for her research paper.
   • (C) She doesn’t know how to access academic journals.
   • (D) She needs help with the formatting of her paper.
2. What topic does the professor suggest the student focus on?
   • (A) The general effects of plastic pollution in oceans
   • (B) The impact of plastic pollution on global climate
   • (C) The effects of microplastics on marine life in a specific region
   • (D) The role of environmental policies in reducing pollution
3. What resources does the professor recommend the student use for her research?
   • (A) Textbooks and online articles
   • (B) Documentaries and news websites
   • (C) Academic journals available through the university’s online library
   • (D) Public libraries and government reports
4. How does the professor suggest the student structure her paper?
   • (A) Introduction, Literature Review, Conclusion, and References
   • (B) Abstract, Introduction, Conclusion, and References
   • (C) Hypothesis, Experiment, Results, and Conclusion
   • (D) Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion

---

Transcripts

Listening Script:

Student:
Hi, Professor Smith. I wanted to ask you a few questions about the research paper that’s due next month.

Professor:
Of course, what do you need help with?

Student:
Well, I’m having a little trouble narrowing down my topic. I’m really interested in environmental science, but I’m not sure how specific I should be. There’s just so much to cover!

Professor:
That’s understandable. Environmental science is a broad field, so it’s important to choose a topic that’s not too general. You want to be able to explore your subject in depth.

Student:
I was thinking about focusing on the effects of plastic pollution in oceans. But then I wondered if that might still be too broad?

Professor:
It’s a good start, but you might want to narrow it down further. For example, you could focus specifically on the impact of microplastics on marine life in a particular region. That way, you can delve into the details and provide more substantial analysis.

Student:
That makes sense. I’ll look into that. Also, I’m a bit concerned about finding enough sources. Do you have any recommendations on where I should start my research?

Professor:
Yes, you should definitely start with academic journals. There are plenty of articles on microplastics and marine biology in journals like Marine Pollution Bulletin or Environmental Science & Technology. You can access these through the university’s online library.

Student:
Great, I’ll check those out. One more thing—I’m not sure how to structure the paper. Do you have a preferred format?

Professor:
For this paper, I’d suggest following a standard scientific format: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Start with a clear introduction that outlines your research question and why it’s important. Then, explain your methods, present your findings, and discuss their implications.

Student:
Thank you so much for the advice, Professor. I feel a lot more confident about getting started now.

Professor:
You’re welcome! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions as you work on your paper.

Student:
I will, thanks again!

Questions and Answers

1. What is the main concern the student expresses at the beginning of the conversation?
   • Answer: (A) She is unsure about the topic of her research paper.
   • Explanation: The student begins the conversation by expressing uncertainty about narrowing down her research topic, which indicates that her primary concern is choosing an appropriate and specific topic for her paper.
2. What topic does the professor suggest the student focus on?
   • Answer: (C) The effects of microplastics on marine life in a specific region.
   • Explanation: The professor advises the student to narrow down her topic by focusing on the impact of microplastics on marine life in a particular region. This suggestion helps the student refine her broad interest in plastic pollution.
3. What resources does the professor recommend the student use for her research?
   • Answer: (C) Academic journals available through the university’s online library.
   • Explanation: The professor recommends that the student begin her research by accessing academic journals, such as Marine Pollution Bulletin or Environmental Science & Technology, through the university’s online library.
4. How does the professor suggest the student structure her paper?
   • Answer: (D) Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
   • Explanation: The professor suggests using a standard scientific format for the paper, which includes sections for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This structure is commonly used in scientific writing to present research findings.