Eiken Listening: Longer Passage Narration Questions and Answers

Question 1

Listen to the narration about a volunteer experience, then answer the question.

(Narrator): 'Last summer, I decided to volunteer at the city's animal shelter. I thought it would be fun to play with puppies and kittens all day, but it was much more than that. The work was hard—cleaning cages, feeding dozens of animals, and helping with paperwork. There were sad moments, too, seeing so many animals without a home. But the best part was when a family came in and found their perfect pet. Seeing an animal go to a loving home made all the hard work worthwhile. It was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.'

What is the main point of the speaker's story?

Accepted Answer

Volunteering at the shelter, despite its challenges, was a positive and meaningful experience.

Answer

The speaker details both the difficult and sad parts of the job but concludes by calling it 'one of the most rewarding experiences,' which summarizes the main idea that the experience was positive overall.

Question 2

Listen to the narration about how chocolate is made, then answer the question.

(Narrator): 'Many people love chocolate, but few know how it's made. The process starts with cacao pods, which grow on trees in tropical regions. After the pods are harvested, the beans inside are removed and fermented for about a week. This step is what removes the bitter taste. Next, the beans are dried in the sun, and then shipped to factories. At the factory, they are roasted, which is what truly develops that rich, complex flavor we all recognize as 'chocolatey.' Finally, the roasted beans are ground into a paste, which is the base for all chocolate products.'

According to the speaker, which step is essential for developing the characteristic flavor of chocolate?

Accepted Answer

Roasting the beans at the factory.

Answer

The narration explicitly states that roasting the beans 'is what truly develops that rich, complex flavor we all recognize as 'chocolatey'.'

Question 3

Listen to the story about a hiker, then answer the question.

(Narrator): 'I was hiking alone on the mountain's north trail, a path I thought I knew well. But after a few hours, the trees looked unfamiliar, and the trail seemed to disappear. I checked my pockets for my phone, but the battery was dead. Then I realized I'd left my paper map in the car. The sun was getting low, and a chill was in the air. My heart started to pound. I forced myself to sit on a log, take a few deep breaths, and think. Panicking wouldn't help. I had to remember which way the sun was when I started.'

What can be inferred about the speaker when they realized they were lost?

Accepted Answer

They were initially frightened but took action to control their fear.

Answer

The speaker's 'heart started to pound,' indicating fear. However, they immediately 'forced' themselves to sit, breathe, and think logically, which shows an attempt to manage that fear.

Question 4

Listen to the explanation of a historical event, then answer the question.

(Narrator): 'The 'Dust Bowl' of the 1930s was one of America's worst environmental disasters. For years, farmers in the Great Plains had been plowing up millions of acres of native grassland to plant wheat. This traditional grass had deep roots that held the soil in place. When a severe drought hit the region, the over-plowed soil, which no longer had the grass to protect it, turned to dust. Powerful winds then swept across the plains, picking up the loose topsoil and creating massive, black dust storms that buried homes and destroyed farms.'

According to the narration, what was the primary cause of the soil turning to dust?

Accepted Answer

A combination of severe drought and the removal of native grasses.

Answer

The passage explains that two factors worked together: farmers removed the native grass that held the soil, and then a drought dried out that unprotected soil, allowing the wind to blow it away.

Question 5

Listen to the audio tour of a museum exhibit, then answer the question.

(Narrator): 'Welcome to the guided audio tour of the Starship 'Odyssey' exhibit. This spaceship was a marvel of its time, designed for a ten-year mission to explore distant galaxies. In front of you is the bridge, where the captain and crew commanded the ship. Notice the main viewscreen, which gave them a window to the universe. To your right is the hydroponics bay, a large glass-enclosed garden where the crew grew their own fresh food. The ship also had advanced medical facilities and a zero-gravity recreation area. However, it did not have personal teleportation devices; the crew relied on smaller shuttlecraft for short trips.'

Which of the following features was mentioned as being part of the Starship 'Odyssey'?

Accepted Answer

An onboard garden for growing fresh food.

Answer

The speaker explicitly points out the 'hydroponics bay, a large glass-enclosed garden where the crew grew their own fresh food.' Teleportation devices are specifically mentioned as not being on the ship.

Eiken Test Practice Test

Eiken Test Practice Test

Eiken Listening: Longer Passage Narration Questions and Answers