TOEFL Listening for Speaker's Attitude Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student says to a professor: "I was wondering if maybe there's any chance you could possibly extend the deadline?" What does the student's language reveal?
- The student is demanding an extension immediately.
- The student is confident the professor will agree.
- The student is hesitant and uncertain, trying to be polite and non-imposing. (Correct answer)
- The student is indifferent about whether the deadline is extended.
Correct answer: The student is hesitant and uncertain, trying to be polite and non-imposing.
The multiple hedges ("I was wondering," "if maybe," "any chance," "possibly") signal extreme tentativeness and politeness. The student is clearly uncertain about asking and is trying to minimize imposition on the professor, indicating anxiety or hesitance about the request.
Question 2: In a lecture, a professor says: "This approach dominated the field for three decades. Then one study came along and—well—everything changed." What attitude is conveyed by "well"?
- The professor is searching for the correct academic terminology.
- The professor is pausing to signal that a dramatic or significant shift occurred. (Correct answer)
- The professor is uncertain whether the study was accurate.
- The professor is dismissing the importance of the study.
Correct answer: The professor is pausing to signal that a dramatic or significant shift occurred.
In spoken academic English, "well" used as a pause before a dramatic statement often signals that what follows is significant or unexpected. Here it creates anticipation before announcing the field-changing event, conveying the speaker's sense of the moment's importance.
Question 3: After presenting research findings, a professor says: "Of course, this is just one study. We should be careful about drawing sweeping conclusions." The professor's attitude is best described as:
- Enthusiastic and certain about the findings
- Cautious and scientifically rigorous (Correct answer)
- Dismissive of the study's value
- Frustrated with the limitations of the research
Correct answer: Cautious and scientifically rigorous
By warning against "sweeping conclusions" and noting it is "just one study," the professor demonstrates scientific caution and methodological rigor. This is a common academic attitude: acknowledging preliminary findings while emphasizing the need for more evidence.
Question 4: A student tells a classmate: "I've read every book on the reading list three times. I think I'm ready." The classmate responds: "Must be nice." What does the classmate's response suggest?
- The classmate is genuinely happy for the student.
- The classmate is expressing mild envy or sarcasm about not being as prepared. (Correct answer)
- The classmate thinks reading books three times is excessive.
- The classmate does not understand what the student said.
Correct answer: The classmate is expressing mild envy or sarcasm about not being as prepared.
"Must be nice" is a common English expression used to convey mild envy or sarcasm about something the speaker cannot or has not done. Here it implies the classmate feels underprepared by comparison and perhaps wishes they had similar dedication or time.
Question 5: During a campus conversation, a student says about a new university policy: "I mean, I get why they did it, but still..." The "but still" at the end indicates:
- The student fully agrees with the policy and supports it.
- The student is unsure what the policy entails.
- The student understands the reasoning but remains dissatisfied or unconvinced. (Correct answer)
- The student wants to learn more before forming an opinion.
Correct answer: The student understands the reasoning but remains dissatisfied or unconvinced.
"I get why they did it" acknowledges the rationale, but "but still..." signals lingering disagreement or dissatisfaction. This structure—acknowledging one side while trailing off—is a common spoken expression of reluctant acceptance mixed with ongoing objection.
Question 6: A professor asks a student: "So you're saying that economic growth always leads to environmental degradation?" and then pauses. What is the professor most likely doing?
- Agreeing with the student's position
- Restating the student's argument to challenge or probe its implications (Correct answer)
- Changing the topic of discussion
- Expressing admiration for the student's argument
Correct answer: Restating the student's argument to challenge or probe its implications
Professors often restate a student's argument in a pointed or exaggerated form to encourage the student to qualify or defend it. The pause after the question invites the student to reconsider whether the absolute claim ("always") is justified—a Socratic challenge technique.
TOEFL Listening for Speaker's Attitude Questions and Answers 3
A student says to a professor: "I was wondering if maybe there's any chance you could possibly extend the deadline?" What does the student's language reveal?