Latihan TOEFL Listening 18: Thesis Committee Scheduling
Ini transkrip percakapan atau kuliah untuk latihan listening. Coba pahami isinya, lalu jawab 10 soal di bawah.
Student: Hi, I wanted to talk about scheduling my thesis defense. I'm hoping to defend before the end of the semester, but I'm having trouble finding a time that works for all three committee members.
Advisor: That can definitely be tricky with everyone's schedules. Have you already reached out to each member individually?
Student: I have, and two of them gave me a few options, but my third reader said she's only available during a week when one of the other members will be at a conference.
Advisor: In that case, you have a couple of options. You could see if she'd be willing to join remotely for the defense, which the department does allow, or you could push the defense to the following semester if a shared date truly can't be found.
Student: I'd really prefer not to delay it if possible. Do you know if remote participation requires any special approval?
Advisor: It just requires a short form signed by your committee chair, which is usually just a formality. I can send that to you along with instructions.
Student: That would be great. One more thing — is there a minimum notice period required before scheduling the defense itself?
Advisor: Yes, university policy requires at least two weeks' notice to the graduate school once a date is confirmed, so you'll want to lock in a date soon to stay on track for this semester.
Soal
1. What is the student's main challenge in this conversation?
- Getting approval to change her thesis advisor
- Finding a defense date that works for all three committee members' schedules
- Finding funding for her final semester
- Choosing a thesis topic
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: B. Finding a defense date that works for all three committee members' schedules
Mahasiswa membuka percakapan dengan kesulitan mencari waktu yang cocok untuk ketiga anggota komite.
2. According to the conversation, why is scheduling difficult?
- All three members have refused to participate
- The student has not contacted any committee members yet
- One committee member is only available during a week when another will be at a conference
- The department does not allow thesis defenses this semester
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: C. One committee member is only available during a week when another will be at a conference
Disebutkan eksplisit konflik jadwal ini oleh mahasiswa.
3. What two options does the advisor suggest?
- Changing the thesis topic or delaying graduation by a year
- Remote participation for the unavailable member or postponing to the following semester
- Removing a committee member entirely or canceling the defense
- Switching universities or taking a leave of absence
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: B. Remote participation for the unavailable member or postponing to the following semester
Disebutkan eksplisit kedua opsi ini oleh advisor.
4. It can be inferred that the student prefers
- To postpone her defense regardless of the circumstances
- To avoid delaying her defense to the following semester
- To cancel her thesis defense altogether
- To remove her third committee member entirely
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: B. To avoid delaying her defense to the following semester
Mahasiswa berkata 'I'd really prefer not to delay it if possible'.
5. Why does the advisor mention the approval form for remote participation?
- To discourage the student from using remote participation
- To describe a completely unrelated university policy
- To explain the simple process required to allow a committee member to join remotely
- To explain visa requirements for international students
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: C. To explain the simple process required to allow a committee member to join remotely
Advisor menjelaskan proses ini sebagai jawaban atas pertanyaan mahasiswa soal persetujuan khusus.
6. The word 'formality' as used in the conversation is closest in meaning to
- An informal, unofficial conversation
- A simple procedural step usually granted without difficulty
- A financial payment required for approval
- A major obstacle that is rarely overcome
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: B. A simple procedural step usually granted without difficulty
'Usually just a formality' berarti langkah prosedural yang biasanya mudah disetujui.
7. According to the advisor, how much notice does university policy require before a defense?
- At least two weeks
- At least two days
- No notice is required
- At least two months
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: A. At least two weeks
Disebutkan eksplisit 'at least two weeks' notice'.
8. It can be inferred that the student needs to confirm a date
- At any point, since there is no real deadline
- Only after her thesis is fully written
- Soon, in order to meet the two-week notice requirement before the end of the semester
- Only if all three members are physically present
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: C. Soon, in order to meet the two-week notice requirement before the end of the semester
Advisor menyarankan mengunci tanggal segera 'to stay on track for this semester' mengingat syarat dua minggu.
9. Who must sign the approval form for remote participation?
- The university president
- The committee chair
- The student's parents
- All three committee members individually
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: B. The committee chair
Disebutkan eksplisit formulir ini 'signed by your committee chair'.
10. Why does the student ask about the minimum notice period at the end of the conversation?
- To make sure she schedules the defense date early enough to meet the requirement
- To request a longer notice period than usual
- To request an extension of her graduate program
- To cancel her defense entirely
Lihat jawaban dan pembahasan
Jawaban: A. To make sure she schedules the defense date early enough to meet the requirement
Pertanyaan ini muncul karena ia ingin memastikan tenggat waktu tercapai untuk semester ini.