LISTENING ONE: “PROFESSOR’S OFFICE Listen to part of a conversation between a student and a professor. Student Professor Student Professor Student (Q1) Professor Professor Student (Q2) Professor (Q3) Student (Q4) Professor Student Professor Student Professor Student Professor Student Professor James. Do you have a minute? Sure. Come on in. What can I do for you? Well, I did pretty well on the midterm . You sure did. One of the best grades, as I recall. But I missed a question, and I'd appreciate it if you could help me understand what I did wrong. I have the test right here, and I just cant figure it out. Okay. Fire away. It's question 7 . the one on biotic provinces and biomes. Oh, that one. Urn, quite a few people missed it. I was thinking that we should go over it again in class. But anyway, let's look at your answer. Thanks. Here's the thing. I said that a biotic province was a region with similar life but with boundaries that prevent plants and animals from spreading to other regions. So an animal, for example, a mammal . it may have a genetic ancestor in common with another mammal. But a biome is a similar environment, an ecosystem really, like a desert or a tropical rainforest. So, in the case of a biome, well, the similar climate causes the plants and animals to evolve . to adapt to the climate, and that's why they look alike. That's good, very good . as far as you went. But there's a second part to the question. Look, right here, "Include an explanation of convergent and divergent evolution.” So … I was looking for a more complete answer. Next time be sure to include both parts of a question … when there are two parts like this one … Do you know how to explain convergent and divergent evolution? I think so. Isn’t it … like when a group of plants or animals … when they’re separated by mountains or a large body of water … then subpopulations evolve from a common ancestor and they have similar characteristics but their development diverges because of the separation, so that’s why we call it divergent evolution. Right. Even when the habitat is similar, if they're separated then they diverge … How about convergent evolution then? Well, that would be a situation where a similar environment . a habitat . it may cause plants and animals to evolve in order to adapt to the condition. So a species that isn't really related can evolve with similar characteristics because . it can look like a species in another geographic region because of adaptation . and that would be convergent evolution? Right again. So temperature and rainfall, proximity to water, latitude and longitude all combine to determine the climate, and if we know the climate of an area, then we can actually predict what kind of life will inhabit it. Okay. And I really did know that. I just didn't put it down. To tell the truth, I didn't see the second part. Not until you pointed it out to me. That's what I thought. Well, Jerry, it's a good idea to double-check all the questions on a test . not just my test . any test . to make sure you've answered each part of the question completely. Otherwise, you wont get full credit. I see that. Weil, live and learn. Jerry, you're one of my best students. Thanks. I really like biology. In fact, I'm thinking of majoring in it. Good. That means you'll be in some of my upper-level classes. And I'll be watching out for those two-part questions on your exams. Professor Student (Q5) Professor And all the rest of your exams. I’ll be honest with you. My questions usually have two parts so the students will have an insight into the grading system . and a lot of professors do that. In an essay question, it's difficult to know what to include and how much to write. Just read the question carefully, and be sure to include all the parts. There may be three or four in some essay questions. This is the way that the professor helps you organize your answer. I am giving my students a hint about what I am looking for by including several parts to the question. But if you miss one of the parts, then it lowers your score. That makes sense, I think I was just trying to finish within the time limit, and I didn’t read as carefully as I should have. On the final, I’ll spend more time reading the questions before I start answer them. Good plan. QUESTIONS 1. Why does the man go to see his professor? A. To prepare for the next midterm B. To clarify a question from the midterm C. To find out his grade on the midterm D. To complain about his grade on the midterm 2. Why does the man say this: (audio) A. He is giving something to the professor. B. He is trying to justify his position. C. He is apologizing because he does not understand. D. He is signaling that he will explain his problem. 3. What did the man do wrong? A. He did not finish the test within the time limit. B. He did not study enough before the test. C. He did not answer one question completely. D. He did not understand a major concept. 4. According to the student, what is divergent evolution? A. A population that evolves differently does not have a common ancestor. B. A similar environment can affect the evolution of different species. C. A similar group that is separated may develop different characteristics. D. The climate of an area will allow scientists to predict the life forms. 5. What will Jerry probably do on the next test? A. He will look for questions with several parts. B. He will read the entire test before he begins. C. He will ask for more time to finish. D. He will write an outline for each essay. ANSWER: 1. Why does the man go to see his professor? B. To clarify a question from the midterm 2. Listen again to part of the conversation and then answer the following question. "Thanks. Here's the thing. I said that a biotic province was a region with similar fife, but with boundaries that prevent plants and animals from spreading to other regions.” Why does the man say this: "Thanks. Here's the thing." D. He is signaling that he will explain his problem. 3. What did the man do wrong? C. He did not answer one question completely. He did not see the second part. 4. According to the student, what is divergent evolution? C. A similar group that is separated may develop different characteristics 5. What will Jerry probably do on the next test? A. To avoid the same problem that he had on the midterm, he will look for questions with several parts. - THAT’S THE END OF LISTENING ONE -