Audio Samples and Questions - Researching a Paper

Audio Samples and Questions

Researching a Paper

A: Sir, you've been using the Online Catalogue for quite a while; is there anything I can help you find?

B: Boy, I've got to write a paper about Hollywood in the 30s and 40s, and I'm really struggling. There are hundreds of books, and I just don't know where to begin.

A: Your topic sounds pretty big. Why don't you narrow it down to something like . . . uh . . . the history of the studios during that time?

B: You know, I was thinking about doing that, but more than 30 books came up when I typed in "movie studios."

A: You could cut that down even further by listing the specific years you want. Try adding "1930s" or "1940s" or maybe "Golden Age."

B: "Golden Age" is a good idea. Let me type that in . . . . Hey, look, just 6 books came up that time. That's a lot better.

A: Oh . . . another thing you might consider . . . have you tried looking for any magazine or newspaper articles?

B: No, I've only been searching for books.

A: Well, you can look up magazine articles in the "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature." And we do subscribe to "The Los Angeles Times." You might go through their index to see if there's anything you want.

B: Okay. I think I'll get started with these books and then I'll go over the magazines.

A: If you need any help, I'll be over at the Reference Desk.

B: Great, thank you.

Questions

1.) What does he have to write a paper about?
a) movies and acting
b) shopping in America
c) golf

2.) What does the woman suggest?
a) he should think of a bigger topic
b) he should make his topic smaller
c) he should stop reading

3.) What other sources are available for the man to read?
a) the internet
b) magazines and newspapers
c) books

4. Who is the man talking to?
A A clerk
B A teacher
C A student
D A librarian

5. How does the man feel at the start of the conversation?
A Determined
B Appreciative
C Overwhelmed
D Compassionate

6. What is the "Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature" about?
A Films
B Books
C Magazines
D Newspapers

Answers

1. = "A";
2. = "B";
3. = "B";
4. = "D";
5. = "C";
6. = "C";