Listen to the following conversation between a student and a professor.
Student: Professor, I was reviewing the syllabus and noticed that there is a research paper due at the end of the semester. Can you explain what the main topic should be about?
Professor: Certainly! The research paper should explore a specific aspect of modern literature. I encourage you to focus on themes such as identity, migration, or cultural influences in contemporary works. Make sure to select texts that resonate with you personally.
Student: That sounds interesting! Should we also include our own interpretations of the texts?
Professor: Yes, absolutely! Your personal insights are essential. It's important to analyze how the themes connect with the characters and the overall narrative structure. Also, be sure to cite at least three scholarly articles to support your arguments.
Note: This question has been adapted from its original format to accommodate a reading-based version. In the official TOEFL exam, speaking and listening sections require verbal responses and audio prompts, which are not represented here. Please note that this adaptation may not fully reflect the nature or difficulty of the official exam. The audio feature for these sections will be available soon.