Toefl speaking

TOEFL SPEAKING

TOEFL SPEAKING

• It takes 20 minutes to finish the speaking test.

• Examiners are to complete 6 different questions in this section.

TOEFL SPEAKING

• Here are some important features of the speaking that raters take into account when they evaluate the response:

• Delivery - the clearness of the speech. The responses should sound clear and easily flowing, with good pronunciation and natural pace. Pauses and intonation patterns should sound natural as well.

• Use of English - users should convey ideas effectively using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.

• Answer to the question - raters monitor how fully the question is answered and whether the ideas presented are conveyed

in a coherent manner. For the integrated task importance is put on the way that the test taker

is summarizing and synthesizing the information given in the reading and listening parts.

Task 1 – Independent Task

• This task will ask you to speak about a personal experience.

• Preparation time – 15 seconds• Response time – 45 seconds

Sample Question:

What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.

Sample Response:

I love going to the beach on weekends. My house is a five-minute walk from the beach so it is very convenient to go there. I live going there because it helps me relax. Sitting by the shore and hearing the waves makes me feel rested from my busy work schedule. Further, the beach gives me an opportunity to exercise. I can go swimming and even run along the beach.

How to organize your response:

Introduction: Personally speaking,

Body: Reason 1Details (why + example)

Reason 2Details (why + example)

Conclusion: (optional)These are the reasons why …

What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why

it is so important.

Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this

place and explain why it is fun.

Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your

life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.

Task 2 – Independent Task• The task can either be a preference type

of question or an agree or disagree question. You will be given two options and choose one as your response or asked to agree or disagree with a statement.

• Preparation time – 15 seconds• Response time – 45 seconds

Sample Question:

Some students study for classes individually. Others study in groups. Which method of studying do you think is better for students, and why?

Sample Response

Personally, I would rather have students study individually than in groups. The first reason is that students can focus well. It is difficult to concentrate on studying when other people are around or discussing with you. Another reason is that students can study at anytime that they want. When you are in a group, you have to consider their schedules and meet on everyone’s common break time. When you study alone, you can do it whenever you want.


Introduction: Personally speaking,




Sample Question:

Do you agree or disagree. Students should not be allowed cell phones in school?

Sample Response:

Personally, I strongly disagree with the notion that students should not be allowed to bring cell phones in school. I say this because having a cell phone is the easiest way to communicate with your family. With a cellphone, you can easily contact your parents if you are coming home late or stranded somewhere. Another reason is that cell phones are important for one’s security. Nowadays, crimes are increasing. Hence, with a cell phone, we can easily call the police or dial 911 on emergencies.


Introduction: Personally, I strongly agree/disagree with the notion




Do you like to try new kinds of food or eat the

same kind of food all the time? Use details and

examples to support your answer.

Do you prefer to go out to dinner or stay home and cook a meal? Use

reasons to support your response.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, life is easier today than in the past.

Use specific reasons and examples to support your

answer.

TASK 3 Reading and Conversation

• The task will ask you to read an announcement, notice, or letter. After, you will hear a conversation regarding the said announcement.

• You will have to get the main idea of the passage and the opinion given by

one of the speakers. Take note on the points and reason that he/she gives.

TASK 3Reading and Conversation

• Get the gist of the reading. • Paraphrase• Reading time – 45 seconds• Preparation time – 30 seconds• Response time – 60 seconds

Sample Question

Conversation Tapescipt

Sample Response

The university announces that it will be increasing its tuition to cover costs for new

construction and purchase of new equipment. The man thinks that the increase in

tuition isn’t such a bad thing. First of all, the increase isn’t that much. It’s only 5%

for each year. The man thinks that increase isn’t unreasonable. He explains that

the money from the increase will be used to help improve the campus. When the

man arrived at this university, he said the library and computer lab were under

construction. That was three years ago and they still aren’t finished. With this new

money, the man thinks the university’s projects will all be finished and the new

library and computer lab will be really nice. The man also says that he won’t have

to pay all of the tuition increases because he

is going to graduate soon. But, he is a little

sad that he won’t be able to use all the new

equipment.

How to organize the response

Introduction: The university announcesThe letter was fromThe article talks about

Body: The man/woman is (in disagreement/agreement/happy/skeptical)

He/She first points out that…He/She also states that…

Task 4Reading and Lecture

• You will read an article on an academic topic. After, you will hear a lecture that will further elaborate the topic on the reading.

• You will have to get the main idea of the passage and the examplesgiven by the professor.

TASK 4Reading and Lecture

• Get the gist of the reading. • Paraphrase• Reading time – 45 seconds• Preparation time – 30 seconds• Response time – 60 seconds

Sample Question:

Sample Response

Animals that live in herds, like horses, are going to be easier to domesticate than

animals that live alone. Animals that live in herds that have leaders are easy to

domesticate. The horse has a leader of its herd. All the other horses follow that one

leader horse. Being willing to follow a leader is good because the human can

substitute for that leader. A bear is not easy to tame, or domesticate. It isn’t a social

animal that lives in herds, and bears mark their territory. If one bear finds another

bear in its territory, they might fight. It is hard to tame animals that have their own

territory.


Introduction: The reading defines/suggests that

Body: The professor, in relation, cites/illustrates/elaborates

He/She points out that…

He further states that…

TASK 5Conversation

• You will hear two people talking. One of them has a problem to share while the other will give some solutions to the problem.

• You have to choose one of the solutions and describe why you choose it.

TASK 5Conversation

• Get the main problem in the conversation• Identify the two solutions and provide

reasons why you choose it. • Preparation time – 20 seconds• Response time – 60 seconds


Introduction: The man/woman is having a problem/difficulty/in a predicament because

Body: There are two possible solutions/options to the problem.He/She could (option 1) or he/she could (option 2)

Personally, I would rather (your option)

By doing this, …

TASK 6Lecture

• You will hear a lecture based on an academic topic. You will have to summarize the lecture and give emphasis on the examples or points given.

• Paraphrase• Preparation time – 20 seconds• Response time – 60 seconds

Sample Response

Internet marketing has greatly affected the advertising industry in just a short

amount of time. In only a few years, online advertising has become a billion dollar

industry. Many businesses are allocating more and more money from traditional

marketing, like TV commercials or newspaper ads, to advertising on the Internet.

More and more companies are shifting or focusing on their online components.

The website “ebay.com” has become an incredibly popular auction site. Now,

many people are closing up their physical stores and selling all their merchandise

on the Internet. Some banks are doing this as well. There are many more

effective ways to reach consumers online now than there are in the real world.


Introduction: The lecture generally talks about

Body: The professor starts off by saying…

He further states that…

Education

Toefl speaking