SPEAKING

 

                                                            (image retrieved from google)

IV. TOEFL SPEAKING TEST (17 minutes – 4 tasks)  

(New version since 2019)

The speaking section measures your ability to communicate in English orally.

The NEW speaking test consists of 4 tasks.

Each screen will show how much time you have to prepare your response, and how much time you have to speak.  You should speak out loud for each task, watching the coundown clock.

You must prove you are able to speak effectively under the following requirements:

1)Deliver adequate oral responses to the questions.

2)Participate actively in academic discussions.

3)Participate in everyday conversations.

4)State a clear opinion about the discussed subjects. 

5)Summarize and orally reproduce the information read in textbooks or heard in the classroom.

6)Communicate with university officials in libraries, sport centers, housing offices, bookstores, etc.

I. SPEAKING INDEPENDENT TASK ****TOEFL SPEAKING QUESTION 1**** = personal choice question It has five different types of question: 1. Agree or disagree type of question 2. Preference type of question 3. A good idea question (4. Description and explanation type of question 5. Advantages and disadvantages type of question) Video Tutorial -Toefl speaking question 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_tuHAUyB4w 1. AGREE OR DISAGREE SPEAKING STRUCTURE            Recommended structure I strongly agree/disagree that………………. To begin with, ….. In addition,…. Therefore,…. Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds Example: Do you agree or disagree that a higher education means a better career? Use details and examples to support your explanation. I strongly agree that a higher education means a better career. To begin with, with the advancement of technology and the advancement of the world itself, companies are becoming more complex. If they want their company to succeed, they will need to have intelligent, knowledgeable, and competent individuals working for them. In addition, having a higher education will give you an advantage over the other candidates applying for the same job. Therefore, these reasons are why I agree that a higher education means a better career. 1.State whether you agree or disagree with the following statement. Then explain your reasons using specific details in your argument. Teachers should assign daily homework to students. 2.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should help their parents with household chores as soon as they are old enough. Use details and examples in your response. 3.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?  It is better for children to have teachers who are young, even if they are inexperienced. 4.Do you agree or disagree with the following sentence?  We can learn a lot from making mistakes. 5.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain your answer. Movies that are longer than three hours should be made shorter by removing less important scenes. 6.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain your answer. Employees should be rewarded with gifts and job perks, such as gym memberships or English classes. 7.Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain your answer. Parents should lead their children to watch TV. 2. PREFERENCE SPEAKING STRUCTURE Recommended structure To me, I prefer ……..to/over……. for two main reasons. The first reason is….. The second reason is… Therefore, these reasons are why I prefer  …..rather than…. Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds Example: Do you prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants? Use details and examples to support your explanation. To me, I prefer eating at restaurants over eating at food stands for two main reasons (or I prefer to eat at restaurants for two main reasons). The first reason is I grew up dinning in restaurants, so I am accustomed to eating in them. Actually, I cannot remember the last time I ate at a food stand. Plus, eating in a nice building is much more comfortable compared to eating outside. The second reason is there is a better food selection. I can have more choices and my food is cooked better, because they have a proper cooking system. Therefore, these reasons are why I prefer to eat at a restaurant rather than at a food stand. 1.There are many different approaches to academic studies, and all of them have specific benefits. Do you prefer to study for tests in a group, or to study alone? Include details and examples to support your explanation. 2.Do you prefer friends who are different from you or friends who are similar to you? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 3.Do you prefer items made by hand or items made by machine? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 4.Do you prefer change or your life to stay the same? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 5.Do you prefer to attend classes face-to-face or virtual classes? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 6.Do you prefer a new research center at your university to be a center for business research or a center for research in agriculture (farming)? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 7.Do you prefer high schools require students to wear school uniforms or high schools permit students to decide what to wear to school? Use details and examples to support your explanation. 3. A GOOD IDEA STRUCTURE Recommended structure I think it is a great idea/a terrible idea to... The first reason is…… The second reason is……. So for these reasons, I think it is a great idea/a terrible idea to... Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds Example: When people have a small amount of money, they would spend it right away. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use details and examples to support your explanation. If I had a small amount of money, I would save it. The first reason is I grew up in a family that prided themselves on having money in the bank, so it is easy for me to save money. The second reason is if there was an emergency and you would need some money. If you saved it, you would be ok. However, if you did not save it, you could be in trouble. In addition, it is more important to save money and pay off your debts, rather than waste your money on something useless. So for these two reasons, I would save a small amount of money. 1.Some teachers encourage their students to work alone on projects and compete with each other. Other teachers encourage them to collaborate and work in groups. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 2.Some companies have rules that forbid employees from using personal cell phones during working hours. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. 3.Nowadays, some people use extreme methods, including surgery, to change their appearance. They do this because they think it will make them look more attractive to others. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your answer with details and examples. 4.If you are given an empty piece of land you use it to grow food. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?  Use details and examples to support your point. 5.When you feel sick you like to selfmedicate (go to the drugstore). Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?  Use details and examples to support your point. 4. DESCRIPTION OR EXPLANATION SPEAKING STRUCTURE Recommended structure In my opinion, …….. First of all,…… Furthermore,….. Therefore, I strongly/firmly believe that…… Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds Example: Should schools have teams for sports that might carry a risk of serious physical injury? Explain your answer. In my opinion, schools should still allow sports that carry that risk despite the risk of serious physical injury. First of all, it is not the responsibility of schools to completely eliminate all risk from the lives of students. Otherwise, they would have to abolish any science labs that used chemicals or sharp objects because they pose a potential threat to safety. Furthermore, students and their families should be allowed to make personal decisions about what kind of activities they are participating in despite risk as long as they are not simultaneously endangering unknowing bystanders. Therefore, I firmly believe that schools should allow students to make decisions about what sports they will play, even when those sports imply some serious risks. 1.Male and female students should have separate classrooms. Explain your answer. 2.People should read brand-new books rather than old books. Explain your answer. 3.Students should choose to study for a few hours and have a full night’s sleep before an exam. Explain your answer. 4.People should call someone directly or just text them. Explain your answer. 5.Some students like to watch educational programs on TV and some prefer entertainment programs. Explain your answer. 6.Patients should be treated by experienced doctors rather than by  young ones. Explain your answer. 7.Young people should learn more about domestic chores along with their studies. Explain your answer. 8.Attendance to class in university should be required or should it be optional? Explain your answer. 5. AVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Recommended structure I believe that is beneficial to………, but there can also be some disadvantages. First,… However, I believe there are disadvantages as well,……. So, I believe that there are advantages and disadvantages to….. Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds Example: Many students are asked to evaluate their professors at the end of the semester. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? I believe that it is beneficial to evaluate professors at the end of the semester, but there can also be some disadvantages. First, since superior staff can’t sit it on every class, they should take input from the students on how the class went. Students are likely to be honest in their reviews, so the professor can also learn from their mistakes. However, I believe that there are disadvantages as well. If a student knows that they will receive a failing grade, they may be dishonest in their review just to spite the professor. They may say that the professor wasn’t fair, even if that isn’t true. This can be hurtful to the professor and detrimental to their career. So, I believe that there are advantages and disadvantages to asking students to evaluate their professors at the end of the semester. 1.The school plans to create a new menu for the cafeteria to give healthier food to the students.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? 2.Some parents prefer to give their smartphone to their young children to keep them busy. Indicate the advantages and disadvantages of it. 3.Your university is planning to build a swimming pool. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? 4.Children should spend more time on sports. State the advantages and disadvantages of it. 5.The school students use their phones to study. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. 6.Your university is planning to charge parking for cars and motorcycles. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? 7.Everyone in your family will become vegan in the next two months. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. 8.Some people are making most of their friends online without ever meeting these individuals in person. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of social interaction? 9. Your university is planning to eliminate midterm exams and leave just a final exam. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? II. INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTIONS (2,3,4)   ****SPEAKING QUESTION 2**** = CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENT QUESTION SPEAKING INTEGRATED TASK 2:  *45s Reading (100 word pragraph) -identify the change and reasons for that change *Listen to conversation (0ne student supports or opposes the change *Question about conversation and reading * Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds Video tutorial (What to expect and how to take notes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-n_nOBDLd4&playnext=1&list=PL736E299EBCDF4BDC  INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 2: SPEAKING STRUCTURE The Reading states that …( the university decided to discontinue the evening class) The man’s opinion is that… He provides two reasons. First,… Second,…. That’s why, … PRACTICE 1:  Integrated Speaking question 2 *1.click on the watch and start reading *2.Listen to the conversation Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds *3.Use this website to RECORD your answer https://vocaroo.com/ https://www.bestmytest.com/toefl-speaking/3/25 PRACTICE 2: Integrated Speaking question 2 (4 samples) *Play the video, listen to the instructions, pause the video, and read the texts below, then play the video to listen to the conversation and the question, then pause the video again. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds *Use this website to RECORD your answer https://vocaroo.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQPtqW2mcLo Readings New Hours for the Computer Lab Effective in September, the university has just announced that they will extend the hours for computer labs until 12 a.m. Monday to Friday. In addition to this change, the school will hire more staff and they will be computer major students prepared to give enough assistance to students. The school hopes that this change will encourage students to use the labs more often and that they will be satisfied with the technical help the new assistants can offer. Proposal for the computer lab Dear Study Body, I think something should be done with the computer lab. I don’t have my own laptop so I have to do all my school work in the lab. Last time, it took me 2 hours completing my 30 minutes’ homework. I propose making a sign-up sheet so the students don’t have to wait for long. Also the available hours should be limited to one hour per student to provide equal and timely computer access for all students. I believe this policy would also relieve the problem of noisy students outside in the hall waiting for their turns to use the lab. Change for Students Effective this September the University has decided to reduce the number of copies of printed materials in the library and popularize the online system to encourage the students to use the computers in the library. The reason for this is that the hard copies of these materials take up too much space, making the library crowded with books and papers jammed together. By having students increase their use of computers, the library will be more spacious so that there can be enough room to store more books. The library is confident that the students will find it easier and more convenient to use the computers rather than search for the printed material. Library Heating Systems will Turn Off From the beginning of this semester, all school buildings except the libraries around campus are scheduled to turn off the heating system after 5 o’clock. Two months’ research shows that only small numbers of students are left after 5 in most buildings and the heating system requires a lot of energy and money to operate. The elevators also will stop only on floors through 7 after 5 o’clock. The money saved from this service will be used to build a new snack bar in the main cafeteria. PRACTICE 3: Integrated Speaking question 2 (4 samples) *Play the video, listen to the instructions, pause the video, and read the texts below, then play the video to listen to the conversation and the question, then pause the video again. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds *Use this website to RECORD your answer https://vocaroo.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n-WBAZMCdY Readings 1) Closure for the Evening Class  With the decrease of students interested in the evening class, the university decided to discontinue it. This decision was made because the number of students for the evening class has declined for the past few years and more students prefer to study with an experienced faculty member. Students who already registered for the evening class are required to change their schedule, or refunds will be applicable for those who cannot meet the schedule. 2) Welcome, Freshman Students! As of September 1st, unlike last year, the university has decided to change its plan from holding freshmen orientation for all students it giving them the option of either going on a campus hiking tour or participating in games. This change has been decided by the student committee since the number of participants was relatively low in previous years. The university hopes that this change will give the students opportunities to interact with fellow freshmen and reduce the tension of coming to the new school with new surroundings. 3) Plan to Enlarge the Library We plan to enlarge the library by 20 000 square feet and the space would be devoted to increased shelf space for printed materials and more desks for students. The university plans to transform the main library into a learning and information center that will fulfill promise to offer the best possible environment for academic success and high achieving students in the 21st century. The work is expected to begin in early February and it will be completed next year. 4) Library Renovation plan In June 2007, a one-year renovation of the main library began. When the renovation is completed, the IT center will be equipped with computers with the latest technology and space for quiet talks. Additionally, the room will be accessible for 24 hours. All floors including the lobby, halls and entrances, will come together with a light colored wooden floor and it will be brightened up with the newly painted walls. PRACTICE 4: Integrated Speaking question 2  *1. Set your own timer and start reading *2.Listen to the conversation Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds *3.Use this website to RECORD your answer https://vocaroo.com/ https://www.examenglish.com/TOEFL/TOEFL_Speaking_part3.htm    ****Integrated SPEAKING QUESTION 3**** =General to sepecifi question SPEAKING INTEGRATED TASK 3: TUTORIAL (45s-50s Read, 120s Listen lecture, Question, 30s Prepare, 60s Speak)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMUWevT3o8A INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 3: SPEAKING STRUCTURE Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds The article is about … which the passage defines as … The professor provides an example of …..to illustrate this. He/she states that ….. And so, this example clearly illustrates ….. PRACTICE 1: Integrated Speaking question 3 https://www.bestmytest.com/toefl-speaking/4/23 PRACTICE 2: Integrated Speaking question 3 (3 samples) Play the video, listen to the instructions, pause the video, and read the texts below, then play the video to listen to the lecture and the question, then pause the video again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv0B7bS8fzg Readings Consumer Remorse Emotional expression of personal regret is the state of remorse. This is closely related to guilt and self-directed resentment. People feel remorse when they believe their actions were wrong. Consumers remorse is the concept of regretting a purchase after buying an item. Buyers may focus on the negative aspects of the product they have just purchased and feel regret about their actions. People in Marketing are fully aware of this concept and have tried to find ways to counter that phenomenon. It is indeed their job to convince consumers to buy a certain product, but it is also true that marketers have to make sure that the consumer is happy with the product and that they won’t return it out of regret. Forgetting Forgetting is a casual or gradual process in which old memories are unable to be recalled from the memory storage. How humans encode, store and recall memories is unknown, but it contributes to a phenomenon of short term memory which is categorized as either decay theory which states that passage of time always increases forgetting after something new is learned, or the interference theory, which takes effect when the recall of a certain memory interferes by recall of another memory. Cyclic Population Change An ecosystem is a functional system that includes an ecological community of organisms together with the physical environment, interacting as a unit. One aspect of ecosystems, cyclic population change, refers to species changing the size of their population cyclically. Populations change over time due to many different circumstances such as their size and their climate change. However, as these circumstances repeat, the populations of these species return to their original state. PRACTICE 3: Integrated Speaking question 3 (3 samples) Play the video, listen to the instructions, pause the video, and read the texts below, then play the video to listen to the lecture and the question, then pause the video again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gojbqWDuNlo Readings Chant In Poetry Chant is the rhythmic speaking or signing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two pitches called reciting tones. It is one or the features that affect greatly in poetry. There are two ways that a chant is formed in poetry. A chant is formed accidentally when inspired by a certain action. The other method is by deliberate action, when a poet deliberately creates a situation to think of a poetical sentiment, and this is more widely used in making of a chant. Ecosystem This is a system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment. They try to preserve the environment by a system of interacting and interdependent relationships. Thus, the environment is harmed intentionally or unintentionally through the living and nonliving components of the system. In this case, resilience allows the ecosystem to return to its original shape after an unpleasant situation The Use of Media There are many techniques that the media use to send messages to the audience. For example, some advertisement companies portray positive traits of their products so they appear to be the best. However, some advertisement companies isolate some messages from their original context to twist and usually to contradict the intended meaning. This technique is called quoting out of context and is considered false attribution in which a certain passage is removed from its surroundings to distort its intended meaning. PRACTICE 4: Integrated Speaking question 3 (3 samples) Play the video, listen to the instructions, pause the video, and read the texts below, then play the video to listen to the lecture and the question, then pause the video again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC2M9ki4smc Readings System Thinking  System thinking is understanding the elements that are closely linked and interactive in the whole system. It is a way to understand the reality that stresses the relationship between the system's parts. In order to get the results that one desires, system thinking helps him or her to see more accurate and clear pictures of the reality so that he or she can relate to the natural force of the system. Additionally, it helps one to realize the wider perspective towards the reality when thinking about problems and solutions Affiliation in Advertisement companies  Affiliation refers to having a close relationship with one person or a group. This concept claims that a person wants to have good and stable relationship with other people and groups; as a result, many advertisement companies use this method to their own benefit. There are two ways that the affiliation method is used in companies; showing a good personal and social relationship between the consumer and the product, and showing negative consequences of what could occur in the society when people use products other than the companies' own.   Climate Change  Climate change refers to the variation in the Earth's global climate or in regional climates over time. It describes changes in the variability or average state of the atmosphere - or average weather-over time scales ranging from decades to millions of years. Higher temperatures threaten dangerous consequences: drought, disease, floods and lost ecosystems. Climate change affects not only humans but animals and natural resources all around. ****Integrated SPEAKING QUESTION 4**** =Academic lecture question Integrated Speaking question 4: TUTORIAL (1.5 - 2.5 ms Listen Lecture (3 paragraphs: topic definition, subtopic definition&example, subtopic definition&example), Question =what did you hear?, 20s Prepare, 60s Respond) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uaQbf-t_gg  INTEGRATED SPEAKING QUESTION 4: SPEAKING STRUCTURE Preparation time: 20 seconds Response time: 60 seconds -The professor discusses…, which he defines as…. -He describes two kinds…. -First,.. (the definition) -The professor provides an example of…. to illustrate this. -Second,.. (the definition) -The professor provides an example of…. to illustrate this. And that’s how the professor describes…  PRACTICE 1: Integrated Speaking question 4 https://www.bestmytest.com/toefl-speaking/6/46 PRACTICE 2: Integrated Speaking question 4 (4 samples) (Innovation,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmsJJRmVbX8 PRACTICE 3: Integrated Speaking question 4 (3:21, 7:41, 11:32) -The alpine plant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQMIVAxKtI0 Speaking task full test (new version) **(Don'nt listen to the answers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5YTK08PPQs&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo2oKOWaTvc&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlJgA7kYpBw&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu8Af_0jYTY&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFXc__V9yfI&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=5