Toefl speaking

1. TOEFL
SPEAKING

2. TOEFL SPEAKING
• It takes 20 minutes to finish the speaking
test.
• Examiners are to complete 6 different
questions in this section.

3. 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.

4. Task 1 – Independent Task
• This task will ask you to speak about a
personal experience.
• Preparation time – 15 seconds
• Response time – 45 seconds

5. 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.

6. How to organize your response:
Introduction: Personally speaking,
Body: Reason 1
Details (why + example)
Reason 2
Details (why + example)
Conclusion: (optional)
These are the reasons why …

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

8. Where is a good place
to have fun in your city
or town? Describe this
place and explain why it
is fun.

9. Talk about a difficulty you
have overcome in your
life. Describe the
experience and say why it
was difficult to overcome.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. How to organize your response:
Introduction: Personally speaking,
Body: Reason 1
Details (why + example)
Reason 2
Details (why + example)
Conclusion: (optional)
These are the reasons why …

13. 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.

14. How to organize your response:
Introduction: Personally, I strongly agree/disagree with the notion
Body: Reason 1
Details (why + example)
Reason 2
Details (why + example)
Conclusion: (optional)
These are the reasons why …

15. 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.

16. Do you prefer to go out
to dinner or stay home
and cook a meal? Use
reasons to support your
response.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. TASK 3
Reading and Conversation
• Get the gist of the reading.
• Paraphrase
• Reading time – 45 seconds
• Preparation time – 30 seconds
• Response time – 60 seconds

20. Sample Question

21. Conversation Tapescipt

22. 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.

23. How to organize the response
Introduction: The university announces
The letter was from
The article talks about
Body: The man/woman is
(in disagreement/agreement/happy/skeptical)
He/She first points out that…
He/She also states that…

24. Task 4
Reading 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 examples
given by the professor.

25. TASK 4
Reading and Lecture
• Get the gist of the reading.
• Paraphrase
• Reading time – 45 seconds
• Preparation time – 30 seconds
• Response time – 60 seconds

26. Sample Question:

28. 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.

29. How to organize the response
Introduction: The reading defines/suggests that
Body: The professor, in relation, cites/illustrates/elaborates
He/She points out that…
He further states that…

30. TASK 5
Conversation
• 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.

31. TASK 5
Conversation
• 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

33. How to organize the response
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, …

34. TASK 6
Lecture
• 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

36. 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.

37. How to organize the response
Introduction: The lecture generally talks about
Body: The professor starts off by saying…
He further states that…