toefl tips for the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT

Tips for the speaking section of the TOEFLiBT

1. Speaking : types of questions and strategies

2. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Independent Questions 1 Speak about a person , place, object , or event that is familiar to you . The topics will vary , but you will always be asked to base your answer on personal experience . This question will always ask you to: Describe something Give reasons This questions will be marked from 0 to 4

3. Speaking Rubric for questions 1 & 2 * Score 0 to 4

4. Tips Remember you will have 15 sec. to prepare your answer. Jot down some quick notes about what you want to say, but do not write full sentences. Do not read directly from your notes, use them just as a reminder. Avoid presenting long lists to describe something, because you will lose time to elaborate on the rest of the answer. Re-state the topic / question you have to speak about e.g. If the topic is “Which is your favorite place to relax?” You should begin your answer with: “My favorite place to relax is…”

5. Use standard phrases to close your answer: And this is why my…. For these / this reason(s) my… For all mentioned before my… “My favorite place to relax is…” “and this is why my favorite place to relax is …”

6. Independent Questions 1 1. Tell us about one of your favorite songs or one of your favorite movies. Please include details and reasons in your explanation. 2. What is the most important gift you have and describe why it is important Please include details and reasons in your explanation. 3 . Talk about an important national holiday in your country. Please include details and reasons in your explanation.

7. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Independent Questions 2 You will be presented with two possible actions, situations, or opinions. Then you will be asked which action is preferable or is more justified. This question will always ask you to: State your opinion Present supporting reasons with detail This questions will be marked from 0 to 4

8. Tips Remember you will have 15 sec. to prepare your answer. Jot down some quick notes about what you want to say, but do not write full sentences. Do not read directly from your notes, use them just as a reminder. Avoid presenting long lists to describe something, because you will lose time to elaborate on the rest of the answer. Re-state part of the topic on your e.g. If the topic is “Some people believe that school students should only focus on their studies and not waste their time on sports. Do you agree or disagree with this statement ?” You should begin your answer with: “In my opinion, students…” “I believe that sports…”

9. Use standard phrases to close your answer: And this is why I believe / prefer…. For these / this reason(s) it my opinion that / I believe that… For all mentioned before I prefer… “In my opinion students…” “and this is why I believe that…”

10. Independent Questions 1 Do you believe in saving the money one earns or spending it on your present desires ? Please include details and reasons in your explanation. 2. Do you prefer a profession that requires you to work in a group? Please include details and reasons in your explanation. 3. Male and female students should have separate living halls. Do you agree or disagree ? Please include details and reasons in your explanation.

11. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Integrated Questions 1 You will read a short passage, usually a bulletin or an article. Always campus-related . Then you will listen to two people talking about the information you have just read. One of them will have a strong opinion about it. You will be asked to state that person’s opinion and explain the reasons the person gives.

12. Tips Understand what you are asked and not asked to do. T his question (Int1) does not ask for your opinion. Try to recognized the attitude of the speaker through intonation, stress, and word choice. You should begin your answer with: “The person’s opinion about…” “The person feels / believes that…” You can close your answer with: “This is why the person believes…” “These are the reasons why the person…”

13. Integrated Questions 1 https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5YTK08PPQs&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=1 2:56

14. Integrated Questions 1 2:51 https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo2oKOWaTvc&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=2

15. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Integrated Questions 2 You will read a short passage, usually an academic subject. Then you will listen to a professor give a brief selection from a lecture on the same subject. You will be asked to state the relationship between the passage and the lecture.

16. Tips Take notes on both similarities or differences. Paraphrase as much as possible, using key words or definitions when appropriate. This questions is about generalities more than specifics. You should begin your answer with: “In the passage we learned about…” “It is mentioned that…” You can close your answer with: “And this is how / why…”

17. https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5YTK08PPQs&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=1 7:15

18. 7:11 https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo2oKOWaTvc&list=PLIi5X8tybGdAEl07tx8zUALwG9W-PIMYc&index=2

19. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Integrated Questions 3-4 In these questions there only a listening task to do before speaking (no reading passage) . For question 3 you will listen to a conversation about a campus-related topic. During the conversation the people will discuss a problem with one or two possible solutions . Then you will be asked to describe the problem you listened and express which solution YOU think is the best and why. Conversations usually last 60-90 sec.

20. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Integrated Questions 3-4 In these questions there only a listening task to do before speaking (no reading passage) . For question 4 you will listen to talk or lecture about an academic subject. Then you will be asked to talk about what you have heard. These “lectures” usually last 60-90 sec.

21. SPEAKING QUESTIONS TYPES Integrated Questions 3-4 For both integrated questions 3-4 your preparation time is 20 sec. and your recording answer is 60 sec.