Hình 1: Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Independent Speaking Section:
Tasks 1 and 2 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
Mindset Questionnaire ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 26
Integrated Speaking Section:
Task 3 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
Task 4 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46
Task 5 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 59
Task 6 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70
American Culture ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 83
Independent Speaking Appendix:
F.A.Q. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 91
Introduction Practice ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 101
Answering General Questions ……………………………………………………………………………………… 107
Example List ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 109
Expansion Practice …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 122
Question List ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 132
Integrated Speaking Appendix:
F.A.Q. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 148
Analogies …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 154
Listening Predictions ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 161
Example Questions …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 172
Studying Vocabulary …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 205
Hình 2: Independent Speaking Tasks
Independent Speaking Tasks
Introduction
When you get to the speaking section of the TOEFL, you will have just finished your 10-minute break. That’s the first and last break of the exam. You’ve been taking the test for about a half and a half at this point. The reading and listening sections are over. You return to your computer and your first two tasks are the independent speaking tasks.
Speaking Tasks #1 and #2
Topic: The first independent speaking task question is a free choice question. In other words, you have to choose one of many possible choices. In speaking task #2, there are only two choices and you have to pick one. There’s no use trying to prepare for the subject because the question could be about anything.
Structure:
1st – The directions and the question will be read.
2nd – You have 15 seconds to prepare your response.
3rd – You have 45 seconds to speak.
Let’s just jump right in with an example and see how you do.
[Image of a yellow Tip box with text:]
Tip
This tip is
important: always record
yourself when you speak.
It’s hard to judge how well
you speak without listening
to it from a recording
device. It’s strange to
hear the sound of your
own voice at first, but you
have to get used to it.
Assessing a recording of
your own voice is much,
much more effective than
assessing your speaking
through memory.
- What’s the best way to learn a foreign language?
15 seconds
SPEAK
45 seconds…
STOP - Would you prefer to live in the countryside or in the city?
15 seconds
SPEAK
45 seconds…
STOP
Hình 3:
How did it go? Was there any difference between the way you answered the first and second question?
These questions are fairly easy. On the TOEFL they’ll be a bit more complicated, but let’s talk about it together.
If you’re like most people, you probably gave a simple answer to each question. For number one, you might have said, “I think the best way to learn a foreign language is to live in a place where they speak the language finished.” That takes about 5 seconds to say.
Or…
For the second question you might have said, “I prefer to live in the city…finished.” That takes just 2 seconds to say. How can you expand upon these questions and stretch them out for 45 seconds? Think about it. Before you move on, try these questions again and figure out a way to stretch out your response to 45 seconds. What will you do? How will you expand your answers on the TOEFL?
THE QUESTIONS:
Some TOEFL teachers put a great amount of emphasis on the difference between speaking task #1 and speaking task #2. For me, the way you answer each question is exactly the same, so there’s no use in worrying about the question style. Just be aware that speaking task #1 will provide you with many options to choose from while speaking task #2 will only give you two choices. Besides that, the questions could be about anything. The only common characteristic of all the independent speaking section questions is that they all ask for your opinion. Most of the questions fit under one of the following five categories:
Qualities/Characteristics
What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (teacher/neighbor/roommate/friend)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.
Compare/Contrast
When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new country. Compare these two choices. Which one do you prefer? Support you answer with supporting details.
Agree/Disagree
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Telephones and email have made communication between people less personal. Use specific examples to support your opinion.
[Image of a yellow Tip box with text:]
Tip
Don’t try to anticipate the
question. Once you learn how
to answer the speaking
question, you won’t need to
worry about what the
question might be. You’ll be
prepared for any type of
question!
Hình 4:
Advantages/Disadvantages
The city council of your hometown has decided to add a new tax on plastics to reduce pollution. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and whether you believe it’s a good decision.
General Opinion
What do you consider to be the most important room in the house where you grew up? Why was this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
PREPARING YOUR NOTES:
So the question remains:
How can I extend my independent speaking responses so they take up more time?
Remember, every independent speaking question is an opinion question. When you have an opinion about something, you have to explain why you have your opinion; you have to have reasons for your opinion. So the first step is to state your opinion and two reasons for your opinion. Let’s try the following question:
What do you consider to be the most important room in the house where you grew up? Why was this room more important to you than any other room? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Opinion?
Reason 1?
Reason 2?
If you added reasons to your opinion, you’ve probably extended your response from 5 seconds to about 15 seconds. That still leaves approximately 30 seconds of time you need to fill. The best way to support your opinion, and your reasons for your opinion, is through personal examples. Can you think of any for this particular question?
