TOEFL SPEAKING question 3 (4samples)

YOU WILL FIND THE ANNOUNCEMENT JUST A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN, AFTER THE INSTRUCTIONS.


Here are 4 sample questions for the TOEFL IBT 3rd speaking section. As you probably know, the speaking part of the test is divided into 6 different sections. The following video deals with the THIRD section (Read, listen and summarize).

This question requires you to read an announcement and to listen to a conversation between two students as they discuss the announcement. Oddly enough, one of the passages here involves only one student ranting about the announcement. But the question remains the same; what does he/she thinks and why?

That question is fairly easy since all you have to do is read and listen carefully, take notes about both the text and the conversation and then regurgitate the information using your own words. You MUST NOT add any information of your own. You simply have to stick with the information provided to you by the test and add nothing else.

I suggest you structure your answer using the following pattern:

1: Quickly sum up the content of the announcement
2: Clearly state the position of the man or woman (depending on the question)
3: Give 2 reasons/arguments why they think the way they do.
4: Give details (examples) that the students use to illustrate their arguments.
5: End up with a neat concluding sentence (that is why the man thinks the library should kind of thing!)



HERE ARE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS


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.


Here is the link to the PDF speaking scoring grid
www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/Speaking_Rubrics.pdf

It will give you a good idea of what they use to grade you

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TOEFL
• IBT
• FINAL
• test
• Speaking
• examples
• practice
• questions

[itsme102008]

where is the text?

[ouliogroove]

In the "MORE INFO" section on the top right corner under the Ouliogroove link

[IceBreakerCn]

Hi there

Thanks u for this very useful video

I have a question: Does the announcement reappears on the real test for my reference?

thx

[ouliogroove]

Unfortunately not! You have 45 secs to read it and then you hear the conversation and that's it... then you are on your own. However, the announcement is not crucial to your speech, since the question they ask is about the conversation alone. The important thing to do is to get main idea of the text and perhaps mention it in the introduction, but you ought to focus your energy on the summarizing the opinion and providing examples. Good luck

[laubowiebass]

I have a question: what do I say in the conclusion? I have already stated positions and reasons. How do I make the conclusion?

[ouliogroove]

I guess that you simply have to wrap it up in one neat sentence. For example (Those are the reasons why the man holds this opinion) OR (That's why the man is opposed to the library renovation)

The concluding sentence is the least important componnent of your response. You should only provide one if you still have dome time to cover, and you should avoid repeating the specific details/reasons that you have already stated.

I suggest you use the Sample answer as a guideline.

hope this helps

[asso85ita]

thank you! and thank you tube!!!

[prigatdevisine]

OMG it's a pricture from 'The Science of Sleep' !!!! I love that movie uhuuu thanx for posting this video

[BayQar]

Okay the boy and the girl in the 3.47 are brother and sister and the girl's name is Macie Elliott.

[BayQar]

Does anybody know what film is the second pic from? (boy and a girl sitting on the railways)

[Incantato]

british accent..hate it..sorry but it's weird

[m13x89]

I hate his freakin accent in the first discussion! Seems like English and Australians people have a tongue with no muscle and they barely move it while speaking !

[erlintego88]

The examples seem good to me, but arent they a little short. Cause from the books i've used the conversations are really long, and both man and woman talk a lot, which confuses me, wether to take one's or the other's notes!

[erlintego88]

it is really funny, but I assure you that it happens!hahhah

[erlintego88]

You are right, the man's voice was kinda weird, It sounded a little british, but why using british accent in an american english test!

[limewindow]

I have been tutoring TOEFL students for three years and I have never heard such an unnatural voice in any of the recordings. Not only does the man in the audio sound unnatural, he also suffers from weak pronunciation on many occasions. The creators have made a good solid resource, the only complaint I have is that they should definitely use someone else to make the recording of the male voice.

[cherrycook]

HAHAHA does she say " foot prints on the wall" 8:48 HAHAHAHHA. Excuse me that's so funny.... Foot prints on the wall xD That's so stupid!

[grisknack]

I don't understand a fuck from the man of the first lecture, he has to be fired......