TOEFL speaking question 5 part 1 (4 samples)

These are 4 sample questions for the TOEFL ibt speaking section. As you probably already know, the speaking test is divided into 6 sections and this video deals with question number 5; problem sloving.

In this question, you are asked to listen to two students (usually a man and a woman) discussing solutions to a given problem. The problem is usually related to life on a university campus with some rare exceptions. But no matter the nature of the problem, your job is ALWAYS the same. There is no way you can be startled by this question. The question is often worded in the following way

The students discuss two possible solutions to the man/woman's problem. Describe the problem and state which of the two solutions you prefer and why.


I personally think this is one of the easiest question in the whole test. You may disagree with me, but let me tell why I think it is an easy one.



First of all, unlike the first two questions, you don't need to be creative. You don't have to come up with something intelligent to say or share something personal. Indeed all the material is provided for you. All you have to do is listen to the conversation, take notes following a very simple pattern and then decide which of the two solutions sounds the best.

Once you have selected the solution, all you have to do is state the advantages of the solution and perhaps the disadvantages of the other solution, which by the way are all provided in the conversation.

It is important to note that you MUST NOT come up with a solution of your own. The question clearly stipulates that you have to select one of the solutions provided in the conversation. What you can do though is to come up with additional reasons to support your choice, but it is not a requirement. Remember, this is a language test, nobody actually cares about whether or not your solution is the best. All they care about is how well you can deliver your thoughts in ENGLISH...

Anyways, here is how I advise my students to structure their notes.

1: The Problem: _____________________

2: Solution 1: ______________________
2.1: The advantages_______________
2.2: The disadvantages____________

3: Solution 2: ______________________
3.1: The advantages_______________
3.2: The disadvantages____________

4: My opinion: 1 or 2
4.1 My 1st reason _________________
4.2:My 2nd reason _________________

And that's it... Just make sure that you get all that info while you are listening and preparing you r answer should be much easier.

Here is how the speech should actually be presented

1: State the problem briefly: 5-10 secs
2: State the best solution: 5 secs
3: State your first reason 10 secs
4: Provide an example/detail 10 secs
5: State your second reason 10 secs
6: Provide an example/detail 10 secs
7: make up a cute conclusion 5 secs

There is no way you can fail the organization part for that question if you follow that pattern.

NOTE
Of course, the judges expect you to summarize using different words than those used in the conversation. That is when all those synonyms and paraphrasing skills come in handy. So make sure you keep the content, but change the words.

Good luck

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
• practice
• speaking
• help
• sample
• ibt
• Final
• test

[confidence222]

Another nice one. Very useful for TOEFL preparation.

[FIRESPELL1211]

I have test tomorrow!!

This help me a lot!!

Thanks a lot!!

[IU4LightCarrier]

dont use that guy with weird accent! that's not even british accent.. where the heck is he from?

[gazitron]

I hate that guy with British accent, I am preparing not for British English but for American English.

[gazitron]

Looking at the first picture I figured out that that guy prepared not for report but for the TOEFL.

[m13x89]

Well guys, I wasn't preparing for speaking at all and I've got 24. Then I began to follow all this HELP Videos from this guy. I was doing perfect on the exam and what - 24 again. Uahha Im not saying that this is not helpful but for me it didn't change anything . But thank you anyway man , at least I can say now that I spent some time for preparation )))

[annyhelijun]

I want to know where i can find the text of it.Who can tell me?Some one can send it to my e-mail.It is so kind of you,Thank you a lot!All of them!

[grisknack]

I will never pass this exam.....

[tangcoco]

what if i speak too slow and did not finish what I suppose to say. Is it right that I just need to show them I understand the conversation. Cause I did not say my opinion!

[migue018]

damn!! I used the longman preparation..and it's true!! very different that this question...

[MsJacktheripper22]

@YoureAllPeach You were right! To anyone preparing for this test: Don't use longman's preparation cdrom, some parts (the speaking and listening part in particular) come in a totaly different way from the Toefl's parts

[YoureAllPeach]

@MsJacktheripper22 question 5 is always a conversation between two people who are discussing solutions to a problem