What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Academic vs Athletic Achievement - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Academic vs Athletic Achievement - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On December 20, 2024

"Prepare for the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section with the practice test on 'Academic vs Athletic Achievement' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Academic vs Athletic Achievement

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section challenges you to share your views on familiar topics with clarity and confidence. Success requires not only good English skills but also the ability to structure your response effectively within the time limit. These practice materials will help you develop both the language and organizational skills needed for a high score.

Instructions:

You'll receive a familiar topic to speak about with no accompanying reading or listening passages.
After hearing the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to deliver it.
Remember, 15 seconds might seem short, but it's ample time for preparation.
For this Question, you'll encounter two situations or opinions and must express your preference, providing reasons for your choice.

Now, play this Audio to hear the Question.

Question:

Some people believe that academic achievement is more important for a successful future, while others think that athletic achievement holds more value. Which do you agree with and why? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about academic vs athletic achievement, consider these key points to craft a well-rounded response. You must clearly state your position and provide specific reasons to justify your opinion. Include relevant examples and maintain a clear, logical organization. Your response should be concise yet detailed enough to demonstrate your speaking abilities within the time limit.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Academic vs Athletic Achievement

Here, we've included two sample answers, one at a mid-level and one at a high-level proficiency. By comparing the differences in language use, you will gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a higher TOEFL score.

Listen to the audio recording to hear a mid-level answer to the provided question.

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I think academic achievement is more important for future success. Academics, um, it gives knowledge and skills. For example, my friend, he study hard and got a good job. Academic success, uh, it helps in many careers. Athletics, they are good but not last long. Academics, it is more reliable. Um, academic achievement is, like, important because it helps in job market. Athletics, they are, uh, not always give long-term benefits. So, I choose academics because it is, um, more valuable for future.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a score of 1 due to its limited content and coherence. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "my friend, he study hard," and tense inconsistency, as seen in "Athletics, they are good but not last long." Filler words like "um" and "uh" are frequent, disrupting fluency, e.g., "Academics, um, it gives knowledge and skills." The delivery is choppy with unnatural pauses, making speech clarity difficult. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Academics, it is more reliable," and missing support points, such as specific examples of long-term benefits of academics. The response lacks transitions and relies on basic ideas. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more detailed, coherent arguments with clear examples.

Listen to the audio recording to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I believe academic achievement is more important for a successful future. Academics provide a strong foundation of knowledge and critical thinking skills, which are essential in most careers. For instance, my cousin excelled in academics and secured a scholarship to a prestigious university, leading to a rewarding career in engineering. While athletic achievements can open doors, they often have a shorter lifespan and are less reliable. Academic success, on the other hand, offers long-term benefits and opportunities for growth in various fields. Therefore, I prioritise academic achievement as it equips individuals with the necessary tools to navigate and succeed in an ever-evolving job market.

Rater’s Comment:

This response earns a score of 4 due to its effective language use, clear delivery, and well-developed content. The speaker employs advanced grammar structures, such as "While athletic achievements can open doors, they often have a shorter lifespan," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "prestigious university" and "ever-evolving job market" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing academic to athletic achievements. The content is well-organised, with a strong example of the cousin's academic success supporting the argument. The progression of ideas is coherent, leading to a logical conclusion. The response's notable strengths include its precise word usage and coherent argumentation, which should be maintained.

How did you do on this practice test? Whether you're satisfied or see scope for improvement, we've got you covered! Our extensive collection of practice materials is designed to help you strengthen your speaking abilities and excel in the TOEFL exam.

Remember, consistent practice is the key to success!

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