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.

Analytical vs Creative Thinking - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Analytical vs Creative Thinking - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On December 20, 2024

"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking Section with the practice test on 'Analytical vs Creative Thinking' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Analytical vs Creative Thinking

Success in the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires both effective preparation and strategic response planning. This section challenges you to express your opinions clearly and support them with specific reasons and examples. Our practice materials will help you develop the skills needed to deliver well-structured, confident responses within the time constraints.

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:

When solving a problem, do you prefer to use analytical thinking, which involves logical reasoning and data analysis, or creative thinking, which involves imagination and innovation? Explain your reasons with examples from your own experiences.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about analytical vs creative thinking, 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 - Analytical vs Creative Thinking

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 prefer, um, using creative thinking to solve problems. It is, uh, more flexible. For example, when I was in school, we had a project. We had to, you know, find a solution with limited resources. We used creative thinking, and it was, um, very helpful. Creative thinking is, uh, more flexible. It helps in finding new ideas. In another project, we also used creative thinking. It was, uh, very helpful. Analytical thinking is good, but creative thinking is, um, more flexible. It helps in finding new ideas. I think creative thinking is better because it is more flexible.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "I prefer, um, using creative thinking to solve problems. It is, uh, more flexible," and tense inconsistency in "We had to, you know, find a solution with limited resources." Article usage is incorrect in "Creative thinking is, uh, more flexible." Delivery is hindered by numerous filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," causing unnatural pauses and affecting speech clarity. The pacing is uneven, contributing to a choppy delivery. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Creative thinking is, uh, more flexible" and "It was, uh, very helpful," lacking substantial supporting points and transitions. This response earned a score of 1 due to its limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, enhancing grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed examples and transitions.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer using creative thinking when solving problems because it allows for more innovative solutions. For instance, during a group project at university, we faced a challenge with limited resources. Instead of relying solely on data analysis, I suggested brainstorming sessions to generate unique ideas. This approach led us to repurpose existing materials creatively, which not only solved our problem but also impressed our professors. Creative thinking encourages out-of-the-box solutions and adaptability, which are crucial in dynamic situations. While analytical thinking is valuable, especially for structured problems, creativity often leads to breakthroughs that data alone cannot achieve. Thus, I find creative thinking more effective in fostering innovation and flexibility.

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 "Instead of relying solely on data analysis, I suggested brainstorming sessions," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "innovative solutions" and "out-of-the-box solutions" 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 progression from "This approach led us to repurpose existing materials creatively" to "which not only solved our problem but also impressed our professors." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples from personal experience, illustrating the benefits of creative thinking. The response's coherence and logical progression of ideas, alongside its minor lapses, showcase mastery in topic development, making it a high-level response.

Did you nail the practice test? Fantastic! Let's keep that momentum rolling. We offer a wealth of personalized practice tests specifically designed to address your weaknesses and boost your TOEFL Speaking skills.

The more you practice, the more confident you'll become!

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