Behavior Modification - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Integrated Practice Test with Responses
"To succeed in the TOEFL Speaking Section, it's essential to adequately prepare for the Speaking Integrated task. Engaging in practice tests specifically crafted for this section of the test will help you in getting accustomed to the exam's format and orga"
Key Highlights
To succeed in the TOEFL Speaking Section, it's essential to adequately prepare for the Speaking Integrated task. Engaging in practice tests specifically crafted for this section of the test will help you in getting accustomed to the exam's format and organization.
So, we present our personalized Speaking Integrated practice test on the topic 'Behavior Modification’. This test is designed to improve your fundamental skills required to tackle this section of the exam with confidence. Let's kickstart your TOEFL preparation!
Instructions
- The narrator will introduce you to the question format, consisting of reading a short academic passage followed by a related lecture on a similar topic.
- Subsequently, you will be asked to respond to a question, integrating information from both the passage and the lecture.
- After hearing the question, you will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to deliver it.
- Following the initial instructions, the narrator will prompt you to read the passage on ‘Behavior Modification’ within 45 seconds.
- The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.
Behavior Modification
People frequently adjust their behavior according to the knowledge they've gained about the potential outcomes of their actions. If someone learns from experience that a particular behavior leads to favorable results, they're inclined to repeat that behavior. Conversely, encountering unfavorable consequences tends to deter them from repeating the behavior. This process of behavior modification is evident not only in experiments but also in everyday situations, where individuals alter their behavior based on what they've learned about its consequences.
Directions: A clock displayed at the top of your computer screen will indicate the remaining time for reading. Once the reading time ends, an image of a professor teaching a class will appear on the screen. Then, you will hear the following instructions.
Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.
Audio Transcript of Speaking Integrated Test on ‘Behavior Modification’
Narrator: Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic ‘Behavior Modification’ in a Psychology Class.
Male Student: This scenario is common among kids in school. For instance, when a young boy or girl starts school, they may not be accustomed to the classroom rules regarding appropriate behavior. Initially, they might interrupt the teacher or move around the classroom instead of staying seated, displaying general misbehavior. However, what follows is significant. The teacher reacts negatively to such behavior, possibly resulting in punishment such as being confined to their desk while others play outside, which they dislike. Consequently, they quickly learn that such behavior leads to consequences. On the other hand, when they raise their hand to speak, sit quietly, and focus during class, they receive positive reinforcement. The teacher praises them, possibly rewards them with happy-face stickers on their assignments, reinforcing their good behavior. As a result, they learn to consistently behave in a manner that garners positive responses from the teacher, abandoning their previous disruptive behavior.
Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the professor will be replaced by a screen instructing you to prepare for answering the question. Subsequently, the following question will appear on the screen and will be read aloud by a narrator.
Question:
Based on the example from the lecture, explain what Behavior Modification is and how it works.
Preparation Time: 30 Seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds
Responses with Rater’s Comment for TOEFL Speaking Test - ‘Behavior Modification’
Listen to the Audio to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.
High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
Behavior modification involves individuals adjusting their behavior based on their experiences regarding the consequences of their actions. This concept, as explained in the reading, can be observed in both experimental settings and real-life situations. The professor illustrates this with an example from daily life involving children. Initially, when children start school, they may not be aware of the rules, leading to behaviors like moving around when they shouldn't or talking while the teacher is speaking. This behaviors result in punishments, such as, uh, the teacher reproaching them for their inappropriate behavior. Eventually, they learn to raise hands or remain quiet in class, which earns them praise from teachers. Through this process, they realize that such behavior is more beneficial for them. (121 words)
Rater’s Comment:
Overall, the speaker communicates clearly and is easily understood. His pronunciation is generally solid, and he utilizes intonation effectively to convey meaning. He demonstrates proficiency in employing both simple and complex grammatical structures and vocabulary to articulate his thoughts. However, he does make a few minor errors, such as agreement errors ("this behaviors") and occasionally omits pronouns and articles ("learn to raise [their] hands"). These mistakes do not hinder comprehension for the listener. His choice of vocabulary is often precise and impactful. His explanation of behavior modification is precise and accurate, and he effectively summarizes key points from the lecture to support his definitions.
Listen to the Audio to hear a Mid-level answer to the provided question.
Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
Behavior modification is, uh, when we change how we act because of what happens when we do things. Like in school, um, when a kid see that being good gets them praise and stickers, they start acting better to get more of that good stuff. But when they do something bad and get punished, like staying inside while others play, they learn not to do that bad thing again. It's about learning from what happens to us when we behave in certain ways and then changing our behavior to get more good things and avoid bad things. (95 words)
Rater’s Comment:
There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as "when we change how we act because of what happens when we do things," which could be more concise and clearer. Additionally, the use of informal language like "good stuff" and "bad thing" is not appropriate for a formal test setting like the TOEFL. The response also lacks complexity in sentence structure and could benefit from more varied vocabulary to demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency. Overall, while the main idea is conveyed, the response would benefit from improved grammar, vocabulary, and formal language usage to achieve a higher score on the TOEFL Speaking integrated test.
Now that you are familiar with the structure of the TOEFL Speaking Integrated task, share your answer to this question in the comments section below!
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