Campus Mail Services - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)
"Prepare for the TOEFL Integrated Speaking section using our Practice Test on 'Campus Mail Services'. Work on your communication and speaking skills to score well in the TOEFL exam. "
Key Highlights
While the TOEFL Speaking Section assesses general English speaking abilities, the Speaking Integrated Task challenges you in unique ways. This component tests your skill in synthesizing information from both written and spoken sources, requiring you to present your understanding clearly and effectively.
Success in this task requires mastery of multiple language skills: clear pronunciation, natural fluency, appropriate vocabulary selection, and coherent organization. We've designed this Speaking Integrated practice test focused on 'Campus Mail Services' to help you develop these crucial abilities.
Ready to strengthen your integrated speaking skills? Let's dive into this practice session and build your confidence in handling complex communication tasks!
Instructions:
- You will first read a short passage about a campus-related announcement or proposed change. You will have 45 seconds to read the passage.
- Then you will listen to a conversation between two speakers discussing their opinions about the announcement or change.
- After the conversation ends, you will be asked to respond to a question about what you read and heard.
- You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response.
- You will have 60 seconds to speak about the speaker's opinion and the reasons they give for holding that opinion.
Reading Time: 45 Seconds
The university has announced a change in the campus mail services policy.
Campus Mail Services
The university has announced a new policy regarding campus mail services. Starting next semester, all student mail will be delivered to a centralised mailroom instead of individual dormitories. This change aims to improve efficiency and security, as the centralised system will allow for better tracking of packages and reduce the risk of lost mail. Additionally, the mailroom will have extended hours, including weekends, to accommodate students' schedules. The university believes this will streamline the process and provide a more reliable service for all students.
Directions: After the passage appears, a timer located at the top of your computer screen will commence counting down the time allocated for reading. Once the reading time concludes, the passage will disappear from the screen, replacing an image showing a student.
Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows and answer the question that follows.
Audio Transcript
Speaker A: Did you hear about the new mail service policy?
Speaker B: Yes, I did. I think it's a great idea. Centralising the mail will definitely make it more secure. I've had a few packages go missing before.
Speaker A: I see your point, but I’m not so sure. It sounds inconvenient to me. Having to go to a central mailroom instead of just picking up mail at my dorm seems like a hassle.
Speaker B: But think about the extended hours. You can pick up your mail even on weekends. That’s quite convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule during the week.
Speaker A: True, but I still think it’s going to be crowded. Everyone will be there at the same time, especially during peak hours.
Speaker B: Perhaps, but with better tracking, you’ll know exactly when your package arrives. No more waiting around or guessing.
Speaker A: I guess that’s a plus. But I’m worried about the distance. It’s quite a walk from my dorm to the mailroom.
Speaker B: Well, maybe they could offer a shuttle service or something. But overall, I think the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Speaker A: I suppose. I just hope it doesn’t become too much of a hassle.
Speaker B: I’m sure they’ll work out the kinks. It’s a big change, but it could really improve things.
Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the two students will be replaced by a screen instructing you to prepare to answer the question. Subsequently, the following question will appear on the screen and will be read aloud by a narrator.
Question
State the woman's opinion about the new mail service policy and explain her reasons for agreeing with it.
Preparation Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds
Hold on to those answer sheets! Before you jump into the sample response, make sure to go through our top 7 Tips for TOEFL preparation.
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Campus Mail Services
We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By comparing the differences, you'll gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a top score on the TOEFL exam.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a mid-level answer to the provided question.
Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
The woman, um, she thinks the new mail service policy is good. She like the idea of centralising mail because it make it more secure. She had, uh, some packages missing before. The centralised system will, you know, help with that. Also, she likes the extended hours, which is convenient for her busy schedule. But, um, she is worried about the crowding and the distance to the mailroom. She thinks, uh, the benefits are more than the drawbacks. She, uh, didn't mention about the better tracking of packages, which is important. Overall, she thinks it will improve things, but she is, um, a bit hesitant.
Rater’s Comment:
The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language errors, delivery issues, and content development problems. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "She like the idea" and "it make it more secure," and tense inconsistency with "She had, uh, some packages missing before." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt the flow, and unnatural pauses that affect clarity. The speech is choppy, with unclear articulation and inconsistent pacing. Content development is weak, with repeated ideas like "the benefits are more than the drawbacks" and missing key points such as the importance of better tracking. The response lacks coherence and depth, preventing a higher score. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed content.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.
High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
The woman expresses a positive opinion about the new mail service policy. She agrees with the centralisation of mail services, citing improved security as a significant benefit. She mentions that she has experienced missing packages in the past, and believes that a centralised system will reduce such occurrences. Additionally, she appreciates the extended hours of the mailroom, including weekends, which she finds convenient for her busy schedule. She acknowledges that better tracking of packages will eliminate the uncertainty of waiting for mail. Although she recognises potential drawbacks, such as crowding, she feels that the advantages, like enhanced security and convenience, outweigh these concerns.
Rater’s Comment:
The response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive and coherent discourse, effectively addressing the task's demands. The speaker demonstrates advanced language use with complex sentence structures, such as "She agrees with the centralisation of mail services, citing improved security as a significant benefit." Vocabulary choices are sophisticated, with terms like "centralisation," "enhanced security," and "convenience." The delivery is fluid, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the logical progression from discussing security benefits to extended hours. The content is well-organised, presenting a clear progression of ideas and supporting examples, such as the mention of "missing packages" and "extended hours." These elements showcase mastery in language use and topic development, with notable strengths in maintaining clarity and coherence throughout the response.
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