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.

Career Change vs Job Stability - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Career Change vs Job Stability - 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 'Career Change vs Job Stability' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Career Change vs Job Stability

The TOEFL Independent Speaking Task evaluates your ability to express and support personal opinions effectively in English. In this section, you'll need to speak about familiar topics, presenting your views clearly and providing relevant examples to support your perspective. To help you master these skills, we've prepared this comprehensive practice test with sample responses and detailed feedback.

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 changing careers frequently can lead to personal growth and new opportunities, while others think that job stability is more important for a secure future. Which do you prefer and why?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about career change vs job stability, 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 - Career Change vs Job Stability

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, um, changing careers is better because it give new opportunities. When you change jobs, you can learn new skills and meet new people. For example, my cousin change his job last year and he, uh, learned a lot. But, um, job stability is also important because it gives security. Like, if you stay in one job, you can plan for future. But, um, changing careers is exciting. My cousin, he change his job and he learned a lot. So, I think changing careers is better because it give new opportunities and, uh, personal growth.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "it give new opportunities" and "my cousin change his job." Tense inconsistency is evident in "my cousin change his job last year," mixing past and present. Filler words like "um" and "uh" disrupt fluency, and there are unnatural pauses after "I think" and "my cousin." Speech clarity is compromised by choppy delivery and inconsistent pacing. Content development is weak, with repeated points: "my cousin change his job and he learned a lot," and lacks depth beyond basic ideas. Transitions are weak, as seen in "But, um, job stability is also important." This response earned a score of 1 due to limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on grammatical accuracy, reducing filler words, and developing more structured, detailed arguments.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer job stability because it provides a sense of security and allows for long-term planning. For instance, staying in one job for an extended period can lead to promotions and a deeper understanding of the industry. This stability can also offer financial security, which is crucial for planning major life events like buying a house or starting a family. While changing careers might bring new experiences, the uncertainty can be stressful. I have a friend who frequently changes jobs, and although she enjoys the variety, she often worries about her financial future. In contrast, my stable job has allowed me to save consistently and plan for the future with confidence. Thus, I value the predictability and security that job stability offers.

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 "staying in one job for an extended period can lead to promotions," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "financial security" and "predictability." Complex sentence constructions are evident in phrases like "While changing careers might bring new experiences, the uncertainty can be stressful." The word usage is precise, enhancing clarity. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing personal experiences to providing examples. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the comparison between the speaker's stable job and a friend's frequent job changes. The response demonstrates mastery in maintaining coherence and progression of ideas, making it highly intelligible and fulfilling the task's demands.

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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