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Cooking at Home vs Dining Out - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Cooking at Home vs Dining Out - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

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"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Cooking at Home vs Dining Out' along with sample answers to score higher."

In the TOEFL iBT® exam, preparation, strategy, and practice play significant roles, especially while addressing the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section. In this section, you will be given only 15 seconds to prepare your response, you need to strategise and brainstorm in gathering ideas and coherently structure your response effectively. With regular practice and a good strategy in place, you will be to improve both the quality and clarity of your responses. Focus on pronunciation, cohesiveness, vocabulary, organisation which will help improve your response.

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Cooking at Home vs Dining Out' will guide you through all aspects in Speaking section from brainstorming to structuring your answer in the given time frame. By understanding the format of this section and practicing consistently, you’ll set yourself up for success. Time management is essential for making sure your answer has depth without going over time.

Start your stopwatch and record yourself speak! Don't forget to note the areas of improvement.

Let's get started.

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 prefer cooking at home because they believe it is healthier and more economical, while others enjoy dining out for the convenience and variety it offers. Which do you prefer 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. Remember to be calm as anxiety can lead to rushed answers resulting in giving incomplete answers or losing focus. Take a long and deep breath while trying to organise your thoughts. A very brief pause is entirely acceptable and there is no rush to speak too quickly.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Cooking at Home vs Dining Out

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, cooking at home because it is more healthy and, uh, cheaper. When I cook, I can choose fresh ingredients, like vegetables and meat. Cooking at home is more healthy because I can avoid, you know, too much salt. Also, it is cheaper. For example, a pasta dish at home cost less than restaurant. Cooking at home is also, um, fun. I can try new recipes. But, uh, dining out is convenient. Cooking at home is more healthy and cheaper. I think cooking at home is better because it is more healthy and cheaper. I can save money and eat healthy. So, I prefer cooking at home.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "Cooking at home is more healthy because I can avoid, you know, too much salt," tense inconsistency in "a pasta dish at home cost less than restaurant," and incorrect article usage in the same sentence. Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt the flow, alongside unnatural pauses that affect speech clarity and pacing. Content development is limited, with repeated phrases like "Cooking at home is more healthy and cheaper," and a lack of exploration of the convenience of dining out. The 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 expanding on ideas with varied vocabulary and examples.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer cooking at home because it allows me to control the ingredients and ensure a healthier diet. For instance, I can choose fresh vegetables and lean meats, avoiding excessive salt and unhealthy fats. Additionally, cooking at home is more economical. I can prepare multiple meals from a single grocery trip, saving money compared to dining out. For example, a homemade pasta dish costs a fraction of what it would in a restaurant. Moreover, cooking at home provides a sense of accomplishment and creativity. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes and flavours, which is both fun and rewarding. While dining out offers convenience, the benefits of home cooking, such as health, cost savings, and personal satisfaction, make it my preferred choice.

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 "avoiding excessive salt and unhealthy fats," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "accomplishment" and "creativity." Complex sentence constructions like "cooking at home provides a sense of accomplishment and creativity" demonstrate precise word usage. 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 health benefits to cost savings. The content is strongly organised, with effective supporting examples, such as the comparison of a homemade pasta dish to restaurant prices, and a coherent progression of ideas. The response's notable strengths include its clarity, coherence, and the speaker's ability to articulate a well-rounded argument, which should be maintained.

Fantastic job working through this practice test! Looking to push your skills further? We have plenty more practice materials ready to help you tackle any speaking challenges you face.

Your dedication to practice will pay off!

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