Disability Access Improvements - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

The TOEFL Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills, however, the Speaking Integrated Task takes it a step further. This task specifically evaluates your capacity to integrate knowledge from reading and hearing passages and present it in a logical manner in your response.

The Speaking Integrated Task evaluates various aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and overall coherence. To help you refine these skills, we have prepared a dedicated Speaking Integrated practice test centered on the topic "Disability Access Improvements."

Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension and communication strategies!

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.

The university has announced a new initiative to improve disability access on campus.

Disability Access Improvements 

The university is implementing a new initiative to enhance disability access across campus. This includes installing ramps and elevators in all buildings, ensuring that all pathways are wheelchair accessible, and providing additional resources for students with disabilities. The initiative aims to create an inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The university believes these changes will significantly improve the quality of life and educational experience for individuals with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities for all.

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.

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 disability access improvements and explain her reasons for agreeing with the initiative.

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 - Disability Access Improvements 

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.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language errors and limited content development. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "She say it's a fantastic initiative," and tense inconsistency, as seen in "she also think the benefits outweigh the costs." Filler words like "um" and "uh" are pervasive, disrupting fluency and clarity. The response is choppy, with unnatural pauses after phrases like "The woman, um," and "She, uh, believes." Content development is weak, with repeated ideas such as "she thinks it will be good for everyone" and missing key points like the woman's concern about construction disruption. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing a more structured and detailed response. These improvements would enhance coherence and clarity, potentially leading to a higher score.

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive and coherent discourse, effectively fulfilling the task's demands. The speaker demonstrates advanced language use with complex sentence structures, such as "Her main reason for supporting the initiative is that it will make the campus more inclusive and accessible for everyone," showcasing precise word usage and sophisticated vocabulary. Delivery is fluid and clear, with smooth transitions like "Additionally, she trusts that the university will follow through," ensuring high intelligibility. The content is well-organised, with a clear progression of ideas, as seen in the logical sequence from acknowledging potential inconveniences to emphasising long-term benefits. The response's notable strengths include its coherent argumentation and effective use of supporting examples, such as the university's track record, which should be maintained to ensure continued excellence in speaking tasks.

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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