Dropping Class - TOEFL Speaking Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key
While the TOEFL Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills, the Speaking Integrated Task takes it a step further. This task specifically assesses your ability to synthesize information from both listening and reading passages and convey it coherently 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 "Dropping Class."
Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension and communication strategies!
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 20 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 Dropping class within 45 seconds.
- The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.
Dropping Class
Navigating academic challenges is a frequent experience for those pursuing higher education. Students usually seek help from their tutors, professors, and also peers to overcome this obstacle. There are certain suggestions which can help adapt to different learning styles and maintain motivation during academic stress rather than dropping out
Additionally, certain subjects such as Statistics could be difficult to pursue for some students. At times, candidates have to take classes to complete the course since it can be a prerequisite for a few courses, like psychology. By exploring a student’s concerns, it can help to find strategies for academic improvement and decision-making.
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 professor.
Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.
Audio Transcript
Student: Hi professor Jones. Thanks for agreeing to see me on such short notice. I just realized that the deadline for dropping classes is at the end of this week.
Professor Jones: I have to assume you are considering dropping my class. I had a quick look at your last two quiz marks. You failed the first and just passed the second one. What is it that is causing you the most trouble?
Student: Well, to be honest, I'm only taking statistics because it is a prerequisite for a psychology class I want to take. I really am not very good with numbers
Professor Jones: Have you been to all of my classes?
Student: Yes, every one of them. But to be honest you speak a little bit too quickly for me. I find it difficult to get detailed notes.
Professor Jones: Well, perhaps you should think about bringing in a tape recorder. That way if you miss something you can listen to it again when you're studying at home.
Student: I guess I could try that. I'm not sure if I can afford a tape recorder right now. My student loan hasn't come in yet.
Professor Jones: Another option is to get a tutor. If you're interested I can recommend someone. She's a tutorial assistant for one of my other classes, but she does private tutoring on the side. She doesn't charge much because she's really looking for the teaching experience. She wants to be a professor
Student: So you don't think I should just drop the class?
Professor Jones: Well, I guess that depends how important the psychology class is. Sometimes professors make exceptions too. You could always contact the psych professor and ask if it's possible to get in without my course. I'd be willing to sign something to prove that you've at least made a valid attempt.
Directions: Once the conversation concludes, the picture given above 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
In the conversation, the student has a problem. Describe the problem. What options does the professor suggest to help the student? Which of the options do you prefer? Why? State her viewpoint and explain the reasons she provides for her stance.
Preparation Time: 20 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 - Dropping Class
We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By understanding 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:
In the conversation, um, the student is concerned about her statistics class. Ahh, she is doing poorly and, um, is considering dropping the class. She feels that the professor speaks too quickly and, um, she is unable to note the important points. The professor offers a few suggestions. Um, first, he suggests getting a tape recorder. Secondly, um, he suggests getting a tutor. Then, um, the professor says that it might be possible to get into the class she wants without his course if she talks, um, to the psychology teacher. I prefer the final option. Um, in my experience, some prerequisites do not pertain to the course that requires them. Statistics is quite, um, a general course that may be useful but is not always necessary. (127 words)
Rater’s Comment:
This response provides an outline of the student's problem of struggling with a statistics class which is necessary for a psychology class. It has the list of options which the professor suggested. However, the response lacks complexity in the analysis. There are many pauses, and very minor grammatical errors which overall limit the overall comprehension of the ideas presented in the answer. The organisation of ideas and explanation of the opinion contribute to it being rated as mid-level.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.
High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
In the conversation, the student’s concerns about her scores in the Statistics class have been expressed. Despite attending all classes, the student finds it impossible to continue due to the professor's quick rate of speech, making it difficult to take detailed notes. As attending the class is required due to it being a prerequisite for her psychology course, the professor mentioned a few suggestions, such as using a tape recorder to review lectures at home, recommending an affordable tutor, and discussing alternatives with the psychology professor. I believe that in my preference, I would focus more on subjects which are directly related to academic goals. I would first try to attempt to understand the class because it is necessary and if not, I would seek help from the psychology professor. (130 words)
Rater’s Comment:
This response demonstrates a high level of comprehension where it also expresses a preference for focusing on subjects directly related to academic goals. Also, they have elaborated their opinion and the explanation is clear and provides a reasoned justification for the preferred approach. The response is well-organized where they have used varied sentence structures, making it a comprehensive and insightful analysis.
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