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.

Early vs Late Career Changes - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Early vs Late Career Changes - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On December 21, 2024

"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Early vs Late Career Changes' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Early vs Late Career Changes

Scoring in the TOEFL Speaking section needs you to focus on preparation and attempt realistic practice tests. To help you with the skills, we've created personalized TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests with Sample Answers. These tests simulate actual exam conditions, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses, and familiarizing you with the assessors' criteria.

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 making a career change early in life is beneficial, while others think that changing careers later in life can be more advantageous. 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 early vs late career changes, 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 - Early vs Late Career Changes

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 changing careers early in life is better. Um, when you are young, you have less responsibilities. Young people can take risks more easily. For example, I know someone who change career at 22. They, uh, moved from engineering to art. This was possible because they had no family to support. Also, young people are more adaptable. They can learn new skills quickly. Um, changing careers early gives more time to find what you like. But, uh, I forgot to mention, older people have more experience. So, um, early career change is good because it gives more time to explore.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "someone who change career" and tense inconsistency in "moved from engineering to art." Pronoun reference is unclear with "They, uh, moved," and modal verb usage is incorrect in "Young people can take risks more easily." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "Um" and "uh," causing unnatural pauses and choppy pacing, particularly in "Um, changing careers early gives more time to find what you like." Content development is limited, with repeated ideas such as "early career change is good because it gives more time to explore" and weak transitions, as seen in "But, uh, I forgot to mention." This response earned a score of 1 due to its limited coherence and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and developing more structured content with clear transitions.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer making a career change early in life. One reason is that younger individuals often have fewer responsibilities, such as family or financial commitments, allowing them to take risks more freely. For example, when I was 25, I switched from teaching to marketing. This transition was smoother because I had the flexibility to relocate and adapt to new environments without worrying about dependents. Additionally, early career changes can lead to longer-term satisfaction, as they provide more time to explore and settle into a fulfilling career path. Moreover, younger professionals tend to be more adaptable and open to learning new skills, which is crucial when entering a different field. Overall, changing careers early can lead to personal growth and a more rewarding professional life.

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 "when I was 25, I switched from teaching to marketing," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "adaptable" and "fulfilling career path" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless progression from personal experience to general benefits. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the personal anecdote of career change at 25, which effectively illustrates the argument. The coherent progression of ideas and logical argumentation underscore the response's mastery. The notable strengths to maintain include the use of precise vocabulary and the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly.

Great job completing this practice test! Ready to take your speaking skills to the next level? We provide numerous practice opportunities tailored to help you improve specific aspects of your TOEFL Speaking performance.

Each practice session brings you one step closer to your goal!

Also Read: