Family vs Solo Travel - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

There are two types in the TOEFL Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT® exam which includes the Integrated and Independent Section. In the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section, it involves a time frame for preparation which can seem intimidating when you’re asked to respond quickly and coherently. As this section deals with questions where you were supposed to provide opinion, discuss, and then support it with reasons and examples. You can track your progress over time by learning on how to organise, how to maximise your time, and how your responses could sound more natural, persuasive, and concise.

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Family Vs. Solo Travel' provides an oppotunity to practice this section where you need to respond to a question and express an opinion that is well supported under time pressure. Remember to approach the question with a positive mindset as you work through this topic. It is highly suggested to take quick notes during the preparation time to help you organise and keep tha response logically coherent.

Well, why wait any further? Dive into the TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Family Vs. Solo Travel' and excel in the exam.

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:

When planning a holiday, some people prefer to travel with their family, while others enjoy travelling alone. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about family vs solo travel, consider these key points to craft a well-rounded response. As you are preparing an answer, remember to continuously ask yourself as to whether the response caters to the query. This self-check ensures that your answer remains relevant and comprehensive. Avoid spending too much time in ideating and responding and do not talk at a speed so slow that it sounds unsure. Use a steady pacy while delivering your response and displaying your opinion with reasons and relevant examples. This would be helpful while maintaining a clear and logical organisation while showcasing depth to the answer. However, as there is a time limit, the ideas must be logically arranged in a coherent manner.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Family vs Solo Travel

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:

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "last year, we go to the beach" instead of "went". Tense inconsistency is evident with "When I am alone, I feel, like, lonely" mixing present and past contexts. Filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know" disrupt fluency, and there are unnatural pauses after phrases like "more fun and, um, enjoyable." Repeated content, such as "because it is more fun and enjoyable," indicates limited content development. The response lacks depth, with no specific examples beyond a vague beach trip. Weak transitions and reliance on repetition hinder coherence. This response earned a score of 1 due to its limited content, choppy delivery, and severe language limitations. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed examples.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

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 "Travelling with family also provides a sense of security and shared responsibility," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "quaint villages" and "enriching the travel experience." The complex sentence constructions, like "While solo travel offers independence, the joy of sharing moments with loved ones outweighs the benefits of solitude," demonstrate precise word usage. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions between ideas. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the family trip to the Lake District, illustrating the benefits of travelling with family. The response is coherent, with clear progression of ideas, showcasing mastery in topic development. Notable strengths include the ability to maintain a fluid expression and articulate complex ideas clearly.

Fantastic job! Want to push your skills further? Now, you can access plenty of Speaking Practice Tests to help you mastering the Speaking section! Get yourself familiarised with the exam environment and start working towards success.

Also Read:

• Online vs Classroom - TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test with Responses
• Important Teacher - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key
• Taking Risks - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Test Paper with Responses