Fiction vs Non-fiction Books - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Effective time management skills is crucial for the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section in the TOEFL iBT® exam as you need to respond to a prompt under time constraints. It becomes very important to make notes as well as brainstorm and then start with speaking coherently for a clear, organised response. Prioritising your thoughts, remaining on track, and structuring an answer can help ensure that your responses are brief, coherent, and persuasive. With diligent practice and using a stopwatch, you will be able to develop this skill and ace the TOEFL exam.

In the TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice on 'Fiction vs Non-fiction Books', you would get an opportunity on how you can show your proficiency and fluency in expressing ideas logically when under pressure. As you only have 15 seconds of preparation and 45 seconds to respond, this will require strategies to prepare quickly and answer with coherent as well as well-structured responses.

Let's start with the parctice test and get started with your preparation!

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 choosing a book to read for leisure, do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? Explain your reasons, considering aspects such as entertainment value, educational benefits, and personal interests. Provide specific examples from your own reading experiences.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about fiction vs non-fiction books, remember that careful planning enables quick preparation of coherent, well-structured responses. 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. Speak clearly and confidently at your own pace and stop using filler words such as "um" and "like," as these may detract from the clarity of your speech.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Fiction vs Non-fiction Books

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 earns a Score 1 due to its limited content and coherence, with frequent language errors and delivery issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement mistakes, such as "they is more entertaining," and awkward pronoun usage, like "Fiction, uh, like 'Harry Potter', it takes me." Delivery is hindered by numerous filler words, such as "um" and "uh," and unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and fragmented. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Fiction books, they are more fun" and a lack of specific examples beyond mentioning 'Harry Potter.' The response lacks depth and fails to provide substantial support for the preference stated. To score higher, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, improving grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed and varied content with clear examples and transitions.

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 "Fiction allows me to explore different cultures and perspectives through storytelling," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "stimulate my imagination" and "delves into complex characters" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is fluid, with a natural flow and effective pacing, as seen in the smooth transition from discussing entertainment to educational benefits. The articulation is clear, ensuring intelligibility throughout. Content development is strong, with a logical organisation and progression of ideas, supported by specific examples like reading 'Harry Potter' for entertainment and relaxation. The response's coherence and depth, alongside its minor lapses, showcase mastery in language use and topic development, justifying the high score.

How did you do on this practice test?

Are you ready for another one? We've got you covered! Our extensive collection of practice materials is designed to help you strengthen your speaking abilities and excel in the TOEFL exam.

Remember, consistent practice is the key to 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