Fixed vs Flexible Working Hours - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Effective communication in the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task involves more than just good English. You need to express your opinions clearly, support them with specific examples, and deliver your response confidently. Our practice tests will help you develop these crucial skills while familiarizing you with the exam format.

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 prefer fixed working hours, where they have a set schedule every day. Others prefer flexible working hours, where they can choose when to start and finish work. Which do you prefer and why?

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about fixed vs flexible working hours, 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 - Fixed vs Flexible Working Hours

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 in "flexible hours is better" and incorrect comparative form in "more better for me." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt fluency and create unnatural pauses, as seen in "I prefer, um, flexible working hours." Speech clarity is compromised by choppy pacing and fragmented delivery. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "flexible hours is better because it is flexible" and missing support points, such as productivity benefits. Transitions are weak, and the response lacks depth, relying on basic ideas. This response earned a score of 1 due to limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more detailed support for their preference.

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 "This flexibility also helps me avoid peak traffic hours," and sophisticated vocabulary like "adaptability" and "integration." Complex sentence constructions are evident in phrases like "I find that I am more productive when I can work during my peak energy times." The precise word usage enhances clarity and coherence. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in "For instance, I can start my day early and finish by mid-afternoon." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples and coherent arguments, such as balancing personal and professional life. The response demonstrates mastery in language use and topic development, with notable strengths in vocabulary and sentence structure to maintain.

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