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Flow - TOEFL Speaking Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key

Flow - TOEFL Speaking Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key

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The TOEFL Speaking Section evaluates a test taker's comprehensive English communication abilities, while the Speaking Integrated Task delves deeper. This particular segment measures your aptitude not just in effective communication, but also in integrating information from listening and reading passages to construct a unified response.

Assessing multiple facets of spoken English proficiency such as pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary application, and overall coherence, the Speaking Integrated Task is designed to refine your skills. For improving these abilities further, we offer you a specialized practice test centered on the topic "Flow."

Start your journey of practice with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension 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 30 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 Pricing Strategy within 45 seconds.
  • The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.

Flow 

In psychology, the state of experiencing intense and energized focus during an activity is referred to as "flow." When individuals enter a state of flow, they become deeply immersed in the task at hand, losing track of time and experiencing a profound sense of satisfaction. Importantly, this heightened state of focus is characterized by complete engagement in the activity for its intrinsic value, rather than external rewards such as money or status. Contrary to common assumptions, flow typically occurs not during moments of leisure or relaxation, but rather when individuals are actively engaged in challenging endeavors that require the stretching of their mental or physical capabilities.

 

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.

Flow - TOEFL Integrated Speaking Practice Test

Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.

Audio Transcript

Narrator: Let's hear an excerpt from a psychology class discussion.

Male Professor: To provide some context for what your textbook covers, let me share a relevant anecdote. A friend of mine, Professor Jones, who taught in the physics department and retired last year, comes to mind. This incident occurred a few years back.

I recall an occasion when I happened to pass by a classroom early one morning, just as Professor Jones was leaving. His appearance was disheveled, with rumpled clothes and a tired demeanor suggesting he hadn't slept all night. Concerned, I inquired about his well-being, only to be taken aback by his response. He expressed that he had never felt better and was completely content. It turned out that he had spent the entire night in the classroom engrossed in solving a mathematics puzzle. Without pausing to eat dinner or rest, he remained steadfastly committed to unraveling the puzzle. This intense level of engagement demonstrates the depth of his involvement, even though the puzzle was unrelated to his usual teaching or academic pursuits. He stumbled upon this puzzle quite unexpectedly, I believe it was in a mathematics journal, and found himself deeply intrigued by it. Driven by his fascination, he dedicated himself tirelessly to solving it throughout the night. The classroom's blackboards bore witness to his intense efforts, as they became adorned with a multitude of equations and numbers. Completely absorbed in his task, he lost all track of time, unaware of the hours slipping away.

 

Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the professor 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

Discuss the concept of "flow" and analyze how the professor's example effectively illustrates this phenomenon.

Preparation Time: 30 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. They'll help you nail that excellent score! 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Flow

To illustrate the impact of proficiency on response quality, we present two contrasting sample responses.  One response exemplifies a mid-level proficiency, while the other showcases advanced writing skills at high-level proficiency.  A comparative analysis of these responses will help you understand the linguistic adjustments crucial for achieving a superior score on the TOEFL.

Listen to the audio recording to hear a mid-level answer to the provided question.

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

In the lecture, it was mentioned that, uh, flow is when, like, you're really into something, you know? And, uh, the professor's example, uh, shows how, like, this guy, uh, Professor Jones, was super focused on solving this math puzzle. He, um, forgot about time and stuff, you know, and he, uh, didn't even stop to eat or sleep. So, uh, yeah, it shows how, like, when you're in flow, you're, like, totally absorbed in what you're doing. Um, this indicates that flow involves a deep level of engagement, uh, where external factors become insignificant. So, it's clear, um, how being in a state of flow means being fully absorbed, eh, in the task at hand. So, yeah, that's all. (120 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response provides a basic understanding of the concept of "flow" and attempts to analyze the professor's example, but it lacks depth and clarity. The speaker uses filler words and pauses frequently, which disrupts the flow of the response and makes it difficult to follow. Additionally, there are grammatical errors and informal language usage throughout the answer. While the main points are conveyed, the response lacks the coherence and sophistication expected in a high-level answer. Therefore, it is considered a mid-level response.

 

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Flow is a psychological state characterized by complete absorption and intense focus during an activity. The professor's example vividly illustrates this concept. He recounts the story of Professor Jones, who became so engrossed in solving a mathematics puzzle that he lost track of time and neglected basic needs, like food and rest. This exemplifies how individuals in a state of flow become wholly immersed in their tasks, experiencing a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction that transcends external rewards. Professor Jones' relentless pursuit of the puzzle showcases the depth of focus and intrinsic motivation typical of flow experiences. Overall, in conclusion, I would like to state that the example effectively demonstrates how flow entails being fully present and engaged in an activity, to the point where external factors become secondary to the task at hand. (134 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response provides a clear and thorough explanation of the concept of "flow" and effectively analyzes how the professor's example illustrates this phenomenon. The speaker demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic and skillfully connects the example to the broader concept of flow, highlighting key aspects such as absorption, intrinsic motivation, and intense focus. Moreover, the response is well-structured and articulated, showcasing advanced language proficiency and coherence. Overall, this is a high-level answer that effectively addresses the question with depth and insight.

 

High five on completing the practice test! But let's keep leveling up your TOEFL skills further! We've got a treasure trove of practice tests designed just like the real TOEFL exam. Take a few more and improve your listening comprehension!

Are you ready to share your progress and help others in the journey? Let's connect in the comments below and celebrate each other's achievements as we work towards your TOEFL goals!

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