Focused vs Diverse Interests - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

In the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section of the TOEFL iBT® exam, the test takers will be asked to respond to the prompt that tests their ability to communicate in English about topics that arefamiliar. To help you prepare well, we have specifically designed personalised TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests with Sample Answers to simulate the exam conditions. Scoring in the TOEFL Speaking section needs you to focus on preparation and attempt realistic practice tests. Therefore, you will be able to get your score in real time while going through the sample answers to become aware of the aspects to be included for scoring high.

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Focused vs Diverse Interests' will help develop your English fluency within the time limits. As the examination mimics the exam conditions, you will be able to highlight your strengths and weaknesses and also become aware of the assessors' criteria. Along with that, time management is a crucial skill which you need to focus on developing since you need to be prepared to organise your thoughts within the time limits.

Let's get to it now!

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 having a focused interest in one area is more beneficial, while others think that having diverse interests is better. Which do you prefer and why? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about focused vs diverse interests, consider these key points to craft a well-rounded response.  Firstly, start by brainstorming ideas as this would help you to have an elaborated response while speaking. Next, your opinion must be clear along with well-defined reasons behind it while justifying them with relevant examples. This will help you with the flow of organisation where your ideas would be logically arranged. Your response must also be concise yet elaborate enough to show the ability to speak within the given time limits.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Focused vs Diverse Interests

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 "if someone study medicine," and article usage errors in "being expert means." Tense consistency is also problematic, as seen in "focusing on one area, uh, it helps you to, um, get a good job." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um" and "uh," which disrupt the flow and create unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and fragmented. Content development is limited, with repeated ideas like "focusing on one area is more beneficial" and "if someone study medicine, they can become a doctor," lacking depth and supporting points. The response earned a score of 1 due to its limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, enhancing grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed 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 "my interest in both technology and art has enabled me to approach problems creatively," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "innovative solutions" and "monotony" 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 shift from discussing career benefits to personal growth. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the combination of technology and art, illustrating the speaker's point. The response is coherent, with a logical progression of ideas, making it highly intelligible. The notable strengths include the ability to maintain fluid expression and the use of precise vocabulary, which should be preserved.

Congratulations for completing this practice test! Whether you are just beginning or working on honing your skills, we already have more materials for you to use to practice. 

Keep practicing, and watch your confidence grow!

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• Taking Risks - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Test Paper with Responses