What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Focused vs Diverse Interests - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

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

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On December 21, 2024

"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Focused vs Diverse Interests' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Focused vs Diverse Interests

Scoring in the TOEFL Speaking section needs you to focus on preparation and attempt realistic practice tests. To help you with the skills, we've created personalized TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests with Sample Answers. These tests simulate actual exam conditions, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses, and familiarizing you with the assessors' criteria.

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.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about focused vs diverse interests, 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 - 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:

I think having a focused interest is more beneficial. Um, when you focus on one area, you can become expert in it. For example, if someone study medicine, they can become a doctor. Uh, this is important because, um, being expert means you can help people better. Also, focusing on one area, uh, it helps you to, um, get a good job. Like, if you are good in one thing, companies will want to hire you. Uh, I think this is better than having many interests because, um, you can be more successful. So, focusing on one area is, uh, more beneficial.

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:

I prefer having diverse interests because it allows me to adapt to different situations and learn from various fields. For instance, my interest in both technology and art has enabled me to approach problems creatively and find innovative solutions. This combination of skills has been particularly useful in my career, where I often need to think outside the box. Additionally, having diverse interests keeps life exciting and prevents monotony. It encourages continuous learning and personal growth, as I am always exploring new areas and gaining fresh perspectives. Overall, I believe that a broad range of interests enriches my life and enhances my ability to connect with others from different backgrounds.

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.

Well done on finishing this practice test! Whether you're just starting or fine-tuning your skills, we have more practice materials waiting for you. Each test is designed to help you master different aspects of TOEFL Speaking.

Keep practicing, and watch your confidence grow!

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