Green Building Initiative - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

Among the TOEFL Speaking tasks, the Integrated Speaking component offers a unique test of language mastery. It challenges you to not only understand but also effectively combine and communicate information from different sources.

This comprehensive task evaluates multiple aspects of language proficiency: pronunciation clarity, speech fluency, vocabulary mastery, and logical organization. Our specialized practice materials on "Green Building Initiative" are designed to help you excel in each of these areas.

Ready to enhance your integrated speaking abilities? Let's begin this focused practice session and build your skills systematically!

Instructions:

• You will first read a short passage about a campus-related announcement or proposed change. You will have 45 seconds to read the passage.
• Then you will listen to a conversation between two speakers discussing their opinions about the announcement or change.
• After the conversation ends, you will be asked to respond to a question about what you read and heard.
• You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response.
• You will have 60 seconds to speak about the speaker's opinion and the reasons they give for holding that opinion.

The university has announced a new Green Building Initiative to promote sustainability on campus.

Green Building Initiative

The university is excited to announce the launch of the Green Building Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainability on campus. This initiative will involve the construction of new eco-friendly buildings and the renovation of existing structures to meet green standards. Key features include the use of solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and sustainable materials. The initiative is expected to reduce the university's carbon footprint significantly and serve as a model for other institutions. The project will commence next semester, with the first phase focusing on the library and student centre.

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 student.

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

Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the two students 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

State the speakers' opinions about the Green Building Initiative and explain their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.

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. 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Green Building Initiative

We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By comparing the differences, you'll gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a top score on the TOEFL exam.

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a score of 1 due to its limited content and coherence. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "the cost of eco-friendly projects are high," and incorrect pronoun reference, as in "Speaker A is also worried about if the university will use sustainable materials." Delivery is hindered by filler words like "um" and "uh," which appear frequently, e.g., "Speaker A, um, they think..." and "Speaker B, uh, believes..." These fillers, along with unnatural pauses, disrupt speech clarity and pacing. Content development is weak, with repeated content like "Speaker A, um, they think the Green Building Initiative is, uh, good," and missing points, such as Speaker B's mention of phased construction. The response lacks depth and fails to develop ideas fully, preventing a higher score. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and expanding on key points with clear transitions.

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response effectively addresses the task, demonstrating a high level of language proficiency and content development. The use of advanced grammar structures, such as "primarily due to concerns about cost and potential disruption," and sophisticated vocabulary, like "sceptical" and "transparency," showcases the speaker's command of English. Complex sentence constructions, such as "Speaker B believes the initiative could serve as a model for other institutions," contribute to the response's coherence. The delivery is fluid, with a natural flow and clear articulation, as seen in the smooth transition between the speakers' opinions. The content is well-organised, with a clear progression of ideas and effective supporting examples, such as the mention of "long-term cost savings" and "phased approach to minimise disruption." This response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive coverage of the task, mastery of language use, and coherent argumentation, with notable strengths in vocabulary and sentence structure.

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