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.

Homemade vs Restaurant Food - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Homemade vs Restaurant Food - 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 'Academic vs Athletic Achievement' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Homemade vs Restaurant Food

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 prefer to eat homemade food, while others enjoy dining at restaurants. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about homemade vs restaurant food, 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 - Homemade vs Restaurant Food

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 prefer, um, homemade food because it is more healthy. When I cook at home, I can choose, uh, fresh ingredients. Homemade food is also cheaper. For example, when I make food at home, I save money. Also, homemade food is more healthy. I can control what I eat. Restaurants, they are expensive. I like to cook at home because it is, you know, more personal. I can try new recipes. Homemade food is more healthy. Uh, I think homemade food is better. It is cheaper and more healthy. I can control the ingredients. So, I prefer homemade food.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to its limited content and coherence. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "Restaurants, they are expensive," and tense inconsistency with "I can try new recipes." The speaker repeats "Homemade food is more healthy" multiple times, indicating a lack of content development. Filler words like "um" and "uh" disrupt the flow, and unnatural pauses occur after "I prefer" and "I can choose." Speech clarity suffers from choppy delivery and fragmented sentences. The response lacks depth, failing to elaborate on personalisation or creativity in homemade cooking. To score higher, the speaker should reduce repetition, improve grammatical accuracy, and provide more detailed examples and transitions. Enhancing vocabulary and practising smoother delivery would also be beneficial.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer homemade food because it allows me to control the ingredients and ensure a healthier diet. For instance, when I cook at home, I can choose fresh vegetables and lean meats, avoiding excessive salt and unhealthy fats. Additionally, cooking at home is often more economical. I can prepare meals in bulk, saving money compared to dining out. Moreover, homemade meals offer a personal touch, as I can experiment with recipes and tailor dishes to my taste. This creativity in the kitchen is both satisfying and rewarding. While restaurants offer convenience, the benefits of health, cost, and personalisation make homemade food my preferred choice. Overall, the ability to manage what I consume and the joy of cooking make homemade meals more appealing to me.

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 "when I cook at home, I can choose fresh vegetables and lean meats," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "economical" and "personalisation" 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 "Moreover, homemade meals offer a personal touch." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the ability to "prepare meals in bulk, saving money compared to dining out," which clearly progresses the argument. The response's coherence and the logical progression of ideas, alongside the speaker's ability to articulate their preference convincingly, highlight notable strengths to maintain.

Great job completing this practice test! Ready to take your speaking skills to the next level? We provide numerous practice opportunities tailored to help you improve specific aspects of your TOEFL Speaking performance.

Each practice session brings you one step closer to your goal!

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