International Student Support - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

The TOEFL Speaking Section's Integrated Task represents a sophisticated assessment of language abilities. It tests your capacity to understand complex information from multiple sources and present it in a clear, organized manner.

This challenging task requires excellence in various linguistic aspects: precise pronunciation, natural fluency, appropriate vocabulary, and coherent expression. We've created this targeted practice test on "International Student Support" to help you develop these essential capabilities.

Prepare to strengthen your integrated speaking skills! Let's begin this practice session and develop your expertise in handling this complex task.

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 initiative to support international students.

International Student Support

The university is pleased to announce the launch of the International Student Support Programme, aimed at enhancing the experience of international students on campus. The programme will include a dedicated support centre offering academic advising, cultural workshops, and language assistance. Additionally, a mentorship scheme will pair international students with local students to foster cultural exchange and friendship. These initiatives are designed to help international students integrate more smoothly into campus life and succeed academically.

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 International Student Support Programme 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 - International Student Support

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 significant language and content issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement mistakes such as "Speaker A, uh, think it's not enough" and "It help international students feel at home." There is also inconsistent tense usage, as seen in "Speaker A is sceptical, Speaker B is optimistic." Article usage is incorrect in "They think supportive environment is important." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um" and "uh," causing unnatural pauses and choppy speech. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Speaker B is more positive, they say the mentorship scheme is good," and missing key points from the conversation. The response lacks coherence and depth, preventing a higher score. To improve, the speaker should focus on grammatical accuracy, reducing filler words, and providing more detailed content.

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive fulfilment of the task, demonstrating a clear understanding of the speakers' opinions. Language strengths include the use of advanced grammar, such as "expressing concerns that a support centre and workshops might not provide enough personalised help," and sophisticated vocabulary like "sceptical" and "optimistic." The response features complex sentence constructions, for instance, "Speaker B trusts the university's commitment to improving the international student experience." Delivery is excellent, with a natural flow and effective pacing, ensuring high intelligibility. The response is well-organised, presenting a clear progression of ideas and coherent arguments, such as the contrast between Speaker A's scepticism and Speaker B's optimism. These elements demonstrate mastery, with notable strengths in language use and topic development to maintain.

Fantastic job working through this practice test! Looking to push your skills further? We have plenty more practice materials ready to help you tackle any speaking challenges you face.

Your dedication to practice will pay off!

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