Laboratory Equipment Updates - 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 'Laboratory Equipment Updates' 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 updates to laboratory equipment to enhance student learning and research capabilities.

Laboratory Equipment Updates

The university is pleased to announce a significant update to the laboratory equipment across all science departments. This initiative aims to provide students with access to the latest technology, thereby enhancing their learning experience and research capabilities. The updates will include new microscopes, spectrometers, and computer software for data analysis. These improvements are expected to be completed by the end of the semester, ensuring that students can benefit from these resources in the upcoming academic year.

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 laboratory equipment updates 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 - Laboratory Equipment Updates

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 1 due to significant language and content issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement, such as "Speaker A and Speaker B talks," and incorrect pronoun usage, as in "They also, um, concerned." Delivery is hindered by filler words like "Um," "uh," and "um," causing unnatural pauses and choppy speech. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Speaker A is worried about the disruption it might cause," and missing points, such as the future career advantages mentioned in the conversation. Transitions between ideas are abrupt, lacking coherence. These issues prevent the response from scoring higher, as they obscure meaning and limit content relevance. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and developing a more structured and comprehensive response.

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 coverage of the task, demonstrating a clear understanding of both speakers' perspectives. Language strengths are evident in the use of advanced grammar, such as "Speaker A worries about potential disruptions," and sophisticated vocabulary like "cutting-edge technology." The response features complex sentence constructions, exemplified by "Speaker B believes that the updates will enhance the learning experience and provide better research opportunities." Delivery is marked by a natural flow and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing concerns to highlighting benefits. Content development is strong, with a well-organised structure and effective supporting examples, such as the mention of training sessions and future career advantages. The response's clarity, coherence, and detailed analysis of both viewpoints demonstrate mastery, making it highly intelligible and fulfilling the task's demands.

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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