Library Research Help - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

While the TOEFL Speaking Section assesses general English speaking abilities, the Speaking Integrated Task challenges you in unique ways. This component tests your skill in synthesizing information from both written and spoken sources, requiring you to present your understanding clearly and effectively.

Success in this task requires mastery of multiple language skills: clear pronunciation, natural fluency, appropriate vocabulary selection, and coherent organization. We've designed this Speaking Integrated practice test focused on "Library Research Help" to help you develop these crucial abilities.

Ready to strengthen your integrated speaking skills? Let's dive into this practice session and build your confidence in handling complex communication tasks!

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 library is introducing a new research help service for students.

Library Research Help

The university library is pleased to announce the introduction of a new research help service designed to assist students with their academic projects. This service will be available both in-person and online, providing flexible support options. Students can book one-on-one sessions with a librarian to receive guidance on research strategies, resource selection, and citation management. Additionally, the service will offer workshops on various research topics throughout the semester. The aim is to enhance students' research skills and improve their academic performance by providing tailored support and resources.

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 new research help service 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 - Library Research Help

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 demonstrates significant language errors, notably in subject-verb agreement, such as "Speaker A, um, think" and "He say students are busy." These errors hinder clarity and coherence. Filler words like "um" and "uh" are pervasive, disrupting the flow and contributing to choppy delivery. The response also suffers from content repetition, as seen in "Speaker A, um, think the new research help service is not very effective" and "Uh, Speaker B believe having librarian's expertise is valuable." Key points, such as the potential for workshops to broaden skills, are missing, and transitions between ideas are weak. These issues result in a response that is minimally connected to the task, earning a score of 1. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and developing a more structured and detailed response.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Speaker A expresses some scepticism about the new research help service at the library. He is concerned about the effectiveness of the service, particularly due to students' busy schedules, which might prevent them from booking one-on-one sessions. Additionally, he questions the usefulness of the workshops, suggesting they might be too general to meet specific student needs. On the other hand, Speaker B is quite positive about the service. She believes that the online option makes it more accessible and convenient for students. She also argues that the workshops could broaden students' research skills by covering topics they might not have considered. Furthermore, she emphasises the value of having access to a librarian's expertise, which can significantly enhance the quality of students' research. Overall, Speaker B sees the service as a valuable resource for academic success.

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 are evident in the use of advanced grammar, such as "particularly due to students' busy schedules," and sophisticated vocabulary like "scepticism" and "enhance." The response features complex sentence constructions, exemplified by "She believes that the online option makes it more accessible and convenient for students." Delivery is marked by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions between ideas, such as "On the other hand, Speaker B is quite positive about the service." Content development is strong, with a well-organised structure and coherent arguments, as seen in the progression from Speaker A's concerns to Speaker B's optimism. The response's mastery is demonstrated through its precise word usage and sustained, coherent discourse, making it highly intelligible and effective.

Excellent work on completing this practice! Ready for more challenges? We offer a wide range of practice tests specifically designed to strengthen your speaking skills and boost your TOEFL performance.

Every practice session builds your path to success!

Also Read:

• TOEFL iBT® Exam Pattern and Syllabus
• Attribution Bias - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Integrated Practice Test with Answers
• Important Teacher - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key