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.

Living Alone vs With Roommates - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Living Alone vs With Roommates - 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 'Living Alone vs With Roommates' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Living Alone vs With Roommates

Success in the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires both effective preparation and strategic response planning. This section challenges you to express your opinions clearly and support them with specific reasons and examples. Our practice materials will help you develop the skills needed to deliver well-structured, confident responses within the time constraints.

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 living alone, enjoying the privacy and independence it offers, while others choose to live with roommates for the companionship and shared responsibilities. Which living arrangement do you prefer and why?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about living alone vs with roommates, 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 - Living Alone vs With Roommates

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 living alone because it give me more privacy. Um, living alone is good because I can do what I want. Uh, when I lived alone, I was able to, you know, organise my time better. Living alone is good because I can do what I want. Uh, I can also decorate my room how I like. Living with roommates, um, can be noisy and, uh, distracting. I think living alone is better because it give me more privacy. Uh, I can also decorate my room how I like. Living with roommates, um, can be noisy and, uh, distracting. I think living alone is better because it give me more privacy.

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 "it give me more privacy," and tense inconsistency with "when I lived alone, I was able to." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um" and "uh," and unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and fragmented. Speech clarity is affected by these hesitations, and the pacing is uneven. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "living alone is good because I can do what I want" and "I can also decorate my room how I like." The response lacks key supporting points about independence and has choppy transitions. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more varied and coherent content.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer living alone because it offers a sense of independence and personal space that is invaluable to me. For instance, when I lived alone during university, I had the freedom to organise my schedule without having to accommodate others' routines. This autonomy allowed me to focus on my studies and personal growth. Additionally, living alone meant I could create a living environment that suited my tastes and preferences, which was both comforting and empowering. While living with roommates can provide companionship, I find that the peace and quiet of living alone outweighs the social benefits. Overall, the independence and control over my environment make living alone my preferred choice.

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 lived alone during university, I had the freedom to organise my schedule," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "autonomy," "empowering," and "companionship" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is fluid, with a natural flow and effective pacing, ensuring clear articulation throughout. Smooth transitions, such as "additionally" and "overall," contribute to the coherence of the argument. The content is well-organised, with a clear progression of ideas from independence to personal space, supported by specific examples like focusing on studies and personal growth. These elements showcase the speaker's mastery, with notable strengths in language use and topic development that should be maintained.

How did you do on this practice test? Whether you're satisfied or see room for improvement, we've got you covered! Our extensive collection of practice materials is designed to help you strengthen your speaking abilities and excel in the TOEFL exam.

Remember, consistent practice is the key to success!

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