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.

Local vs Global Perspectives - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Local vs Global Perspectives - 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 - Local vs Global Perspectives

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section challenges you to share your views on familiar topics with clarity and confidence. Success requires not only good English skills but also the ability to structure your response effectively within the time limit. These practice materials will help you develop both the language and organizational skills needed for a high score.

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:

When considering the impact of your actions, do you think it's more important to focus on local issues within your community or global issues that affect the world at large? Explain your reasons.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about local vs global perspectives, 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 - Local vs Global Perspectives

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 think, um, it's more important to focus on local issues because they are, uh, more immediate. Local issues, they affect us directly, like, and we can see the results faster. For example, helping in a local school can, um, improve education quality. Local issues are, uh, easier to manage because they are smaller. Global issues, they are big and, uh, need more resources. Local issues, they are, um, more manageable. So, uh, focusing on local issues is, um, better because they are, uh, more immediate and, uh, easier to handle. Global issues, they are, uh, too big for one person to solve.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to its limited content and coherence, with minimal connection to the task. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "Local issues, they affect us directly," and tense inconsistency, as seen in "Local issues are, uh, easier to manage because they are smaller." Article usage is incorrect in "Local issues, they are, um, more manageable." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words like "um" and "uh," and unnatural pauses, making speech choppy and fragmented. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Local issues, they are, um, more manageable," and missing supporting points. The response lacks substance beyond basic ideas and relies on repetition. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more detailed and coherent content.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I believe focusing on local issues is more important because it allows for immediate and tangible impact. For instance, volunteering at a local food bank directly helps those in need within my community. This approach fosters a sense of community and responsibility, encouraging others to contribute as well. While global issues are significant, they often require large-scale efforts and resources that individuals may not possess. By addressing local problems, we can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to take similar actions, which can eventually lead to broader change. Moreover, local engagement provides a deeper understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by the community, enabling more effective solutions. Thus, prioritising local issues can lead to meaningful and sustainable improvements, which can gradually influence global change.

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 "fosters a sense of community and responsibility," and sophisticated vocabulary like "tangible impact" and "ripple effect." Complex sentence constructions are evident in phrases like "While global issues are significant, they often require large-scale efforts and resources that individuals may not possess." The word usage is precise, enhancing clarity. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with smooth transitions between ideas, such as "Moreover, local engagement provides a deeper understanding." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples like "volunteering at a local food bank," and coherent arguments that progress logically. The response demonstrates mastery in articulating a clear stance with compelling reasoning, a notable strength 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.

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