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.

Minimalist vs Abundant Lifestyle - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Minimalist vs Abundant Lifestyle - 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 - Minimalist vs Abundant Lifestyle

Scoring in the TOEFL Speaking section needs you to focus on preparation and attempt realistic practice tests. To help you with the skills, we've created personalized TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests with Sample Answers. These tests simulate actual exam conditions, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses, and familiarizing you with the assessors' criteria.

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 a minimalist lifestyle, focusing on owning fewer possessions and living simply. Others enjoy an abundant lifestyle, surrounding themselves with many belongings and luxuries. Which lifestyle do you prefer and why? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about minimalist vs abundant lifestyle, 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 - Minimalist vs Abundant Lifestyle

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, um, a minimalist lifestyle because it is more, uh, simple. When people have less things, they can focus on important things. For example, um, having less clothes means less time spent on choosing what to wear. Also, it is cheaper because you don't buy many things. I think, uh, it is better for environment too. Minimalism helps to reduce waste. People who live with many things, they often feel stressed. I used to have many things, but now I have less. It makes me feel more free. Minimalism is, uh, good because it is simple and, um, less stressful.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language errors and delivery issues. Language errors include incorrect article usage, such as "better for environment" instead of "better for the environment," and subject-verb agreement issues like "people have less things." Filler words such as "um" and "uh" are pervasive, disrupting fluency and causing unnatural pauses, e.g., "I prefer, um, a minimalist lifestyle." The speech is choppy, with unclear articulation and inconsistent pacing, making it difficult to follow. Content development is limited, with repeated ideas like "minimalism is, uh, good because it is simple and, um, less stressful," and weak transitions between points. The response lacks depth and fails to provide substantial support for the preference stated. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and develop more coherent and detailed content.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer a minimalist lifestyle because it allows me to focus on what truly matters. For instance, by owning fewer possessions, I can reduce clutter and stress, creating a more peaceful living environment. This approach also encourages me to spend money on experiences rather than material goods, which I find more fulfilling. For example, instead of buying the latest gadgets, I invest in travel, which broadens my horizons and enriches my life. Additionally, minimalism promotes sustainability by reducing waste and consumption, aligning with my values of environmental responsibility. Overall, a minimalist lifestyle offers me clarity, freedom, and a sense of purpose, making it the ideal choice for my personal and ethical beliefs.

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 "by owning fewer possessions, I can reduce clutter and stress," and uses sophisticated vocabulary like "minimalism promotes sustainability." The complex sentence constructions, such as "instead of buying the latest gadgets, I invest in travel," demonstrate precise word usage. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing personal benefits to environmental values. The content is strongly organised, with effective supporting examples like investing in travel to enrich life, and a coherent progression of ideas. The response's clarity, freedom, and sense of purpose highlight the speaker's mastery, making it a high-level performance.

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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