Modern vs Traditional Art - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)
"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Modern vs Traditional Art' along with sample answers to score higher."
Key Highlights
Mastering the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires a combination of clear expression and logical organization. This section evaluates how well you can present and support your views on everyday topics. Our carefully designed practice materials will help you develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in this challenging task.
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 it comes to art, some people prefer modern art for its innovative and abstract qualities, while others favour traditional art for its historical and realistic aspects. Which type of art do you prefer and why?
Preparation Time: 15 Seconds
Response Time: 45 Seconds
Points to Remember
When addressing the question about modern vs traditional art, 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 - Modern vs Traditional Art
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 modern art because it is, um, more innovative and abstract. Modern art, uh, it challenges the conventional boundaries. I once visit a modern art exhibition, and it was, like, very immersive. The installation used light and sound, which was, aahh, very interesting. Modern art often address contemporary issues, making it more relevant. Traditional art, it has historical significance, but modern art is more, um, thought-provoking. I think modern art is better because it, uh, resonates with current themes. Traditional art is, like, realistic, but modern art is more abstract. I prefer modern art because it is innovative and abstract.
Rater’s Comment:
The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language errors and delivery issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement mistakes, such as "I once visit a modern art exhibition," and tense inconsistency, as seen in "Modern art often address contemporary issues." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words like "um," "uh," and "like," which disrupt fluency and create unnatural pauses, e.g., "Modern art, uh, it challenges the conventional boundaries." Speech clarity suffers from choppy pacing and fragmented delivery. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "I prefer modern art because it is innovative and abstract," and a lack of detailed support for claims. The response lacks coherence and depth, preventing a higher score. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more structured 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 modern art because it challenges conventional boundaries and encourages viewers to think outside the box. For instance, I once visited a modern art exhibition where an installation used light and sound to create an immersive experience. This innovative approach made me reflect on the relationship between technology and art, something traditional art rarely does. Moreover, modern art often addresses contemporary issues, making it more relevant to today's society. While traditional art has its merits, such as its historical significance and technical skill, I find modern art's ability to provoke thought and inspire change more compelling. This preference for modern art stems from my desire to engage with art that resonates with current societal themes and pushes creative limits.
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 "This innovative approach made me reflect on the relationship between technology and art," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "immersive experience" and "provokes thought" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with smooth transitions between ideas, as seen in "Moreover, modern art often addresses contemporary issues." The content is well-organised, with a clear progression of ideas from personal experience to broader societal relevance. The argument is coherent, with strong supporting examples, such as the modern art exhibition experience. These elements showcase the speaker's mastery, making the response highly intelligible and fulfilling the task's demands.
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