Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - TOEFL Speaking Integrated Practice Test with Answer
In the TOEFL iBT® exam, the Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills. The Speaking Integrated Task takes it a step further. This task specifically assesses your ability to synthesize information from both listening and reading passages and convey it coherently in your response.
The Speaking Integrated Task evaluates various aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and overall coherence. To help you refine these skills, we have prepared a dedicated Speaking Integrated practice test centered on the topic "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder."
Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension and communication strategies!
Instructions
- The narrator will introduce you to the question format, consisting of reading a short academic passage followed by a related lecture on a similar topic.
- Subsequently, you will be asked to respond to a question, integrating information from both the passage and the lecture.
- After hearing the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to deliver it.
- Following the initial instructions, the narrator will prompt you to read the passage on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder within 45 seconds.
- The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD is an anxiety disorder that causes a person to experience obsessive thoughts and to react to these with compulsive behavior or rituals. The obsessions are typically described by OCD sufferers as persistent thoughts or impulses that cause a great amount of stress. These differ from those stressors that the average person suffers from in daily life, such as work or financial problems, in that they are a product of the imagination.
While most OCD sufferers admit to knowing that their concerns are not real, they cannot control the thoughts from recurring, and they compensate by performing certain repetitive actions. In addition to these symptoms and responses, a true OCD sufferer spends a large part of the day battling this disease. The debate continues over whether the disease should be classified as a psychological or biological disorder.
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 professor.
Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.
Audio Transcript
Narrator : Now listen to the discussion on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Amanda : Hello, Professor! I have a query on a subject.
Professor : Yes, Amanda. I am all ears.
Amanda : I am a bit confused about today's topic, especially when you were mentioning obsessed and addicted.
Professor : The terms "obsessed" and "addicted" are used so loosely these days, that one of the most serious mental diseases in America is often not taken seriously even by medical professionals.
Amanda : I agree to that. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is in fact one of the most debilitating psychological diseases, though it only affects about 4% of the population.
Professor : Now, when I say debilitating, I mean, in terms of quality of life. While very few people die from the symptoms and responses to OCD, if they don't seek any help, which most don't, they become severely depressed and isolated. Holding down a job or maintaining social relationships are virtually impossible for many OCD sufferers. The term obsession has to be defined properly when making a proper diagnosis.
Amanda : Now, I am getting it. A true obsession for OCD sufferers is something that is considered abnormal even by the patient himself. So, we're not talking about a passion for golf, or a love of game shows here.
Professor : Yes! To an OCD sufferer, an obsession is generally a persisting thought with no merit, such as the feeling that one is going to throw oneself into traffic. The rituals and behavior that OCD sufferers engage in, such as repetitive hand washing or excessive checking are usually unrelated to the obsessive thoughts. In other words, someone who can't get the image of a tree falling on their house out of their mind might engage in an unrelated ritual such as flipping constantly through pages of a certain book.
Directions: Once the conversation concludes, the picture given above 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
Explain how the professor's description of OCD expands upon the reading. State the viewpoint and explain the reasons provided for the stance.
Preparation Time: 20 seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds
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 - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
There are two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level) which are provided. By understanding 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.
Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
The lecturer, uh, elaborates on the text by stressing how severely OCD affects the quality of life for those who have it. Although OCD is described, um, as including obsessive behaviours and persistent, imagined thoughts, the professor, uh, stresses that even the patient finds these obsessions strange. According to him, um, OCD can lead to severe depression and social isolation, which makes it difficult to maintain a job or social life. The professor also makes the point, um, that OCD sufferers' practices are typically unrelated to their obsessive thoughts. He uses the example of a person who turns pages in a book or, um, becomes obsessed on a falling tree but engages in repetitive, unrelated activities. (116 words)
Rater’s Comment:
The response gives a brief and straightforward explanation of how the text is expanded upon by the professor's description of OCD. The response provides a concise summary of the professor's main arguments, which include the detrimental impacts of OCD on quality of life and the traits of obsessions and compulsions. More precise information from the chat might be included in the response to further show understanding and make it better. This is a good mid-level response all around.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.
High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
In this lecture, it explores and highlights how crippling OCD is and how much of an impact it has on those who have it. Notably, the lecturer emphasises that OCD is frequently misinterpreted and not taken seriously, even though the text describes the fundamental symptoms and reactions. He says that true obsessions in OCD are unreasonable, recurrent ideas that are extremely distressing, and that these thoughts are frequently unrelated to the compulsive behaviours that are engaged in. For instance, someone may always wash their hands but have a complete obsession with something else. The in-depth explanation highlights the seriousness and irrationality of OCD and distinguishes it from everyday anxieties or interests. (111 words)
Rater’s Comment:
The response encompasses the main concepts and also demonstrates a thorough comprehension as well. In addition to that, the professor's emphasis on the serious implications of OCD and how it can frequently be misinterpreted is clarified in detail by the speaker. The answer successfully distinguishes between normal anxiety and actual OCD obsessions while using the example of excessive hand washing. The explanation is well-organised and logical, providing a thorough synopsis of the lecture and highlighting the main variations from the reading. This response satisfies all requirements for a perfect score, suggesting a high degree of understanding, precision, and detail.
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