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.

Personal vs Professional Goals - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Personal vs Professional Goals - 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 'Personal vs Professional Goals ' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Personal vs Professional Goals

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section tests your ability to think quickly and express your ideas clearly in English. With just 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond, you need to organize your thoughts efficiently and present them effectively. Our practice tests will help you master these time-critical skills while developing your speaking abilities.

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 believe that personal goals, such as improving health or learning a new hobby, are more important than professional goals, like advancing in a career or earning a higher salary. Which do you think is more important and why?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about personal vs professional goals, 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 - Personal vs Professional Goals

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 personal goals is more important than professional goals. Um, like, when you focus on health, it can make you feel better. I remember, uh, last year, I start to exercise more, and it was good for me. Professional goals, they are important too, but they can be stressful. Personal goals, they make you happy. Uh, I mean, they give you satisfaction. Also, um, personal goals can help in work too, like, you know, by making you more energetic. So, personal goals are, uh, more important because they, um, improve life quality.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "I think personal goals is more important" and tense inconsistency in "I start to exercise more." Filler words like "Um, like," and "Uh, I mean," disrupt fluency, and there are unnatural pauses after "feel better" and "satisfaction." Speech clarity is compromised by choppy delivery and inconsistent pacing. Content development is weak, with repeated ideas like "Personal goals, they make you happy" and "they give you satisfaction," lacking depth and support. Transitions are weak, as seen in "Also, um, personal goals can help," and self-corrections are evident. This response earned a score of 1 due to limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and develop more structured, supported arguments.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I believe personal goals are more important than professional ones. For instance, focusing on health can lead to a longer, more fulfilling life. A few years ago, I prioritised my health by taking up yoga, which significantly improved my well-being and stress levels. While professional achievements are rewarding, they often come with stress and pressure. Personal goals, on the other hand, provide intrinsic satisfaction and can enhance one's quality of life. Moreover, achieving personal goals can indirectly benefit professional life by improving focus and energy levels. Thus, personal goals offer a holistic approach to life, balancing both mental and physical health, which I find more valuable.

Rater’s Comment:

The response effectively addresses the task, demonstrating a clear preference for personal goals with well-organised arguments. Language use is strong, with advanced grammar structures such as "focusing on health can lead to a longer, more fulfilling life" and sophisticated vocabulary like "intrinsic satisfaction" and "holistic approach." The speaker employs complex sentence constructions, for example, "achieving personal goals can indirectly benefit professional life by improving focus and energy levels," showcasing precise word usage. Delivery is excellent, with a natural flow and effective pacing, as seen in the smooth transitions between ideas. The articulation is clear, ensuring intelligibility throughout. Content development is robust, with strong organisation and effective supporting examples, such as the personal anecdote about yoga improving well-being. This response earns a score of 4 due to its coherent discourse, mastery of language, and well-developed arguments, with notable strengths in vocabulary and delivery to maintain.

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!

Also Read: