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 Networks - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Personal vs Professional Networks - 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 Networks' 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 Networks

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 building networks, some people believe that personal networks are more valuable, while others think professional networks are more beneficial. Which do you prefer to focus on, 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 personal vs professional networks, 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 Networks

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, personal networks is more valuable. Personal networks, they help in, uh, emotional support. For example, my friend, he always give me advice. Personal networks, they are, like, important for sharing experiences. Professional networks, they are also good, but personal networks, they are more, um, close. I remember when I was, uh, looking for a job, my friend, he help me a lot. Personal networks, they are, like, more beneficial because they are, uh, supportive. Professional networks, they can be helpful, but personal networks, they are, like, more, um, reliable. So, I prefer personal networks because they are, uh, more supportive and, um, reliable.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "personal networks is more valuable" and "my friend, he always give me advice." Tense inconsistency is evident in "my friend, he help me a lot." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um," "uh," and "like," which disrupt fluency and create unnatural pauses, e.g., "Personal networks, they are, like, important for sharing experiences." Speech clarity is compromised by choppy pacing and fragmented delivery. Content development is limited, with repeated ideas such as "personal networks, they are, like, more beneficial because they are, uh, supportive," and weak transitions between points. The response earned a score of 1 due to its minimal content and coherence, frequent language errors, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, enhancing grammatical accuracy, and developing more structured and varied content.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer to focus on professional networks because they offer significant career advancement opportunities. For instance, through my professional network, I was able to secure a job interview at a prestigious company. Professional connections often provide access to industry insights and job openings that are not publicly advertised. Additionally, they can offer mentorship and guidance, which are invaluable for career growth. While personal networks are important for emotional support, professional networks directly impact my career trajectory. By attending industry conferences and engaging on platforms like LinkedIn, I have expanded my professional network, which has been instrumental in my career development. Thus, I find professional networks more beneficial for achieving my career goals.

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 "Professional connections often provide access to industry insights and job openings that are not publicly advertised," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "prestigious company," "mentorship," and "career trajectory" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing job opportunities to mentorship benefits. The content is well-organised, with a strong introduction, supporting examples, and a coherent argument that progresses logically. The speaker's ability to articulate the benefits of professional networks with specific examples, such as securing a job interview, showcases mastery. Maintaining these strengths will continue to support high-level responses.

Well done on finishing this practice test! Whether you're just starting or fine-tuning your skills, we have more practice materials waiting for you. Each test is designed to help you master different aspects of TOEFL Speaking.

Keep practicing, and watch your confidence grow!

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