Personal vs Public Transportation - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

In the TOEFL iBT® exam, the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section requires quick thinking and structured responses. It is very essential to brainstorm and note the points within 15 seconds because they are very useful in generating ideas and identifying the most important among those ideas. Remember that good brainstorming skills allow you to concentrate on a few important points which are important and organise your thoughts into a logical and clear answer. With consistent practice, you will be able to manage your thoughts quite well and respond to every task within 45 seconds of speaking time which would help providing clear and effective responses under timed situations.

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Personal vs Public Transportation' will let become aware of the skills needed as you can check the sample answers as well as the rater's comments that will advance you in leveling your weaknesses. With improved skills in brainstorming, you can dedicate this technique to organise your points well and logically arranged. This will make sure that your answer is appropriate and well-supported as well as enabling you to speak with confidence in terms of clarity and coherence in the limited timeline.

Let's get started!

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 considering your daily commute, do you prefer using personal transportation, such as a car or bicycle, or public transportation, like buses or trains? Explain your reasons for choosing one over the other.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about personal vs public transportation, 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 Public Transportation

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:

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language errors, delivery issues, and content development problems. Language errors include subject-verb agreement, as in "Cars is more, uh, convenient," and article usage, such as "I used to take bus." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," and unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and fragmented. Content development is weak, with excessive repetition: "I think cars are better because they are faster and more convenient. Public transport is not, uh, flexible." The response lacks depth, with no additional support points or transitions. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and develop more coherent and varied content. Enhancing fluency and expanding on ideas would also be beneficial.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

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 "especially with rising fuel prices," and sophisticated vocabulary like "cost-effectiveness" and "carbon footprint." Complex sentence constructions are evident in phrases like "Although personal transport offers flexibility, the benefits of cost savings, relaxation, and environmental impact make public transport my preferred choice." The word usage is precise, enhancing clarity. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from cost considerations to environmental impact. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the personal anecdote about using the train during university years. The response demonstrates mastery through its coherent arguments and clear idea progression, maintaining notable strengths in language and delivery.

Good job on completing this practice test! Are you ready to enhance your speaking abilities? Our comprehensive practice materials are specifically crafted to help you identify the required aspects in the TOEFL Speaking section.

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