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 Shared Transportation - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Personal vs Shared Transportation - 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 'Academic vs Athletic Achievement' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

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

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section challenges you to share your views on familiar topics with clarity and confidence. Success requires not only good English skills but also the ability to structure your response effectively within the time limit. These practice materials will help you develop both the language and organizational skills needed for a high score.

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 prefer using personal transportation, such as cars or bicycles, for their daily commute, while others opt for shared transportation like buses or trains. Which do you prefer 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 shared 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 Shared 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:

I prefer, um, using personal transportation like a car. Cars is, uh, very convenient. You can leave whenever you want. Also, cars are, like, comfortable. You can listen to music and, aahh, relax. Cars is also fast. You can reach your destination quickly. I think cars are, um, better than buses. Buses are crowded and, uh, slow. Cars are, like, more private. You can, um, travel alone. I think cars are, uh, better for me. I like cars because they are, um, convenient and fast. I think cars are, uh, better than buses. I think cars are, um, better for me.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "Cars is, uh, very convenient" and "Cars is also fast." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um," "uh," and "aahh," which disrupt the flow, alongside unnatural pauses after phrases like "I prefer, um, using personal transportation." Speech clarity is compromised by these hesitations, leading to a choppy delivery. Content development is limited, with repeated phrases such as "I think cars are, uh, better for me" and "I think cars are, um, better than buses," indicating a lack of depth and variety in ideas. 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 expanding on ideas with specific examples.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer using personal transportation, particularly my bicycle, for my daily commute. One reason is the flexibility it offers. I can leave whenever I want without being tied to a bus or train schedule. Additionally, cycling is a great form of exercise, allowing me to stay fit while commuting. For instance, I save time by combining my workout with my travel. Moreover, using a bicycle is environmentally friendly, reducing my carbon footprint compared to driving a car. Although shared transportation can be cost-effective, the personal benefits of cycling, such as health and convenience, outweigh the financial savings. Overall, personal transportation, especially cycling, aligns better with my lifestyle and values.

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 "Although shared transportation can be cost-effective, the personal benefits of cycling...outweigh the financial savings," demonstrating complex sentence construction. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "flexibility," "environmentally friendly," and "carbon footprint" enhance the response. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless progression from discussing flexibility to health benefits. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as combining a workout with travel, illustrating clear idea progression and coherent arguments. The response's mastery is evident in its sustained, coherent discourse and minor lapses, making it highly intelligible. The notable strengths to maintain include the precise word usage and the ability to articulate coherent arguments effectively.

Great effort on this practice test! Want to keep improving? Our extensive collection of practice materials is here to help you master every aspect of the TOEFL Speaking section.

Practice makes progress - keep going!

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