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

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Section evaluates on your speaking ability through various criteria which is necessary to score higher in the TOEFL iBT® exam. These include fluency, pronunciation, and the structure of ideas which would make your answer flow in a logical pattern. In addition to that, grammar and vocabulary are other pillars for your response which adds depth to your answer. By using varied vocabulary words and the right language, you can score more in the exam. However, the most important aspect is the content of the response where you need to provide relevant examples or reasons. 

With the TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test on 'Personal vs Shared Transportation', you would be able to equip yourself with utilising the necessary speaking skills to deliver a clear, structured, and confident response. In order to receive a higher mark in the TOEFL test, the response must be balanced well. Remember that the organisation of your answer is important which must be practiced on a regular basis to get better scores on the TOEFL exam.

Are you ready to dive into this practice test?

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.

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:

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:

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.

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