Privacy vs Connectivity - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

The TOEFL Speaking Independent Section of the TOEFL iBT® exam evaluates how well you express and justify opinions. This section is designed to evaluate your ability to convey your opinion with relevant reasons and appropriate examples to justify the same. The response requires preparation for which you have only 15 seconds to effectively structure your points and only 45 seconds to give the answer in a clear as well as logical manner. You need to constantly practice with different test papers as the sample answers and the rater's response would help you understand the required aspects to ace the TOEFL exam.

While practicing with the TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test on 'Privacy vs Connectivity', it is necessary to speak with confidence. The response should be given within 45 seconds while making sure that your content is well-structured and very brief. Therefore, it is necessary to practice within the duration of the response segments while taking only 15 seconds to prepare. Remember that practice will help you attain all the skills to make both your spoken responses dynamic and better. 

Let's start the practice!

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:

In today's digital age, people often face a choice between maintaining their privacy and staying connected with others. Some prefer to keep their personal information private, while others value the ability to connect with friends and family online. Which do you prefer, and why?

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about privacy vs connectivity, 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 - Privacy vs Connectivity

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 its limited content and coherence. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "When I talk to them, it makes me feel happy," and tense inconsistency, as seen in "I think, uh, privacy is also important, but staying connected is more important." Article usage is incorrect in "I think, um, it is better to stay connected." Delivery is hindered by filler words like "um" and "uh," causing unnatural pauses and choppy speech, e.g., "I prefer, um, staying connected." Content development is weak, with repeated ideas like "Privacy is important, but, uh, staying connected is more important," and missing supporting points. The response lacks depth and relies on basic ideas. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more detailed supporting points.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Rater’s Comment:

The response effectively addresses the task, demonstrating a preference for privacy with clear reasoning. Language strengths include the use of advanced grammar, such as "leading to identity theft," and sophisticated vocabulary like "safeguarding my data." The speaker employs complex sentence constructions, exemplified by "While staying connected is important, I believe that face-to-face interactions are more meaningful and secure." Precise word usage is evident in phrases like "prioritising privacy." Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing online risks to valuing real-life interactions. Content development is strong, with a well-organised structure and effective supporting examples, such as the anecdote about a friend's account being hacked. 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 idea progression.

Congratulations on completing this practice test! Looking to further enhance your speaking abilities? Our comprehensive practice materials are specifically crafted to help you identify and overcome your challenges in the TOEFL Speaking section.

Success comes with dedication and regular practice!

Also Read:

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• Important Teacher - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key
• Taking Risks - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Test Paper with Responses