Recycling - TOEFL Speaking Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key

While the TOEFL Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills, the Speaking Integrated Task takes it a step further. This task specifically assesses your ability to synthesize information from both listening and reading passages and convey it coherently in your response.

The Speaking Integrated Task evaluates various aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and overall coherence. To help you refine these skills, we have prepared a dedicated Speaking Integrated practice test centered on the topic "Recycling."

Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension and communication strategies!

Instructions

• The narrator will introduce you to the question format, consisting of reading a short academic passage followed by a related lecture on a similar topic.
• Subsequently, you will be asked to respond to a question, integrating information from both the passage and the lecture.
• After hearing the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to deliver it.
• Following the initial instructions, the narrator will prompt you to read the passage on Recycling within 45 seconds.
• The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.

Recycling

Why isn't recycling a mandate on campus? How can a prestigious institution like U of C be so indifferent about recycling? Recently, volunteers from the U of C Environmental Watch group searched the entire campus and found only 10 recycling bins. In sharp contrast, they counted 30 vending machines, most of which distribute plastic, cans, and glass bottles. Shockingly, only one paper recycling bin was located. This implies that almost all the paper discarded on campus, including in U of C residences, is thrown in regular trash. When asked why there were no paper recycling bins, U of C president James Wicker explained that the university's recycling contractor does not recycle paper. When asked why a different company was not considered, Wicker cited financial limitations as the issue.

Directions: After the passage appears, a timer located at the top of your computer screen will commence counting down the time allocated for reading. Once the reading time concludes, the passage will disappear from the screen, replacing an image showing a professor.

Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.

Audio Transcript

Directions: Once the conversation concludes, the picture given above will be replaced by a screen instructing you to prepare to answer the question. Subsequently, the following question will appear on the screen and will be read aloud by a narrator.

Question

Why does the woman agree with the article? State her viewpoint and explain the reasons she provides for her stance.

Hold on to those answer sheets! Before you jump into the sample response, make sure to go through our top 7 Tips for TOEFL preparation. 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Recycling

We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By understanding the differences, you'll gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a top score on the TOEFL exam.

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

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

In the lecture, the woman agrees with the article because, uh, she thinks the writer, uh, has a point about the lack of recycling bins for paper. She mentions that uh, universities go through a lot of paper, uh, so it doesn’t make sense not to have more recycling bins for it. Uh, she read the article and, uh, although she noticed the writer didn’t check all the facts, umm, she still believes the point about paper recycling is valid though. So, she is frustrated that the university, uh, charge students dues for things like live entertainments but not for a recycling program, right. This bothers her because, uh, in her view, a university should be more responsible with recycling, uh, especially with how much paper it uses. Yeah. (129 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response provides a clear explanation of the woman's opinion and the reasons behind it. However, the response lacks depth and complexity in the analysis. The use of simple sentences, pauses, and minor grammatical errors limit the overall sophistication of the answer. The repetition of ideas also contributes to it being rated as mid-level.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

In the lecture, the woman endorses the article primarily because it highlights a significant issue regarding the lack of recycling bins for paper on campus, which she finds particularly pertinent given the high paper usage at a university. She acknowledges that while the article may have some factual inaccuracies, the core argument about inadequate recycling facilities for paper is compelling. She criticizes the university for prioritizing funding for activities such as live entertainment over essential environmental initiatives like recycling. This discrepancy, in her opinion, reflects poor prioritization, as universities inherently consume vast amounts of paper. She believes that a recycling program should be a fundamental part of the campus infrastructure, given the environmental impact and the university’s role in promoting sustainability. (121 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response demonstrates a high level of comprehension and presents a nuanced understanding of the woman's viewpoint, integrating specific details from the conversation and elaborating on the implications of her opinions. The response is well-organized, uses varied sentence structures, and demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of the topic, making it a comprehensive and insightful analysis.

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