Revealing Coloration - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Integrated Practice Test with Responses

The TOEFL Speaking Section assesses a candidate's overall English communication skills, while the Speaking Integrated Task takes it further by evaluating their ability to communicate effectively and integrate information from listening and reading passages into a coherent response. 

This task examines different aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and coherence. To help you enhance these skills, we provide a specialized practice test focusing on the topic ‘Revealing Coloration’.

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 30 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 Revealing Coloration within 45 seconds.
• The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.

Many creatures utilize coloration as a defense against predators. One defensive tactic related to coloration is known as conspicuous coloration. Animals employing this tactic possess a bright color on a specific body part, often concealed from predators. Upon predator approach, the creature swiftly unveils this bright color, surprising or confusing the predator and enabling the potential prey to flee.

Directions: A clock displayed at the top of your computer screen will indicate the remaining time for reading. Once the reading time ends, an image of a professor teaching a class will appear on the screen. Then, you will hear the following instructions.

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

Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the professor 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: 

The woman expresses her opinion of the proposed policy change. State her opinion, and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - ‘Revealing Coloration’

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response provides a clear and cohesive explanation of the concept of revealing coloration in animals, using specific examples of the peanut bug and the morpho butterfly from the passage and lecture. The speaker effectively describes how both creatures utilize hidden bright colors as a defensive mechanism when threatened by predators. The examples are well-connected and demonstrate a good understanding of the lecture content. However, to enhance the response further, the speaker could include more varied vocabulary and express a deeper analysis of how these strategies benefit the creatures in their respective environments. Overall, it's a well-structured and informative response. 

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

Rater’s Comment: 

This response briefly touches on the concept of revealing coloration in animals but lacks depth and clarity. The examples provided, such as the peanut bug and the morpho butterfly, are mentioned without detailed explanation or analysis. The response does not demonstrate a thorough understanding of how these tactics work to help animals escape from predators. Additionally, there are grammatical errors and a lack of fluency in expressing ideas, impacting overall coherence and effectiveness in communicating the response.

Was that Speaking Integrated task too easy for you? Please provide your feedback in the comments below and share how you would have responded to it during the TOEFL exam day!