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

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

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"Prepare for the TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task with the Practice test with sample responses on ‘Revealing Coloration’ and sharpen your TOEFL speaking skills!"

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.

Revealing Coloration

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.

Audio Transcript of Speaking Integrated Test on ‘Revealing Coloration’

Narrator: Now listen to part of a lecture from a biology class.

Professor: There is a significant tropical insect known as the peanut bug—yes, akin to the peanuts you consume—um, and the peanut bug's anterior wings are tinted to camouflage with its environment. However, its posterior wings—typically shut and concealed—display vibrant, colorful dots. When the peanut bug faces an attack, it swiftly unfurls its hind wings, revealing these large, vivid hues. This unexpected display startles the predator, providing the peanut bug an opportunity to escape. 

Next, we have a type of butterfly known as the morpho butterfly. Certain sections of its wings exhibit a high gloss, reflecting ample sunlight. While at rest, these glossy areas remain concealed. However, morpho butterflies are frequent targets of bird attacks. Upon sensing a bird's approach, the morpho swiftly takes flight. As it flutters its wings, the reflected sunlight creates intermittent flashes, making it challenging for the bird to track the morpho's movement. Consequently, the morpho often manages to escape successfully.

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.

Preparation Time: 30 Seconds

Response Time: 60 Seconds

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

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

The concept of revealing coloration, demonstrated by both the peanut bug and the morpho butterfly, involves using bright or vivid colors that are hidden until a threat is detected. For instance, the peanut bug camouflages with its environment until it unfurls its colorful hind wings to startle predators. Similarly, the morpho butterfly's glossy wings reflect sunlight, creating flashes that confuse attackers during flight. These examples illustrate how certain creatures employ concealed coloration as a defensive strategy, revealing their colors only when faced with danger to surprise or deter predators effectively.

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.

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Revealing coloration is when animals show bright colors suddenly to confuse predators. For example, the peanut bug has colorful dots on its wings that it, uh, show when attacked. Similarly, the morpho butterfly reflects… sunlight to blind birds when it flies away. These… tactics help animals escape from danger.

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!

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