Routine vs Variety in Daily Life - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

In the TOEFL iBT® exam, both time management and speaking abilities are necessary for effective performance in the TOEFL Speaking Independent Section. It must be noted that you have only 15 seconds for preparation and just 45 seconds to follow up with your response. Therefore, it becomes a real need to outline and communicate your thoughts as well as ideas effectively while speaking clearly. It must be noted that proper time management would help with the generation of ideas for your responses, enabling efficient structuring for scoring well. You will be assessed based on your speaking skills such as execellent fluency, pronunciation, and cohesiveness while conveying your ideas within the time frame given.

With the TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on 'Routine vs Variety in Daily Life', the sample answers would provide information about the structuring of your response which is vital. As the responses also have the rater's comments, these will provide an insight into the factors which must be considered while drafting your response. Since time is limited in this section, it is necessary to acquire the skills to brainstorm your ideas quickly so that you can be self-assured on the test day.

Let's dive into this practice test and improve your speaking skills together!

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 to follow a daily routine, doing the same activities at the same times each day. Others enjoy having variety in their daily lives, trying new things and changing their schedules frequently. Which approach do you prefer and why?

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about routine vs variety in daily life, 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 - Routine vs Variety in Daily Life

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 "it make me feel organised," and awkward phrasing like "This routine, it helps me stay fit." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words, including "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt fluency and create unnatural pauses. Speech clarity suffers from choppy pacing, making it difficult for the listener to follow. Content development is weak, with repeated ideas like "Structure is important" and "routine is, um, good for me," lacking depth and support. The response fails to provide substantial content or effective transitions. To score higher, the speaker should reduce filler words, improve grammatical accuracy, and develop more coherent and supported arguments.

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, delivery, and topic development. The speaker employs advanced grammar structures, such as "This approach not only stimulates my creativity but also helps me adapt to unexpected changes," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "monotony," "stimulates," and "invigorating" enhance the response's precision. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in "Moreover, variety in my routine allows me to meet new people and gain diverse experiences." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as "taking a different route to work or experimenting with new recipes," which illustrate the speaker's preference for variety. The coherent progression of ideas and clear arguments further solidify the response's high level, showcasing mastery in all aspects.

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