Scholarship Opportunity - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Integrated Practice Questions with Answer Key
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We know that the TOEFL Speaking section evaluates a test taker's ability to communicate effectively in English. However, within the Speaking section, there is a subsection known as the Speaking Integrated Task, which assesses the test taker's ability to integrate information from both written and spoken sources and express their opinions and ideas coherently.
It evaluates pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and coherence. To aid in skill enhancement, we offer a Speaking Integrated practice test. This test targets comprehension strategies, critical information recognition, and time management improvement.
Let's engage in this TOEFL speaking integrated practice test on the topic of "Scholarship Opportunity" to identify areas for improvement!
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 the Scholarship Opportunity within 45 seconds.
- The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.
Reading Time: 45 seconds
Scholarship Opportunity
The university is excited to present a compelling new chance for students enrolled in the Romance Languages department. The esteemed Buonocore Scholarship offers students the chance to study in Rome tuition-free for two semesters. To be considered, students need to submit an essay delving into a particular facet of Italian culture to the selection committee. Additionally, they must provide a comprehensive plan detailing how a year in Italy would enhance their research and refine their essay. It's important to note that students from departments other than Romance Languages are not eligible for this opportunity.
Directions: Once 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, replaced by an image depicting two students actively engaged in conversation.
Now, listen to this Audio and answer the question that follows.
Audio Transcript
Narrator: Now, hear a conversation between two students discussing the recent announcement.
Female Student: I find it completely unfair that the Buonacore scholarship is exclusively available to students in the Romance Languages department. It's an incredible opportunity, and it's disheartening to see it restricted in this manner.
Male Student: But is it really so terrible to limit the scholarship to just one department? With fewer students vying for the prize, it increases our chances of winning. Besides, there are only seven other students in the entire Romance Languages department, besides us.
Female Student: That doesn't change the fact that it's unjust for the scholarship to be confined to our department alone. It's a matter of principle. There are students in other departments like History, Classics, and Renaissance Studies, all of whom would benefit immensely from a year in Italy. Why shouldn't they have the opportunity to submit their work to the committee?
Male Student: But if they also compete, it'll reduce our chances of winning.
Female Student: Listen, just because something benefits me personally doesn't mean it's morally right. I have friends in History, Classics, and Renaissance Studies, and I agree with them that it's unfair for them to be excluded from the scholarship. Besides, the Romance Languages department is quite small, and it seems unjust for us to monopolize this opportunity.
Male Student: I guess I understand your perspective.
Female Student: Additionally, winning the scholarship feels less honorable if the competition isn't robust. I'd prefer knowing that I earned the chance to study in Rome by competing against the best students, rather than feeling like I was only selected because other talented individuals were unfairly left out.
Directions: Once the lecture concludes, the picture of the two students 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
What viewpoint does the female student express regarding the university's new policy, and what rationale does she provide to support her perspective?
Preparation Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds
Don't jump to the answers just yet! Maximize your score potential. Explore our top Tips for TOEFL preparation before checking your answers on the Practice Test.
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Scholarship Opportunity
Level up your writing by analyzing examples! We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By analyzing the differences, you'll gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a top score.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a mid-level answer to the provided question.
Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
The female student thinks that the university's new rule is unfair in nature. She says the scholarship should be open to all departments, not just Roman languages. She says it's not right for us to keep the chance all to ourselves, and it would be better if everyone can compete. The girl believes that winning the scholarship wouldn't feel as good if there weren't many people competing. She wants to win it fair and square against the best students. She thinks it's unfair to exclude talented people from other departments. (90 words)
Rater’s Comment:
This response demonstrates a moderate understanding of the passage. The speaker accurately identifies the female student's viewpoint and provides some rationale to support her perspective. However, there are some grammatical errors and the language could be more varied and precise. The answer adequately addresses the question but lacks depth and sophistication in its explanation.
Listen to the audio recording to hear a high-level answer to the provided question.
High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:
The female student articulates her strong disagreement with the university's new policy, asserting that it is inherently unjust to limit the Buonacore scholarship to students in the Roman Languages department. She contends that this exclusivity deprives talented individuals from other departments, such as history, classics, and Renaissance studies, of the opportunity to benefit from studying in Italy. Moreover, she emphasizes the principle of fairness, arguing that the competition for the scholarship should be open to all students, regardless of their academic department. She further maintains that winning the scholarship would be more meaningful if it resulted from competing against a diverse pool of candidates, rather than from being awarded due to a lack of competition. Overall, the female student advocates for inclusivity and meritocracy in the scholarship selection process. (129 words)
Rater’s Comment:
This response exhibits a high level of proficiency in understanding the passage. The speaker provides a comprehensive analysis of the female student's viewpoint, supported by a well-developed rationale. The answer effectively explores the ethical implications of the university's policy and offers nuanced insights into the importance of fairness and diversity in academic competitions. Additionally, the language usage is sophisticated, with no grammatical errors, and the response exceeds the ideal word requirement while maintaining clarity and coherence.
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