Small vs Big Social Gatherings - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

In the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task, your ability to express and defend personal opinions is key to success. This section assesses not just your English proficiency, but also your ability to organize and present your thoughts coherently. Our practice tests are designed to help you perfect these essential skills through focused preparation.

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 attending small social gatherings with a few close friends, while others enjoy large parties with many people. Which type of social gathering do you prefer and why? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about small vs big social gatherings, 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 - Small vs Big Social Gatherings

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 significant language errors, delivery issues, and limited content development. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "Small gatherings is more relaxed," and tense inconsistency, as in "last week I go to a small dinner." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um" and "uh," and unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and fragmented. Speech clarity is affected by these hesitations, and the pacing is uneven. Content development is minimal, with repeated ideas like "small gatherings are more comfortable and relaxed," and a lack of detailed support or examples. The response lacks coherence and depth, preventing it from scoring higher. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed and varied content.

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, clear delivery, and well-developed content. The speaker employs advanced grammar structures, such as "these gatherings allow for more meaningful conversations," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "meaningful conversations" and "deeper connections." The use of complex sentence constructions, like "We had the opportunity to discuss personal topics and share our thoughts without the distractions often present at larger parties," demonstrates precise word usage. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from personal experience to general preference. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the small dinner party anecdote, and a coherent progression of ideas. The response's notable strengths include its clarity, coherence, and the ability to maintain a focused argument, all of which contribute to its high-level performance.

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