Small vs Large Friend Groups - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section tests your ability to think quickly and express your ideas clearly in English. With just 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond, you need to organize your thoughts efficiently and present them effectively. Our practice tests will help you master these time-critical skills while developing your speaking abilities.

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 having a small group of close friends, while others enjoy being part of a large social circle. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about small vs large friend groups, 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 Large Friend Groups

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, with frequent language errors and delivery issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement, as in "A large group, it is not, um, easy to manage," tense inconsistency in "You can't, uh, know everyone well," and article misuse in "I prefer small group." Delivery is hindered by numerous filler words like "um" and "uh," causing unnatural pauses and choppy speech, such as "I prefer, um, having a small group of close friends." Content development is weak, with repeated ideas like "small group is more, uh, personal" and missing support points on personal growth. The response lacks depth and relies on basic ideas. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and provide more detailed, 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 "it allows for deeper, more meaningful relationships," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "fostering trust and understanding." Complex sentence constructions like "In contrast, a large social circle might offer more social opportunities, but it often lacks the intimacy and reliability that close friendships provide" demonstrate precise word usage. The delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in the seamless shift from discussing personal experiences to contrasting with larger social circles. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the decade-long friendship, illustrating clear idea progression and coherent arguments. The response's notable strengths include its mastery of language and the ability to maintain a coherent and engaging discourse.

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