While the TOEFL iBT^®  Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills, the Speaking Integrated Task goes a step further. This specific subsection assesses your ability to not only communicate effectively but also integrate information from both listening and reading passages into a cohesive response.

The Speaking Integrated Task evaluates various aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and overall coherence. To assist you in refining these skills, we offer a dedicated Speaking Integrated practice test focused on the topic "Social Loafing."

Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and help you sharpen your comprehension strategies!

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 Social Loafing within 45 seconds.
• The reading passage will be displayed on the screen for your convenience.

When individuals collaborate in groups to accomplish a task, the absence of direct accountability for each person may diminish their motivation to contribute fully. Consequently, there tends to be a reduction in individual effort and productivity compared to when working independently. This phenomenon, termed "social loafing," often leads to decreased efficiency within group settings, especially evident in simpler tasks. Despite its unintentional nature, social loafing undermines personal effectiveness within collaborative environments, contrasting with the productivity achieved when working autonomously.

Directions: After 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, replacing an image showing a professor.

Now, listen to this Audio below and answer the question that follows.

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

Using the example provided in the lecture, elucidate the concept of social loafing and its implications on human conduct.

Hold on to those answer sheets! Before you jump into the sample response, make sure you've prepped with our top 7 Tips for TOEFL preparation. They'll help you nail that excellent score! 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Social Loafing

We have provided below two response types - one demonstrating a mid-level and the other a high-level proficiency - to assist in evaluating your skills and comprehending the criteria for attaining a top score.

Listen to the audio recording below to hear a mid-level answer to the provided question.

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Social loafing is, like, um, decreasing the individual's efficiency in a work when they are working in a group. And then, like, through the lecture, there was an example of peeling potatoes in a certain amount of time, and then, um, some worked alone and some worked in a group, and then they are not sure how to count how many potatoes they did each when they worked in a group, and also they worked alone, and then so they got the average score from each, and then they discovered that the person who worked alone peeled more potatoes than who worked in a group, and that's the Social Wrapping. They just decrease their individual efficiency when they are working in a group.

Rater’s Comment:

While this speaker attempts to convey key insights from the reading and the lecture, there is a lack of clarity in establishing their connection. Beginning with a definition, she struggles to articulate her ideas effectively. Furthermore, when describing the example, she includes unnecessary details that detract from the main point. Throughout the response, imprecise language and wording persist, compounded by language difficulties and a slower pace when searching for words. Although she presents some pertinent information about the study and maintains clear pronunciation, she fails to link the reading material with the example cohesively. While she conveys the notion of reduced efficiency in group settings, she overlooks the crucial aspect of diminished motivation or responsibility among group members.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Social loafing refers to a phenomenon where individuals working in a group exhibit reduced motivation and effort compared to when they work individually. This diminished effort stems from a decreased sense of personal responsibility for the group's outcome. For instance, when tasked with peeling potatoes as a group, individuals tend to peel fewer potatoes than they would if working alone. This disparity arises from the understanding that individual contributions are less scrutinized in a group setting, fostering a sense of reduced accountability. In contrast, when working solo, individuals feel directly responsible for their actions and therefore exert greater effort to accomplish the task. (103 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This speaker delivers a comprehensive and coherent response to the task. Initially, she delineates the concept of social loafing and its underlying reasons, elucidating that individuals in group settings may lack a sense of accountability for the outcome. Subsequently, she illustrates this phenomenon through the example of potato peeling, reiterating the rationale behind reduced effort within the group. This effectively connects the example to the reading material. While the speaker demonstrates clear pronunciation and a suitable pace of speech, occasional hesitations and minor linguistic inaccuracies arise. However, these do not impede the overall communication of her ideas. 

Great job acing the practice test! Now it's time to refine your TOEFL skills even further. Take advantage of our additional practice tests to identify areas for improvement and boost your confidence. 

Feeling ready to share your progress? Let's connect in the comments and celebrate each other's achievements as we work towards our TOEFL goals!

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