Specialised vs General Education - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Success in the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires both effective preparation and strategic response planning. This section challenges you to express your opinions clearly and support them with specific reasons and examples. Our practice materials will help you develop the skills needed to deliver well-structured, confident responses within the time constraints.

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 believe that pursuing a specialized education in a specific field is more beneficial, while others argue that a general education covering a wide range of subjects is more advantageous. Which approach do you prefer and why?

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about specialized vs general education, 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 - Specialised vs General Education

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 demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "General education, it covers many subjects" and awkward phrasing like "It helps in, aahh, understanding the world." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words, including "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt the flow and clarity of speech. Unnatural pauses occur after phrases like "I prefer, um," and "It helps in, aahh," affecting pacing and coherence. Content development is limited, with repeated phrases such as "It is broad and useful" and "general education is more advantageous," lacking depth and support. The response earned a score of 1 due to its minimal content, choppy delivery, and restricted language use. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, enhancing grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed support for their preference.

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 "This diverse education not only enhanced my critical thinking skills but also made me adaptable," demonstrating control over complex sentence constructions. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "versatility" and "resilient" 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 the seamless shift from discussing personal experience to broader implications. The content is well-organised, with a strong introduction, supporting examples from personal experience, and a coherent argument that progresses logically. The response's notable strengths include its comprehensive development and the ability to maintain clarity and coherence throughout, making it a high-level performance.

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