Student Dining Plans - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

The TOEFL Speaking Section tests a candidate's overall English communication skills, however, the Speaking Integrated Task takes it a step further. This task specifically evaluates your capacity to integrate knowledge from reading and hearing passages and present it in a logical manner in your response.

The Speaking Integrated Task evaluates various aspects of spoken English proficiency, including pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary usage, and overall coherence. To help you refine these skills, we have prepared a dedicated Speaking Integrated practice test centered on the topic "Student Dining Plans."

Let's begin your practice journey with this TOEFL Speaking Integrated Task and enhance your comprehension and communication strategies!

Instructions:

• You will first read a short passage about a campus-related announcement or proposed change. You will have 45 seconds to read the passage.
• Then you will listen to a conversation between two speakers discussing their opinions about the announcement or change.
• After the conversation ends, you will be asked to respond to a question about what you read and heard.
• You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response.
• You will have 60 seconds to speak about the speaker's opinion and the reasons they give for holding that opinion.

The university has announced a change to the student dining plans.

Student Dining Plans

The university is introducing a new dining plan for students starting next semester. The plan will offer unlimited access to the main dining hall for a fixed fee, replacing the current pay-per-meal system. This change aims to provide more flexibility and convenience for students, allowing them to dine as often as they wish without worrying about individual meal costs. Additionally, the university hopes this will encourage students to spend more time on campus, fostering a stronger sense of community. The new plan will be available to all students, with options to upgrade for additional dining locations.

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 student.

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

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

State the woman's opinion about the new dining plan and explain her reasons for agreeing with it.

Hold on to those answer sheets! Before you jump into the sample response, make sure to go through our top 7 Tips for TOEFL preparation. 

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Speaking Test - Student Dining Plans

We've provided two sample responses at different proficiency levels (mid-level and high-level). By comparing the differences, you'll gain valuable insights into the key elements that contribute to achieving a top score on the TOEFL exam.

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

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

The woman, um, she thinks the new dining plan is a good idea. She say it is convenient because, uh, students can eat whenever they want. This is better than the old pay-per-meal system. She also, like, mentions that it might help students stay on campus more, which is good for community. But, um, she is worried about food quality. She thinks, uh, the university might improve it to attract more students. She, uh, believes the new plan will be beneficial for most students. But, um, she doesn't mention about the option to upgrade for more dining locations.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ("She say it is convenient"), and awkward phrasing ("She also, like, mentions"). Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words ("um," "uh," "like") and unnatural pauses, which disrupt the flow and clarity of speech. The pacing is inconsistent, leading to choppy delivery. Content development is weak, with repeated ideas ("She thinks the new dining plan is a good idea") and missing key points, such as the option to upgrade for more dining locations. Transitions between ideas are weak, and there are self-corrections ("But, um, she doesn't mention"). This response earned a score of 1 due to its limited coherence and content. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, improving grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed content.

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

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive fulfilment of the task, demonstrating a high level of intelligibility and coherence. Language strengths are evident in the use of advanced grammar structures, such as "She believes that the unlimited access to the dining hall is a great idea because it offers convenience and flexibility," showcasing complex sentence construction and precise word usage. The vocabulary is sophisticated, with terms like "fostering a stronger sense of community." Delivery is excellent, with a natural flow and effective pacing, ensuring clear articulation and smooth transitions between ideas. Content development is strong, with a well-organised structure and clear progression of ideas, as seen in the logical explanation of the woman's opinion and her reasons. The response's notable strengths include its coherent arguments and effective supporting examples, which should be maintained.

Congratulations on completing this practice test! Looking to further enhance your speaking abilities? Our comprehensive practice materials are specifically crafted to help you identify and overcome your challenges in the TOEFL Speaking section.

Success comes with dedication and regular practice!

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