Student Housing Policies - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

The Integrated Speaking Task stands out as a unique challenge in the TOEFL examination, testing more than just speaking ability. It assesses how well you can understand, combine, and present information from both reading materials and conversations.

To succeed, you'll need to demonstrate excellence in multiple areas: clear pronunciation, smooth delivery, appropriate word choice, and organized presentation. This practice test focusing on "Student Housing Policies" has been specially designed to help you master these critical skills.

Are you ready to take your TOEFL preparation to the next level? Let's start this practice session and build your confidence in integrated speaking!

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 new policy regarding student housing allocations.

Student Housing Policies

The university has announced a new policy for student housing allocations. Starting next semester, priority will be given to first-year students and international students to ensure they have a smooth transition to university life. Additionally, students with disabilities will receive priority housing to accommodate their specific needs. The policy aims to create a supportive environment for these groups, while upper-year students are encouraged to seek off-campus housing options. The university believes this change will foster a more inclusive and welcoming community for new students.

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 speakers' opinions about the new housing policy and explain their reasons for agreeing or disagreeing.

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 Housing Policies

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.

Rater’s Comment:

The response earns a Score 1 due to significant language and delivery issues. Language errors include subject-verb agreement, e.g., "Speaker A, um, they think," and article usage, e.g., "suggests university could help." Tense inconsistency is evident in "agrees with the policy because it helps." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words like "um" and "uh," causing unnatural pauses and choppy speech, e.g., "Speaker A, um, they think." Content development is weak, with repeated ideas such as "Speaker A thinks the policy should consider all students" and missing key points like the university's rationale for the policy. The response lacks coherence and fails to develop ideas fully. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing a more structured and detailed response.

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 coverage of the task, demonstrating a high level of language proficiency and content development. Language strengths are evident in the use of advanced grammar structures, such as "Speaker A expresses concern about the new housing policy," and sophisticated vocabulary choices like "prioritises" and "financial burdens." The response features complex sentence constructions, exemplified by "Speaker B views the policy as a step towards inclusivity, hoping it will be refined based on feedback." Delivery is marked by a natural flow and effective pacing, with 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 balanced presentation of both speakers' perspectives. The response's mastery is demonstrated through its coherent arguments and precise word usage, making it highly intelligible and fulfilling the task's demands.

Fantastic job working through this practice test! Looking to push your skills further? We have plenty more practice materials ready to help you tackle any speaking challenges you face.

Your dedication to practice will pay off!

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