Student Mentoring Initiative - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test with Answers (Integrated)

The TOEFL Speaking Section's Integrated Task represents a sophisticated assessment of language abilities. It tests your capacity to understand complex information from multiple sources and present it in a clear, organized manner.

This challenging task requires excellence in various linguistic aspects: precise pronunciation, natural fluency, appropriate vocabulary, and coherent expression. We've created this targeted practice test on "Student Mentoring Initiative" to help you develop these essential capabilities.

Prepare to strengthen your integrated speaking skills! Let's begin this practice session and develop your expertise in handling this complex task.

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 Student Mentoring Initiative to support first-year students.

Student Mentoring Initiative

The university is pleased to announce the launch of a new Student Mentoring Initiative aimed at supporting first-year students. This programme pairs incoming students with experienced upperclassmen who will provide guidance and support throughout the academic year. The initiative is designed to help new students acclimate to university life, improve their academic performance, and foster a sense of community. Mentors will receive training and will be expected to meet with their mentees regularly. This initiative is part of the university's ongoing commitment to student success and well-being.

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 Student Mentoring Initiative 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 Mentoring Initiative

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 errors, delivery issues, and content development problems. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "Speaker A also mention" instead of "mentions," and "Speaker B also says" instead of "says." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words like "um" and "uh," which disrupt the flow, and unnatural pauses that affect clarity. For example, "Speaker A, um, they are not sure" shows hesitation. Content development is weak, with repeated content like "Speaker A is worried about the time" and missing key points, such as Speaker A's concern about the programme being a burden. The response lacks coherence and depth, preventing a higher score. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed content with clear transitions.

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

Rater’s Comment:

This response earns a score of 4 due to its comprehensive fulfilment of the task, demonstrating a clear understanding of the speakers' opinions. The language use is strong, with advanced grammar structures such as "Speaker A expresses scepticism" and "Speaker B argues that the university's training will prepare mentors." The vocabulary is sophisticated, with terms like "scepticism," "burden," and "commitment." The response features complex sentence constructions, such as "Speaker B sees the potential benefits as outweighing the drawbacks, provided the programme is managed properly," showcasing precise word usage. Delivery is excellent, with a natural flow and smooth transitions between ideas, as seen in "On the other hand, Speaker B is supportive of the initiative." The content is well-organised, with clear idea progression and coherent arguments, effectively summarising both speakers' perspectives. These elements demonstrate mastery, with notable strengths in language use and topic development to maintain.

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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