What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Taking Risks: TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Taking Risks - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Test Paper with Responses

Sanskriti Gupta

4 min read

Updated On May 30, 2024

Among the different segments of the TOEFL exam, the Speaking Independent task is notable as a vital evaluation of one's English communication skills. Achieving proficiency in the TOEFL Speaking section necessitates dedicated preparation and exposure to authentic test scenarios.

So, we present our tailored TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Test on the topic ‘Taking Risks’ with Sample Responses, test instructions, and Rater’s Comments, designed to assist you in approaching this section with ease.

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 enjoy taking risks and trying new things. Others are not adventurous; they are cautious and prefer to avoid danger. Which behavior do you think is better?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

In response to this specific question, you need to clearly express your viewpoint: Do you believe it's preferable to embrace risks or exercise caution? Subsequently, you should provide a rationale to bolster your stance. If you advocate taking risks and exploring new opportunities, you could illustrate this with an anecdote from your own experience or someone else's, highlighting the positive outcomes of taking that risk. The anecdote should be rich in detail, and its relevance to your viewpoint should be evident. Conversely, if you argue in favor of caution, you might offer an example where caution proved advantageous.

You can enhance your response by contrasting the outcomes if a risk were to be taken in this scenario. Remember, there's no definitive "right" answer here. Both approaches can be justified with examples. The key is to express your viewpoint clearly and back it up with strong examples and pertinent details. Like all speaking tasks, your answer should be clear, demonstrate proficient grammar and vocabulary usage, and be logically structured and coherent. Your performance will be evaluated based on the Independent Speaking Rubrics.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Taking Risks

Listen to this Audio to hear a high-level response to the provided question.

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

In my perspective, both adventurousness and caution present distinct advantages, contingent upon the situation. While diving into risks can lead to exhilarating escapades and foster personal growth, adhering to caution guarantees safety and facilitates wise decision-making. Striking a delicate equilibrium that considers the specific context and potential ramifications is paramount. It necessitates adaptability in behavior, the astuteness to recognize opportune moments for taking calculated risks, and the prudence to exercise caution when needed. Ultimately, it's about embracing life's uncertainties with a blend of daring and wisdom, crafting a narrative rich with experiences and lessons learned along the way.

Rater’s Comment:

Overall, this response demonstrates a thoughtful analysis of the topic, showcasing a nuanced understanding of the benefits of both adventurousness and caution. The speaker effectively presents a balanced perspective, acknowledging the advantages of each approach while emphasizing the importance of context and informed decision-making. The response is well-structured, with clear and coherent reasoning supported by relevant examples. The language use is proficient, with a good range of vocabulary and grammatical accuracy, contributing to the clarity and effectiveness of the message. Overall, this response would receive a high score on the Independent Speaking Rubrics for its thoroughness, coherence, and language proficiency.

Listen to this Audio to hear a mid-level response to the provided question.

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Uh, yeah, so, I think that being cautious is better because it's, you know, safer. Risks can be, um, dangerous and can have the, uh, bad results. Being careful helps us to avoid problems and, uh, keeps us safe. It allows for, you know, thoughtful decisions and reduces actions that could lead to negative consequences. It promotes well-being in the long run, I guess. So, uh, yeah, that's why I think being cautious is, um, the better approach. Since, it, uh, keeps us safe in the long run, it is definitely better.

Rater’s Comment:

This response shows some ability to express an opinion, but it lacks depth and fluency. The speaker struggles with pauses and fillers ("uh," "um"), which affect the overall clarity and coherence of the response. There is a basic understanding of the topic, as the speaker mentions the idea of caution being safer than taking risks, but there is limited development of this point with examples or elaboration. Additionally, grammatical errors such as "the bad results" detract from the overall quality of the response. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing hesitations, providing more specific examples or reasons to support their opinion, and working on grammatical accuracy.

Utilize our wide range of resources to enhance your speaking skills even further! Explore additional practice tests tailored specifically for you. Every practice round will result in an increase in your confidence and help you achieve your target score.