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.

Team Sports vs Individual Sports - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Team Sports vs Individual Sports - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On February 21, 2025

"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Team Sports vs Individual Sports' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Team Sports vs Individual Sports

The TOEFL Independent Speaking Task is the one in which you have to give your point of view of a specific subject and give reasons with examples to support opinion. This task measures the effectiveness of communication in that it requires a clear structured response within a specified time limit. Then you might be asked to give your opinion on a familiar topic-how much you agree with a statement or whether you prefer one of two options. The success factor in this task is to organize your thoughts quickly and give a response in a confident manner while keeping a strong hold on language.

With the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task on 'Team Sports vs Individual Sports - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)', you will be able to enhance your speaking skills. As the questions resemble the exact test format, you will be able to get familiarised with the exam pattern.

Let's get started!

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 prefer participating in team sports, while others enjoy individual sports. Which do you prefer and why? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about team sports vs individual sports, 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 - Team Sports vs Individual Sports

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:

I prefer, um, team sports because they are more fun. When I play football, it make me feel happy. Team sports, uh, are good because you can, like, work with others. For example, in football, you need to pass the ball. Passing the ball is important. Also, team sports help you learn to work with others. I think, aahh, team sports are better than individual sports. Individual sports are, you know, lonely. Team sports are fun and, um, exciting. I like team sports because they are fun and exciting. They are better because you can work with others. Team sports are better.

Rater’s Comment:

This response earns a Score 1 due to its limited content and coherence. Language errors include subject-verb agreement issues, such as "it make me feel happy," and awkward phrasing like "I think, aahh, team sports are better." Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words, such as "um," "uh," and "you know," which disrupt the flow and clarity of speech. Unnatural pauses and choppy pacing further impede understanding. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "team sports are fun and exciting" and "team sports are better," lacking depth and specific examples. The response fails to provide substantial support or transitions, relying on basic ideas. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammatical accuracy, reduce filler words, and develop more coherent and detailed content with clear examples and transitions.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer participating in team sports because they foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. For instance, when I played football in school, I learned the importance of communication and collaboration. These skills have been invaluable in my professional life, where teamwork is essential. Additionally, team sports provide a support system; during challenging times, teammates can offer encouragement and motivation. This collective spirit often leads to improved performance and personal growth. In contrast, individual sports, while offering independence, can sometimes feel isolating. Overall, the social and collaborative aspects of team sports make them more appealing to me.

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 "when I played football in school, I learned the importance of communication and collaboration," demonstrating control over complex sentences. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "camaraderie," "collaboration," and "collective spirit" 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 experiences to contrasting individual sports. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the professional benefits of teamwork, and a coherent progression of ideas. These elements collectively showcase the speaker's mastery, with notable strengths in language use and topic development that 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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