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.

Technical vs Soft Skills - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Technical vs Soft Skills - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

Reena Saini

4 min read

Updated On December 26, 2024

"Prepare for the TOEFL Independent Speaking section with the practice test on 'Technical vs Soft Skills' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Academic vs Athletic Achievement

Mastering the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires a combination of clear expression and logical organization. This section evaluates how well you can present and support your views on everyday topics. Our carefully designed practice materials will help you develop the confidence and skills needed to excel in this challenging task.

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:

When considering career advancement, some people believe that technical skills are more important, while others argue that soft skills are crucial. Which do you think is more important for career growth, and why?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about technical vs soft skills, 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 - Academic vs Athletic Achievement

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 think, um, technical skills is more important for career growth. Technical skills, they help you do your job well. For example, if you are a programmer, you need to know coding. Coding is very important. Uh, technical skills are, like, needed in many jobs. But, um, soft skills are also important. They help in communication and teamwork. But, uh, technical skills are more important because they are specific to the job. In my last job, I see people with good technical skills get promoted. They, uh, they do their job well. So, I think technical skills is more important for career growth.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in "technical skills is more important" and tense inconsistency in "In my last job, I see people." Filler words like "um," "uh," and "like" are pervasive, disrupting fluency and causing unnatural pauses. The speech is choppy, with unclear articulation and uneven pacing, making it difficult to follow. Content is repetitive, as seen in "Technical skills, they help you do your job well" and "Technical skills are more important because they are specific to the job." The response lacks depth, failing to discuss adaptability or transferability of skills, and transitions are weak, e.g., "But, um, soft skills are also important." This response earned a score of 1 due to its limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, enhancing grammatical accuracy, and developing more structured, detailed arguments.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

In my opinion, soft skills are more important for career growth. While technical skills are essential for performing specific tasks, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability are crucial for navigating the workplace. For instance, in my previous job, I noticed that colleagues who excelled in soft skills were more likely to be promoted to leadership positions. They could effectively manage teams, resolve conflicts, and communicate ideas clearly. These abilities are vital in any organisation, as they foster a collaborative environment and drive innovation. Moreover, soft skills are transferable across various roles and industries, making them invaluable in a rapidly changing job market. Therefore, I believe that prioritising the development of soft skills can significantly enhance one's career prospects.

Rater’s Comment:

This response earns a score of 4 due to its effective language use, delivery, and topic development. The speaker employs advanced grammar structures, such as "While technical skills are essential for performing specific tasks, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability are crucial for navigating the workplace," demonstrating complex sentence construction. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "navigating," "collaborative environment," and "transferable" 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 progression from personal experience to general observations. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the promotion of colleagues with soft skills, illustrating clear idea progression and coherent arguments. These elements collectively showcase the speaker's mastery, making the response highly intelligible and coherent, with only minor lapses.

Great job completing this practice test! Ready to take your speaking skills to the next level? We provide numerous practice opportunities tailored to help you improve specific aspects of your TOEFL Speaking performance.

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