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.

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Technology - TOEFL iBT® Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key

Technology - TOEFL Speaking Independent Practice Questions with Answer Key

Smruti Das

4 min read

Updated On May 29, 2024

We know that the TOEFL iBT® Speaking section assesses a candidate's English communication skills across various tasks. One crucial component is the Speaking Independent Task as it evaluates your ability to articulate thoughts coherently in response to a presented prompt or question. It focuses on your conversational fluency and your capacity to express opinions and ideas in a clear, well-organized manner.

By successfully understanding the Speaking Independent Task, you can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in an academic setting. To empower your success in the TOEFL iBT® Speaking section, we've designed a personalized practice test that mirrors the actual exam format. This targeted test will equip you with the opportunity to refine your speaking skills and approach the Speaking section with confidence. Let's begin!

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: Do you believe that technology has made people's lives easier or more complicated? Share your opinion and provide examples to support your viewpoint.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

In this question, you're prompted to express your opinion on whether technology has simplified or complicated people's lives and substantiate your stance with examples. It's essential not only to state your viewpoint but also to illustrate it with specific examples. Additionally, concentrate on elaborating thoroughly on one or two reasons.

For instance, if you believe that technology has made lives easier, you could elaborate by saying, "I firmly believe that technology has significantly simplified our lives. Take, for example, the advent of smartphones, which have revolutionized communication. With instant access to emails, messages, and video calls, staying connected with loved ones or colleagues has never been more convenient. Also, mobile banking apps have streamlined financial transactions, allowing individuals to manage their finances from anywhere, anytime."

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL iBT® Independent Speaking Test - Technology

We have offered two different sample responses - one representing a mid-level response and the other a high-level response. Listening to both responses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how language can be adapted to various proficiency levels to fetch a higher score.

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

Mid-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Yeah, actually, I think that, uh, technology has made people's lives easier, you know. Like, um, smartphones and computers, they help us do things faster and efficiently. For example, uh, smartphones let us stay connected with our friends and family no matter where we are. And, uh, computers help us do work quicker, like, typing, documents or research online. So, yeah, I definitely think that technology has made our lives easier. (71 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response demonstrates a mid-level proficiency the speaker effectively conveys his opinion on the topic, stating that technology has made people's lives easier. He provides two examples to support his viewpoint, mentioning smartphones and computers. However, the response contains noticeable pauses, filler words (such as "uh" and "you know"), and minor grammatical mistakes ("typing, documents" instead of "typing documents"). Additionally, the delivery lacks fluency and could be smoother. Overall, while the response communicates the speaker's opinion and provides examples, the language use and delivery indicate a mid-level proficiency.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I firmly believe that technology has overwhelmingly made people's lives easier. The advent of smartphones, for instance, has revolutionized communication, allowing individuals to stay connected with friends and family. Personally, I rely on my smartphone not just for calls but also for video chats, which enable me to maintain meaningful relationships regardless of geographical distances. Moreover, consider the impact of technological advancements in healthcare. Medical breakthroughs such as telemedicine have made accessing healthcare services more convenient and efficient than ever before. In essence, technology has undoubtedly simplified various aspects of our lives. (92 words)

Rater’s Comment:

This response demonstrates a high level of proficiency in both language and content. The speaker expresses a clear and coherent opinion on the topic, stating her belief that technology has made people's lives easier. She has provided well-developed examples to support her viewpoint, such as the role of smartphones in revolutionizing communication and the impact of telemedicine on healthcare accessibility. Additionally, the language used is sophisticated, with complex sentence structures and a wide range of vocabulary. Overall, this response effectively showcases the speaker's ability to articulate ideas and provide strong supporting evidence, earning it a high-level rating.

Feeling more confident about your speaking abilities after completing this TOEFL Speaking Practice Test on Technology?

We have plenty more practice tests tailored to your specific needs! Take advantage of our resources and continue practicing to further boost your confidence.

Did you find this test challenging or did it seem very easy? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below to help others get prepared and feel confident too!