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.

Traditional vs Modern Celebrations - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

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Traditional vs Modern Celebrations - 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 'Traditional vs Modern Celebrations' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Traditional vs Modern Celebrations

The TOEFL Independent Speaking section tests your ability to think quickly and express your ideas clearly in English. With just 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond, you need to organize your thoughts efficiently and present them effectively. Our practice tests will help you master these time-critical skills while developing your speaking abilities.

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 traditional celebrations, which often include cultural rituals and customs passed down through generations. Others enjoy modern celebrations that incorporate new trends and technologies. Which type of celebration do you prefer and why?

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about traditional vs modern celebrations, 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 - Traditional vs Modern Celebrations

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, traditional celebrations because they is more meaningful. Traditional celebrations, you know, they have customs and rituals. For example, during Christmas, we light candles and, uh, sing carols. These rituals, they bring family together. Modern celebrations, they are, like, more about technology and trends. Traditional celebrations, they are passed down, um, from generations. They connect us to our past. Modern celebrations, they are, uh, fun but lack depth. Traditional celebrations, they are important for cultural identity. They, aahh, remind us of our roots. So, I prefer traditional celebrations because they is more meaningful.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "they is more meaningful" and "they is more meaningful". Filler words like "um," "you know," and "uh" are prevalent, disrupting fluency. Unnatural pauses occur after phrases like "Traditional celebrations," affecting speech clarity and pacing. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Traditional celebrations, they are" and "Modern celebrations, they are," lacking depth and support. Transitions are weak, and the response relies on basic ideas without elaboration. The response earned a score of 1 due to limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To score higher, the speaker should improve grammar, reduce filler words, and develop ideas with examples and transitions. Practising structured responses and enhancing vocabulary will aid in better expression and coherence.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer traditional celebrations because they offer a sense of continuity and connection to my cultural heritage. For instance, during Diwali, my family follows age-old customs like lighting oil lamps and preparing traditional sweets. These rituals not only bring us together but also remind us of our roots and shared history. In contrast, modern celebrations, while innovative, often lack this depth of meaning and can feel superficial. Traditional celebrations provide a unique opportunity to pass down values and stories to younger generations, ensuring that our cultural identity remains vibrant and alive. Thus, the richness and depth of traditional celebrations make them my preferred choice.

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 "These rituals not only bring us together but also remind us of our roots," demonstrating complex sentence construction. Sophisticated vocabulary choices like "continuity," "heritage," and "superficial" 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 contrast between traditional and modern celebrations. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the Diwali customs, which effectively illustrate the speaker's preference. The progression of ideas is coherent, with a clear argument that traditional celebrations offer depth and cultural connection. The response's notable strengths include its rich vocabulary and coherent structure, which should be maintained.

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