Traditional vs Modern Hobbies - TOEFL Speaking Practice Test (Independent)

The TOEFL Independent Speaking Task evaluates your ability to express and support personal opinions effectively in English. In this section, you'll need to speak about familiar topics, presenting your views clearly and providing relevant examples to support your perspective. To help you master these skills, we've prepared this comprehensive practice test with sample responses and detailed feedback.

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 hobbies like knitting or gardening, while others enjoy modern hobbies such as playing video games or using social media. Which type of hobby do you prefer and why? Explain your reasons.

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about traditional vs modern hobbies, 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 Hobbies

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:

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues: "Video games is fun" and "Traditional hobbies, like knitting, is not as exciting." Delivery is hindered by excessive filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know," leading to choppy and fragmented speech. Unnatural pauses occur frequently, disrupting the flow and clarity of the response. Content development is weak, with repeated phrases like "Video games, they are, uh, more exciting" and "I think, um, they help with problem-solving," indicating a lack of substantive support and weak transitions. The response earned a score of 1 due to its limited content, coherence, and delivery issues. To score higher, the speaker should reduce filler words, improve grammatical accuracy, and provide more detailed and varied content with clear transitions.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

Rater’s Comment:

The response effectively addresses the task, demonstrating a preference for modern hobbies with clear reasoning. Language strengths include advanced grammar structures, such as "Unlike traditional hobbies, which can be solitary and repetitive," and sophisticated vocabulary like "dynamic and interactive experience." The use of complex sentence constructions, such as "Moreover, the technological advancements in gaming create immersive environments," showcases precise word usage. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions between ideas, as seen in "Additionally, they provide a platform for developing strategic thinking." Content development is strong, with well-organised ideas and effective supporting examples, such as the social connectivity and cognitive benefits of video games. This response earns a score of 4 due to its coherent discourse, mastery of language use, and well-developed arguments, with notable strengths in vocabulary and idea progression.

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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