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.

Urban vs Rural Living - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Urban vs Rural Living - 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 'Urban vs Rural Living' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Urban vs Rural Living

Mastering the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task requires a combination of clear expression and logical organization. There is a fixed time when you are going to respond to the prompt after organizing your thoughts into a fluent speech on the opinion-related topic. This test gauges your capability to speak spontaneously and also your time management to provide some reasons and examples for your viewpoint. Remember to practice well on a regular basis so that you can improve and develop the required skills as needed to excel the TOEFL exam.

The TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test on 'Urban vs Rural Living' will give you an opportunity to get a score in real life and go through the sample answers as well as the rater's comments. The output here is a short and structured, but clear and confident, speech using simple but accurate language. Therefore, work on your grammar as well as speaking skills to enhance your score.

Let's get you 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 living in a bustling city with all its amenities and opportunities, while others enjoy the peace and simplicity of rural life. Which do you prefer and why? Explain your reasons with specific examples.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about urban vs rural living, 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 - Urban vs Rural Living

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 living in a city because, um, it have many opportunities. Like, cities have good transport and, uh, you can find jobs easily. When I was in, um, New York, I find a job quickly. Also, cities have, uh, many cultural things like museums and theatres. I think, um, city life is more exciting. Rural life is peaceful, but city life is more, uh, exciting. I like the, um, the buzz of the city. City life is, uh, more exciting and, um, full of opportunities. I think, um, city life is better for me.

Rater’s Comment:

The response demonstrates significant language errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ("it have many opportunities"), tense inconsistency ("I find a job quickly"), and awkward phrasing ("city life is, uh, more exciting and, um, full of opportunities"). Delivery is hindered by frequent filler words ("um," "uh") and unnatural pauses, making the speech choppy and difficult to follow. The speaker's pacing is uneven, contributing to clarity issues. Content development is limited, with repeated ideas ("city life is more exciting") and a lack of detailed support or examples. Transitions between points are weak, and the response lacks depth. This response earned a score of 1 due to its minimal content and coherence, frequent language errors, and delivery issues. To improve, the speaker should focus on reducing filler words, ensuring grammatical accuracy, and providing more detailed 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 living in a bustling city because of the numerous opportunities it offers. For instance, cities provide better access to education and career prospects. When I lived in London, I had the chance to attend various workshops and networking events, which significantly boosted my career. Additionally, cities offer a vibrant cultural scene, with museums, theatres, and concerts readily available. This diversity enriches my life and keeps me engaged. Moreover, urban areas have excellent public transport systems, making commuting convenient. Although rural life is peaceful, I find the dynamic environment of a city more stimulating and rewarding. The constant buzz and the chance to meet people from different backgrounds make city life exciting and fulfilling for 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 "cities provide better access to education and career prospects," and sophisticated vocabulary, including "vibrant cultural scene" and "dynamic environment." Complex sentence constructions like "Although rural life is peaceful, I find the dynamic environment of a city more stimulating and rewarding" demonstrate precise word usage. 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 career opportunities to cultural experiences. The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as the personal experience of living in London, which enhances the argument. The response's coherence and progression of ideas, alongside its minor lapses, showcase mastery in speaking skills.

Well done on finishing this practice test! Whether you're just starting or fine-tuning your skills, we have more practice materials waiting for you. Each test is designed to help you master different aspects of TOEFL Speaking.

Keep practicing, and watch your confidence grow!

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