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.

Working from Home vs Office - TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

Working from Home vs Office - 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 'Working from Home vs Office' along with sample answers to score higher."

Key Highlights

Question:
Points to Remember
Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Independent Speaking Test - Working from Home vs Office

In the TOEFL Independent Speaking section, with just 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond, you need to organize your thoughts efficiently and present them effectively. Spontaneous speaking ability and personal expression in opinion form about familiar topics is what the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task evaluates. The task typically entails taking a position and backing it up by reasons and examples. You can get a clear structure and organization into introduction, supporting points, and conclusion in your responses, then delivery should be confident and clear.

The TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Test on 'Working from Home vs Office' would help you to improve your speaking skills as well as make your responses fluent. Good structuring hence makes it possible for your ideas to be expressed coherently. That will show command in English language as well as how critical thinking is wielded even at real-time expression.

Let's analyse the test now!

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 working from home because it offers flexibility and comfort, while others believe working in an office environment is more productive and fosters better collaboration. Which do you prefer and why? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Preparation Time: 15 Seconds

Response Time: 45 Seconds

Points to Remember

When addressing the question about working from home vs office, 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 - Working from Home vs Office

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, working from home because it is more, uh, comfortable. At home, I can, like, work in my pyjamas and, you know, have my own coffee. Working from home is also flexible. I can start work when I want and finish when I want. In office, you have to, um, follow strict hours. At home, I can take breaks whenever I want. But, uh, sometimes, working in office is good for collaboration. But, um, I think working from home is better because it is more comfortable. I can, uh, save time on commuting. So, working from home is better for me.

Rater’s Comment:

The response is limited in content and coherence, with frequent filler words such as "um," "uh," and "like," which disrupt the flow and clarity of speech. For example, "I prefer, um, working from home because it is more, uh, comfortable." There are grammar errors, such as missing articles in "In office, you have to, um, follow strict hours," and awkward phrasing like "But, uh, sometimes, working in office is good for collaboration." The content is repetitive, as seen in "working from home is better because it is more comfortable," and lacks depth, with minimal examples supporting the preference. The response earned a score of 1 due to these issues, which hindered effective communication. To improve, the speaker should reduce filler words, enhance grammatical accuracy, and provide more detailed examples and reasoning.

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

High-Level Answer Audio Transcript:

I prefer working from home because it offers a level of flexibility that is unmatched by the office environment. For instance, I can tailor my work hours to when I am most productive, which is usually early in the morning. This flexibility allows me to balance my personal and professional life more effectively. Additionally, working from home eliminates the daily commute, saving me time and reducing stress. I can also create a comfortable workspace tailored to my needs, which enhances my focus and efficiency. While the office does offer opportunities for face-to-face collaboration, modern technology allows for effective virtual communication, making remote work just as collaborative. Overall, the benefits of working from home, such as flexibility and comfort, outweigh the advantages of an office setting 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 "I can tailor my work hours to when I am most productive," and sophisticated vocabulary like "unmatched" and "enhances." Complex sentence constructions are evident in "While the office does offer opportunities for face-to-face collaboration, modern technology allows for effective virtual communication." The word usage is precise, contributing to the clarity of the argument. Delivery is characterised by a natural flow and effective pacing, with clear articulation and smooth transitions, as seen in "Additionally, working from home eliminates the daily commute." The content is well-organised, with strong supporting examples, such as balancing personal and professional life, and coherent arguments. The response demonstrates mastery in articulating a preference for working from home, with notable strengths in language use and topic development to maintain.

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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