TOEFL® Speaking 2 Practice 1

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In this question, you'll first read a short text. The text will go away and you will then listen to a talk on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about what you have read and heard. You'll have 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak.

You may take notes while you read and while you listen to the conversations and lectures. You may use your notes to help prepare your response.

We recommend you practice taking notes with a pen and paper like you will during your TOEFL exam.

Start
Read the following passage

The Chemistry Department is planning to award scholarships to students who have received an average grade of 90% or above. We have found there to be a serious need for well-educated chemistry students and the current pool of chemists is highly lacking. By awarding these scholarships, it will allow future chemists to get a better handle on their tuition costs as well as encourage students to study harder in class. After the recent audit, we have found there to be plenty of funds for this department and we feel this is the best place to use them. Considering this school spends most of its funds on the Sports Department, we want to get students more interested in chemistry and we feel this is the best place to start.

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Read the question
Start preparing now
The woman expresses her opinion about the announcement. State her opinion and explain the reasons that she gives for holding that opinion.
Start Preparation
The woman expresses her opinion about the announcement. State her opinion and explain the reasons that she gives for holding that opinion.

You have 60 seconds to record your answer. Click the record button to begin.

mic
Start
00:00
Read a campus announcement
00:50
The Chemistry Department is planning to award scholarships to students who have received an average grade of 90% or above. We have found there to be a serious need for well-educated chemistry students and the current pool of chemists is highly lacking. By awarding these scholarships, it will allow future chemists to get a better handle on their tuition costs as well as encourage students to study harder in class. After the recent audit, we have found there to be plenty of funds for this department and we feel this is the best place to use them. Considering this school spends most of its funds on the Sports Department, we want to get students more interested in chemistry and we feel this is the best place to start.
Listen to a conversation
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  • library_books Audio Script

    Female: This is a bad move from the Chemistry Department. I can’t believe they are going to spend school funding like this.

    Male: Why would you say that?

    Female: Have you seen the outdated equipment in the Chemistry Department? Most of it is older than I am. If the department has so much extra money, they should spend it on updating the chemistry equipment before pushing for more students. I mean, think about it! Most companies use updated equipment, so how do they expect us to compete for positions when we’re accustomed to using outdated equipment? We’re going to be at a disadvantage.

    Male: Yea, you’re right. I never thought about that. We will need to know how to use the latest equipment in the Chemistry field for our future careers.

    Female: Exactly! Also, I think they should consider spending money on current students who are actually working hard and not try to lure in potential students. I know a lot of my friends are studying hard. Even though they are not getting an average grade of 90%, they are still getting good grades in Chemistry. I think the Chemistry department should award them, like giving them a bonus or something.

    Male: That’s true! You make a good point. It would be great if my hard work was rewarded.

Prepare your answer
00:30
- Remember to take notes with pen & paper

Question:
The woman expresses her opinion about the announcement. State her opinion and explain the reasons that she gives for holding that opinion.

Record your answer
You have 60 seconds to record your answer.

We recommend MOCK TEST MODE for first attempts to simulate the official TOEFL test.

 
Your Answer
Click Mock Test or Question tab record an answer.
Your Review

THIS IS NOT YOUR REVIEW!

It's an example of what you can expect from our speaking reviews



Review Status: No review requested Status: (N/A)
Get Speaking Review
Review Summary (Sample)
Score 2 / 4
Feedback Each speaking review includes detailed audio feedback.

Audio feedback (Sample)
How we review your speaking response Our TOEFL certified instructors will review your speaking response based on the following criteria:
  1. Task Fulfillment
  2. Pronunciation & Intonation
  3. Flow & Speech
  4. Correct Grammar Usage
  5. Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range)
  6. Support & Development
  7. Connections & Coherence
You will receive a score, feedback, and a TOEFL report on each speaking criteria. The average score for all criteria will be converted to a score out of 4. This reviewing process imitates how ETS® TOEFL grades a TOEFL speaking response.
Task Fulfillment (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Task fulfillment is about how well you respond to the question you are given. TOEFL raters are looking for a response that answers the question directly, with relevant ideas that are fully developed. Fulfilling the task means answering all parts of the question completely.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

The response is unconnected or minimally connected to the given task

2

is mostly connected to the given task/question, but presents some ideas and information that are not directly related to the task/question

may focus more on the reading passage than the listening

3

is connected to the given task/question, but may not be fully developed

generally focuses on listening passage but may include a few unnecessary details from the reading passage

4

directly addresses the task/question and is fully developed

focuses exactly on the points from the listening that satisfy the requirements of the task
Pronunciation & Intonation (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Pronunciation and intonation is about how you form English sounds and how you use natural English intonation. Your pronunciation and intonation can damage your score if it is difficult for the raters to understand what you are saying.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

The response requires significant effort by listener because speech is mostly unclear, due to errors with:

individual sounds and clusters

word and sentence stress

final intonation

2

The response requires some listener effort because speech is sometimes unclear, due to some unnatural use of:

individual sounds and clusters

word and sentence stress

final and non-final intonation

3

The response may require effort by listener at times, though speech is generally clear, with:

some sound and cluster pronunciation mistakes

unnatural word and sentence stress

some unnatural intonation

4

The response requires almost no effort by listener because speech is clear, including:

natural sound and cluster pronunciation

mostly natural intonation

natural word and sentence stress, which may be used to convey subtle meanings
Flow & Speech (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Flow and speech is about how quickly you can speak and how much pausing and hesitation you use. You don’t have to speak quickly, but just quickly enough to sound natural and explain all of your ideas. Raters want to hear natural rhythm and flow.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

has disconnected speech that does not flow naturally

has mostly short and overly basic utterances

includes many unnatural pauses and hesitations that may make the listener uncomfortable

2

attempts but has some difficulties maintaining natural rhythm and fluid speech

attempts more than just basic utterances, though stops frequently to prepare ideas or self-correct

may contain some long pauses and unnatural hesitations

3

sustains mostly natural rhythm, though at times breaks it with unnatural linking or stress

has some unnatural pausing and hesitation

4

has mostly natural rhythm

is generally quite fluid and sustained

has minimal unnatural pausing and hesitation
Correct Grammar Usage (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Correct grammar usage is about how you use English grammar and sentence structure. Raters want to see that you can use what you know correctly. Your grammar doesn’t have to be perfect to score high, but mistakes shouldn’t interfere with your meaning.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

Meaning is often difficult to understand because of significant and frequent errors with:

nouns

verb tenses

adverbs and adjectives, including some phrases

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

geru

2

Meaning is sometimes obscured because of errors with:

noun and noun phrases

verb (tenses and modals)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases)

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

gerunds and inf

3

Meaning is generally clear despite some errors with:

noun phrases and clauses

verb (tenses, modals, and passives)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases and clauses)

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositi

4

Meaning is not affected by grammatical errors, though there may still be minor errors with:

noun phrases and clauses

verb (tenses, modals, and passives)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases and clauses)

word order

art
Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range) (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for responses that use different words correctly and accurately, and that use a wide range of words that help listeners understand.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

includes mistakes with basic word form

includes limited vocabulary, with repetition and reliance on vocabulary from the question prompt

often uses inappropriate or incorrect words or wording

2

may include some incorrect word forms

attempts to use a range of words and phrases but may make errors that confuse the listener

makes somewhat accurate word choice but at times leaves the listener guessing

3

uses mostly correct word forms

uses a range of words and phrases that is mostly appropriate, possibly including some idiomatic language

makes generally accurate word choice with only some effort by the listener

4

uses generally correct word forms with only minimal errors

effectively uses a wide range of words and phrases, which may include phrasal verbs and idioms

includes generally accurate word choice and at times demonstrates sophistication in vo
Support & Development (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Support and development is about the content of your speaking response. Your content should be related directly to the topic, and you should have several main ideas that support your opinion or position. These ideas should be persuasive or compelling.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

does not include much relevant information

has no or very little detail or explanation

2

includes some important information but not all key ideas

presents several ideas or some information incorrectly or imprecisely

may show lack of understanding of key ideas from listening and reading

3

includes most important information or key ideas

may include some inaccuracies or imprecise ideas

shows generally good understanding of key ideas but may not describe them specifically

4

includes all key ideas required by the question

may have slight errors

shows very good understanding of key ideas and the ability to explain them well

includes all key ideas required by the question

may have slight errors

<
Connections & Coherence (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
connections and coherence are about how you put your ideas together and link different sentences to each other. Raters want to see speaking that flows naturally from idea to idea without confusing the listener.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

has little or no connection between ideas, making the logic difficult to follow

includes no effective words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion

2

has some connection between ideas but may jump between some topics, causing some listener confusion

includes some brief or simple words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion

3

has generally good connection between ideas

includes generally good range of words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion but may not feel wholly unified

4

has very good connection between ideas that are logically and effectively ordered

includes a range of words or expressions of transition, introduction, and conclusion which conveys a feeling of unity and completeness
 
Sample Answer
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The woman does not think the chemistry department’s plan to award scholarships to students who have received an average grade of 90% or above is a good idea. She makes a point to say that the current items on hand in the Chemistry lab are very outdated. The use of outdated equipment hurts the students because it doesn’t allow for them to understand or use the latest equipment being used currently in the Chemistry field. She also thinks that the department should spend the money on current students who are working hard and reward them for the hard work and their dedication to the department instead of trying to lure in potential students and spending money on them. For these two reasons, she is not in agreement with this campus announcement. She feels the funds need to be used in the current lab considering its condition or used to reward current hard-working students.
Pronunciation training
Practice Your Pronunciation (BETA)

Click the record button below Start and start speaking. As you speak, your speech will be translated to text. It can take 5 seconds before the text appears, so don't worry and keep speaking.

We recommend you try and speak the above sample answer as a way to practice your pronunciation.

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Video Answer Explanation
TOEFL Speaking 2 Tips for Success
These are general tips that will appear on all Speaking 2 questions.

Answer structure
The TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 2 question will ask you to read a passage about either a campus announcement or a student's letter. You will be given 50 seconds to read the passage.

Next, you will hear a conversation between two students discussing their opinions on the passage you just read.

Remember to take notes while you read the passage and listen to the conversation.

Finally, you will answer a question based on the passage and conversation. The question will ask you to state a specific student's opinion and explain the reasons he or she gives for having that opinion.

You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.

Here is the structure we recommend you to use:
1. Summarize the main point of the reading passage and state the student’s opinion.
2. Present the first reason of the student and then the second reason of the student.
3. If you still have time, restate the student’s opinion again as a conclusion.


A format for the 60 seconds speech:
- 15 seconds - state the student’s opinion and summarize the main point of the reading passage
- 20 seconds -Present the first reason of the student
- 20 seconds - Present the second reason of the student
- 5 seconds - Restate the student’s opinion again as a conclusion.
Answer template
Agree Disagree
The man/girl agrees with the announcement/letter/article, which is about ______

There are two reasons why the man/girl supports the announcement/letter/article.

One reason is that ______

Another reason is that ________

Therefore, these reasons are why the man/girl believes that _____ is a good idea. 		The man/girl disagrees with the announcement/letter/article, which is about ______

There are two reasons why the man/girl opposes the announcement/letter/article.

One reason is that _____

Another reason is that _______

Therefore, these reasons are why the man/girl believes that _____ is not a good idea.
 
speaking 2 Practice 1
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