TOEFL® Speaking 3 Practice 23

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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.

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Using the main points and examples describe the Halo Effect.
Start Preparation
Using the main points and examples describe the Halo Effect.

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

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Read a short passage
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Listen to a lecture
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Prepare your answer
00:30
- Remember to take notes with pen & paper

Question:
Using the main points and examples describe the Halo Effect.

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Your Answer
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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
Coherence and connections 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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TOEFL Speaking 3 Tips for Success
These are general tips that will appear on all Speaking 3 questions.

Answer Template
Here is the answer template you can use:
Note that the X stands for the concept.

From the reading passage, X is described as ______

The professor illustrates/demonstrates X by giving one/two examples.

In the first example, _____

In the second example, ______

(Optional) In summary/So/Therefore, these examples demonstrate/show X

Note-taking tips
When listening and taking notes, you should concentrate on the following three things: the academic topic, transition words, and examples.

There are certain keywords or sentence patterns that professors use to introduce new academic concepts:
1. X is a/an ______ that/who/which/where _________________________
2. X occurs when/where ________________________________
3. A concept/idea/situation________ that/who/which ___________ is referred to as/known as/called X
4. X refers to the idea/concept that ____ or X___ refers to the situation/circumstance where ____

Examples:
Verbal communication is a type of communication that uses words and language.
VC occurs when we use language and speak to each other
The style of communication that uses words and language is referred to as VC.
VC refers to a style of communication where language and words are used


Pay attention to the following transition words that help you capture the main ideas and examples:
Type of connection Transition words
These words show the order of ideas. First/Second/Third
Firstly (or “First of all”)/Secondly/Thirdly (or “Lastly”)
For one thing/For another thing/Finally (or “Lastly”)
In the first place/in the second place/Finally (or “Lastly”)
These words show the addition of information In addition, furthermore, additionally, also, next, moreover, what’s more, on top of that
These words shows conclusions. To sum up, in summary, in conclusion, to conclude, all in all, all things considered ,overall, taking everything into consideration, in a nutshell
These words demonstrate contrast Conversely, on the contrary, by contrast, by way of contrast, on one hand/on the other hand
These words compare or demonstrate similarity Similarly, likewise, by the same token, along similar lines
These words show result. As a result, as a consequence, consequently, therefore
These words state a generalization. Generally, on the whole, in most cases, in general
These words clarify a point. That is, in other words, to put it simply, That is to say, just to reiterate
These words give examples. For example, for instance, take something, for example, to give a clear example
These words state an alternative. Alternatively, as another possibility

Examples:
Good morning! Class! Today I want to talk about an interesting psychological phenomenon: word framing. Basically, a concept that people make choices to describe a situation in a positive or negative way is referred to as word framing. For example, if the weather today is forecast to be cloudy and there is a 50% possibility of rain, according to the forecast many people may take umbrellas with them, but if the weather forecast was delivered as there is a 50% possibility of sunshine then very few people would prepare for a rainy day. Naturally, as you can imagine, word framing can produce significant effects on buyers’ decisions, so many advertisements are carefully worded to render the best outcome. For example, we often hear or read that a certain medicine works for 90% of the patients. That sounds pretty cool right. Let’s say there is another medicine claiming it does not work for 10% of the patients. Which would you choose the first one or the second one? So. Of course, customers would find the first one more attractive and buy it, but both medicines have the same percentage of workability.

Alright! For those of you who don’t know what a self-fulfilling prophecy is. Today’s lecture I am going to talk about self-fulfilling prophecy! So.. a self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when a person acts based on a false presupposition, forcing their thoughts to become the reality. I'll give you an example. A bank is run properly for many years, there are no problems whatsoever, and everybody's money is safe. One day, a large group of people came to the bank, the reason is unknown, and many of the customers falsely perceive this to mean the bank is in financial trouble, so they decide to withdraw their money so they do not incur any losses. Unfortunately for the bank, the rumor continued and more people began withdrawing their money and finally the bank did go into financial trouble and ended up going bankrupt. Therefore, the false rumor indirectly became true as a result of their actions.

Here are symbols you can use in your notes.
SymbolMeaningExamples
=refer to, occur, ..etc A concept that people make choices to describe a situation in a positive or negative way is referred to as word framing
Word framing = ppl describe a situation in ✓ or X way.
∵Because, as a result of, due to, because, owing to Due to the increasing popularity of e-books, there has been a fall in paper book sales.
∵↑e-books, paper books $↓
∴Therefore Element 43 has radioactive decay, therefore element 43 doesn't last very long, which means if that ever had been present on earth, it would have decayed ages ago.
Elem43 has radioa. decay ∴ it ≠ last long
=>result in, lead to, contribute to, give rise to, cause Carbon dioxide significantly contributes to global warming.
CO => global warming
≠isn't, doesn't, don't, can't etc. Element 43 has radioactive decay, therefore element 43 doesn't last very long, which means if that ever had been present on earth, it would decayed ages ago.
Elem43 has radioa. decay ∴ it ≠ last long
+many, lots of, a great deal of, etc. Because potatoes have the ability to provide abundant and extremely nutritious food crop, no other crop grew in Northern Europe. As a result, the nutrition of the general population improved tremendously and population soared in the early 1800s.
∵ potatoes /nutri crop/+vitamins => popul↑ in Europe 1800s
++Comparatives Older and more experienced birds who nest in the high density shrub areas have significantly more offspring than those in low density areas, which suggests the choice of where to nest does have an impact on the number of chicks they have.
older birds /nest in high shrub ++offsprings birds/nest in low shrub
+++Superlatives What was even more surprising were all the large organisms that lived down there. The most distinctive of these was something called the tube worm. Here, let me show you a picture. The tube of the tube worm is really, really long. They can be up to one and half meters long, and these tubes are attached to the ocean floor, pretty weird looking, huh?
! +++special = tube warm /long/tubes attached to ocean floor
-Little, few, lack ,in short of/ be in shortage of, etc. As I said the monsoon migrated itself, so there was less rain in the Sahara. The land started to get drier, which in turn caused huge decreases in the amount of vegetation, because vegetation doesn't grow as well in dry soil, right? And then, less vegetation means the soil can't hold water and the soil loses its ability to retain water when it does rain. So then you have less moisture to help clouds form, nothing to evaporate for cloud formation.
- rain in Sahara
land ++dry => vegetation↓
--vegetation => soil ≠ hold water => -water to form cloud
!Important, interesting But what's particularly interesting about these volcanoes is that most of the volcanoes here on Earth are not shield volcanoes. Instead, they are other volcano types, like strata volcanoes, for example, which are a result of tectonic plate movement.
! volcanoes on earth ≠ shield volcanoes = strata volcanoes
tectonic plate => volcanoes on earth

Other symbols:
SymbolMeaning
&And, also, in addition, etc.
~ about/around, approximately, etc.
...And so on
$Sales, money, cost
e.g.For example
i.e.That is
xWrong, incorrect, bad, detrimental, negative, etc.
✓Right, good, positive, etc.
 
speaking 3 Practice 23
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