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TOEFL® Speaking 4 Practice 1

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In this question the TOEFL Speaking Task 4, you'll listen to part of a lecture. You will then be asked a question about what you have heard. Your response will be scored on your ability to speak clearly and coherently and on your ability to accurately convey information about what you heard. You'll have 20 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to speak.

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Today's Topic:

topic: 
Redwood trees
Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe two types of adaptations that trees have that allow them to survive in the environment.
Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe two types of adaptations that trees have that allow them to survive in the environment.
You have 20 seconds to prepare your answer.
Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe two types of adaptations that trees have that allow them to survive in the environment.

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

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00:00
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Step 1: Listen to part of a lecture

Okay! Let’s continue! Here’s a thought: have you ever wondered why trees are capable of living for long periods of time, despite local bad weather conditions, or even global environmental changes? Well, they’re able to do that, because they have special adaptations that allow them to survive and change with the environment.

One adaptation is their ability to release chemicals that can prevent damage from insects. Now, we all know that insects need to eat the trees' leaves and branches to survive, causing damage. Trees can limit this damage by releasing a chemical substance that insects can't live with. This makes the trees less vulnerable to these attacks. For example, redwood trees release gallotannic acid from their leaves and branches to scare off hungry insects.

Another adaptation is their complex root system that helps them to survive during a storm. You see, trees have many roots and the roots can grow in all directions, even tangling with other trees’ roots. So during a big storm, trees can survive by “holding each other up”! Take redwood trees as an example, they have the strongest root system found in trees. Their root system often extends as much as 100 feet around the tree. This is a very long distance compared to other trees' root systems. In addition to that, these underground root networks often end up growing in circular clusters. These circular clusters give them tremendous strength against the forces of nature. This way they can withstand high winds and even floods.

Step 2: Prepare your answer

Question: Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe two types of adaptations that trees have that allow them to survive in the environment.


You have 20 seconds to prepare you answer


00:20
Step 3: Record your answer

Question: Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe two types of adaptations that trees have that allow them to survive in the environment.

You have 60 seconds to speak

Submit Answer
Sample Response 4/4

The professor talks about trees and their ability to survive. One of their abilities is releasing a chemical substance that prevents insects from eating the trees. One specific tree the professor talks about is the redwood tree. This tree releases gallotannic acid in their leaves and branches, in an attempt to protect themselves from insects. The second ability trees have to survive is their complex root system. Again, using the redwood tree, the professor explains that their complex root system is among the strongest of trees. They bind with each other in the ground even under the strongest storm because the roots stretch in every direction and can actually group with the roots of other trees. Adaptations like those two keep trees growing strong and protected.


Key Words Found in this practice
Related Words

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Take a closer look at the sample speaking review below.

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SAMPLE TOEFL Speaking Report

SAMPLE Score Summary
2.1 / 4
Task Fulfillment
Pronunciation & Intonation
Flow & Speech
Correct Grammar Usage
Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range)
Support & Development
SAMPLE Audio Feedback

Listen carefully to your audio feedback. The reviewer will correct your pronunciation, intonation, and flow of speech. We recommend you listen to it several times to fully understand each point and correction made by the reviewer.
SAMPLE Criteria Score Reports

Task Fulfillment   2/4

The response is mostly connected to the given task/question, but has limited ideas and explanation or some ideas that are not directly related to the task/question

Task Fulfillment is about how well you respond to the question you are given. TOEFL raters are looking for...

How to Improve

To do well on Task Fulfillment for Speaking Task 1, you first need to understand...

Pronunciation & Intonation   3/4

The response may require effort by listener at times, though speech is generally clear, with: some sound and cluster pronunciation mistakes occasional unnatural word and sentence stress occasional unnatural intonation

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...

How to Improve

Watch the following pronunciation video lessons to improve your pronunciation.

Vowel Video Lesson
Vowel ɪ and i ...
Vowel ɛ and æ ...
Vowel ə and ʌ ...
Vowel ɔ and ɑ ...
Vowel ʊ and u ...

Consonants Video Lesson
Consonant b and p ...
Consonant d and t ...
Consonant g and k ...
Consonant dʒ and tʃ ...
Consonant v and f ...
Consonant ð and θ ...
Consonant s and z ...
Consonant ʃ and ʒ ...
Consonant m, n and ŋ ...
Consonant l and r ...
Consonant h, w and y ...
...
...

Flow & Speech   3/4

Sustains mostly natural rhythm, though at times breaks it with unnatural linking or stress has some unnatural pausing and hesitation

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...

How to Improve

To improve your speech flow...

Unnatural Pauses and Hesitations Reduction Exercise

Practice any TOEFL question and record your answer. Then listen to your recording and...

Speech Pacing Exercise

An important key to earning a high score on Speech delivery is pacing in your speech. A good pacing means using proper pauses and word stresses. Here is a step-by-step exercise that can help you improve the pacing in your speech:

  1. ...
  2. ...
  3. ...

Correct Grammar Usage   1/4

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 gerunds, infinitives

Correct grammar usage is about how you use English grammar and sentence structure. Raters want to see...

How to Improve

Using right tenses is important in TOEFL speaking. Every time you are not sure about what tense you should use, refer to our sample answer and...

Grammar topic Lesson
All past tenses ...
Present perfect tense ...
How to talk about future using right tenses ...
Mixed Verb Tenses in English: Conditionals and IF clauses ...

Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range)   4/4

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 vocabulary

Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for responses that use...

How to Improve

To improve your vocabulary usage for task 1, practice...

We suggest you complete the following speaking tasks 1 and 2 lessons...

Support & Development   2/4

Has some relevant main ideas but not enough to be fully developed has some but not enough explanation of reasons to support the main ideas, or the explanation does not always relate directly to main ideas has some but not enough details and examples to help the listener understand the main ideas

Support and development is about...

How to Improve

To improve your support and development you have to...

A great exercise to improve note-taking is...




No Speaking Answer Found

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Sample Answer

The professor talks about trees and their ability to survive. One of their abilities is releasing a chemical substance that prevents insects from eating the trees. One specific tree the professor talks about is the redwood tree. This tree releases gallotannic acid in their leaves and branches, in an attempt to protect themselves from insects. The second ability trees have to survive is their complex root system. Again, using the redwood tree, the professor explains that their complex root system is among the strongest of trees. They bind with each other in the ground even under the strongest storm because the roots stretch in every direction and can actually group with the roots of other trees. Adaptations like those two keep trees growing strong and protected.

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Master TOEFL Speaking Task 4
In the TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 4, there are lectures where two different aspects or subtopics of a bigger topic are discussed. For example:
- Using the main point and examples from the lecture, describe the two ways of discovering an invention.
- Describe two adaptations that the Arctic butterfly has developed for cold climates.
- Describe slump and creep.
- Describe two negative impacts of logos.

In this case, your response should include the following:
1. The explanation of the topic
2. The first example or the first concept
3. The second example or the second concept
4. A conclusion
ANSWER TEMPLATE
There are some questions that ask you to explain the concept mentioned in the lecture together with the two examples provided by the professor. For example:
- Using two examples from the lecture, describe camouflage.
- Using two examples from the lecture, describe ecological succession.
- Using two examples from the lecture, describe the relationship between Biodiversity and ecosystem restoration.

In this case, you can use the following template to form your response.
The lecture is about ______
The professor uses two examples to demonstrate ______
In the first example, ______
In the second example, ______
In summary/Therefore/Ultimately, ______
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 can help you 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")

Instead of "First", "First of all" and "Firstly", we can use "To begin with", "To start with", or "For starters". We can also use "First and foremost" to state that the first key point is the most important one among all key points.

Likewise, instead of "Finally" and "Lastly", we can use "Last but not least" to state that the final key point is just as important as the others, despite it being mentioned last.
These words can help you add information In addition, furthermore, additionally, also, next, moreover, what's more, on top of that
These words can help you conclude or to summarize: 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 can help you demonstrate contrast Conversely, on the contrary, by contrast, by way of contrast, on one hand/on the other hand
These words can help you compare or demonstrate similarity Similarly, likewise, by the same token, along similar lines
These words can help you state a result. As a result, as a consequence, consequently, therefore
These words can help you state a generalization. Generally, on the whole, in most cases, in general
These words can help you clarify a point. That is, in other words, to put it simply, That is to say, just to reiterate
These words can help you give examples. For example, for instance, take something, for example, to give a clear example
These words can help you 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.
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