2019-03-14 TOEFL: speaking 5, ind writing

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-the-rorschach-inkblot-test-work-damion-searls
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Speaking Section: 3rd section, after the break, 20 minutes, 6 tasks, 5.5 minutes of speaking time
1 independent, open-ended - 15 seconds to prepare / 45 seconds to speak
2 independent, choice question - 15/45
3 integrated reading/listening/speaking, campus announcement and conversation - 30/60
4 integrated R/L/S, academic text and lecture (general/specific) - 30/60
5 integrated L/S, conversation about a problem and solutions - 20/60
6 integrated L/S, academic lecture (summary) - 20/60
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Listen again to the conversation for question 5 from yesterday’s speaking section.
What’s the problem?
P = anthro club planning a trip, his mom’s van is broken (was going to drive it)
What are the solutions discussed? What are their downsides?
S1 = rent a van
	but not everyone agreed to help pay; he doesn’t want to pay most of it himself
S2 = postpone the trip
	but people will be disappointed they can’t go on the trip tomorrow
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“The speakers discuss two possible solutions to the man's problem. Briefly summarize the problem. Then state which solution you recommend and explain why.”
Your response can be organized like this:
1 Introduction: summarize the problem and list (in one sentence) the solutions they discuss
2 Your opinion: state which solution you recommend
			3 Lead-in (optional): “I have two reasons for this opinion.”
	4 First reason: “First, he won’t have to pay for the whole rental himself.”
		5 Detail/example: “If they rent a van, because not everyone has…”
	6 Second reason: “Second, this will give them more time to organize the trip.”
		7 Detail/example: “Even if his mom’s van isn’t fixed, postponing means he can be sure to contact everyone about paying for a future rental if that’s what they have to do.”
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Record your responses to the ETS Guide practice questions.
Listen to your responses. Which one can we hear as a class?
Listen to your classmates’ responses. What’s good and bad about each one?
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Writing Section: fourth and final section, about 1 hour total, 2 tasks, 20+30 minutes of writing time
1 integrated: 3 minutes to read an article, listen to a lecture on the same topic, write about the points from the lecture and how they relate to points from the reading passage (150-225 words)
2 independent: read a choice question prompt, write about and support your answer (>300 words)
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The “easiest” way to get a low score on independent writing is if you don’t really answer the correct question.
	Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
	Technology has made children less creative.
	Use reasons and examples to support your response.
Every supporting point in your response should say something about children’s creativity. If you only write about health or social effects of technology, you’re not answering the question.
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	“Technology is becoming more and more common in the lives of people of all ages. While it brings many benefits to adults, some people wonder whether it causes problems for children. In particular, we might ask whether technology makes children less creative than they once were. In my opinion, new technology actually gives children more opportunities to be creative, not less. I have three reasons for this opinion.”
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The other type of prompt is “some people / other people”
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A typical independent response can be a five-paragraph essay:
1 Introduction: background, summary of the options, your opinion
2-4 Body: reasons for your opinion, evidence that the reasons are true, evidence that they support your opinion
5 Conclusion: restatement of your opinion and summary of the reasons, generalization/takeaway for the reader (prediction, recommendation, general advice, etc.)
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If your thesis is something like “it depends”, you need to explain and support both sides. If you think it depends on the type of technology, you need a paragraph about technology that can help creativity and another paragraph about technology that hurts creativity.
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Tomorrow: independent writing during the first half of class