2019-09-26 TOEFL: writing overview, speaking 1

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-are-earthquakes-so-hard-to-predict-jean-baptiste-p-koehl
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Homework: p. 374-377 exercises 6L5, 6L6, 6L7
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Writing Section - Fourth and final section of the test; 2 tasks (integrated and independent); 55m total
1 integrated: 3 minutes to read text, listen to a lecture about the same topic, 20 minutes to write about how the points from the lecture relate to the points from the reading (150-225 words)
2 independent: read a choice question prompt (2-3 options), 30 minutes to prepare, write, and revise your answer to the question (5-paragraph essay) (300+ words)
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Integrated Writing
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Text:
	1st paragraph - introduces the topic (great houses in Chaco canyon) and main idea (there are 3 theories)
	2nd-4th paragraph - three points to support the main idea (the three theories about the buildings)
You should take notes about these four things:

R0 (main idea) = there are three theories about the great houses
R1 = residential (similar to “apartment buildings” at Taos)
R2 = store food (needed place for maize)
R3 = ceremonial centers (broken pots - ceremony where food pots were discarded)
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Lecture:
	Usually the same structure as the text (and the same order), but a shorter introduction because you already know the background.
	Almost always presents an opposing viewpoint to that of the text.
	You only listen once, to try to take note of more supporting details.

L0 = there are problems with those three theories
L1 = not enough fireplaces (ex. 10 fireplaces in a building big enough for hundreds of families)
L2 = no evidence of maize or maize containers in the buildings
L3 = the pile with broken pots also included construction material, so maybe just a trash pile, not for ceremonies
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Response:
	The most straightforward organization is a point-by-point response. This is the same organization as both the text and the lecture.

1st paragraph: introduction - explain what the topic is and summarize R0 and L0 (main ideas) and how they relate (support or contradict)
2nd paragraph: first point - summarize R1 and L1 and be clear how they relate
3rd paragraph: second point - summarize R2 and L2 and be clear how they relate
4th paragraph: third point - summarize R3 and L3 and be clear how they relate
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Indepdendent Writing
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The prompt gives you a choice
- agree/disagree with a statement
- choose between what “some people” believe and what “other people” believe

The response can be a basic five-paragraph essay:
1 Introduction: make clear what options you’re choosing between and state your choice (optional lead-in like, “I have three reasons for this preference.”)
2-4 Body: state your reasons, give details and examples to (a) show that the reason is true and (b) show that it supports your choice
5 Conclusion: restate your opinion and briefly summarize the reasons, close with a recommendation or predition about the topic
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BREAK
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- If you choose “it depends”, you need to explain and support how it depends.
- You can interpret the question and invent examples to support whichever option you choose.
- There are often multiple ways to disagree with an “agree/disagree” prompt. Especially pay attention to strong language like “all”, “required”, “always”.
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Speaking Section: third section, about 20 minutes, 4 tasks, 3m45s of speaking time
1 (old 2) independent, choice question - 15 seconds to prepare / 45 seconds to speak
2 (old 3) integrated reading/listening/speaking, announcement and conversation - 30/60
3 (old 4) integrated R/L/S, academic text and lecture - 30/60
4 (old 6) integrated L/S, academic lecture - 20/60
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Independent Speaking Response

During your preparation time, you can write a “mini outline”:
answer
- reason 1
- reason 2

When you speak, expand this into a full response:
1 Introduction: State your opinion (in your own words)
2 Lead-in (optional): “I have two reasons for this opinion.”
3 First point: “First, technology is advancing a lot nowadays and we need science and math…”
4 Detail/example: “If you want to get a job…”
5 Second point: “Second, we can…”
6 Detail/example: “For example…”
(7 Conclusion - if you have time)
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Record your responses to ETS 1 tests 4-5 and ETS 2 test 1
Listen to your responses. What’s bad about the bad ones? What’s good about the better responses?