2020-10-16 TOEFL: ind speaking&writing

Task 1
During the 15 seconds of preparation time, you should only write a “mini outline” of your response

answer
- reason 1
- reason 2

When you speak, you’ll add details to make a full response, which you can organize like this:
1 Introduction: state your answer (“In my opinion it’s better to study in a traditional classroom than…”)
2 Lead-in (optional): state what points you’ll make (“I have two reasons for this opinion.”)
3 First reason (“First, it’s easier to communicate with each other in a classroom.”)
4 Detail/example (“For example, if you want to get help from a classmate you can…”)
5 Second reason
6 Detail/example
(7 Conclusion - if you have extra time)
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Practice the independent speaking tasks from the ETS guide (Remember that the old question 1 is no longer on the test.)
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I don’t recommend “it depends” responses, because to do it well you have to explain what it depends on and how. (In the sample, he said it depends on the stage of your education, and then explained what it’s like for an undergraduate versus a graduate student.)
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Independent speaking and writing involve choice questions. One way to practice quickly answering (and justifying your answer to) choice questions is with “would you rather” conversation starters.
https://conversationstartersworld.com/would-you-rather-questions/
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BREAK
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Writing Section: fourth and final section, 55 minutes total, 2 tasks, 20+30 minutes of writing time
1 integrated: 3 minutes to read a text, then listen to a lecture on the same topic, then 20 minutes to write about how the points from the lecture relate to points from the text
2 independent: 30 minutes to read a choice question; prepare, write, and revise an answer to the question
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Independent Writing
There are two types of choice question:
- agree/disagree: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?”
- some people / other people: “Some people prefer to…. Others think…. Which do you agree with?”
The question always ends with: “Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.”

A simple way to organize your response is a five-paragraph essay, which is the first and most common type of essay American students learn.

1 Introduction:
	- general background (why is this topic interesting?)
	- summary of the options you’re choosing between (make it clear to someone who didn’t see the question)
	- thesis statement (state your answer to the question)
	- lead-in (“I have three reasons for this opinion.” or “I believe this because of __, __, and __.”)
2-4 Body/Supporting Paragraphs:
	- state each reason for your opinion
	- show that the reason is true
	- show that the reason really supports your opinion
5 Conclusion:
	- restate your opinion and summarize your reasons
	- “takeaway” for the reader, such as a suggestion or prediction that might be useful
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Here’s what I mean about the body paragraphs:
reason - self-driving car technology will improve in the next 20 years (and self-driving cars will become more common)
show that it’s true - examples of companies that are developing this technology, improvements in computers, etc.
show that it supports your opinion - explain why more self-driving cars will mean fewer (or more) cars in use in 20 years

The last part is important, because someone could just as easily argue that more self-driving cars will result in more total cars in the future, so you need to be cleary why it supports your argument.

(While you’re writing, ask yourself if someone could agree that your reason is true but still disagree with your overall opinion.)
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If the independent (speaking or writing) prompt is about which “life choice” is better, start by thinking through a few typical situations where one action can be better or worse than another:
    Does one option cost more than the other?
    Does it help or hurt in different areas of life?
        education
        career
        relationships (friends or family)
        liesure activities
        necessary activities (chores, taxes, etc.)
        budget
        responsibilities

Also, don’t worry about whether you think it really costs less, just worry about whether you can think of any reasons why it might.

Invent examples that help to support your point. (For example, people you know who made one choice or the other, and it really helped or hurt their life.)
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Timing (if you think you’ll have trouble finishing):
- 3-5 minutes prewriting
	- brainstorm some possible reasons for both sides
	- think of examples that could support the reasons
	- pick the side that has better reasons and examples
	- write (or type or plan in your mind) a short outline of the order you’ll give the reasons
- <1 minute to write your thesis statement (your answer to the question)
- 5 minutes maximum to write each body paragraph
	- you can use 7 if you only have two paragraphs
	- force yourself to start the next paragraph after 5 minutes, even if you’re not done yet
- <1 minute to write the first sentence of your conclusion
- 2-3 minutes to add a couple sentences to your introduction (summarizing the choice you have to make, maybe adding a lead-in)
- 2-3 minutes finishing sentences in your body paragraphs (you probably shouldn’t add completely new examples at this point)
- 1-2 minutes adding a sentence or two to your conclusion (prediction or advice)
- any remaining time: Check your writing and fix mistakes.
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Homework: Write an independent response to this prompt:
Some young adults want independence from their parents as soon as possible. Other young adults prefer to live with their families for a longer time. Which of these situations do you think is better? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

You can email your response to me (greg.malivuk@gmail.com) or share it in a Google Document when you’re finished.