2017-05-26 TOEFL: writing review, speaking 5

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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Which writing task was easier yesterday? Why?
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Integrated writing
topic: professors appearing on TV
R0 (reading main idea) = appearing on TV is good
R1 = reputation as authorities (good for professors)
R2 = positive publicity for their universities (good for universities)
R3 = benefits the public with more in-depth knowledge (good for the public)
L0 (listening main idea) = appearing on TV is bad
L1 = reputation as entertainers, not credible authorities; maybe fewer conferences and less funding
L2 = TV professors don’t have time for teaching and research (which is how they normally benefit universities)
L3 = TV is superficial entertainment, not in-depth knowledge, so they could get it from any other reporter
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Handout (ETS guide p. 444-449) - Look at the sample responses from lowest score (on p. 449) to highest. Do you understand why each one got that score?
- If you don’t describe the points from the listening, the best score you can get is 1 point.
DELTA p. 386 describes the score levels for integrated writing.
The score 5 example on the handout doesn’t directly mention the reading points in most of its paragraphs. (There isn’t much citation language telling us where the ideas come from.) The overall connection between the reading and the listening is described only in the first and last paragraphs.
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Independent writing
“In 20 years, there will be fewer cars in use than there are today.”
What are some reasons to agree? What are some reasons to disagree?
In this response, it’s important to explain how the reasons you give are good reasons for your thesis.
DELTA p. 419 describes the score levels for independent writing.
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Homework: If you want more feedback than just a score on yesterday’s writing, send me an email ([email protected]) to tell me the score you think each of your essays should get and why.
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Speaking Section: third section, after break and before writing; 20 or so minutes total; 6 tasks
1 independent, open-ended - 15s to prepare / 45s to speak
2 independent, choice - 15/45
3 integrated reading/listening/speaking, campus announcement and conversation - 30/60
4 integrated R/L/S, academic text and lecture - 30/60
5 integrated L/S, conversation about a problem and solutions - 20/60
6 integrated L/S, lecture about an academic topic - 20/60
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Speaking Task 5 - problem and solutions
DELTA p. 311 - Listen to the conversation and answer the questions.
They mention three solutions:
1 stop feeding the cat
2 give the cat to her mother
3 move to a new apartment
They only discuss advantages and disadvantages of 2 and 3, so it’s probably easiest to choose one of those.
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p. 315 exercise 3.8.A - Listen and answer the same questions asked on p. 311 (about the man’s problem).
- The man’s arm
- His elbow hurts and he can’t decide what to do.
- Go to the clinic (and miss practice) or go to practice (and talk to the coach about his arm).
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BREAK
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3.8.B - Listen and take notes, then answer the questions.
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Your response should include these parts:
1 Summarize the problem the speakers are discussing
2 List (don’t explain) the solutions they discuss
3 State which solution you think is better
4 Lead-in (“There are two reasons for my opinion.”)
	(20 seconds)
5 First reason for your opinion
6 Detail/example to support that reason
	(40 seconds)
7 Second reason
8 Detail/example
	(60 seconds)
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ETS past test 1 - Listen and take notes. Take 5 minutes with your partner to outline a “perfect” response.
P: 1st year, lost schedule first day
S1: look it up on computer
	- also rest of day
	- maybe late
S2: check each lecture hall
	- won’t know if his class
	- embarrassing
	- might luck out
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P: sprained wrist; play violin concert next week
S1: try to play anyway
	+ Dr says should feel better
	+ won’t let other players down
	- out of practice; could make group sound bad
S2: substitute
	+ Jim is a great violinist
	- not reliable; late to practice (< 1 week, so needs to be on time every practice)
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Homework: If you want more feedback than just a score on yesterday’s writing, send me an email ([email protected]) to tell me the score you think each of your essays should get and why.