2020-02-27 TOEFL: speaking 1

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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p. 366-369 has summaries of how to approach attitude and function questions
What are some words or expressions we use to modify (increase or decrease) certainty?

“Jose claims that he did the homework.” = Jose says he did the homework, but I don’t believe him.
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p. 370 - Listen to the lecture and take notes. Then answer the questions.
1 d - She doesn’t use any hedging language to suggest that she might not be sure.
2 d - Standing up for your rights is an example of assertive behavior, not a reason for it.
3 a
p. 371 - Take notes on the conversation. Then answer the questions about it.
1 c
2 b
3 b (His voice sounds more nervous than simply asking what’s involved.)
4 c
5 b (“Speaking of ____”)
p. 372 - Listen to the lecture. Then answer the questions.
1 d
2 c
3 b
4 b (“hundreds and hundreds of yards of linen”)
5 d
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Speaking Section: third section, after the break, 4 tasks, 17 minutes total, 3m45s speaking time
1 (old 2) independent, choice question - 15 seconds to prepare / 45 seconds to speak
2 (old 3) integrated reading/listening/speaking, campus 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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Speaking Task 1 - choice question
- We’ll practice with two choices, but you might get three options on the TOEFL.
- Longer/more complex prompts effectively reduce your preparation time, but you still always have 15s.
- “Would you rather” questions can be good practice for the thinking that goes into this task.
	https://conversationstartersworld.com/would-you-rather-questions/
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When you read the prompt, you should choose as quickly as possible and make a mini outline with your choice and reasons:
organs
- people > science
- give another chance
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When you respond, you’ll need to expand your miniature outline to a complete response. (You can think of it as a mini presentation.)
1 Introduction: state your answer (“In my opinion, donating my organs to people who need them is…”)
2 Lead-in (optional): “I have two reasons for this preference.”
3 First reason
4 Detail/example
5 Second reason
6 Detail/example
(7 Conclusion - if you have time)
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ETS 2.1 - listen to the responses
- Make sure you definitely have two reasons, and start the second one with at least 15 seconds left.
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BREAK
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For agree/disagree prompts, make sure you fully understand what the statement says, and remember that there are usually multiple ways to disagree with something.
“Always telling the truth is the most important consideration in any relationship.”
- not always: reasons can be situations where telling the truth isn’t the most important thing
- not most: reasons can be other considerations that are (at least sometimes) more important
- not any: reasons can be types of relationship where telling the truth isn’t the most important
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Record your responses to ETS 2 tests 2-4.
Listen to your responses and choose the best one.
Listen to your classmates’ responses. What’s good and bad about each one.
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If you give reasons for both sides, there are two ways to organize it well:
- Your main thesis is “it depends”, and you explain the circumstances in which each side would be the better choice.
- You present reasons for one side as a concession (e.g. with “even though”) and still clearly prefer the other side in your own opinion.
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https://haveibeenpwned.com/ - Check if your email or passwords have been hacked/leaked.
https://plaintextoffenders.com/ - Websites that don’t encrypt your password when they save it.
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I recommend against starting with, “I agree with the statement.” It’s better to just state your opinion in your own words. (This is true in speaking and in writing.)