TOEFL Speaking Sample Questions and Model Answers
Let's examine example questions and high-scoring responses for each task type.
Task 1: Independent Speaking
Sample Question:
"Some people prefer to travel with a tour guide, while others prefer to travel independently. Which do you prefer and why?"
Preparation Time: 15 seconds
Key points to note:
- Position: Independent travel
- Reason 1: Flexibility
- Reason 2: Authentic experiences
Model Answer (45 seconds):
I definitely prefer to travel independently rather than with a tour guide. The main reason is the flexibility it offers. When I travel on my own, I can adjust my schedule whenever I want - if I discover an interesting local cafe or want to spend extra time at a museum, I don't have to worry about following a fixed schedule. Additionally, independent travel allows for more authentic experiences. Without a tour guide acting as a buffer, I'm forced to interact directly with locals, try to speak their language, and figure things out on my own, which leads to more memorable and genuine cultural experiences. These real interactions and the freedom to explore make independent travel much more rewarding for me.
Task 2: Integrated Speaking (Campus Situation)
Reading Passage (45 seconds):
The university is considering replacing the current cafeteria meal plan system with a new point-based system. Under the current system, students choose between three fixed meal plans: 10, 14, or 19 meals per week. The proposed system would allow students to purchase points that can be used at any campus dining location at any time.
Listening Passage (Audio transcript):
Male student: Have you heard about the new meal plan they're thinking about? I think it's a terrible idea. Female student: Really? Why's that? Male student: Well, first of all, the current system helps students budget their meals throughout the week. With points, I bet a lot of people will use too many points early in the semester and run out later. Plus, I heard the point prices will be higher at certain peak hours, like lunch time. That means we'll end up paying more for the same food just because of when we eat.
Question:
"The man expresses his opinion about the proposed meal plan system. Explain his opinion and the reasons he gives for it."
Model Answer (60 seconds):
The man opposes the university's proposal to replace the current fixed meal plan system with a point-based system. His first concern is about budgeting - he believes the current weekly meal allocation helps students manage their meals effectively throughout the semester. He worries that with the new point system, students might use too many points early in the semester and not have enough left for later. His second reason relates to cost - he mentions that under the proposed system, point prices would vary based on peak hours, particularly during lunch time. This means students would have to pay more for the same food simply because they eat during busy periods. These factors lead him to conclude that the new system would be disadvantageous for students.
Task 3: Integrated Speaking (Academic Course)
Reading Passage (45 seconds):
Biomimicry is the practice of emulating nature's time-tested patterns and strategies to solve human problems. This approach to innovation draws inspiration from natural solutions that have evolved over millions of years. Scientists and engineers increasingly turn to nature for sustainable solutions to complex problems.
Listening Passage (Audio transcript):
Professor: Let me give you a fascinating example of biomimicry in action. Japanese engineers were having problems with their bullet trains. When the trains would exit tunnels at high speeds, they created loud sonic booms that disturbed residents in nearby areas. The solution? They looked to the kingfisher, a bird that dives from air into water with barely a splash. By redesigning the train's nose to mimic the shape of a kingfisher's beak, they not only solved the noise problem but also made the trains more energy efficient, using 15% less electricity while traveling 10% faster.
Question:
"Explain how the professor's example illustrates the concept of biomimicry."
Model Answer (60 seconds):
The professor explains biomimicry using the example of Japanese bullet trains. The engineers faced a problem with their high-speed trains creating disruptive sonic booms when exiting tunnels. This engineering challenge was solved by studying and applying a natural solution - specifically, the kingfisher's ability to dive from air into water smoothly. By redesigning the train's nose to mimic the shape of the kingfisher's beak, engineers were able to solve their problem. This perfectly illustrates biomimicry because it shows how a solution found in nature was adapted to solve a modern technological problem. The result was not only successful in reducing noise but also provided additional benefits, making the trains more energy efficient and faster, demonstrating how natural designs can offer optimal solutions to human engineering challenges.
Task 4: Integrated Speaking (Academic Lecture)
Listening Passage (Audio transcript):
Professor: Today we'll discuss a fascinating concept in consumer psychology called the "decoy effect." This occurs when people's preference between two options changes when a third option is added. Let me give you an example. A magazine offered two subscription options: a web-only subscription for $59, or a print-and-web subscription for $125. Most people chose the cheaper web-only option. But when they added a third option - a print-only subscription for $125 - something interesting happened. Now more people chose the print-and-web subscription for $125. Why? Because comparing the print-only and print-and-web options at the same price made the print-and-web option seem like a better value. The print-only option served as a decoy to make the print-and-web option more attractive.
Question:
"Explain the decoy effect and how the professor's example illustrates this concept."
Model Answer (60 seconds):
The professor explains the decoy effect, which occurs when adding a third option changes people's preferences between two original choices. In the example, a magazine initially offered two subscriptions: web-only for $59 and print-and-web for $125. Most customers chose the cheaper web-only option. However, when they added a print-only subscription at $125, more people started choosing the print-and-web package at the same price. This illustrates the decoy effect because the third option, the print-only subscription, served as a decoy that made the print-and-web option appear more valuable. After all, both cost the same, but the print-and-web subscription offered more features. This psychological principle demonstrates how consumer choices can be influenced by the presence of a strategically placed decoy option.
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