TOEFL iBT. Independent Speaking 1. Personal Preference Task

В секции Speaking в тесте TOEFL Вам предложат так называемое "personal preference task". У Вас будет 15 секунд, чтобы выбрать тему из предложенных категорий и определиться с тем, как Вы представите данную тему, основные идеи данной темы, а также соотвествующе завершите свою речь. После чего Вам дается 45 секунд, чтобы, соотвественно, сказать свою речь. В данном уроке, на примере такого задания, мы постараемся изложить основные важные моменты успешного его завершения.

Preparing to give a timed response

In the personal preference task, you have 15 seconds to choose your topic from a given category and plan how you are going to introduce the topic, present the ideas, and conclude the speech. Then you have 45 seconds to give your speech.

Study the task and the steps outlined in the example below. As you prepare for this portion of the test, you will practice these steps to build your skills and lessen the time it takes you to give a complete response.

Task

Name a skill you have learned and explain why it is important to you. Include details and examples to support your explanation.

Step 1 Ask yourself what the topic is and what you are being asked to do.

The topic is about a skill I have learned. I need to:

• Name the skill
• Define the skill if the listener might not know what it is
• Explain its importance
• Include details and examples

Step 2 Choose your topic and quickly think of a few details and examples.

Topic:    touch-typing
Details and examples:        

work faster,

Fewer mistakes,
typing more quickly and accurately on TOEFL test

Step 3 Work through your list of requirements. Record your speech.

• Name the skill.

I have learned how to touch-type, and this has been very important during my studies.

• Define the skill. Ask yourself if you need to define your topic. Will the listener know about the topic you've chosen?

Touch-typing is a technique that uses the sense of touch instead of sight to find the keys.

• Explain the importance to you of the topic you've chosen,

The main importance of being able to touch-type is that it helps me to work faster and more efficiently when using a keyboard.

• Include details and examples.

Since a computer has a keyboard that. . . that requires the user to type, and since computers are useful tools to, uh, tools to know how to use, being able to type quickly is good, uh, advantageous. If I need to search for information on the Web, I can quickly type the keywords into the . . . into the, uh, the search engine. Being able to search for materials quickly helps me to get the information I need to do my research papers or ... to get background information that I need. That I need for my studies. When I need to turn in my papers, uh, assignments in a typed format, I can do ... I can get the work done quickly. Because I know where the keys on the keyboard are, I do not have to go back and correct a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that might have been made otherwise. And now, while I'm preparing for the TOEFL test, I know that my typing skills will be valuable because I will be able to concentrate on what I want to say. I can concentrate on what, uh, what I want to say instead of getting anxious about finding the keyboard characters. I also feel confident about being able to complete the task. Complete it in the given time considering the speed 1 can type.

The following is an outline of the details and examples in the previous speech.

Detail 1: Use of the computer keyboard
Example - speeds up information searches
Example - helps in gathering information for papers
Detail 2: Typing assignments quickly and accurately
Example - don't have to correct mistakes
Detail 3: Taking the TOEFL test
Example - can concentrate on task
Example - can complete task in the time given

Step 4 Make a transcript of your speech, as shown above.

Step 5 Make corrections to your speech, eliminating mistakes, long hesitations, self-corrections, or repetitions.

I have learned how to touch-type, and this has been very important during my studies. Touch-typing is a technique that uses the sense of touch instead of sight to find the keys. The main importance of being able to touch-type is that it helps me to work faster and more efficiently when using a keyboard. Since a computer has a keyboard that requires the user to type and since computers are useful tools to know how to use, being able to type quickly is advantageous. If I need to search for information on the Web, I can quickly type the keywords into the search engine. Being able to search for materials quickly helps me to get the information I need to do my research papers or to get background information that 1 need for my studies.

When I need to turn in my assignments in a typed format, I can get the work done quickly. Because I know where the keys on the keyboard are, I do not have to go back and correct a lot of mistakes that might have been made otherwise. And now, while I am preparing for the TOEFL test, I know that my typing skills will be valuable because I will be able to concentrate on what I want to say instead of getting anxious about finding the keyboard characters. I also feel confident about being able to complete the task in the given time considering the speed at which I can type.

Step 6 Follow these steps to set a realistic goal to attain while preparing for the TOEFL test.

1. Time yourself as you read the corrected transcript above at your normal speaking speed. How many seconds did it take you to read the speech? ___
2. Time yourself as you read the speech aloud again. This time, stop when 45 seconds have passed. How far did you get? Line___
3. How many of the examples do you think the person who gave this speech would be able to discuss in 45 seconds? Remember, the speaker would have made natural hesitations and speaking mistakes. Eliminate unnecessary examples and details.

Edited by
Katherine Protsenko,
TOEFL-consultant

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