Pronunciation Tips: Using Phrasing on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® test
Here’s the latest podcast!
Listen to Podcast
Here is the script for the sample independent speaking response* you will hear as you listen. The appropriate places for pauses are marked with this forward slash (/).
I prefer exercising outdoors / First / I spend my whole week at work inside / and the weekend / is my only chance / to see nature / My desk at work / is in a small cubicle with no windows / and by the end of the work week / I’m usually very depressed and restless / Exercising on the weekends / gives me a chance to move / and to improve my spirits / Also / in my hometown / we have a wonderful cycling trail / At my gym / you can rent bikes for free / and ride the trail / Last weekend / I went on a date / with my boyfriend /and we rode the entire trail together/ The weather was perfect/ And at the end / we had a romantic picnic /So I definitely prefer that intimate experience / over a crazy night clubbing.
After you listen to the podcast practice reading the script with correct phrasing.
*sample responses are given in American English
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Pronunciation Tips: Using Linking on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT™
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Listen to Podcast
Here are the examples* you will hear as you listen:
Example of Consonant-Vowel Linking
Can I turn on the TV now?
Can I becomes Ca-ni
turn on becomes tur-non
Example of Vowel-Vowel Linking
Who is going with Jack to the party?
I am.
Who is becomes who-wis
I am becomes I-yam
*pronunciation examples are given in American English
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Pronunciation Tips: Using Contractions and Reductions on the Speaking Section
Here’s the latest podcast!
Listen to Podcast
Here are some questions to answer while you listen:
- What are some contractions?
- Why should you use contractions?
- What are reductions?
- What are some examples of reductions?
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How does my TOEFL® test relate to other English proficiency tests?
Sometimes students ask me how their TOEFL® test score compares with other scores for English tests. The same company that made the TOEFL® test publishes a helpful tool online which compares TOEFL® test scores to IELTS and CEFR scores. Click here for a link to that website.
If you need help or have other questions about the test, join my online classes. Click here to request more information.
The Grading Rubric for the Speaking Section of the Test
Students ask me sometimes about how they will be graded on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® test. You don’t have to wonder. The company that made the test publishes the grading rubric online. Click here to see it.
You are graded on three areas: delivery, language use, and topic development.
If you’d like help improving your score on one or all three areas. Join my online classes. Click here to request more information.
Pronunciation Tips: Sentence Stress on the Speaking Section
Here’s the latest podcast!
Listen to Podcast
Here are some questions to answer while you listen:
- What is delivery?
- What is sentence stress?
- Which kind of words do you usually stress in English: content or function?
- Why is sentence stress important on the speaking section?
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Listening: Categorizing and Summarizing Questions on the TOEFL iBT™
Here’s the latest podcast!
Listen to Podcast
Here are some questions to answer while you listen:
- What are categorizing and summarizing questions focusing on ?
- What are clues you can listen for in the lecture that will help you on the summarizing questions?
- What were the 7 steps in the lecture?
- How many summarizing or categorizing questions are on each listening passage?
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Organizing your Speaking Responses: Questions 5
If you organize your speaking responses your response will be clearer and easier to understand. Here are some suggested phrases and organization for Question 5 on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® test. Just finish each sentence with information from the task.
Q5: For this question type you will listen to a conversation between a student and another person at the university. Usually the student has some kind of problem or need. The other person is giving the student advice about the situation. The task will ask you to summarize the problem and the solutions offered. Then you will choose what solution you think is the best and include reasons supporting your choice.
Preparation Time: 20 seconds
Speaking Time: 60 seconds
Approximate Length: 7-8 sentences
Sentence 1 (Summarize the problem):
The student’s problem is…
The student needs …
The student wants…but…
Sentence 2-3 (Summarize one of the solutions):
The man/woman advises that the student should…
According to the man/woman the student should …
One solution the man/woman offers is…
Sentence 3-4 (Summarize another one of the solutions):
The man/woman also says the student could …
Another solution the man/woman offers is…
Sentence 5-6 (State the solution you agree with):
I agree with the first/second solution because…
I think the best solution is the first/second one because…
The first/second solution the man/woman offered is the best because…
Sentence 7-8 (Optional: Give more detail supporting your choice):
This is also a good solution because…
Another reason to choose this solution is…
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Small Changes to the TOEFL iBT® Reading Section
In case you hadn’t heard, there have been some small changes to the reading section of the test. Here is a link to the official announcement about the update to the reading section of the test.
