This TOEFL speaking and writing tip will give you the edge you need to score high. Without this one TOEFL speaking and writing tip, you may not have the right structure that they need. As a result, what is this TOEFL speaking and writing tip? This tip is…restate the speaking or writing prompt in the introduction or thesis. Restating the speaking or writing prompt in the beginning of your response will
- Help you to frame your response with a coherent organization.
- Make sure that your response explicitly answers the question.
- Create a clear purpose to your response.
How does this tip work apply to the independent and integrated speaking and writing tasks?
Table of Contents
TOEFL Speaking and Writing Tip: independent speaking tasks
Task 1: Suppose someone is coming to visit your hometown. What tourist attraction will you recommend that s/he visit?
To restate this speaking prompt, you need to use words/synonyms from both parts of the prompt.
Sample introduction: If someone visits my city, I will recommend that he visit our dinosaur museum.
Task 2: Your job may add some responsibilities to your work schedule. Which of the following would you like to do? (1) Train new employees (2) Travel overseas to other branches (3) Sell products to customers.
Similarly, to restate task two, you should take some words or similar words from all parts of the prompt.
Sample introduction: If I have to choose among the three additional job tasks, I will choose to sell products to our customers.
TOEFL Speaking and Writing Tip: integrated speaking tasks 3-6
Integrated Speaking Task 3: How do the students react to the notice about bicycle parking on campus?
You are re-explaining the main points of the reading and the listening passage. Therefore, I suggest that you use a compound sentence to connect the two points together. In addition, you should use key words from both the reading and the listening passage.
Sample introduction: The university posts a new policy about bicycle parking on campus, and the two students in the listening passage discuss the new notice.
Integrated Speaking Task 4: How does the lecture add to the idea about inflation?
Like integrated speaking task 3, using a compound sentence to connect the main points in integrated speaking task 4 will exactly show the relationship of the two sources. Furthermore, make sure that you use some key words from both the reading and listening passage.
Sample introduction: The reading passage defines the economic concept of inflation, and in the listening passage, the speaker gives an example of a business to further illustrate the idea.
Integrated Speaking Task 5: Briefly summarize the problem that the speakers are discussing. Then explain which solution you would recommend. Give reasons and examples for your recommendation.
Out of integrated speaking tasks 3-6, this is the only one that uses both a neutral and argumentative tone. However, when framing your introduction, only worry about re-explaining the summary part of the question. But do not forget to present your argument after you have summarized the conversation
Sample introduction: In the listening passage, the woman has a problem completing her research paper. The man, therefore, offers her two solutions so she can complete the complex writing project.
Integrated Speaking Task 6: Using examples from the lecture, what points does the professor make about creativity?
Usually in integrated speaking task 6, the professor explain steps in a process. In addition, the professor may explain an academic concept and may present examples to illustrate the idea.
Sample introduction: In the lecture, the professor uses details and explanations to illustrate three different types of creativity.
TOEFL Speaking and Writing Tip: independent writing task
In the independent writing task, you should restate the prompt and include 2-3 support points. This will help you to create a thesis statement. You will use this thesis statement to frame your three body paragraphs.
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Children should not be given cell phones until they are 18 years of age.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample thesis: Because of educational, safety, and entertainment purposes, children should have cell phones when they are much younger than 18 years old.
TOEFL Speaking and Writing Tip: integrated writing task
In TOEFL integrated writing task, you organize your response similarly to TOEFL speaking integrated tasks 3-4. However, in the integrated writing task, the lecture will disagree with the points in the reading passage. This may not always be true with TOEFL speaking integrated tasks 3-4. As a result, your goal in creating your thesis is to combine the reading and listening main point. In addition, you are showing how the lecture contrasts with the points in the reading passage.
How does the lecture cast doubt on the points that the reading passage makes about photosynthesis?
Sample introduction/thesis: The reading passage explains three facts about photosynthetic plants, and the speaker in the listening passage contradicts each of those points.
TOEFL Speaking and Writing Tip: Putting it all together
Now you know a very important TOEFL speaking and writing tip. Once you’ve restated the speaking or writing prompt in your introduction/thesis, you simply refer back to it in the key parts of your response. That way, you will have a coherent organization.
As you do your speaking and writing practice, you should seriously consider joining one of my online TOEFL courses. As you send me your speaking and writing practice, I will provide the feedback that you need to monitor your progress. Moreover, my feedback will direct you to study specific lessons based on your weaknesses. Learn more about my courses:
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Good luck!
Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com