TOEFL Voice Markers

TOEFL voice markers can be helpful when you explain information from reading and listening passages.

What is point of view in TOEFL speaking and Writing?

In formal TOEFL speaking and writing, “point of view” refers to the perspective or stance from which the information or narrative is presented. It encompasses three primary points of view:

1. First Person (I/We): The speaker or writer directly involves themselves in the content by using pronouns like “I” or “we.” This point of view is subjective and personal, often used in autobiographies, personal essays, or when expressing personal opinions in a formal context. Use this point of view during TOEFL Speaking Task 1 (independent speaking) and TOEFL Writing Task 2 (Writing for an Online Academic Discussion).
2. Second Person (You): The speaker or writer directly addresses the audience or reader with the pronoun “you.” This point of view is less common in formal writing but is often used in instructional or persuasive contexts. Do not use this point of view during the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL exam.
3. Third Person (He/She/They): The speaker or writer presents information from an objective, detached viewpoint. Pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “they” are used to refer to characters or entities in the content. This point of view is common in academic, scientific, and formal writing as it tends to be more impartial and objective. Use this point of view during the TOEFL integrated speaking and writing tasks.

The choice of point of view in formal speaking and writing depends on the context and the desired level of objectivity or subjectivity. Each point of view has its own strengths and is selected based on the intended purpose and style of the communication.

How do I embed TOEFL voice markers into speaking or writing tasks?

Acknowledging sources in your TOEFL integrated speaking and writing tasks is important to show that you’ve understood and integrated information from the provided reading or listening passage. Here’s how you can do it in both speaking and writing tasks:

In Speaking Tasks:

1. Introduce the Source: At the beginning of your response, mention the source of the information. For example, “According to the reading passage/listening passage,” or “The author/speaker discusses.”
2. Use Phrases to Attribute Information: Throughout your response, attribute information to the source. For instance, “The reading passage explains,” “According to the author,” or “The speaker points out.”
3. Cite Specific Details: When you include specific details or examples from the source, explicitly state that they are from the source. For example, “In the listening passage, the speaker provides an example,” or “According to the reading, statistics show that…”
4. Summarize and Paraphrase: While summarizing, paraphrase the information in your own words but still attribute it to the source. For instance, “The reading passage highlights the significance of,” or “The speaker emphasizes that…”
5. Conclude with Source Acknowledgment: At the end of your response, reaffirm that the information is from the provided source. You can say, “In conclusion, the reading passage/listening passage makes it clear that…”

In Writing Tasks:

1. Use Introductory Phrases: Start your written response by introducing the source and its main points. For example, “The reading passage discusses,” or “The listening passage presents.”
2. Cite Throughout the Response: As you summarize, integrate the source into your writing by citing specific details, examples, or ideas. Use phrases like “The author explains,” “According to the reading passage,” or “The speaker mentions.”
3. Paraphrase and Attribute: Paraphrase the source information while attributing it clearly. For instance, “The listening passage points out that,” or “According to the author’s argument, …”
4. Signal Continuity: To maintain clarity, use transitional words and phrases such as “Furthermore,” “Moreover,” or “In addition” to connect your ideas and the source’s information.
5. Conclude with Source Acknowledgment: In your conclusion, reiterate that the information you presented is derived from the source. For example, “In summary, the reading passage/listening passage provides valuable insights into…”

Acknowledging sources in your TOEFL integrated speaking and writing tasks demonstrates that you’ve effectively incorporated the provided materials into your responses and have understood the key points presented in the source. This can enhance the credibility of your responses. TOEFL Voice Markers

How I Can I Use Syntactic Variety with my TOEFL Voice Markers?

Placing signal phrases in different parts of a sentence can help vary the structure of your summary when summarizing information from reading and listening passages. Here’s how to do it in the beginning, middle, and at the end of a sentence:

1. Beginning of a Sentence:

• Usage: When you place the signal phrase at the beginning of a sentence, you introduce the source information right away. This is a common and straightforward way to attribute information.
• Example: “According to the reading passage, climate change is a global issue.”

2. Middle of a Sentence:

• Usage: Inserting the signal phrase in the middle of a sentence can help maintain a smooth flow and allows for better integration of the source material.
• Example: “The rise in global temperatures, as mentioned in the listening passage, is a pressing concern.”

3. End of a Sentence:

• Usage: Placing the signal phrase at the end of a sentence can be used to emphasize the main point or conclusion derived from the source information.
• Example: “The consequences of deforestation are far-reaching, affecting biodiversity and climate, as the reading passage points out.”

By strategically using these three placements of signal phrases, you can add variety to your summaries. The choice of placement often depends on the style and flow you wish to achieve in your response, as well as the emphasis you want to give to the source information. Be sure to maintain clarity and coherence in your summaries regardless of the placement of signal phrases, and ensure that they effectively attribute the information to the source. TOEFL Voice Markers

Use these Templates to Help You Summarize Reading and Listening Passages.

Here are 50 templates you can use to summarize information in listening and reading passages for various purposes:

General Summarization Templates:

1. The reading passage/listening passage discusses…
2. The main idea of the passage is…
3. According to the author/speaker…
4. The central argument presented is…
5. In summary, the passage conveys…
6. The primary focus of the passage is…
7. The central point made is…
8. The author/speaker asserts that…
9. The reading passage and listening passage both emphasize…
10. In conclusion, the passage underscores…

Comparing and Contrasting Templates:

11. While the reading passage emphasizes…, the listening passage highlights…
12. In contrast to the listening passage, the reading passage…
13. The reading passage provides an alternative perspective by…
14. On the one hand, the listening passage argues…, while the reading passage…
15. Although the reading and listening passages both discuss…, they differ in their approaches by…

Emphasizing Importance or Impact Templates:

16. The passage underscores the significance of…
17. The author/speaker places great importance on…
18. The reading passage and listening passage draw attention to the critical role of…
19. The main point is that this has far-reaching consequences for…
20. It is clear from the passage that this issue profoundly affects…

Cause and Effect Templates:

21. The listening passage attributes this effect to…
22. According to the reading passage, the cause of this is…
23. The central argument in both passages is that…
24. As a result of…, the passage suggests that…
25. The passage highlights the relationship between…, indicating that…

Adding Evidence or Detail Templates:

26. The listening passage provides specific examples by…
27. Supporting this point, the reading passage offers evidence that…
28. To illustrate this, the author/speaker cites…
29. The reading passage goes on to detail how…
30. Both passages offer further insight by…

Expressing Agreement or Disagreement Templates:

31. The listening passage supports the idea presented in the reading passage by…
32. Both passages are in alignment regarding…
33. The reading passage and listening passage share a common viewpoint on…
34. While the reading passage endorses the notion of…, the listening passage contradicts it by…
35. Contrary to the reading passage, the listening passage argues that…

Transition Words and Phrases Templates:

36. Furthermore, the listening passage adds…
37. Moreover, the reading passage introduces…
38. Additionally, the author/speaker mentions…
39. In addition, the listening passage supplements…
40. Likewise, both passages suggest…

Expressing Alternative or Opposing Views Templates:

41. An alternative perspective presented in the listening passage is…
42. On the contrary, the reading passage presents a contrasting viewpoint by…
43. However, the author/speaker in the listening passage offers a different interpretation…
44. It’s worth noting that the listening passage challenges this perspective by…
45. In contrast to the reading passage, the listening passage suggests that…

Expressing Consequences and Implications Templates:

46. The reading passage indicates that this could lead to…
47. As a result, the passage warns of the potential impact on…
48. The consequences of this, as discussed in the listening passage, are…
49. This has implications for…, as mentioned in both passages.
50. The passages highlight the potential outcomes, such as…

These templates can help you structure your summaries effectively by providing a starting point for your responses. Be sure to adapt and customize them as needed to fit the specific content of the reading and listening passages in your TOEFL tasks. TOEFL Voice Markers

Practice Exercises

Here are some practice exercises to help you explain information from reading and listening passages. I’ve provided a brief scenario, a question, and a sample response for each exercise. At the end, you’ll find an answer key.

Exercise 1:

Scenario: You are asked to explain a key point from a reading passage about climate change:

The increase in global temperatures is primarily due to the rise in greenhouse gas emissions. Activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human actions have led to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to a rise in Earth’s temperature.

Question: Explain the primary reason the reading passage gives for the increase in global temperatures.

Exercise 2:

Scenario: You are summarizing a listening passage that discusses the importance of exercise.

Regular exercise is essential for overall health due to its numerous benefits. Exercise improves cardiovascular health by enhancing blood circulation and reducing the risk of heart disease. It also contributes to better mental health by releasing endorphins, which decrease stress and enhance mood. Furthermore, exercise assists in weight management, a critical aspect in preventing obesity and related health issues.

Question: Explain why the speaker believes that regular exercise is essential for overall health.

Exercise 3:

Scenario: You are asked to explain a concept introduced in a reading passage about renewable energy sources.

Solar photovoltaic technology is a method of harnessing solar energy to generate electricity. It involves using photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar panels, to convert sunlight into electrical energy. These cells contain semiconductors that absorb photons from sunlight and release electrons, creating an electric current. This technology is a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to produce electricity.

Question: Define what “solar photovoltaic technology” means, as mentioned in the reading passage.

Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com

Teaching Experience

TOEFL Speaking and Writing Feedback Service

TOEFL Private Lessons

Online TOEFL Courses