First Section: Reading (54/72 min)
3-4 Reading Passages.
30/40 Questions.
You can return to previous questions to review or change your answers.
For each passage, there are 10 multiple-choice questions.
Type of Questions:
- Factual/ Negative Factual Information Q
- Inference and Rhetoric Purpose Q
- Vocab Q
- Reference Q
- Sentence Simplification Q
- Insert Text Q
- Prose Summary/ Fill in a Table Q
Read the first sentence of every paragraph to get the main idea and start the
questions.
One sentence gives the answer: if you find the answer stop reading.
Cross out the wrong answers first if you don’t know the right answer.
Leave 5 minutes at the end to revise.
Second Section: Listening (41/57 min)
Multiple Choice Questions
3-4 Lectures each 3–5 minutes long, with 6 questions per lecture
2-3 Conversations (2 sp) each 3 minutes long, with 5 questions per conversation
28/39 Questions
You can't go back to previous questions.
Listen for opinion/attitude/comment/Main Idea/Supporting Ideas
Take notes because you will answer the questions after you finish listening
Types of Questions:
- Gist Content/ Gist Purpose Q
- Detail Q
- Function Q
- Attitude Q
- Organization Q
- Connecting Content Q
- Inference Q
Write down as many details as possible.
There are no tricks.
10 min Break
Third Section: Speaking (17 min)
4 Tasks (1 Independent/ 3 Integrated)
For each task, you will be asked a question and will be given a short time to
prepare your response. Then, you will speak into the microphone on your headset
for 45 to 60 seconds, depending on the question.
You will talk to a computer
Question 1: You will be given a topic to speak about with no additional material.
15 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to speak. (Explain your preference in 2
situations or opinions)
Be spontaneous since it is not a structed essay
Use connecting words (because, so, after that, on the other hand, I want to
mention that, additionally, that is to say)
Provide examples (make it personal)
Question 1 Template: Personal Choice
While some may disagree, I believe that …,
I feel this way for two reasons.
First, for example (personal experience with a conclusion supporting the
statement).
Second, for instance (more details).
That’s why I feel this way.
Or,
There are certainly both pros and cons of something.
First of all, one evident advantage is (describe) for example,
However, a major disadvantage is (describe) for instance,
Overall, I think the pros outweigh the cons so it is better to (own opinion)
Question 2: Read a passage (campus related topic), listen to a conversation about
that topic, 30 seconds to prepare, 60 minutes to speak. (summarize the speaker’s
opinion relating to the issue in the passage)
Do not speak quickly
Listen to the reasons/arguments about the issue (summarize them)
Task 2: Campus Announcement
The announcement/letter/article talks about,
According to “the speaker”,
There are two reasons that he/she mentions,
First reason he/she states,
Second reason he/she points out is that,
This is why “the speaker” thinks so.
Question 3: Read a passage (academic subject), listen to a lecture about the
subject, 30 seconds to prepare, 60 minutes to speak (summarize).
The passage will include an academic term/notion while the lecture will
include a detailed example of the term/notion
Takes notes
Write down a few ideas
Task 3: General to Specific
The article addresses … , and defines it as
From that article we learn that …, (detail)
The professor provides an example of ,
First, he mentions that
Second,
The example clearly illustrates …
Question 4: Listen to a part of a lecture, 20 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to
speak (summarize).
Professor defining a concept/highlighting an issue followed by examples to
explain/clarify the issue
Takes notes
Write down a few ideas/key terms/phrases used in the passage for use
Task 4: Academic Lecture
The lecture is about … , which is defined as …,
First, the professor states that,
For example,
Second, the lecturer notes that,
For instance,
These are the two examples that the professor discusses in the lecture.
Rubrics: Delivery / Language Use / Topic development
Memorize templates for every question
Talk about your (imaginary) friend’s experiences
Use introductory and bridge words: in my opinion, first, second, that’s why I
think so, this summarizes my opinion,
Fourth Section: Writing (50 min)
2 Tasks (2 Essays) (1 Independent/1 Integrated)
→ In the first task, you will read a passage and listen to a short lecture, then
write your response. You will have 20 minutes to write your response.
→ In the second task, you will be asked your opinion on an issue and you will
have 30 minutes to write your response.
Question 1: Read a passage (3 min but it will appear when you write), listen to a
lecture on the same topic but different perspective (2 min), 20 minutes to type
your response (no specified number of words but preferably 150-225).
Summarize points made in the lecture and how they relate to specific points in
the reading passage.
Look for the main idea of the passage and take notes on key points (3
supporting points)
Listen for points in the lecture that respond to the reading passage (3
counter points)
Pay more attention to the lecture because you will only hear it once.
No contractions: don’t - do not, haven’t have not
Rubrics: Accurate Development (selection of info from the lecture, and
presenting it in relation to the passage), organization (paragraphs, good
transitions, no redundancy), language use (sentence structure, vocab, grammar).
[Link]
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Task 1 Template: Integrated
Introduction: The article and the lecture both deal with … Whilst the author
thinks that … for three specific reasons, the lecturer opposes the author’s claim.
In his opinion, these reasons do not hold water.
A1/CA1: First, the author claims that …Furthermore, it is stated in the article
that, … In contrast, the lecturer argues that … Additionally, he maintains that ..
A2/CA2: Second, the author mentions that … On top of that, he adds that …
However, the lecturer calls this argument into question by saying that... Further,
he remarks that...
A3/CA3: Finally, the writer asserts that… In addition to that, in the article it is
mentioned that... As opposed to the author, the lecturer holds that... He
highlights that...
To sum up, both the writer and professor hold conflicting views about …
Question 2: Presented with a question and given time to type your answer (no
specified number of words but preferably 300+).
You will be asked about your opinion on a matter.
Use specific reasons and examples.
Make an outline: Main idea, 3 reasons, specific examples and details for
each reason.
Rubrics: Development (how well you address the topic, supporting your
opinion), organization (paragraphs, good transitions, no redundancy), language
use (sentence structure, vocab, grammar).
[Link]
v1:ETSx+TOEFLx+2T2019/courseware/cb6df59e536445b09700150e85515244
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Task 2: Independent
Introduction: Hook, The debate, Thesis, Transition
There is no shortage of op on, Consequently, many people believe that
whereas others .. Personally, I believe… I feel this way for two reasons,
which I will explore in the following essay.
Body Paragraph 1: Argument 1, Explanation, Example
- Sentence One: A Topic Sentence
Summarize your first supporting reason. Try: “To begin with…“.
- Sentences Two and Three: The Explanation
Explain what you mean, without talking directly about a personal
experience.
- Sentence Four: The Transition
Just use: “My personal experience is a compelling illustration of this.“
- Sentence Six to End: The Personal Example
- Concluding Sentence: For this reason,
Body Paragraph 2:
- Sentence One: A Topic Sentence
Summarize your second supporting reason. Begin with
“Furthermore…“.
- Sentences Two and Three: The Explanation
- Sentence Four: The Transition
Just use: “For instance,“ “Drawing from my own experience”
- Sentences Five to End: The Personal Example
- Concluding Sentence: “It’s certainly clear to see why”
Conclusion: Thesis, Arguments
- Sentence One: Restate the Thesis
Paraphrase your thesis. Begin with “In conclusion, I strongly feel
that…“.
- Sentence Two: Restate the Two Reasons
Just use: “This is because ______, and _______.“
- Sentence Three: If possible, provide a suggestion.
Videos/Sites I watched/used:
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