INDEPENDENT

SPEAKING
Task 1
Independent Speaking: Task 1

Time Types of question:

■ 15 sec to prepare
■ 45 sec to speak • Personal experience
• Giving advice
• State a preference
Topics: • Stating opinions
■ Hobbies • Advantage/Disadvantage
■ Family
■ School
■ Likes/dislikes
■ Etc.
Score:
Raw 0-4 converted to Scaled 0-30
Content:
Delivery:
■ Organization
• Speaking rate (wpm)
■ Development • Sustained Speech
• Rhythm (word/syllable stress)
Use of language: • Pause frequency
■ Grammar • Response Length
■ Vocabulary • Repetitions
• Pronunciation
https://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_speaking_rubrics.pdf
Stating opinions
■ You will be asked to give your opinion on a topic
– Ex. Do you think the government should pass laws to fine people who use cell
phones when crossing roads and intersections?
■ Language
– Opinion : I think/feel/believe, In my opinion
– Reason: One reason, firstly… Another reason, secondly
– Examples: For example, For instance, Such as
Agree or Disagree
■ In this question you will be given a statement and asked to give reasons and examples
explaining whether you agree or disagree with the statement.
■ Choose one side. You don’t really have time to stay undecided.
– Ex. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? If you want to succeed
in business, being outgoing and friendly is very important.
■ Language: Expressions of agreement or disagreement.
– I agree/disagree that ... NOT I am agree/disagree
I agree/disagree with the idea that ….
Some people believe that …, but I disagree.
Preference
■ You will be asked to choose what you prefer between two options.
– Ex. Some people prefer buying used books, while other people prefer buying new books. Which do
you prefer, and why do you prefer it? 

– Ex. Which of the following companies  would you prefer to work for?
■ A company that offers you challenging and interesting projects but very few vacation days.
■ A company that offers you a job with very boring work each day but very long vacations each
year.
Include details and examples to support your choice.
■ Language
– I prefer ___ (gerund + Object) to (gerund + Object) I prefer buying used books to
buying new books.
– I enjoy _____ (gerund) more than (gerund) I enjoy buying used books more than new
books.
– I would rather ____(bare infinitive + Object) than ___ (bare infinitive + Object) I would
rather buy used books than new books.
Three choices
■ These are the same as the preference questions but with three choices.
– Ex. If you are going to choose a roommate, which of the following qualities is the
most important to you: (1) Cleanliness (2) Friendliness (3) Quietness.

– Ex. Imagine that you have just begun studying at a new university. Which of the
following do you think would be the best way for you to learn about the new campus?
■ A second-year student gives you a personal tour of the whole campus
■ You are given a detailed map of the campus designed by the student services department
■ You join a group tour of the campus together with all of the other new students
Include details and examples to support your choice.
■ Language
– Preference: I would rather, I prefer, I enjoy
– Superlative: The best, most important
– Comparative: Better, more important
If / Imaginary
■ These questions will present you with a hypothetical situation and ask you how you
would respond.
– Ex. If you had a small amount of money, would you spend it right away or save it?
Use details and examples to support your explanation.
■ Language:
– Second conditional
■ If I had a small amount of money, I would…
■ If I had to choose between X and Y, I would…
Giving advice
■ You will be asked to give a friend advice or suggestions concerning a problem or plan.
– Ex. What would you suggest to somebody if they were planning to come to your
country to study abroad? Give details and examples to support your response.
■ Language
– Conditionals: If my friend were….. I would tell them to…
– Modals: I think my friend should…
– Subjective: I would recommend that my friend try doing some research
– Pronoun: He/She Him/Her it pronouns don’t matter just be consistent.
Describe and explain a personal
experience
■ You will be asked to speak about a person, place or experience that you are familiar
with.
– Ex. Some events at school may seem to be negative initially. However, the
experience may turn out to be positive later on. Please give your own example of
an event that seemed negative at first, but later was actually positive.
■ Language
– Narrative tenses: the past simple tense the past continuous. the past perfect and
the past perfect continuous
– Descriptive language: adjectives, adverbs
Advantage and Disadvantage
■ This will ask you to explain both your opinion and the advantages and disadvantages of a topic.
Sometime they will mention only one idea. Other times they will mention two, so read the questions carefully.

– EX. Some universities allow students to watch TV in their dormitories? What are the advantages and
disadvantages of watching TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.

– EX. Some teachers prefer announcing their quizzes in advance, while others prefer to give surprise quizzes.
 Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of surprise quizzes. Use details and examples in your answer.
■ Language:
– Linkers of contrast
■ On the one hand/on the other hand
– Synonyms
■ Advantages and disadvantages
Upsides and downsides
Benefits and drawbacks
pros and cons
Positive aspects and negative aspects
Structure
What’s the most interesting trip you’ve ever taken? Describe the trip and explain why it was
interesting. Use details and examples to support your answer.
1- Restate and answer the question.
The most interesting trip I’ve ever taken was a trip to Italy.
NOT just: I would say my trip to Italy. (this doesn´t restate the question)
2- Description/Background (This isn’t always needed, but if asked for make sure your include it.)
I spent three weeks there in the summer traveling with my family.
OR
Transitions sentence
This trip was eye opening for several reasons.
3- Reason one + details and/or examples
One thing that was really fascinating about this trip was getting to see the mix of modern and ancient architecture. For example, I was
amazed when I came out of the metro directly in front of the Coliseum, which has been around for thousands of years. This level of contrast
doesn’t exist where I’m from, so it was a new and exciting experience.
4- Reason two + details/and or examples.
Moreover, getting to try so many different types of delicious food was great. I had always thought Italian food was centered around
pasta, but there was so much variety. It was really interesting to not just see, but also get to taste all of the regional dishes. For example one of
my favorites was the gelato served in brioche that I tried in Sicily.

*Note: Spend around 10-15 sec on 1 & 2 and around 30+ sec developing your reasons + details.
 Structure Advantage/Disadvantage
Some people prefer to travel alone, while others prefer to travel in groups. Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of traveling alone. Include reasons and examples to support your response.

1- Restate the question.

Traveling alone has many advantages and disadvantages.
2- Advantages + details and/or examples
One of the upsides to solo travel is that you can be more spontaneous. When visiting an unfamiliar place
there may be many opportunities for adventure that may present themselves. If you don’t have to answer to a
group, you have the freedom to change your itinerary on a whim. For example imagine you were traveling in
Europe and you find out there is going to be a festival in the town where you are staying. If you are by yourself,
you will be able to stay longer than planned without the guilt or inconvenience of convincing your fellow
travelers.
4- Disadvantages details/and or examples.
On the other hand, not having traveling companions can also have its downsides. Being on the road can
be both lonely and boring at times. You may have to spend extended periods of time on public transportation
and if you don’t speak the local language, it may be hard to strike up conversations with the people around you.
Having a travel companion means you always have someone to talk to and to keep you company.
Tips

■ Chose your answer quickly

■ Use a variety of language
■ Restate the question, don’t just repeat it
■ Include reasons with examples and details. DON’T just list reasons
■ Be as specific as possible. Avoid vague language like good/bad/stuff/things
■ Use structuring and transitional language
■ Use language you can use with ease (complicated isn´t always better)
■ Be aware of both what you say and how you say it