¿Qué estrategias se pueden usar
para obtener una buena puntuación en las dos últimas tareas de la sección
Speaking (Integrated Speaking tasks)? En esta tercera entrega, se comienza por
una muy breve introducción a los dos últimos Integrated Tasks, y luego se
enfoca en un análisis de estas tareas, presentando estrategias, dos grabaciones
hechas por un hispanohablante y un análisis de estas respuestas.
In this post, we will discuss the last two of the Integrated Tasks in the TOEFL iBT® test.
(This post is a continuation of «Tactics for the Speaking Section» and «Tactics for the Speaking Section (Pt. II)»)
Tasks 5 and 6: Listening/speaking
Your last two speaking tasks (tasks five and six) only require you to listen for about one or two minutes during which you must take notes. After that the question will basically ask you to summarize the information. You will have twenty seconds to plan, and one minute to talk.
Task five: Problem/Solution task
Task five, like task three in the previous post, is given in a social context. The conversation will be between a student and another person, usually another student. The conversation will be about the student’s problem, and there will be two solutions to that problem.
Let’s assume that the conversation is between an exchange student and his American counterpart. The student’s problem is that he doesn’t have enough spending money for the month and he can’t legally work any more hours. His friend tells him to ask his parents for more money, but he says they cannot afford it. She reacts with sympathy. He then jokes about robbing a bank, which she misunderstands seriously.
Example prompt: Describe the man’s problem and explain which of the two possible solutions you prefer and why.
- A description and explanation of the student’s problem
- The first solution and the student’s reaction
- The second solution and the student’s reaction
- Your opinion with two quick reasons (your opinion does NOT have to be one of the two options given)
Please listen to the example response below from a native Spanish speaker.
Juan’s response: quite good, probably a 3 (almost a 4). He clearly identifies the problem and the two solutions. He gives his opinion, but shows vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar problems. A recommendation: if you mix up “he/she”, avoid pronouns and use “the man/woman”.
Task six: Summary task
This might be the most difficult of the speaking tasks. You listen to an academic lecture about a topic you’re likely unfamiliar with. The listening lasts around two minutes and includes a range of information.
Example topic: Matrilineal Societies. After listening, the prompt may be:
“Describe how matriarchies differ from matrilineal traditions, use specific examples to develop this idea.”
You then have twenty seconds to prepare and one minute to respond.
- A description and explanation of the topic
- Supporting information that explores the topic
- A brief conclusion
Please listen to the example response below from a native Spanish speaker.
Juan’s response: he speaks well, but lacks internal structure. He “talks to talk.” His information is relevant but disorganized, and he uses few linking words. Structure and clarity are key in this task. As usual, pronunciation and factual precision need improvement. I would still score him a 3.
