Tips for Integrated Tasks in the TOEFL Speaking Section
There are three integrated tasks in the Speaking Section. This task requires you to read and/or listen to a tape before you speak. This is exactly how you behave in a typical classroom. Before asking a question or saying an answer, you often have to read a lesson and/or listen to your professor. The strategies outlined in this lesson are beneficial for the integrated tasks.
Take notes in symbols, abbreviations and acronyms
You will not have time to write out complete sentences while taking notes. So, record key points in the form of symbols, abbreviations and acronyms. Just make sure that what you scribble makes sense to you.
Here is a sample conversation between a man and a woman.
Man: I don’t quite understand Professor Smith’s physics class. He is too fast and I can never catch up with him.
Woman: If you have difficulty understanding the concepts, you could ask him to explain more.
Man: It is an advanced class. No one forced me to take it.
Woman: What about Professor Taylor’s class? It is more of the introductory type and it is still possible to make the switch.
Man: That sounds interesting. I’ll…
Now here is the note form
When taking notes, you do not have to pay attention to grammar, spelling or punctuation.
Learn to paraphrase
Passages in the Speaking section are usually academic and formal. While speaking you don’t have to repeat that style. In fact, spoken English tends to be less formal and uses less advanced vocabulary. Your mark depends on your ability to express the same idea in your own words.
Identify the main idea and the keywords
The topic is not always the main idea of the passage. Oftentimes, it is the message, opinion or perspective of the speaker. If the conversation is about an announcement, you have to paraphrase the announcement. If the conversation is about a problem faced by a student and the possible solutions, you have to paraphrase that problem and also explain why you prefer one solution to the other.
Speak clearly and concisely. You will get only about 45 to 60 seconds to say an answer.
See also
