Post on 05-Dec-2014
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Four critical points to remember Four critical points to remember when answering TOEFLwhen answering TOEFL® ® Speaking Speaking
questionsquestions
Dr. Pamela J. SharpeDr. Pamela J. SharpeAuthor of the bestseller Author of the bestseller Barron’s TOEFLBarron’s TOEFL® ® iBTiBT
(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2010(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2010
Strategy 1Strategy 1
Give your opinion ifGive your opinion if
you are asked for you are asked for oneone
It’s not all about you!It’s not all about you!
Tasks 1 and 2 ask Tasks 1 and 2 ask for YOURfor YOUR opinionopinion
Task 3 asks for Task 3 asks for THE SPEAKER’S THE SPEAKER’S opinionopinion
It’s not all about you!It’s not all about you!
Task 4 asks for a Task 4 asks for a report, not an report, not an opinionopinion
Task 5 asks for a Task 5 asks for a preference, not preference, not an opinionan opinion
Task 6 asks for a Task 6 asks for a report, not an report, not an opinionopinion
(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2009(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2009
Strategy 2Strategy 2
Use familiar vocabulary and grammarUse familiar vocabulary and grammar
Don’t try a new road!Don’t try a new road!
Use vocabulary Use vocabulary that you know that you know how to usehow to use
Use grammar that Use grammar that you have you have already learnedalready learned
Strategy 3Strategy 3
Use natural, spoken English—Use natural, spoken English—
neither too formal nor too informalneither too formal nor too informal
Stay in the middle!Stay in the middle!
Language that is Language that is too formal too formal sounds artificialsounds artificial
Language that is Language that is too informal too informal sounds sounds inappropriateinappropriate
What do you mean?What do you mean?
Strategy 4Strategy 4
Stop when you Stop when you have have
finished answeringfinished answering
the questionthe question
Please, Thank you, and I’m Please, Thank you, and I’m sorry!sorry!
Do NOT express Do NOT express appreciation appreciation
Do NOT apologize Do NOT apologize for language for language
(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2010(c) Dr. Pamela Sharpe/teflprep 2010
Best wishes for success on the TOEFL!
Visit http://TEFLSpeaking.com for more tips and practice questions to
help you get the score you want!