Lampard8 Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 Hello, I have started preparing for the TOEFL. My research brought me to the following issue: I have found a lot of "old" format question 1, but it seems there is a "new" format starting with February 2010. For the "old" format the questions go as: 1. What is the best class you have taken in school? Why was it the best in your opinion? Include details and examples to support your explanation. 2. Describe o moment or obstacle you had to overcome. Include details and examples to support your explanation. For this format the template from Notefull is clear and helpful. For the "new" format the questions go as (or at least as stated in this video ): 1. Which of the following types of book - science fiction story, biography or a mistery novel - do you think you could not enjoy reading? Support your opinion with reasons and examples. 2. Which of the following holiday types - a guided bus tour, a private car tour or a backpacking adventure - would you probably not enjoy? Support your opinion with reasons and examples. For these questions what template would you use? Even more, which is the standard for Q1 now? I see that in the above video EnglishRaven also stated that Q2, Q3 and Q5 have changed. What should one expect from these questions as well? What should I expect from Q1: the old format, the new format or could it be any of it? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tino Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 This is the new type of question for Speaking 1. Actually it is different in 2 ways, both of which might occur, or only one might occur Change 1) Instead open choices, there are 3 or 4 choices Change 2) Instead of asking your "preference" it will ask your "advice" for someone (example: "Your friend recently received a large amount of money, should your friend open a new business, save the money, or go back to school? Which would you advise your friend to do, use specific reasons and examples in your answer.") There is also a change to Speaking Question #2: The "old" question would ask you to agree or disagree, or it would give you two choices and ask your preference. The new question ask you to COMPARE and CONTRAST two things AND state your preference (Example: Some people think cats make the best pets, others think dogs do. Compare and contrast cats and dogs as pets, and state which you prefer and why. Use specific details and examples in your answer). You may get the old format OR the new format. Recently (since August of 2011) I am hearing mostly new format from people who took the test. Tino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampard8 Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 Hi Tino, Thank you for your answer. Do you or anybody else know any new TOEFL books in which you have practice exercises with the new format? And more than that, templates to answer these questions? Lampard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseprep Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Keep in mind all this type of questions are similar to TSE (Test of Spoken English) questions before iBT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tino Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 True that it is similar to tse. No, there are no texts updated with these new question types. Not any I know of, and I asked our teachers, and they said there are none yet that they know of either. Our online school teaches the new formats and has templates for the answers. See my signature or pm me if you want. Note: if signing up for any toefl class or lessons ask first if they know of the new questions types, and ASK THEM to explain them to you!!! Many schools are not teaching these new types yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tino Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I should add, we are having an online seminar all day Saturday nov 26 that will cover these new types. Tino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseprep Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 There is one more thing ETS make changes or adjust the questions and see how testers reacts. Based on that some times they go back to their old format or change something else on the test. So keep in mind ETS make minor chances and go back and forth. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanaa Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 I have a question please, does the official guide to toefl bit covers these new format of speaking section? I want to buy it, should I buy it now or wait for the forth edition? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseprep Posted November 30, 2011 Share Posted November 30, 2011 Before you buy it, double check when it was printed. Usually they don't update that quickly, it might be better to contact ETS and try the online questions, again make sure the changes were made within the last few months or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tino Posted December 1, 2011 Share Posted December 1, 2011 None of the TOEFL books, NONE, offer explanation of these new questions types. None. Tino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaiz Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I don't think an explanation is necessary. The structure of the answer remains the same , with the only difference that you have to pick a subject . Personally, I think this is a much easier method - the examinee has more options. And the answering technique is the same - give two reasons why you dislike/like that and two examples. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseprep Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Like I said, any new changes take time and sometimes they go back to what it used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puto695 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 hi,could you tell me if there is a chance to know examples for old TSE questions.I will have exam on January 8,2012. I was wondering what will be the format for new speaking task 1 and 2.Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tseprep Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 I wonder if anyone contacted the ETS about the changes and knows if ETS has added any new type of questions in their web site? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tino Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 As far as I know ETS is not listing the changes in any way. My personal opinion is they are keeping it secret because they do not want people preparing with "stock" answers, which has been a real problem for them in some countries. Tino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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