dandan

Hi, I have collected all these tips from other websites. Hope this will be useful to all. Tips for Question No:1 Q1 1/1.DO NOT TELL A STORY: The grader listens for you to prove that you can think logically in English and automatically express that thought. If you tell a story for forty five seconds, your response will lack the structure that it needs to be as clear as possible. When the question asks you about the most important person in your life, do not just tell a story of when your mother took care of you when you were sick. That is just an example. You need to state the topic and then give a reason supported by an example. Say that your mom is the most important person. Why is she important? First of all, she is very helpful. How is she helpful? She took care of me when I suffered from asthma as a child. Naturally follow this progression from topic to why to how. Repeat this process one or two times and forty-five seconds will pass by quickly. Remember to maintain a natural speaking voice. Don't speed up too much to fit it all in. Just stick to the amount of reasons and examples that you can normally say and you will give the best response possible. 1/2.BE SPECIFIC: Be specific! Every part of your response should be as specific as possible. When you mention a reason, then you must support it with an example. This example needs to be as specific as possible. If you say that the object you would give as a gift would be a bicycle because it symbolizes freedom, then you need to explain what you mean by freedom. What kind of freedom? You might say that it gives one the freedom to travel places that you cannot go with a car. For example, one can take a bicycle and ride dirt paths in the mountains. The more specific you can be the better. What mountains did you go riding in? What kind of bike do you have? Where else have you traveled with a bicycle? Remember, if you cannot think of anything truthful, then be creative but be creatively specific. The key to answering iBT speaking question 1 is to prepare at home by practicing speaking about things, people, and places that are important to you. Do this within 45 seconds and record yourself. Listen to what you've done and think about where you could have been more specific. Ask yourself the kind of questions demonstrated in this post and that thought process will become natural. 1/3.EXAMPLES & ENTHUSIASM: Alright! Let's think about speaking question 1. You're asked a question about something important to you. What should your voice sound like? ETS says to speak in a natural speaking voice. Yes. This is a great idea but it must be an enthusiastic natural speaking voice. If you speak with energy about your topic while keeping it natural, the person grading you will be more inclined to listen. Emphasize important words with a slight pause before to breathe in. Find the part of your voice that makes you sound curious and interested in what you're saying. If you're not an enthusiastic person, that's not a problem. You should just look at it as a little bit of acting. Most likely, you've got some pronunciation problems that you're hoping the graders will overlook. They are more likely to forgive pronunciation errors if you're giving an energized response about what is important to you. In addition, remember that examples are your answer to doing well on this question. Good examples will show that you can clarify your topic and think logically about it while telling a story. It is best to keep these examples positive. If you're subject is negative, then you're less likely to be as enthusiastic about your topic. Also, think about your listener who is the grader. Do you want them thinking negative or positive thoughts while scoring you? ETS says that it doesn't matter what your answer is because what matters is that you can demonstrate your ability to give an opinion supported by reasons and examples. However, I say that you shouldn't trust anybody. Do you know who is grading your speaking and writing responses? Nope. Keep it simple by picking positive examples that you can be enthusiastic about. If the topic asks you to name an important event in history, then you want to pick a positive event like the fall of the Berlin Wall or the end of World War II. Don't pick something too controversial like 9/11 or the Iraq war. Students who pick these topics will have to demonstrate superior abilities in reasoning because the grader will be on guard. Pick something most people agree on and speak about it with passion. This way the grader will be focused on your ability to reason and give examples in English, not on your topic. 1/4.In order to prepare your response for speaking question 1, you must have a collection of stories ready before you take the test. In general, here are some key topics that you should be able to talk about for forty-five seconds at any moment with anyone. Be prepared to speak about: an important person in your life an important person in history an important event in your life from which you learned a lesson an important event in history an object that is important to you an important book and film If you prepare these responses, you can fit them to most questions with just a little adjustment. For example, if the question asks you to speak about the most important qualities of a leader, you could use number one (most important person in your life). Let's say you picked your mom for the most important person in your life and prepared a response where you say that she is loyal, never quits, and helps people do their best. Now, on the test if the question is what are the most important qualities of a leader, I can take mom's qualities and apply them in my response. I can say that a leader is someone who is loyal, never quits, and helps people do their best. Think creatively and prepare the six stories above and this question will be a breeze (real easy). 1/5.The first is always the easiest. On the iBT, the first speaking question is what is called a superlative question. It asks you to discuss the best, most interesting, most important, the greatest, etc. For example, a common question might be "What is the best place to go on vacation?" or "What famous person would you most like to meet?" Because these questions are strictly based on your own opinions, they are something that you can prepare beforehand. Have a rehearsed response ready for your favorite place, an interesting famous person, an important object you own, your favorite leisure activity, an important cultural item from your country, etc. These prepared speeches can be rehearsed beforehand so that you are familiar with them, and adjusted during the test when you actually see the question. This way, you won't have to use up your 15-second preparation time by thinking up a topic; you'll already have a dozen rehearsed topics, and you can spend those 15 seconds adjusting your outline to fit the precise topic. If your favorite vacation spot is Hawaii, for example, and the question asks "Where would you most like to live?", use your Hawaii rap; just adjust the outline to reflect why you'd like to live there, rather than take a vacation there.

Tips for question 2: Q2 2/1. As with all tasks, a cool head is the most important thing. Keep in mind that this s all about your opinion, so you have the luxury of not having to remember facts or details. A typical question asks you whether you agree or disagree with a statement. Typically, the statement is related to student-related issues. "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Students should be required to wear uniforms in college?" As a rule of thumb, I've always suggested to my students that they just agree with the statement, even if they don't in their hearts. Not necessarily because the words of agreement are easier than words of disagreement, but because in natural settings, people are always more relaxed and confident while speaking in agreement with someone. Disagreement tends to create anxiety, as one searches for reasons why something shouldn't be true... However, if you feel very strongly about school uniforms, then by all means go ahead and argue against them. It depends on your confidence level. During the prep time, I would jot down singe word "agree" and "disagree" prompts on my note paper. Agree (uniforms required) : equality, lower cost, discipline Disagree (no uniforms): self-expression, self-confidence, personal liberty Since time is short, I wouldn't do more than that unless something brilliant comes to mind. I would focus on those "agrees" and "disagrees", decide quickly which side I can argue better, and opt for "agree" if I am undecided or nervous. In my example, I could argue the "Agrees" much more easily. And I'm more relaxed when I agree... So I'd start off blunt and to the point: "In my opinion, school uniforms should be mandatory through High school. I agree with the statement." Then, I'd rattle off my list. "School uniforms promote equality, discipline, and cost less for the students and their families." Then, I'd go into each one, methodically, providing a detail or example. "Uniforms promote equality because students who can afford to buy lots of clothing are identical to students who can't..." Etcetera. It's a very simple question to answer, if you simply stick to this simple strategy. The topics really aren't very challenging; they are on subjects that you know well enough to speak about. And remember: agreeing is usually the better way on Toefl, even if it isn't always true in life... 2/2. FLEXIBILITY: In order to master this question, be flexible. You should be able to argue for and against either choice. If the question asks you whether or not it is better to study in a group or alone, you should be able to take either choice and think of reasons and examples to support your choice. Sometimes, the same reasons apply to both sides. For example, if I study alone, I can pay more attention to the work without the distraction of other people talking to me. Conversely, if I study in a group, I can pay more attention to the work without the distraction of the television since I always study with it on when I study alone. Practice flexibility by taking any choice between two things and respond first with the easiest choice for you. Then, respond again to the same choice but choose the other option. This easy exercise will build up your strength of argument. Really, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the grader doesn't care about which one you choose. Therefore, you do not need to honest in your response. You can choose the side you personally disagree with if it is easier for you to think of reasons and examples to support the answer. 2/3. POSITIVE & NEGATIVE POINTS: The great thing about this speaking question is that many students find it easier than the first question because they're given a choice between two things whereas the first question is asking you about something important to you. Given two alternatives, you need to choose one quickly. Remember, you've only got twenty seconds to prepare. In my notes, I like to split it down the middle and write a plus on one side and a minus on the other. Do this while the speaker reads the question. Then, start writing down some notes about any positive points that come to mind about your choice and any negative points about the choice you didn't choose. Sometimes it will be easier to come up with positive points or negative points, you never know beforehand, so be ready to think of both sides when answering this question. Be careful, though, for the question does ask which do you prefer and why. You need to mention at least one positive reason in order to properly answer this question. In any case, the best response will contain positive points and a negative point supported by specific details and examples.

Hi, Right now I am working with speaking section. I do not know how to spend the preparation time(15sec,30sec&20sec) wisely in speaking section. If anybody has useful hints please share withme. Thanks. Dandan

Hi, All March 7th test takers, we can discuss and share tips in this thread. Thanks.

Hi, All the best for all test takers giving exam on Jan 26/27 dandan

Hi Jan26 test takers, I have a question to ask. So please reply/pm to me. Thanks

Hi, Anybody is having exam on Jan 26. I have a question to ask. Thanks. Dandan

Hi, All test takers taking exam on Jan 27, we can discuss in this thread. Dandan

hi friends, please post the first 2 speaking questions as soon as possible. thank you.

Hi, All the best. Please post speaking questions 1&2 in the forum as soon as you done the exam. Thank you.

Hi friends, I am going to take the test on feb 3rd morning. So, please post the speaking(1&2) and writing questions in the forum as soon as you done with exam. Thank you and all the best for the test takers.

Find the download links at the following websites: 1.http://-URL removed by admin- 2.http://www.ebooksportal.org 3.http://ebooks.katz.ws 4.http://www.chasedream.com

Find the download links at www.ebooksportal.org

Are these files for longman toefl ibt? Please provide the password Thank you in advance

First of all I thank all the members of this forum. I like to thank specially Kollur Murthy, Knok and Kenny for their contributions and guidance. But people like me has to continue because we still have TSE(India). So, please don't say good bye to this forum. We like you to continue your help by posting your valuable suggestions and guidance in this forum for us. Thank you. Dandan

To all the friends out there 1. Picture story A man(first man) is at a railway station buying tickets at the counter- He sat in a train seat and sleeping- one fellow with a taperecorder which is singing loudly. The first man pointing his finger to the opposite direction( not sit nex to him)- That fellow with the recorder sitting in the opposite row. Lot of passengers are coming to get the seat- another fellow with tape recorder with loud music came and he has to sit next to the First man and the first man was annoyed/disturbed. 2. The people should not use recorded music in public places. Do you agree/disagree? 3. You are going to have an excellant job which makes away form your family mostly though out the year. What is your response for this? 4. People spend lot of their free time watching TV. What is your opinion? 5. Double Bar graph -computer usage in work place Horizontal axis- three work places; vertical axis- percentage of workers One bar for 1995 and another bar for 2005 More computer usage in 2005 compare to 1995 6. Nowadays computer usage is increased in day to day activities. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of increased computer usage. 7. You are going to meet an old friend. For that you are going to take one week leave. One of your colleague came to know this. Explain to your colleague 1. how do you know your old friend 2. how you feel about meeting him and 3. what is your plan for the week with your friend. 8. You are working in Personnel department of a company. You got a message from an Interview candidate who is going to attend an Interview on 8.30am Tuesday. She wants to change that time. Because she is living so far from the company and she has to take train to come there. The first train in the morning only reach the central station at 8.35 am and she doesn't know how much time it would take to reach the company from there? Understand her situation and solve her problem. 9. Flow chart You are working in a university. Your university is hosting a group of visiting professors. You have give report about arrangements to Dr.Simmons, head of the department. Visit Professors- 18 professors 1.reserve room- reserved in science building by BOB 2.drinks and food- caffeteria will take care of the job 3.Name tags- will be prepared by tomorrow by a lady and names of the professors will be given by BOB 4.Reserve equipment- the equipments for the presentation was ready 5.agenda- will be prepared by BOB and once it was ready he will send it to Dr.Simmons Good Luck.

Please send questions as soon as possible. My email ID adalarasan_a@yahoo.co.in Thanks

see the three threads "questions 1,2,3 Jan 14 questions 4,5,6 Jan 14 questions 7,8,9 Jan 14"

please check the three thread I have posted questions thread title "question numbers Jan 14

I have posted questions in three threads. look for thread with title "questions number Jan 14"

see the three threads with title "question numbers Jan 14"

7. colleague who is going to deliver a presentation in front of large number of people. but he is not confident - undrstand his situation -suggest some ideas which will make him to reduce nervousness - tell hem that he can do it confidently 8. you are an assist. manager of an INN. At 10.00 am when u are in a meeting you got a message from one of your guests(who was staying in the INN) He is telling that he is outside the hotel in some place to give presentation at 10.30 am but he left his reading glasses in his room, he asked you to find out his glasses and send it to him. - understand and solve the problem 9. Flow chart Replacement of 0ld furniture with new one 1. Survey of needs- done 2. finding the needed furniture in catalog- done 3. place a order for new furniture- going to order tomorrow 4. removal of old furniture- talked to a charity who is going to take once the new furniture was ready 5. arrival of new furniture you are one of the team member of this plan. you have to give an update on this plan

4. Compare advantages- buying products because of advertisement in media-newspapers,tv/ buying products because of recommendation by friends 5. double bar graph- time spending in various activites by teen Bars for two different age groups- 0ne is from 8-13 age and other one is 13-17 age one axis for time; other axis for 3 different activites e-mail&internet use, home work and playing games One group is playing games more time-8-13 age and other group is doing home work more time 6. Opinion- do you allow the kids to use computer only for education related activites or else

1.story a man in his bed switching off the ringing alarm at 7.00am- phone ringing 8.00am he woke up- he left the house in a hurry- he missed the bus - he is at office in front of his boss who is not happy at 10.00am- he woke up in his bed with the sound 3 or more alarms 2. Compare advantages- allowing employees to work in a fixed time frame(like 8to4)/ allowing them to work not in a fixed timeframe but same hours in a day( like 8 hours work in a day) 3. How a person's career will be affected , if he is not taking any leisure time activites like music,movie/game

I tried to send questions but it is not entering in to the forum. any body give some suggestions