malamamama

I would like to congratulate you for building such a wonderful, helpful and free site! Perhaps you could advise students against taking their test before they are ready. It is very sad to witness so many low scores because students rush to take the test before their language skills are sufficiently developed.

Jason, I think you are on the right track with your website and are doing a wonderful service for the community of TOEFLiBT students. However, I must say that the two scores you rated as "high" would not rate more than a 2. Please trust me on this. I would hate to see you do your fans a disservice by giving them false encouragement! That said, congratulations on a wonderful service.

You are right. No ums, errs, or silence. Summarize the subject, answer the question in clear, coherent language. It is as difficult and as simple as that.

I think that you are correct. However, too many students spend to much time practicing questions rather than conversation. Their responses become robotic and are not perceived as natural, fluent English. The TOEFLibt speaking scores are rated by language, fluency and topic development. The first two portions are often rated low due to a lack of ease and familiarity with the language. Those test takers who rate high speak naturally. Of course, they add many details and opinions (where and how requested) in their answers; but in order to do this they have become comfortable using English.

In theory your idea is a good one. Unfortunately "pre-set" expressions become automatic, do not sound natural and are recognized as not spontaneous. Understanding of the language, facility of use, sentence structure, verb useage are important. This takes time and lots of practice using English in true conversation. Real topic discussion is what will turn the corner for most of the students as they will become comfortable using the language.

I'd love to discuss the moderator idea with you. I don't log on very often but do think Test Magic serves this community very well. I'd be happy to give the site a couple of hours a week. Please contact me if you are interested.

You don't need to have long lists of sample questions. Just read material in English and discuss the contents. It is more important to speak the language as frequently as possible than it is to practice specific questions. The more you speak the language, the more comfortable you will be.

Speak clearly, pronounce each word's ending so that it is understandable. Answer the question, do not go off on a tangent. Use details from the question material. If you are truly stuck, say something even if its just ... "I can't understand this question." is better than nothing. If you just don't understand the question, say something which relates to the question. At least you will receive 10 points instead of 0. Don't panic, practice with a native speaker whenever possible, and don't take the the test before you are ready. Hope that helps.:)

I hope that helps! Kate

you simply do not say the most of, you say most people

where the forces it exerts are strongest. far beneath

105. Not much is known development is correct communication in the wild is correct 106. everything is correct except shipping 107. affected another

I am an ESL Instructor and have done some private tutoring for the TSE. I'd be happy to offer help to anyone who needs advice regarding questions for TOEFL. I am developing a website, but in the meantime you can just email me at malamamama@yahoo.com. Kate