IELTS / TOEFL: How to Solve TOEFL Speaking - Independent Opinion - Preference Task

How to Solve: TOEFL Speaking Independent – Opinion/Preference Task

Introduction Scoring 28-30 in the Speaking section can make a huge difference in your overall TOEFL score, potentially increasing your chances of getting into your dream university or program.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

1. You should already be able to paraphrase and use synonyms to express your ideas.
2. You should have a basic understanding of essay structure, including introduction, body, and conclusion.
3. You should be able to use transitional phrases to connect your ideas.

CORE CONTENT

Anatomy of the task

• The question will ask you to express your opinion or preference on a particular topic.
• You will have 45 seconds to plan and 60 seconds to speak.
• Common traps include:
  • Not answering the question directly.
  • Not using enough supporting details.
  • Not speaking clearly and at a good pace.

Step-by-step strategy

1. Read the question carefully: Understand what the question is asking and what kind of opinion or preference is being sought.
2. Take a moment to think: Use the 45 seconds to plan your response, considering your opinion or preference and the supporting details you want to use.
3. Start with a clear statement: Begin your response with a clear statement of your opinion or preference, using a transition phrase to connect to the question.
4. Provide supporting details: Use specific examples or reasons to support your opinion or preference, using transitional phrases to connect your ideas.
5. Conclude with a summary: Summarize your opinion or preference and reiterate your main point.

Solved example

Question: Some people believe that universities should prioritize teaching over research. Do you agree or disagree?

Model answer: "I strongly agree that universities should prioritize teaching over research. In my opinion, the primary purpose of a university is to educate students and provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers. While research is important, it should not come at the expense of teaching. For example, when I was a student, I had a professor who was more interested in conducting research than teaching us. As a result, I felt like I was not learning as much as I could have. On the other hand, when I had a professor who was passionate about teaching, I felt like I was learning a lot and was more engaged in the class. Therefore, I believe that universities should prioritize teaching over research."

Common Mistakes

1. Mistake: Not answering the question directly.
   • Why it happens: Students may get sidetracked by their own ideas or opinions.
   • How to fix it: Make sure to read the question carefully and answer it directly.
2. Mistake: Not using enough supporting details.
   • Why it happens: Students may not have enough time to think or may not know how to provide supporting details.
   • How to fix it: Take your time to think and use specific examples or reasons to support your opinion or preference.
3. Mistake: Not speaking clearly and at a good pace.
   • Why it happens: Students may be nervous or may not practice speaking enough.
   • How to fix it: Practice speaking regularly and try to speak clearly and at a good pace during the test.
4. Mistake: Not using transitional phrases.
   • Why it happens: Students may not know how to connect their ideas.
   • How to fix it: Use transitional phrases such as "however," "in addition," and "on the other hand" to connect your ideas.
5. Mistake: Not summarizing your opinion or preference.
   • Why it happens: Students may not know how to conclude their response.
   • How to fix it: Summarize your opinion or preference and reiterate your main point.

CRAM SHEET

1. Read the question carefully and answer it directly. ⚠️
2. Take your time to think and plan your response.
3. Use specific examples or reasons to support your opinion or preference.
4. Use transitional phrases to connect your ideas.
5. Speak clearly and at a good pace.
6. Summarize your opinion or preference and reiterate your main point.
7. Practice speaking regularly to improve your fluency and accuracy.
8. Use a timer to practice speaking within the time limit.
9. Listen to your own recording to identify areas for improvement.
10. Get feedback from a teacher or tutor to improve your speaking skills.