Sunday, December 13, 2020

TOEIC Speaking - Questions 1 and 2 - Read a Text

 

TOEIC Speaking -  Questions 1-2 - Read a Text



Summary: You are required to read two texts aloud with a length of between 40 and 60 words each. Content of the texts represents something that would normally be read aloud in real life (announcement, commercial, warning, reminder, etc). You will be graded on pronunciation, intonation, and stress.

Instructions: You have 45 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to respond to each text.  

Scoring Rubrics



Learning Objectives: Each item in the TOEIC Speaking Test was designed to assess several learning objectives connected with the ability to use English functionally in a real-world context. The chart below summarizes the learning objectives for this section of the exam.


Click to see full size version.



Strategies: The strategies presented here are focused on intonation and stress rather than pronunciation of individual phonemes. However, I suggest you visit Jonathan Acuña's pronunciation blog if you would like more detailed practice of individual English phonemes and other pronunciation aspects. CLICK HERE for access. 

Strategy 1: Distinguish Content Words from Function Words
  
English is a stress timed language. That means only certain words in the sentence receive the stress while the others are weakened and condensed. We have two kinds of words: Content Words, which are stressed, and Function Words, which are reduced and condensed to fit between the beats of the content words. The graphic below shows which kinds of words make up each category.


Example: In the following sentences, the content words are marked in bold and should receive more stress from the speaker.

went for a walk in the country yesterday but it was really hot and I was bitten by a lot of mosquitoes. I can't stand mosquitoes!

By now, you probably do this quite well when speaking. However, many English L2 users struggle with this when reading a text aloud. They concentrate so hard on reading the words carefully and accurately that they end up giving all the words the same stress and they sound robotic, or if they stress the wrong words, they can sound unnatural. Listen to the difference between these three examples.


 



In the first reading, the speaker gives all the words the same level of stress which makes him sound monotonous and robotic. In the second reading, the speaker incorrectly stresses some function words which makes the recording sound unnatural. In the final reading, the speaker appropriately stresses the content words while reducing the function words which gives the recording a natural sound.

Strategy 2:Use Punctuation Clues to Include Appropriate Pauses

As the strategy suggests, you will want to make a brief pause each time you come to a comma or final punctuation mark.


We can combine this with Strategy 1 and read a text with appropriate word stress on the content words and include pauses on the relevant punctuation.



Strategy 3: Use Appropriate Rising and Falling Intonation

In addition to stress and pausing, you will also need to use appropriate intonation. Keep in mind the following typical intonation patterns in English.

Yes-No Questions: These questions finish with rising intonation. 

Are you looking for me (↑)? Can I help you (↑)? Do you like to travel (↑)?

Information-WH Questions: These questions finish with falling intonation.

What style of flooring tiles do you want to use in the lobby(↓)?

Lists of Three or More Items: Intonation in lists follows the pattern rising, rising, falling.

The store sells clothing (↑), equipment (↑), and memorabilia (↓).



    Practice Tasks

    Instructions: Follow these instructions in order to practice this section of the exam. 



     
    Text 1: Few spots in the city are as beloved as City Park. Over ten million visitors play, relax, or enjoy outings with their friends and families in the park every year. Each spring and summer, the park offers a wide variety of activities. This weekend there will be an outdoor jazz concert, a nature program, and special events for children. Most visitors explore the park on foot, although it can also be explored by bike or on horseback. Maps and information on park activities are available at the visitor’s center, which is open daily from nine to five o’clock.

    Text 2: May I have your attention for a moment, please? Unfortunately, the lecture originally scheduled for this time, “An Introduction to Accounting”, has been canceled for personal reasons. You may attend this lecture on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday of next week, however. If those days are inconvenient, we will be pleased to give you a full refund. Thank you for your attention. 


    Text 3: Thank you for calling Union Motorcycles. We have the city’s largest selection of sport and cruising bikes, and also a full selection of parts, accessories, and riding wear. Visit between nine a.m. and nine p.m. on weekdays, and let our experienced staff attend to all your riding needs. Where else could you go for better riding advice? 


    Text 4: On Monday, May 7, we will start installing new telephone lines in most of our offices. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use your telephones until the work is completed later in the week. This will affect your work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning. However, you can use the telephones in the main reception area during that time. 


    Text 5: All right everyone, we’ve come to the end of our tour of the downtown area, and we’re about to enter the public gardens, where we’ll take a short break. There’s a café here, where you can rest, get something to drink, and look over the schedule for the rest of the day. Let me know if you have any questions. 





    Saturday, December 12, 2020

    TOEIC Speaking - Question 11: Give an Opinion

     TOEIC Speaking - Question 11



    In this section of the test you will be asked to provide your opinion on an issue or question. You will have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. Below you will find the learning objectives for this question of the test.

    Click to see full sized image.

    Strategies

    • Strategy 1: Recognize What the Question is Asking - Question prompts in this section typically fall into the following categories. Pay close attention to what the prompt requires so that you are sure to respond completely and appropriately. 
      • Preference: Would you rather ... or ... ?
      • Agree / Disagree: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? 
      • Hypothetical: Imagine you were ... 
      • Direct Opinion: What is your opinion about ... ? 

    • Strategy 2: Organize your ideas: In order to provide a coherent and cohesive response to this task, it is helpful to follow this simple framework to organize your talk.
    Click to see full size image.


      • Introduction: Express your opinion in the first one or two sentences so that the listener clearly understands what you think. Do not "sit on the fence" and fail to commit to a clear opinion when asked to choose between two alternatives. As with other sections of this test, you have to provide an appropriate response, not necessarily a TRUE response. If it is easier for you make something up rather than give your real opinion, DO IT!
        • I believe...
        • In my opinion...
        • I agree with the statement that...
        • I would have to disagree with the idea that...
      • Content: It is important to support your opinion with reasons and details. Use transitional phrases to guide the listener.
        • First of all...
        • Second...
        • Another reason...
        • For example...
        • Finally...
      • Conclusion: Finish your talk by restating your opinion in different words.
        • ...and that is why I think it is important to...
        • ...and those are reasons why I agree that...
        • ...so that is why I believe that... 




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    Day 1: Practice Tasks

    Task 1: You have to think fast for this section of the exam. Look at the prompts below. Choose a side. Then quickly say three reasons for your choice. Your partner must choose the other side and quickly give three reasons for his/her choice. You do NOT need to speak for 60 seconds. Just quickly mention your three reasons or details.
    • Would you prefer to work at home or in an office?
    • Do you agree or disagree that dogs make better pets than cats?
    • Is it more relaxing to spend vacation at home or traveling?
    • Some people say that private cars should be banned from the city center. What is your opinion about this?



    Task 2: When you answer this part of the test, it's important to state your opinion clearly in the first one or two sentences. Choose one of the four prompts above. State your opinion in your introduction then speak for 60 seconds while you give reasons to support your opinion. Conclude your talk by restating your opinion. Use these phrases to guide you.
    • In my opinion ... for several reaons.
    • First of all, ...
      • For example...
    • Also ...
      • For example ...
    • Finally ...
      • For example ...
    • So those are the reasons why I think ...




    Task 2: Try outlining a sample response to the following prompts by drawing a similar chart in your notebook and filling it with keywords and phrases. When you finish, writing your notes, answer the question for 60 seconds.

    Click to see full sized image.



    • Imagine your town is planning to build a new shopping mall close to where you live. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why?
    • Some people believe that private cars should be banned from city centers. What do you think?
    • Do you agree with the following statement? "Competition is a fact of life and children should learn to be competitive when they are young." Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.
    • Some people like to travel with a group. Others would rather travel by themselves. Which do you prefer and why?




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    Day 2: Practice Tasks


    Task 3: Timed Practice
    The following videos contain a prompt and timers for your preparation and response time. Take advantage of your preparation time to brainstorm 3 reasons to support your opinion. Use the following phrases to guide your response.

    • In my opinion ... for several reaons.
    • First of all, ...
      • For example...
    • Also ...
      • For example ...
    • Finally ...
      • For example ...
    • So those are the reasons why I think ...

     

    Video 1

     


     

    Video 2

     


     

    Video 3

     


     

    Video 4



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    Day 3: Practice Tasks

    Timed Practice: Look at the question prompts below. For each one, press play on the video on the left and take 45 seconds to prepare and then press play on the speaking timer on the right and speak for 60 seconds. 


    Number 1


    Number 2


    Number 3


    Number 4


    Number 5


    Number 6




    Additional Timed Practice: In the Google Slides presentation below you have 10 additional opinion questions. Each slide has a prompt and a 30 second preparation timer and a 60 second response timer. Put the presentation in full screen. Then use the arrows in the bottom left corner to change slides.

     

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    Friday, December 11, 2020

    Christmas Sudoku Puzzle

     Christmas Sudoku Puzzle


    Instructions: Work with your partners to complete the Christmas Sudoku puzzle. The idea of the puzzle is to put pictures in all the squares so that each row, column, and 2x3 rectangle contains ONE and ONLY ONE example of each picture. Can you solve it in time? Click the link below and find the page for your group.

    Christmas Sudoku: CLICK HERE














    Sights, Sounds, and Smells

     Sights, Sounds, and Smells



    Introduction: In today's class we are going to compare compare the kitchens of three women from around the world and also describe the sights, sounds, and smells of a typical Costa Rican kitchen during a busy holiday party.

    Task 1: Discuss
    Discuss these questions with your partner.
    • What does your kitchen look like?
    • What appliances do you have?
    • What food can we find in your fridge and cabinets?
    • How much time do you spend in the kitchen each day?
    • How many meals are cooked in you kitchen each day?
    • What is a smell that comes from you kitchen that makes your mouth water?
    • What is a smell from your kitchen that you don't like?
    • Is there anything that you would like to change about your kitchen?

    Task 2: Read and Think
    You will read an interview with a woman about her kitchen, what it is like, and how she spends her time there. Look at the pictures and read the descriptions of all three women. Then click on your assigned group link and complete the exercises.



    Group 1: CLICK HERE



    Group 2: CLICK HERE



    Group 3: CLICK HERE


    Task 3: Compare and Contrast
    Tell your new partners about the woman you read about and her kitchen and discuss these questions.

    •  What similarities and differences can you find? 
    • Who is the wealthiest materially?
    • Who is the happiest spiritually?
    • Who is the most creative cook?
    • Who has the hardest life?
    Which woman is most likely to say...?
    • "I can never decide where to go swimming."
    • "We have found you a very nice girl. Why won't you marry her?"
    • "If anyone wants me, I'm weeding and watering."
    • "I'm too busy to cook today."
    • "I live my life in tune with nature."
    • "I'd love to have a new kitchen."

    Task 4: Think and Describe
    Imagine a typical Costa Rican kitchen during a busy (pre-pandemic) Christmas party. Work with your partners to write a paragraph with a rich description of the sights, sounds, and smells that we would find there.
    • Who is in the kitchen?
    • What are they doing?
    • What is happening?
    • What can you see?
    • What can you smell?
    • What can you hear?

    Wednesday, December 9, 2020

    Holiday BS Game

     Holiday BS Game



    Instructions: It's that time of year again! The holidays are a time for reflection, celebration, and spending time with our families and friends. Do you know the surprising origins of these holiday traditions? We'll play a game called Holiday BS to find out.

    BS is a slang way to say something is NOT true. In this game you will take turns listening to explanations for the origins of some of our holiday symbols and traditions. After listening to each description, the player will have to decide which one they think is true and which ones "sound like BS!"

    Click on your assigned player link below. Player A will be the first to guess. Player D will be the score keeper. He/She will only provide explanations and keep track of the points. 

    Player A: CLICK HERE
    Player B: CLICK HERE
    Player C: CLICK HERE
    Player D: CLICK HERE

    What is the origin of Santa Clause?

    What is the origin of the Christmas tree?

    What is the origin of Santa's Elves?

    What is the origin of the mistletoe tradition?

    What is the origin of the Christmas stocking?

    What is the origin of Christmas lights?



    Saturday, December 5, 2020

    Clap, Snap, Pop

     Clap, Snap, Pop


    Instructions: In this silly warm up, you will work with your partners to play a counting game. You will take turns repeating the numbers 1, 2, 3. Each person should say one number and the next person in line will say the next number. When you get to 3, you go back to 1 and repeat the process. Sounds easy, right?

    Not so fast! We will make it more and more difficult by gradually replacing the numbers with the gestures clap, snap, and pop. Once you and your partners completing one round, you can go to the next one.










    Friday, December 4, 2020

    Honest Advertising

     Honest Advertising


    Introduction: In today's class we will continue talking about advertising. We will use adjectives to describe products and services and we will work on our final projects. Complete the tasks below with your partners.


    Task 1: Honest Slogans
    Click on your group link below and follow the instructions in your worksheet.


    Task 2Adjectives in Advertising
    Click on your group link below and follow the instructions in your worksheet.