iBT TOEFL Speaking Topic 1.1: Best friend..

More quick scores and feedback for people who posted recorded responses to this topic:

[043] - Score = 1.5 ~ 2.0 (Appears to have some organization with reasons, but no real description of the friend or solid supporting examples; delivery also needs a lot of work ~ this was hard to understand)

[044] - Score = 3.5 ~ 4.0 (Response given within 45 second time limit was very good, well delivered, well organized and well supported; could probably just do with a little more elaboration)

[045] - Score = 1.5 ~ 2.0 (Far too hesitant and vague, no solid examples in support of clear reasons given, many unwieldy pauses and hesitations)

[046] - Score = 3.0 (Generally a good response with most of the basics and some good delivery and language use; just needs better support through exemplification)

[047] - Score = 3.5 ~ 4.0 (Very strong response; has everything task requires, great example given, excellent language use and delivery)

[048] - Score = 2.0 (Average answer; language use and delivery reasonably good, but the answer lacks substance, the reasons sound vague without any further explanation or example)

[049] - Score = 2.5 (Answer too vague with no supporting exemplification for any of the reasons; otherwise reasonably good)

[050] - Score = 2.5 (Could have been a great answer, but left empty time hanging at the end and some confusing language errors [faithful sounded like "fateful"; and the opposite of the adjective "stressed" is "relaxed" or "non-stressed" - not "distressed" which has different/negative meaning in the context)

[051] - Score = 2.0 (Reasons sound too vague and rambling; no real description of the person or example to support any of the reasons given

[052] - Score = 2.5 (Good attempt, but the reasons sound a little vague and unorganized, without any real support)

[053] - Score = 2.0 (Way over the time 45 sec time limit, second reason cut off before any elaboration given)

[054] - Score = 3.5 ~ 4.0 (Excellent answer, great contextual description, very clear well organized reasons with a supporting example and good language use and delivery)

[055] - Score = 3.0 ~ 3.5 (Generally a very good answer, but a little too much description of the person at the expense of solid examples to support well organized reasons)

[056] - Score = 3.0 ~ 3.5 (Very good response, but could have done with more obvious examples to support the reasons; also be careful of the meaning destinction between "bond" and "bondage" ~ check your dictionary!)

[057] - Score = 2.5 ~ 3.0 (Answer cut off at 45 sec before it could really be developed more; could benefit from better organization and logical flow to maintain coherence)

[058] - Score = 2.0 ~ 2.5 (Answer lacks development within the 45 sec limit; but otherwise, very good ~ keep your examples simple and easy to express relatively quickly)

[059] - Score = 3.5 ~ 4.0 (Very well organized and articulated response, could perhaps do with more detailed example, but still very good as is)

[060] - Score = 3.5 ~ 4.0 (Quite a strong response, well organized and clear delivery, with good language use. An example could have been elaborated more, but this may be enough to get the top score)

[061] - Score = 1.5 (Very muffled and hard to hear, appeared to be a lot of hesitating and repetition in the answer)

[062] - Score = 3.0 ~ 3.5 (Sounded like a well organized and fluent response, but hard to follow in delivery - probably due to microphone/recording quality)

~ Jason

Hi clemfr,

I think that would be fine ~ I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like the TOEFL can require you to have a best friend, is it? I think as long as you specify that you don't really have a best friend, but if you did, it would be bla bla bla, I think you would be okay.

~ Jason

Hi Jason,I just participate this forum in the first time so if I have any mistake, I wish you give some advices about with this topic.I think that all people have just a best friend but I have two best friends. That is true. They and I in class together so we are good friend. For us, there must be mutual trust between friends, so that each can feel safe when telling the other their secrets. We used to share the matter of our studying and our life.When I feel bad, they will come with me as soon as possible to brighten up even my darkest night and the reverse..Therefor I love they so much and they always are my best friends.

-diemquynh

Hi diemquynh,

A very warm welcome to you ~ thanks for joining and participating in our forum!

Are preparing for the TOEFL? If so, I'd encourage you to look at the way you have organized and supported your response and then compare it to my sample topics and responses here: http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/08/29/toefl-ibt-speaking-independent-topic-list-open-cho/page1/

If you're just here to practice your general discussion skills (and I think that is really great!), then I think your contribution here is a good one. Things like mutual trust, common interests (like study, as in your example), and emotional support and encouragement are great foundations of close friendships.

Thanks for sharing,

~ Jason

1. Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best friend.

If you have a microphone and would like to try recording your answer to this iBT TOEFL question, click here.

Good luck!

~ Jason

-jasonrenshaw

what i have to do for recording? please helpme.

-naturelover

You need to follow the link in the topic to the Chinswing recording page (here's the direct destination: http://www.chinswing.com/pages/discussion.aspx?id=39968a0c-2c3a-4aa7-bf47-d42ad80b6ea7)

You'll need to become a Chinswing member (it's free) to record a response.

Most importantly, look through the sample grades I've posted here in this topic and follow the links to listen to the stronger submissions. You can learn a lot by listening and thinking based on the samples and scores allocated so far.

Good luck with it,

~ Jason

Hi,Jason, it being great to sacrifice time to help people.i really appreciate you. unfortunately, i found this a week to my exam date.though, still useful.i went trough the corrections you made and listen to those that score 3.5- 4.0. hoping that will be helpful.thanks.
success.

-success253

That is the perfect way to use a resource like this. A busy teacher like myself just doesn't have the time to give each and every person personalized feedback instantly. If you listen to the submissions that got high scores from me, it will really help you to work out for yourself good ways to improve your performance. Congratulations on your proactive approach!

I hope your test went well... Let us know about it if you get a chance.

Best wishes,

~ Jason

Hi jason
I have submitted an essay and two speaking tasks about three days ago. About the essay it was written that i'll get the feedback in 24hrs. Now 3 days are gone but i have'nt recieved a feedback yet. I am giving TOFEL on 31st of october and i really need to know where to improve.

-kritibansal

Where exactly did you read that you will get feedback for a TOEFL essay within 24 hours?

Thanks,

~ Jason