In task 1, make sure you answer the question. Some people prepare a topic in advance and then use that topic to answer the question. For example, some students prepare to talk about their grandmother, then, if the question says: 'Describe your favourite place' they answer like this:
"My favourite place is the park near my home. I like it because it reminds me of my grandmother. My grandmother was very......." and then they talk about their grandmother.
This is a MISTAKE. You will get a low score for this kind of response because you are not talking about the topic, and the examiner will easily hear that you are using a prepared response.
Stick to the topic of the question.
More TOEFL Speaking Tips coming soon...
Hello Quentin,
回覆刪除I am Fu. I was your student in the TOEFL speaking class.... about half year ago. I finally got the TOEFL test score two weeks ago, and I want to thank you for all your advices during the class, really useful. Happy Chinese new year. 新年快樂
Hi Fu!
回覆刪除Nice to see you here and to hear from you again! I'm so glad you got a good score in your test! Congratulations!
新年快樂
Describe the most important decision that you have made in your life. Why was it important to you? Use specific examples and details to support your explanation.
回覆刪除The most important decision that I have made is getting the driving license. There are several reasons for this. First, driving in Taipei is not convenient because it's hard to find a parking space and the traffic is always heavy. I can reach my destination by bus or MRT. However, if I were in American, it would be necessary to drive. Second, I'm interested in learning new skills. This is because I can get self-confidence while passing all kinds of challenges. I really felt exciting when I got the driving license in high score. Another reason is that driving is by far the best way to get whole family to scenic spots around the country.
Hank, thanks for posting this. I think it's useful for other students as well. Here are some corrections and improvements:
回覆刪除-in America (America is the country name, American is the adjective)
-felt excited (use -ed adjective to describe how you feel, use -ing adjectives to describe the thing or situation which causes the feeling)
- when I got a high score in the driving test
- the whole
You used the frame really well, and I'm happy to see lots of the set-phrases from the class in your response as well!
Great!
Thank you sir.
回覆刪除And here is another.
Describe a book that you believe is the most useful to you. Please explain the reason and include specific examples and details in your explanation.
In my opinion, the most useful book is "General English Speaking", written by my English teacher. There are several reasons for this. First, most relationships of words fall into three broad categories by their fixities in the book. All I have to do is getting familiar with the fixed chunks and updating and increasing my database of set-phrases and vocabulary. Another reason is that my English teacher is by far the best foreign teacher I have ever had. He teaches English in Taiwan for many years and knows problems of students in studying. Also, he puts useful tips and solutions of these difficulties in his book.
Describe a book that you believe is the most useful to you. Please explain the reason and include specific examples and details in your explanation.
回覆刪除In my opinion, the most useful book is "General English Speaking", written by my English teacher. There are several reasons for this. First, most relationships of words fall into three broad categories by their fixities in the book. All I have to do is getting familiar with the fixed chunks and updating and increasing my database of set-phrases and vocabulary. Another reason is that my English teacher is by far the best foreign teacher I have ever had. He teaches English in Taiwan for many years and knows problems of students in studying. Also, he puts useful tips and solutions of these difficulties in his book.
Are you talking about me?.....lol
回覆刪除- all I have to do is V
- update and increase
- He has taught (remember present simple means no time, and this sentence is about present time result, so you should use present perfect)
- solutions for
Good. Again, you are using the set-phrases from the book and from the class very well. This will get you a high score in the test.
:)
Thank you very much.
回覆刪除(And we all know who the author is. :D )
Here is another question.
Is the sentence "I am kind of indoor type." correct and common in English?
"I am a kind of indoor type." It's correct, yes. It means you're the kind of person who likes to stay at home, read watch tv, rather than go out shopping or doing sports or drinking in bars.
回覆刪除Right? Is that you?
Describe a book that you believe is the most useful to you. Please explain the reason and include specific examples and details in your explanation.
回覆刪除The useful book I like the most is the Bible. There are a number of reasons for this. First, I really like its thought because it’s the best urn of a life enshrining the glorious thinking. Second, I am interested in its immortality. This is because life is finite but knowledge is infinite. The Bible is full of wisdom and intelligence. Another reason is we could speak to it as vividly as ever from the ideas. Also, the thought is as fresh today as when they first passed through the minds ages ago. On the other hand, sometimes, it’s a bit too hard to read English edition.
Yeah, maybe I'm a kind of indoor type. I like surfing the Internet rather than going shopping. But I do take exercise such as badminton every week.
回覆刪除By the way, I have another article here. :)
What do you do in your spare time? Please include specific details in your statement.
I often surf the Internet in my spare time. There are several reasons for this. First, I can keep informed of newest message by Internet access. I really like to visit my English teacher's blog because he updates useful and funny information frequently. Second, I'm interested in reading books such as novels, and Internet is by far the best source to provide suggestion and introductions. Furthermore, online access is convenient for me to order books which are important or attractive. On the other hand, sometimes, I can spend a bit too much time using the computer.
Yeah, me too Hank, although I like swimming.
回覆刪除- the newest
- suggestions
Excellent!
Eirc, Hi!
回覆刪除Here is my feedback to you:
- A useful book (use 'a' for the first time you mention a noun, and then use 'the' for all the other times you mention the same noun.)
-the best urn of a life enshrining the glorious thinking. I'm not sure what you mean by this. Try to express your idea more clearly. use easier language.
-the thoughts are are fresh.... take care with singular and plural
Well done!
Dear Quentin:
回覆刪除Thanks for your advices.
-"the best urn of a life enshrining the glorious thinking......".....actually I cpoied the textbook. I intend to express "an endlessly great thinking in the life". Would you please offer any advice?
Thanks in advance for your great help.
Best regards
Eric
Goshm, Eric, sorry to reply so late to you, I only just saw your comment.
回覆刪除You can use 'be like' to make a simile: 'the bible is like an urn containing glorious thoughts'
a 'simile' is when you describe something as being like something else:
you smile is like the sun
your eyes are like the sky
your face is like a painting by a master
it's used a lot in literature.
Hope that helps!
:)
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回覆刪除Which of the following statements do your agree with? Please give specific reasons for your opinion. Some believe that TV programs have a positive influence on modern society. Others, however, think that the influence of TV
回覆刪除programs is negative.
Wow what a great blog, i really enjoyed reading this, good luck in your work. TOEFL Speaking Question 1 topics
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