Okay you might feel this way on the TOEFL like you don't know what you are doing. So let's get a plan that we can practice and feel more comfortable.
OUR PLAN FOR PRACTICING IT:
For the independent speaking, you have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to record. We will practice these in 3 steps:
1.Practice the topic sentence and organization.
2.Practice support.
3.Practice the time.
Now there are two types for independent speaking.
Type 1: State your preference.
There are two ways you can organize your answer for this type.
ONE WAY is to do the following:
Topic sentence: Copy the question and the rules I will give you for creating the topic sentence.
Give a transition (first of all), your first reason + support
Then transition (in addition), explain your second reason and support.
A SECOND WAY to organize it is to do the following:
Topic sentence: Copy the question and follow our rules for creating the topic sentence.
Describe the answer in 2 sentences.
Then explain your reason.
Support your reason.
Note: You can give a concluding sentence if you need something else. I would spend the time on support though.
Let's look at our first goal, which is the topic sentence and organization. To create the topic sentence, make sure you follow these rules and copy the exact words. You don't need to change the original words.
Rules for the topic sentence:
1.Delete the question word like describe. If there is a wh question word, delete it.
2. If there is a wh question word, delete do/does or did. Move am/is/are, should/will after the subject.
3. Copy the exact words but change you or your to I or my and add your answer.
Let's practice:
Now we want to meet our first goal, which is to create the topic sentence. Here is a topic. How would we create the topic sentence?
Describe the person who has had the great influence on your life. Explain why this person has had such an important influence on you. Give specific details and examples to support your explanation.
1. Delete describe.
2.There is no question word so we can skip step 2.
3.Copy the exact words, change you to I or your to my and add your answer.
The person who has had the great influence on my life is _______________.
Now let's work on the organization. After the topic sentence, you need the following:
First of all, reason 1
support
In addition, reason 2
support
So please finish your organization by adding those transitions and reasons.
Now to type 2: Paired Choice
This question has two choices and you need to choose which one you would prefer.
The best way to organize it is the following and it is the same as type 1.
Topic sentence: Follow our rules to copy the topic sentence OR In my opinion, _______ is the better choice.
First reason and support
Second reason and support
Let's practice:
Some people eat their main meal of the day around noon. Others have their main meal in the evening. What time of day do you think is better and why? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
Create the topic sentence and follow our 3 steps.
Rules for the topic sentence:
1.Delete the question word like describe. If there is a wh question word, delete it.
2. If there is a wh question word, delete do/does or did. Move am/is/are, should/will after the subject.
3. Copy the exact words but change you or your to I or my and add your answer.
Then add your organization.
First of all, reason 1
In addition, reason 2
We have now look at our first goal or topic sentence and organization. We'll practice on this first.