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FO R TH E TO EFL®
SPEAKIN G SECTIO N
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Practice Test #10

For the TOEFL®
Speaking Section

1
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

The TOEFL Speaking Section:

Directions

The following Speaking section of the test will last between 20-30 minutes. To complete it, you will
need a recording device that you can play back to listen to your responses. You should also have a pen
and a piece of paper ready to take notes.

During the test, you will answer four speaking questions. One of the questions asks about familiar topics.
Three questions ask about short conversations, lectures, and reading passages.

When you see the audio icon, it means that there is an audio passage you must listen to. Please
click the icon to get redirected to the audio file.

The time you have to prepare your response and speak is printed below each question. You should
answer all of the questions as completely as possible in the time allowed.

If you would like to read and listen to a sample response to the question you are answering, you can refer
to the answer key.

When you are ready, turn the page to see the directions for the first speaking task.

2
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 1

Directions: You will now be asked a question about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you
will have 15 seconds to plan your response and 45 seconds to speak.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

“Video games have a positive impact on children.”

Provide reasons and examples to support your stance.

Preparation Time: 15 seconds

Response Time: 45 seconds

3
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 2

Directions: You will now read a short passage and then listen to a conversation on the same topic.
You will then be asked a question about the passages. After you hear the question, you will have 30
seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.

You have 45 seconds to read the passage below. You may begin reading now.

New Position for Coach Jepsen

The college is pleased to announce that Coach Marilee Jepsen, who currently coaches the
women’s softball team, will also fill the role of coach of the women’s volleyball team next
semester. As the softball coach for the last three years, Coach Jepsen has led the team to
an excellent winning record and two championships. In addition to her success on the field,
Coach Jepsen has proven herself to be an excellent leader who always makes time to offer
students personal guidance and academic support. During her time in charge, the average
GPA for student-athletes on the softball team rose substantially. The college feels sure
Coach Jepsen will excel in her new role.

Now listen to a conversation about the same topic

Now answer the question.

The woman expresses her opinion about the situation described in the announcement. State her opinion and
explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

Preparation Time: 30 seconds

Response Time: 60 seconds

4
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 3

Directions: You will now read a short passage and then listen to a lecture on the same topic. You will
then be asked a question about the passages. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to
prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.

You have 45 seconds to read the passage below. You may begin reading now.

The Yips

Professional athletes are highly trained and skilled individuals who have become the best
at their given sports. Sometimes, however, even the performance of professionals declines
because of their mindsets. The yips is a common psychological phenomenon where an
athlete loses the fine motor skills needed to perform in his or her sport. A one-time master
will suddenly lose the ability to carry out a task he or she once knew so well. Some experts
believe the yips is due to the continual use of the same muscles in order to perform a
particular movement in a sport, which eventually leads to an increase in the deterioration
of muscle tissue and nerve damage. Other experts suggest that the yips is strictly a
psychological problem, and the player should be treated through psychoanalysis,
meditation, or other cognitive means.

Now listen to a lecture about this topic in a psychology class

Now answer the question.

Using the examples of Bill Blass and Steve Sax from the lecture, describe what the yips is.

Preparation Time: 30 seconds

Response Time: 60 seconds

5
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 4

Directions: You will now listen to part of a lecture. You will then be asked a question about it. After
you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.

Now listen to part of a lecture in a history class

Now answer the question.

Using points and examples from the talk, explain two effects of the industrial revolution.

Preparation Time: 20 seconds

Response Time: 60 seconds

6
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Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Practice Test #10

For the TOEFL® Speaking Section
Answer Key

8
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 1: Sample Answer

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

“Video games have a positive impact on children.”

Provide reasons and examples to support your stance.

Personally speaking, I definitely think that video games offer more benefits than drawbacks for
children. I remember when I was a child, almost 30 years ago now, and we were the first generation to
play a computer game in school called The Oregon Trail. Not only did we enjoy competing against each
other, but we also learned about American history in an interesting and engaging way. On top of that,
most children are surrounded by video games, so they are impossible to avoid. For example, tablets,
phones, and computers all have different games, and many of them are not only entertaining but
educational. That’s why I totally agree that video games are more beneficial than harmful for children.

9
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 2: Sample Answer

The university has announced that Coach Jepsen will start coaching the women’s volleyball team
next semester. The woman in the listening passage is not crazy about this idea. First of all, the
announcement states that because Ms. Jepsen has been a successful softball coach, she can also help the
volleyball team. However, the woman points out that she doesn’t have any experience coaching volleyball,
so she is doubtful about their chances of winning next year. Secondly, even though Ms. Jepsen may help
students improve their GPA, so does Coach Smith, the current volleyball coach. The woman in the
conversation points out that Coach Smith always makes time to help her players with their studies and
doesn’t even allow them to play if their GPA falls below a certain grade. These are the reasons why the
woman is really unhappy with this change.

10
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 2: Transcript

Man: Hi, Jenny! You must be pretty pleased to hear about Coach Jepsen’s new role, right?

Woman: Actually, my feelings are completely the opposite. I was really disappointed when I heard the news.

Man: But aren’t you on the volleyball team?

Woman: Yeah.. and that’s why I’m upset. We’ve got a good team, and I thought we could win the championship
next year. But now I’m doubtful. I’ve looked into Coach Jepsen’s experience, and she’s worked as either a
soccer coach or a softball coach for her whole career.

Man: Ah, I see; you worry that she might not know enough about volleyball.

Woman: Right! I’m sure she’ll learn, but I don’t know how quickly. And until she does, I’m concerned she won’t
have the knowledge required to help the team win more games.

Man: I see your point.

Woman: And I think the college doesn’t really understand how much Coach Smith supported us off the court.

Man: Coach Smith? You mean the current coach?

Woman: Yeah, they mentioned that Coach Jepsen’s players have an excellent GPA, but so do we. Coach Smith
always made time for us after practice if we needed any help in our classes. On top of that, if any of our
GPAs dropped below a certain number, we wouldn’t be allowed to play. I’m sure Miss Jepsen is nice, but so
was Coach Smith. I really don’t think the team’s GPA is that low.

Man: Well, either way, looks like you all have a new coach.

11
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 3: Sample Answer

I had never heard of the Yips before, but I found it to be quite interesting. It’s this psychological
phenomenon that causes a professional athlete to lose the physical skills needed to perform the sport
they play. The lecturer gives some great examples of the yips in baseball. One is Bill Blass, a famous
pitcher who suddenly lost his ability to throw well in the 1970s. Once he became conscious of the motions
required to pitch, he could no longer perform, and unfortunately, his career soon ended after that.
Another ballplayer with the yips was Steve Sax. After one bad game, he started to let fear get in the way of
his throwing ability. Luckily, Sax worked with a psychologist to overcome his fears and continued to play
for another 13 years. And so this is how the professor explains the idea of the yips.

12
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 3: Transcript

“So, as was already mentioned in the reading, the yips is most commonly associated with sports, and some of
the best examples come from baseball.

Bill Blass was an all-star baseball player in the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1973 however, Blass suddenly lost his
previous pitching abilities. One day, without warning, he just couldn't pitch the way he used to. You see, in the
past, Blass would just pitch. He had a considerable amount of training leading up to the time he became a
professional baseball player, which was mainly stored in his unconscious mind. But once he became aware of
the complicated motions associated with throwing a baseball, he was no longer able to perform at a high level.
His career went to decline, and sadly, he was never able to overcome this problem.

But the yips aren’t always fatal to an athlete’s career. Another baseball player, Steve Sax, started to suffer from a
similar deterioration of basic baseball mechanics in the 1983 season. After a single bad throw in a game, Sax
began to question his throwing ability, and fear started to cloud his judgment. He committed error after error
while throwing to first base. However, Sax worked with a psychologist to help identify the fears which were
getting in the way of his performance. It was through Sax's ability to identify his fears and notice them while he
played that helped him return to his normal playing form. He played for another 13 years after that without
experiencing the same problems.”

13
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 4: Sample Answer

In the lecture, the professor discusses the Industrial Revolution, which was a drastic change in the
economy that caused massive numbers of people to seek jobs in factories. In particular, he describes two
of the negative side effects of industrialization. One drawback of the Industrial Revolution was
urbanization. When people realized they could easily find work in a factory, they moved to cities and
abandoned the rural way of life. Unfortunately, this has made it difficult for farms to survive and for small
towns to remain populated. Another downside of industrialization was, and still is, the environmental
effects. At first, the growing industries meant that a lot of coal had to be burned for energy, and this
released harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Also, factories polluted reservoirs and rivers with their
wastes. So, as you can see, these are two very negative side effects of the Industrial Revolution.

14
Practice Test #10
For the TOEFL® Speaking Section

Speaking Task 4: Transcript

“Well, today we are going to talk about the Industrial Revolution. This major shift in the economy caused
massive numbers of people to seek work in factories, which didn’t exist before then. Even though
industrialization certainly shaped the society that we all live in and enjoy today, there were some very negative
side effects that have also had a lasting impact.

To start, cities are densely populated today because of the Industrial Revolution. Before factories sprouted up in
cities, people were happy to live in rural areas in tight-knit families within small local communities. According to
some estimates, urban populations increased by up to 40% during the onset of industrialization. The rural
landscape was soon abandoned by families that may have lived there for generations. The promise of easy jobs
and high wages appealed to younger people who wanted to see more of the world and even to families who
were tired of relying on the weather and a favorable crop season for food. Since then, it has remained
increasingly difficult for farms to remain tended and small towns to remain populated.

Besides the extensive migration out of the countryside and into heavily populated and increasingly dangerous
cities, the Industrial Revolution also marked the beginning of humanity's contribution to the destruction of the
Earth's natural environment. Rapidly growing industries not only required an increased amount of labor but also
energy. Coal was burnt, and harmful emissions were let out into the atmosphere with almost no consideration of
how these fumes might negatively impact the earth. Factories even began releasing their waste into reservoirs,
rivers, and other natural areas. So, in short, industrialization was the first time we human beings became a
major contributor to the contamination of our planet.”

15
SpeakingGroup Speaki
ngEvaluat
ion
Classessf
ortheTOEFL
® fort
heTOEFL
®
Meetwithaspeakingteacher Meetwi
thaprof
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onalSpeaki
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eacherandl
earnyourscor
etoday.

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lderPr
ogr
am EmergencyCour
se
fort
heTOEFL® fort
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h LearnEverythi
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veyour
dream score.

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