Speaking and Writing Strategies for the TOEFL iBT part 35

It goes without saying that if you want a higher score, you should use a predictor thesis instead of a general thesis.. Using a general thesis does not demonstrate advanced organization,

Exercise: Gerund Predictors

Task: Check each example for parallelism Check your answers on page 332.

1 I think that students should learn a second language as early as possible Learning a second language will open more doors and it is helpful to get a job

2 As far as I’m concerned, you should exercise for at least one hour every day Exercising was good for your heart and is good for reducing stress

3 I prefer to travel by plane instead of train Flying by plane in America is

faster and has been cheaper

4 Personally speaking, you should not talk on your cell phone while driving Talking on your cell phone is not only danger for you but also perilous for other drivers as well

5 It goes without saying that if you want a higher score, you should use a

predictor thesis instead of a general thesis Using a general thesis does not demonstrate advanced organization, progressing, development, unity and language use; however, a predictor thesis does

6 In the final analysis, to be saving money is better than spending it

7 From my perspective, I assert that we need zoos Having zoos means we can protect wild animals, educating parents and children, or provide a fun place

to go on weekends

8 In my experience, Google is the best search engine Googling information is fastest and easy

9 The most dangerous shark in the world is not the great white shark but the bull sharks Thriving in both salty and fresh water, the bull shark has the highest testosterone level of any animal

10 People are often divided by the so-called personality theory Being a

type A says you are a leader whereas to be a type B is saying you are a

follower

Answers: Identifying Rhetorical Strategies

1 classification, illustration, cause-effect, description

2 description, illustration, cause-effect

3 illustration, definition, description

4 illustration, description, definition, cause-effect

5 description, illustration, definition

6 illustration, description, compare-contrast

7 illustration, description, compare-contrast

8 illustration, description, process

9 illustration, description, cause-effect, compare-contrast

10 illustration, description, narration

Answers: Identifying Opinions

1 opinion

2 not an opinion

3 opinion

4 not an opinion

5 not an opinion

6 not an opinion

7 opinion

8 not an opinion

9 not an opinion

10 not an opinion

11 not an opinion

12 opinion

13 opinion

14 not an opinion

15 opinion

Answer Key

Answers: Checking for Parallelism

1 Personally speaking, I believe that we need zoos because they are

educational, they are fun and they protect wild animals

2 In my view, I think that a good parent should be patient and understanding

3 a On weekends, I like to go shopping and to go golfing

b On weekends, I like to go shopping and golfing

4 no errors

5 The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking and writing

6 Many scientists use induction when developing theories First, they observe phenomena, then they formulate conclusions based on their observations Not Einstein He did not employ induction when theorizing about the relationship between matter and energy Instead, he used deduction and figured out e=mc2

all in his head

7 The middle of the nineteenth century witnessed two great art movements: Impressionism in France and the Raphaelite Brother in England The Pre-Raphaelites, a group of poets and painters, believed that the individual artist

“should have genuine ideas to express, should study Nature attentively, so as

to know how to express it, should sympathise with what is direct and serious and heartfelt in previous art.”

8 I firmly believe that global warming is caused by car pollution and by factory pollution

9 a I want a high TOEFL score so I can apply to Yale, Harvard and to Princeton

b I want a high TOEFL score so I can apply to Yale, Harvard and Princeton

10 Singing and studying English are my hobbies

Answers: Gerund Predictors

1 a I think that students should learn a second language as early as possible Learning a second language will open more doors and will help you get a job

b I think that students should learn a second language as early as possible Learning a second language will open more doors and help you get a job

2 a As far as I’m concerned, you should exercise for at least one hour every day Exercising is good for your heart and is good for reducing stress

b As far as I’m concerned, you should exercise for at least one hour every day Exercising is good for your heart and for reducing stress

3 I prefer to travel by plane instead of train Flying by plane in America is faster and cheaper

4 Personally speaking, you should not talk on your cell phone while driving Talking on your cell phone is not only dangerous for you but also perilous for other drivers as well

5 It goes without saying that if you want a higher score, you should use a

predictor thesis instead of a general thesis Using a general thesis does not demonstrate advanced organization, progression, development, unity or

language use; however, a predictor thesis does

6 In the final analysis, saving money is better than spending it

7 From my perspective, I assert that we need zoos Having zoos means we can protect wild animals, educate parents and children, and provide a fun place to

go on weekends

8 In my experience, Google is the best search engine Googling information is fast and easy

9 The most dangerous shark in the world is not the great white shark but the bull shark Thriving in both salt and fresh water, the bull shark has the

highest testosterone level of any animal

10 People are often divided by the so-called personality theory Basically, being a type A says you are a leader whereas being a type B says you are a follower

Note: The check sign (√) means proficient; the X means lacks proficiency

Agree-Disagree Prompt

Zoo Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

TV Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Preference Prompt

Laptop v Desktop Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Compare-Contrast Prompt

1 New Delhi Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

2 Eating-Out Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Advantage-Disadvantage Prompt

Owning-a-Car Essay - range score: 2.5-3.0

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Advantage Prompt

Telecommuting Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Disadvantage Prompt

Online Education Essay - range score: 2.5-3.5

Organization deduction √

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Organization deduction √

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Reason Prompts

1 Technology Essay (internet) - range score: 4.0-5.0

2 Travel Essay - range score: 2-5-3.5

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use

3 Change-the-World Essay - range score: 1.0-2.0

4 Technology Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Organization deduction X

Progression general-specific X

Development

Language Use

Organization deduction

Progression general-specific

Development

Language Use

Quality Prompt

Shelton University Essay - range score: 4.0-5.0

Advanced Independent Essays

1 Agree-Disagree Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

2 Preference Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

3 Compare-Contrast Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

4 Advantage-Disadvantage Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

5 Advantage Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

6 Disadvantage Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

7 Reason Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

8 Quality Prompt

- range score: 4.0-5.0

Progression general-specific √

Development

Language Use