Yokohama JALT TOEFL iBT Workshop – Saturday 15th June, 2013 – Terry Yearley
Introduction and Overview of the TOEFL iBT
1.
You can keep up to date with changes to the TOEFL iBT by visiting the ETS website at:
http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about
2.
The TOEFL iBT is mostly taken by people who want to study at an institution where the medium of instruction is
English.
3.
There are four sections in the test: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is worth 30 points. The
highest possible score, therefore, is 120 points.
4.
Rating/Scoring
The Reading and Listening sections are scored by computer.
One task in the Writing section is rated by both a human and an automated scoring system.
5.
Score requirements
100 is a high score. A score of about this level is usually required for graduate/MA level study.
A score of about 80 is usually required for undergraduate study.
A score of 60 is usually sufficient to gain entry to a community college in the USA.
If a test taker thinks their Writing or Speaking score should be higher, they can ask for it to be rescored.
6.
An independent task is one in which the test taker gives their own opinion in answer to the prompt.
An Integrated task is one which uses two or more language skills.
7.
Generally, ETS discourage the use of templates as a way of preparing for the test.
8.
In Japan, the test costs $225. An on-line practice test costs only $44.95. A test taker can save money by taking a
practice test at least once before attempting the proper test.
Your Notes
Yokohama JALT TOEFL iBT Workshop – Saturday 15th June, 2013 – Terry Yearley
The Writing Section
Overview of the Two Writing Tasks
The Integrated Writing Task – Write a summary on an academic topic - Read a passage (3 minutes), listen to a lecture on
the same topic, write a summary of the lecture (20 minutes).
The Independent Writing Task – Write an opinion essay based on a prompt (essay question) - 300 words, 30 minutes.
Challenges
Integrated task – language skills (reading, listening, and writing), grammar, vocabulary, keyboard skills, collation, how to
structure a summary, time limit.
Independent – language skills (writing), grammar, vocabulary, keyboard skills, creativity, knowledge of essay structure,
unity, and coherence, time limit.
Pen and paper versus computer
Writing an essay/summary on paper – You need to plan the essay in your head before you start writing. You may be
allowed to make notes on scrap paper. You cannot ‘edit’.
Writing an essay/summary on a computer – You can type your plan/notes into the computer. You can edit.
Two simple ideas that can help:
1.
Simulate the computer situation, and
2.
do the most important things first – this makes the best use of the time permitted, and allows the test taker to get the
important information finished first.
Essay – Sequence of writing:
Plan – decide your opinion, controlling idea, supporting ideas
Opinion and controlling idea (one sentence)
Topic sentences
Supporting sentences – explain your ideas using statistics, facts, descriptions, personal experiences, examples
Conclusion – controlling idea, summary of supporting ideas, opinion
Introduction – general topic, information in the question
Supporting paragraphs – concluding sentences
Conclusion – concluding statement
Summary – Sequence of writing
Introduction – the topic and the lecturer’s opinion (one sentence)
Topic sentences – the lecturer’s ideas
Use your notes to explain the lecturer’s ideas
Add one sentence to each paragraph to say how the lecturer’s idea relates to the reading
You do not need a conclusion