Reading and Conversation (Task 3)

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Intermediate

The third task of the TOEFL iBT Speaking test is about a campus-related situation. You will be asked to read a short passage, listen to a conversation on the same topic and answer a question based on the passage and the conversation. The question will ask you to state the opinion of one of the speakers and explain their reasons.

Exercise 1

Sample iBT Question

Read the passage, then study the question and the sample answer.

Health Club Fees

The university plans to charge a membership fee at its health club starting in January. The fee for using the facilities will be $20 per student. The university has made this decision in light of the deteriorating condition of the equipment and the poor state of the health club itself. Renovations will be made during the Christmas break. All fees will go toward the costs of renovation and the purchase of new equipment.

Conversation

Question

The man expresses his opinion about the students having to pay for the health club. State his opinion, and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.

Example

Sample Answer

The man is not pleased that the students have to pay for admission to the school’s health club. Even though the fee is small, he thinks it is a lot of money for him to spend. Plus, he states that he doesn’t like the fact that the students have to pay for things like books, late fees, and lab fees in addition to their tuition. He feels that the school is charging them enough for lots of different things already. Finally, he believes that it is very unfair that members of the student body have to pay but members of the school’s sports teams do not, especially because the football team and coach were the ones who wanted to have the changes made.

Opinion: The man is not pleased that the students have to pay for admission to the school’s health club.

Reason 1: He feels that the school is charging them enough for lots of different things already.

Reason 2: He believes that it is very unfair that members of the student body have to pay but members of the school’s sports teams do not.

How to Practice

This section contains the step by step guide to constructing your answer. Read and study it with your teacher.

Reading

Read the following passage about a campus situation.

Additional Writing Course

Attention, science students. Starting next semester, the school will be offering two writing classes: Basic Writing for Science and Intermediate Writing for Science. These classes have been made in response to the recent complaints about the writing abilities of science students. Students who want to take either of these two classes should meet Professor Johnson first and get an application form.

Note Taking

Take notes on the passage.

Notes:

Topic: New writing courses for science students.
Reason: To increase science students' writing abilities.

Organizing

Answer the following question using the above information.

Question:

What is the school going to do?

Answer:

The school will offer two writing classes to help improve its science students’ writing abilities.

Listening and Note Taking

Listen to a conversation on the same topic, and take notes.

Conversation

Notes

Woman

Opinion: Dislikes the classes
Reasons: These classes are a waste of time since she can already write.

Man

Opinion: Likes the classes
Reason: The classes will teach him how to write and be more persuasive, and they may help him get into graduate school.

Practice Answer

Make your response using the above information.

Question

The man expresses his opinion about the new classes the school will offer. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for having that opinion.

Answer

The man thinks the new classes are great. Because he hated English class, he doesn’t have any skills. So he wants to take the class in order to go to graduate school.

Exercise 2

Practice

Answer the same question on your own.

The man expresses his opinion about the new classes the school will offer. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for having that opinion.

Exercise 3

Useful Expressions

These expressions can help you structure your answer by including the following points: the speaker's position, reasons and examples (quotes). Your teacher will read the expressions and example sentences. Repeat the examples after your teacher, and then make your own sentences with the expressions.

Stating the Speaker's Position

Agreeing

The man/woman agrees with ... / that ...
The man/woman approves of ...

The woman agrees with the university’s policy to renovate the art building instead of constructing a new one.

Disagreeing

The man/woman disagrees with ... / that ...
The man/woman is against ...

The woman disagrees that freshman students should be allowed to live off campus instead of living in the dormitory for a semester.

Talking about Reasons

He/She gives two reasons why he/she ...
The/His/Her first reason is that ...
The/His/Her other reason is that ...

He gives two reasons why he cannot pay money to use the university health club.

Quoting

According to the announcement/ letter/ article, ...
He/She mentions (that) ...
He/She points out (that) ...

According to the letter, students are not allowed to drive cars on campus.