Reading and Lecture (Task 4)

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Intermediate

The fourth task of the TOEFL iBT Speaking test is about an academic subject. You will be asked to read a short passage, listen to a lecture on the same topic and answer a question based on the passage and the lecture. The question will ask you to explain the topic of the lecture by integrating and conveying the key information from both sources.

Exercise 1

Sample iBT Question

Study the question and the sample answer.

Crossbreeding

The process by which two plants or animals are bred with one another in order to attain the desired offspring is known as crossbreeding. Typically, crossbreeding is done because it can help the offspring gain important traits, such as resistance to disease, different colors in the cases of flowers, or enhanced productivity or nutritional value. Crossbreeding is also used to created new strains of plants, trees, and flowers. As a general rule, those offspring produced as a result of crossbreeding are stronger and more desirable than both of their parents.

Lecture

Question

The professor describes the advances in genetics made by Gregor Mendel. Explain how these advances in genetics are related to crossbreeding.

Example

Sample Answer

The professor discusses Gregor Mendel and his contributions to genetics. Mendel used crossbreeding to make his discoveries. Crossbreeding is the breeding of two separate plants or animals to get a desired result, which is always something positive. Through the crossbreeding of peas, Mendel discovered three basic laws of heredity. These laws helped to explain both dominant and recessive genes, which were two things that people did not know anything about until he conducted his experiments. Thanks to Mendel’s crossbreeding, people now know very much about genetics.

Topic: The professor discusses Gregor Mendel and his contributions to genetics.

Details: Mendel used crossbreeding to make his discoveries... Through the crossbreeding of peas, Mendel discovered three basic laws of heredity...

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 an academic subject.

Animal Domestication

Animal domestication is done by asserting dominance. In accordance to their natural instincts, wild animals follow the dominant member of their herd. So people domesticate them by assuming the role of the dominant member.

Note Taking

Take notes on the passage.

Topic: Animal domestication - done by asserting dominance
Details: Possible, because animal’s instinct is to follow dominant member

Organizing

Answer the following question using the above information.

Question:

According to the passage, how is animal domestication done?

Answer:

People act like the dominant member of the herd. That way, the other animals will follow them.

Listening and Note Taking

Listen to a lecture about the same topic, and take notes.

Notes:

Lecture

Feral horses: have instinct to follow dominant male
Domestication: done by taking dominant status out of male

Practice Answer

Make your response using the above information.

Question:

The professor describes feral horses. Explain how this example illustrates the principle of domestication.

Answer:

People domesticate horses by becoming the dominant member of the herd. This is possible because horses are animals that the principles of animal domestication can apply to.

Exercise 2

Practice

Answer the same question on your own.

The professor describes feral horses. Explain how this example illustrates the principle of domestication.

Exercise 3

Useful Expressions

These expressions can help you structure your answer by including the following points: Topic and Details. Your teacher will read the expressions and example sentences. Repeat the examples after your teacher, and then make your own sentences with the expressions.

Talking about the Topic

The reading defines ... as ...
According to the reading, ...
The professor explains ...
The professor talks about ...
According to the professor, ...
The lecture is about ...

The reading defines symbiosis as a situation in which two kinds of organisms live together.

Explaining the Details

Talking about Subtopics

There are two (different) kinds of ...
The first (one) is ..., and the second (one) is ...

There are two (different) kinds of theories of animal communication.

Talking about Examples

The professor talks about ... as an example of ...
The professor gives an example of ... by discussing ...

The professor talks about the dead grass and animals as an example of drought.