マイチューターのTOEFL対策コラム

TOEFL Writing Tip #２

Written/edited by Venus Montebon

 
留学・ビジネス英語に強い　　オンライン英会話　　マイチューター
 

▮　TOEFL　iBTとは？

 
TOEFL iB T  インターネット版　(Internet – Based Testing  ) TOEFL 試験です。　大学レベルの英語能力を測定するテストです。
リスニング、リーディング、スピーキング、ライティングの各スキルを組み合わせて、学術的な課題を遂行する能力も評価します。
世界全域で2700万人を超える人々が主に米国、カナダ、オーストラリアなど英語圏の留学を目指すために受験します。
 
 

Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL format
 
Most countries now offer the Internet based TOEFL (iBT). A few offer only the paper-based test (PBT). Make sure you find out which test you will be taking before you start studying for the TOEFL. You cannot choose to take the paper based test if your country offers the iBT. One reason people experience exam stress is because they don’t know what to expect before a test. Prevent stress on exam day by studying the format of the test in detail. ETS has very clear standards about the format of their test. This is why it is called a “standardized” test.
 

IBT Internet-based Test

Since its introduction in late 2005, the TOEFL iBT format has progressively replaced both the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT), although paper-based testing is still used in select areas. Although initially, the demand for test seats was higher than availability, and candidates had to wait for months, it is now possible to take the test within one to four weeks in most countries.^[4] The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills (while some tasks require integrating multiple skills) and all tasks focus on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the TOEFL iBT test.
 

Paper-based Test

The TOEFL PBT test measures reading, listening, grammar and writing skills and is currently offered only in locations where testing via the Internet is not available.

1. Listening(30 – 40 minutes)

The Listening section consists of 3 parts. The first one contains 30 questions about short conversations. The second part has 8 questions about longer conversations. The last part asks 12 questions about lectures or talks.

2. Structure and Written Expression(25 minutes)

The Structure and Written Expression section has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors.

3. Reading Comprehension(55 minutes)

The Reading Comprehension section has 50 questions about reading passages.

4. Writing(30 minutes)

The Writing section is one essay with 250–300 words in average.
 
 
 
 
Question:
 
How long are scores valid?

1. 3 years
2. 1 year
3. 2 years

TOEFL Writing Integrated Task     Tips ①

Written/edited by Rose

留学・ビジネス英語に強い　オンライン英会話　　マイチューター

▮　TOEFLライティング総合問題　　解答文章の書き方　

 IELTS　ライティング総合問題（Integrated Task)では、パッセージを読んだ後、レクチャーを約2分聴いた後で、レクチャーの内容を要約することと、それがどうのようにパッセージの内容と関連しているか（多くは異なる観点）をライティングで表現するテストです。　　

採点のポイントとなる文章の構成、質問に対して的確な答えになっているに注意してエッセイの書き方を示します。

文の構成（Organization)といいますが、一体どんなことを言っているのでしょう。日本でよく「起承転結」といいます。アメリカではIntroduction, body, conculusion (序論、本論、結論）といいます。TOEFLはアメリカのテストですから、こちらに従います。

1. INTRODUCTION:

   >Presents the topic of the essay. What the reading and listening are about.

   >Keep it brief, 1-2 sentences will do. Just give a general idea of what the topic is before getting into points of similarity or contradiction.

   Examples:

   If Contrasting ideas:

   “The author explains that ______ (main idea of the reading). The lecturer, however, suggests that ______ (main idea of the lecture).

   OR

   Adding information:

   “The author explains that ______ (main idea of the reading), and the lecturer suggests that ______ (main idea of the lecture).

   OR

   “Both the reading and the listening talk about ______.”

2. BODY:

   >Present the main points and supporting details/contrasting ideas on each point presented

   >the number of paragraphs depends on the number of main points and key details presented

   >Make sure to write accurate and important information

   USE: (Opposition) In contrast to, As opposed to, Directly/blatantly/clearly opposes, this point contradicts, It is the exact/polar opposite of, A conflicting statement, He/she denies this by, It is inconsistent with, on the other hand.

   (Similarity) Agrees with, It is consistent with, This supports/sustains, Offers further proof/arguments of the validity, He/she reinforces this idea by, Similarly, In the same manner, In the same context

   Also, while these connectors specifically address the “supporting” or “contrasting” themes, do not forget to use other such markers, such as: because, thus, hence, for instance, such as, besides, moreover, in addition, furthermore, however, as well as, first, second, third, etc.

3. Conclusion

   >some TOEFL books say it’s not necessary to include a conclusion. But just to be safe, add it if you still have time.

   >Rephrasing of the Introduction. 1-2 sentences long, a general concluding sentence restating what you said in your introduction with more specifics.

USE: in conclusion, in summary, to sum up

Examples: “In conclusion, the reading passage offers an overview of the French Revolution. In the listening, the professor explains three possible causes of the Revolution: government debt, heavy taxation, and social unrest.”

Here’s another:

“In summary, while the reading claims that the French Revolution was brought about by the emergence of Enlightenment principles, the professor disagrees. The professor suggests that the Revolution was a result of economic turmoil and social unrest.”