Sample Essay

TOEIC Speaking Questions 1-2: Read a Text Aloud

Task Questions 1 and 2 of the TOEIC Speaking Test require you to read a text out loud. You will see the text printed on your screen and you will read it aloud. Hints and Preparation You have 45 seconds to prepare before you start reading aloud. Scan the passage to get a basic understanding. Read through the passage. Identify words that may be difficult for you. Practice saying them out loud. Out loud, practice sentences, or sections of sentences, that may be challenging for you. You will then have 45 seconds to read the text aloud. Sample Questions The following are examples of the types of passages you will read in this section of the TOEIC Speaking Test. Read them carefully. Then study the comments on the speakers reading.

Sample Question 1 If youre here to see Thaw in Time, I need you to line up against the wall, in a single-file line. This line is for ticket-holders only. Does everyone here have a ticket? The seven-fifteen showing is sold out. However, theres still seating available for our other films - Running Hard, Ban Seven and The Blue Dancer.

Sample Question 2 On Tuesday the sixth, we will be changing the carpets in the main areas of the fourth floor. This includes carpets in the lobby, the waiting area and the halls. Whenever possible, you should try to use the stairs instead of the elevators. Lets do our best to stay out of the workers way.

Comments on Reading Aloud Read fluently and understandably. Maintain a steady pace and try not to repeat or focus on any one word. Remember to pronounce sounds correctly. Read with care so that you can focus on sounds that may be hard for you (thaw, ban, sixth). Read contractions as contractions (youre, theres). Use native-like elision (the s-sound in is sold blends). Stress words accurately a|vail|a|ble, el|e|va|tors Be careful of words whose stress may shift depending on the part of speech, such as ex|port (noun) and ex|port (verb).

Macmillan Publishers 2008.

Emphasize words accurately (This line is for ticket-holders only). Pause at natural points, usually after periods and commas, and not usually in the middle of an idea. (If youre here to see Thaw in Time [pause], I need you to line up against the wall [possible pause], in a single-file line. [pause]) Each paragraph contains at least one transition word, often in conjunction with a comma (however, whenever possible). Stress transition words appropriately, with natural pausing. (However, [pause] theres still seating available . . . ) Use appropriate question intonation for questions. Questions with an auxiliary word, such as do, is or may, have an upward intonation on the last syllable of the last word. (Does everyone here have a ticket?) In wh-questions, intonation goes down on the last syllable of the last word. Each passage will contain a list with three or more items. For this list, use the common English pattern of intonation, where the first two words take an upward intonation after the main stress, and the last word goes down after the last stressed syllable. (Running Hard, Ban Seven, and The Blue Dancer). Allow unstressed words to be shorter (I need you to line up).

Scoring A high-scoring reading of these passages includes native-like pronunciation that is easy to understand. Pronunciation is even, with little self-correction. It contains little influence of another language. The reading is understandable with minimal listener effort. It flows smoothly and steadily, with normal use of pauses. Stress and intonation reflect a good understanding of the text, including natural rising and falling pitch. Responses are scored on a scale of 0 to 3.

Macmillan Publishers 2008.