スピーキング道場:TOEFL編その15

以下の4つがTOEFLのスピーキングである。

Q1: Independent task: 1問、準備は15秒、回答時間は45秒。

Q2: Integrated task: 3問、準備は30秒、回答時間は60秒。

Q3: アカデミックな内容に関する講義を聞いて説明。

Q4: アカデミックな内容を聞いて説明。


Q1: Independent task: 1問、準備は15秒、回答時間は45秒。

Prompt: Describe a person you admire and explain why you admire this person.


Sample Response:
The person I admire most is my grandmother. She is an incredibly resilient and compassionate woman who has faced many challenges in her life with grace and strength. Despite growing up in difficult circumstances, she worked hard to provide for her family and always put others before herself. What I admire most about her is her unwavering kindness and generosity. She is always willing to help others, whether it’s offering advice, cooking a meal, or simply listening. Her positive attitude and strong moral values have been a guiding force in my life, and I aspire to be as selfless and caring as she is.

Q2: Integrated task: 3問、準備は30秒、回答時間は60秒。

Prompt: Read the following announcement from the university’s sports department:


“Starting this semester, all students who wish to use the gym facilities must complete a safety orientation session. This session will cover proper use of equipment, gym etiquette, and injury prevention. Students can sign up for a session online.”


Now, listen to a conversation between two students discussing the announcement.


Student A: I think the safety orientation is a good idea. It’s important to know how to use the equipment properly to avoid injuries.
Student B: Yeah, but it’s kind of annoying that we have to take a class just to use the gym. I’ve been going there for years without any problems.


Question: The man expresses his opinion about the new requirement for a safety orientation session. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for holding that opinion.


Sample Response:
The man in the conversation thinks the new requirement for a safety orientation session is unnecessary. He finds it annoying because he has been using the gym for years without any issues and feels that he doesn’t need to take a class just to use the facilities. Although he understands the importance of safety, he believes that the requirement might be more of an inconvenience, especially for students who are already familiar with the gym equipment.

Q3: アカデミックな内容に関する講義を聞いて説明。

Prompt: Read a short passage about a concept in psychology:


“Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes. This discomfort often leads individuals to change their beliefs or behaviors to reduce the inconsistency.”


Now, listen to a lecture where the professor provides an example of cognitive dissonance.


Professor: Let’s consider a situation where a person who values health smokes cigarettes. This person knows that smoking is harmful and contradicts their belief in maintaining good health. As a result, they might experience cognitive dissonance. To reduce this discomfort, they might quit smoking to align their behavior with their values, or they might rationalize their behavior by downplaying the risks of smoking. This example shows how cognitive dissonance can lead people to change either their actions or their beliefs to restore internal consistency.


Question: Using the example from the lecture, explain the concept of cognitive dissonance.


Sample Response:
Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds contradictory beliefs or behaviors. The professor provided an example of someone who values health but smokes cigarettes, knowing that smoking is harmful. This contradiction creates cognitive dissonance, leading the person to either quit smoking to align with their health values or rationalize their behavior by downplaying the risks of smoking. This example illustrates how cognitive dissonance can prompt individuals to change their actions or beliefs to reduce the internal conflict and achieve consistency.

Q4: アカデミックな内容を聞いて説明。

Prompt: Listen to a portion of a lecture from an anthropology class about the role of rituals in society.


Professor: Rituals are a fundamental aspect of human culture and serve various purposes within a society. They can mark important life transitions, such as birth, marriage, and death, helping individuals and communities navigate these changes. For example, wedding ceremonies are rituals that symbolize the union of two people and their families. Rituals also reinforce social norms and values by providing a structured way to express collective beliefs. In some cultures, rituals are used to communicate with the divine or to seek guidance. For instance, in many Indigenous communities, rituals like rain dances are performed to invoke spirits for help in bringing rain. Through rituals, societies can maintain a sense of continuity, identity, and connection to their cultural heritage.


Question: Explain the role of rituals in society using the examples provided by the professor.


Sample Response:
Rituals play a significant role in human culture by marking important life transitions, reinforcing social norms, and connecting people to their cultural heritage. The professor gave the example of wedding ceremonies, which symbolize the union of two people and their families, helping individuals navigate the transition of marriage. Rituals also reinforce collective beliefs by providing a structured way to express them. In some cultures, rituals like rain dances are performed to communicate with the divine and seek help, such as bringing rain. These examples illustrate how rituals help maintain continuity, identity, and a sense of connection within a society.