スピーキング道場:TOEFL編その4

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 who has had a significant influence on your life. Explain why this person is important to you, using specific details and examples.


Sample Answer:
A person who has had a significant influence on my life is my high school teacher, Mr. Johnson. He taught me English literature and had a unique way of making the subject come alive. Mr. Johnson encouraged me to think critically and express my ideas confidently. One specific instance that stands out is when he assigned us to write an essay on a book of our choice. He provided constructive feedback that helped me improve my writing skills immensely. His passion for teaching and genuine interest in his students’ success inspired me to pursue a career in education. Mr. Johnson’s mentorship has been invaluable, shaping my academic journey and personal growth.

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

Prompt: You will hear a conversation between two students discussing a new campus policy about dormitory curfews. The woman supports the policy, while the man disagrees. Summarize the woman’s opinion and explain why she supports the policy. Then, summarize the man’s opinion and explain why he disagrees.


Reading Passage:
The university has recently introduced a new policy that enforces curfews in all dormitories. This policy aims to enhance student safety and create a more disciplined living environment. The curfew requires students to be in their dorms by 11 PM on weekdays and midnight on weekends.


Listening Conversation:
Woman: I think the new curfew policy is a great idea. It will definitely make the campus safer and ensure that students get enough rest. I’ve noticed a lot of disturbances late at night, and a curfew could help prevent those. Plus, it reduces the risk of incidents happening after hours.
Man: I don’t agree with the curfew policy at all. We’re adults and should be able to manage our own time. This policy treats us like children and restricts our freedom. Some of us have late-night study sessions or part-time jobs, and a curfew would just make things harder. We should be trusted to make responsible decisions without such restrictive rules.


Sample Answer:
The woman supports the new campus policy on dormitory curfews because she believes it will enhance student safety and create a more disciplined environment. She mentions that having a set curfew can help prevent late-night disturbances and ensure that students get enough rest. She also thinks that the curfew can reduce the risk of incidents occurring late at night, making the campus a safer place overall.

In contrast, the man disagrees with the curfew policy, arguing that it restricts students’ freedom and treats them like children. He feels that college students are adults who should be able to manage their own schedules. Additionally, he believes that a curfew might negatively impact students who have late-night study sessions or part-time jobs. The man argues that students should be trusted to make responsible decisions without the need for such restrictive policies.

Q3: アカデミックな内容に関する講義を聞いて説明。

Prompt: Read the following passage about a new environmental initiative on campus and then listen to a student giving their opinion on the initiative. Summarize the student’s opinion and explain how it relates to the passage.


Reading Passage:
The university has launched a new environmental initiative aimed at reducing waste on campus. This initiative includes the implementation of a comprehensive recycling program and the promotion of reusable containers. The program involves setting up more recycling bins around campus and organizing awareness campaigns to educate students about sustainability and the importance of reducing waste.


Listening Conversation:
Student: I think this new environmental initiative is fantastic. I’ve always been passionate about environmental issues, and this program will significantly reduce our waste output. I really appreciate the increased number of recycling bins, making it much easier for everyone to recycle. The awareness campaigns are also a great idea. They’ll help educate more students about sustainable practices, which is something I believe is really important for our campus community.


Sample Answer:
The passage describes a new environmental initiative on campus aimed at reducing waste by implementing a comprehensive recycling program and promoting the use of reusable containers. The initiative includes setting up more recycling bins around campus and organizing awareness campaigns to educate students about sustainability.

The student supports the environmental initiative, expressing enthusiasm about its potential impact. She mentions that she has always been passionate about environmental issues and believes that the new program will significantly reduce the campus’s waste output. She appreciates the increased availability of recycling bins, making it more convenient for students to recycle. Furthermore, she is excited about the educational campaigns, hoping they will encourage more students to adopt sustainable practices. The student’s opinion aligns with the passage by highlighting the benefits of the initiative and its importance in promoting environmental responsibility on campus.

Q4: アカデミックな内容を聞いて説明。

Prompt: You will read a short academic passage about the concept of classical conditioning and listen to a professor discussing an experiment related to this concept. Summarize the professor’s explanation and how it relates to the passage.


Reading Passage:
The concept of classical conditioning was first described by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus. Pavlov’s experiments with dogs demonstrated this process, where he paired the sound of a bell (neutral stimulus) with the presentation of food (naturally occurring stimulus), leading the dogs to salivate at the sound of the bell alone. This showed that a neutral stimulus, when paired with a stimulus that naturally evokes a response, can eventually evoke that response on its own.


Lecture Excerpt:
Professor: Today, we’ll discuss a modern experiment that demonstrates classical conditioning in humans. In this experiment, a neutral stimulus, such as a light, was paired with a mild electric shock. Over time, participants began to exhibit a conditioned response, such as increased heart rate, when the light was shown, even without the shock. This experiment highlights how associations are formed and how they can influence behavior. Just like Pavlov’s dogs, humans can learn to associate a neutral stimulus with a specific response through repeated pairings. This experiment illustrates the principles of classical conditioning and its relevance in understanding human behavior.


Sample Answer:
The passage explains the concept of classical conditioning, a learning process first described by Ivan Pavlov. It involves creating an association between a neutral stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus. Pavlov’s experiments with dogs, where he paired the sound of a bell with the presentation of food, eventually led the dogs to salivate at the sound of the bell alone, demonstrating classical conditioning.

In the lecture, the professor discusses a similar experiment conducted with humans. In this experiment, a neutral stimulus, such as a light, was paired with a mild electric shock. Over time, participants began to exhibit a conditioned response, such as increased heart rate, when the light was shown, even without the shock. The professor explains that this experiment illustrates the same principles of classical conditioning described in the passage, showing how associations can be formed and influence behavior. This real-life application of classical conditioning underscores the theory’s relevance and effectiveness in understanding human learning and behavior.