TOEFL Independent Essay ( Nepal Earthquake 2015)

Hello,

Today, I have another TOEFL Ind Essay practice for you. I know the TOEFL essay doesn't revolve around the news. But, the writing process is still the same. You choose a side, and give reasons why.

TOEFL Ind Essay (Nepal)- Do you agree or disagree with this statement. China will never be happy with what they have. They will always want more.

** This is in response to the fact that many people think China is only helping Nepal for political reasons.***

You can watch more China's Involvement in Nepal Earthquake 2015 here.

TOEFL Writing Tip (Words to Avoid)

Today, we will take a look at an article with a list of words to use in your writing on the TOEFL essay. The article is well-written, and easy to understand.

Check it out here: TOEFL Writing Tips/Words To Avoid

Nepal Turns Down Taiwan Aid (TOEFL Independent Essay Question)

The series of TOEFL independent essay questions about the events in Nepal continues today. As mentioned previously, the TOEFL independent essay won't have a reading to go with it. But, I thought I would list a news article here to help give you more information on the topic.

Read more: Nepal Turns Down Taiwan Asistance

Do you agree with this statement? Taiwan was turned down by Nepal because of China's good relations with Nepal. Give reasons to support your answer.

TOEFL Ind Essay Examples (With Nepal Earthquake as a reference point)

The Nepal earthquake took the lives of many yesterday. This week,  I will post one TOEFL Independent Essay example question and change the words so you can write about the Nepal earthquake as a reference point. The news will be loaded with pictures, and videos. So, we might as well use it to our advantage.

Example 1:  If you could change one thing about how the media is covering the Nepal earthquake, what would it be? Give reasons and examples to support your answer.

Feel free to bring your essays to class on Saturday for feedback.

TOEFL Writing Tip

The TOEFL Independent essay forces TOEFL students to come up with specific examples to support your personal examples.

This TOEFL Writing tips video explains a small part of the essay.

Some basic notes to go along with the video.

Two tips : 

Professional Examples/ Academic Example- TOEFL revolves around academic work. So, it is best to speak the test graders' language. Try to come up with these kinds of examples whenever possible

                  

True: Try to come up with a true example if you can. But, if you are good at making up a story, don't be afraid to do so.

How to learn to come up with example:

Take a TOEFL example question:

People attend college or university for many reasons. (for example: new experience, career preparation, etc.) Why do you think people attend university?

Your job: Come up with two keywords.

Example:  Social experience: make friends, personal experience

                  Career: Connections , learned how to teach

                       

Root Words Song (TOEFL Vocab)

As mentioned previously, learning root words is a great way to increase your vocabulary greatly. This root words song can help you have some fun while you are learning Root Words

TOEFL Reading Part 1 Video Lecture Summary

Hello,

I posted the TOEFL reading lecture part 1 on Saturday. Here are my notes on the topic.

1.      Reading Basics    

·         4 passages

·         700 words each

·         20 minutes

·         13-14 questions

2.       Important Skills

•  Vocabulary
•  Synonym language ( recognize)
•  Key Words ( recognize)
•  Reading only what is necessary
•  Scan
• Recognize Question Types
• Confidence

Answering Question

1.)    Recognize Question Type

2.)    Recalling the strategy for that question

3.)    Applying that strategy

Question Types

1.)    Attitude

2.)    Purpose

3.)    Negative Factual

4.)    Detail (3-4 questions)

5.)    Vocabulary (2-4 questions)

6.)    Summary

7.)    Reference

8.)    Chart

9.)    Inference (2/3 on one passage maybe)

10.)                        Paraphrase

11.)                        Method- Difficult- Example- How are paragraphs 1 and 2 related?-

Basic Question Answering

How TOEFL people find good/bad answers

1.)    Good answer (except for negative factual/ or inference questions)

·         Come from one sentence

·         Your job is to find that sentence

2.)    Bad answers

·         Come from surrounding sentences

Example: Paragraph

1.)

2.) A

3.) Keyword sentence- answer normally comes from here C

4.)B

5.)D

6.)

If you find the keyword sentence, you can read just the one sentence and get the correct answer.

** Remember if you find the answer for let’s say question 4, you know question 5 comes after that. ***

TOEFL Listening (Transition Words)

The TOEFL listening section focuses on your ability to recognize transition words. This transition word video for the TOEFL will help you recognize more transition words.

Taking notes is one of the most important parts of the TOEFL listening section. When you hear transition words, you know a major detail is coming. This video gives you further practice with transition words.




Suddenly

While

So

Afterward

In the End

Then

In Conlusion

TOEFL Reading Lecture

Some more great tips on the TOEFL reading section in 3 videos.

TOEFL Reading Part 1

TOEFL Reading Part 2

TOEFL Reading Part 3

TOEFL Speaking Section Video Lecture Part 2

Hello,

This is part two of the TOEFL Speaking section lecture. He gives some great examples of how to complete the speaking section. Don't forget you only have 30 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.

TOEFL Speaking Section Video Lecture

TOEFL Listening Lecture Part 1 ( Further Explanation)

Hello,

I took some notes on the lecture about TOEFL Speaking I posted yesterday. Use the notes and the video to your advantage. They are both a great resource.

TOEFL Speaking Lecture Part 1


Notes

Grading

·        Organization or Topic Development

·        Language Use

·        Delivery

*** Review TOEFL Rubric***

6 Areas of TOEFL

2 Independent Speaking Questions- Your job is to give a choice. Then, give examples and reasons why you made your choice. (For example, Talk about a book you recently read.)

2 Integrated Questions-  You will have one reading passage, and one listening passage. Then, you must speak about both.

2 Categorizing/ Summarizing – Only listening.

Further Explanation

1.     

Question 1 & 2

·        Make a choice (5-7 seconds)

·        Give a reason why (17 seconds)

·        Added example/detail

·        Give another reason  (17 seconds)

·        Added example/detail

·        Conclusion (5 seconds)

*** One reason is ok. Just make it longer****

***Examples must be relevant. But, they can’t check if it is true.***

Question 1 and 2 Example Structure

Choice

Reason- To begin

Added example

Give another reason- Not only

Added example

Conclusion

*** Outline while speaker reads question***

*** Try to get good at finishing the question***

Question 3

Question Type- Summarize Reading

·        What  (University notice- closed library, building something, school closed)

·        Why

Opinion

Reasons- comes from the why

Details

TOEFL Speaking Template

Experienced TOEFL tutor gives you a suggested template for answering the TOEFL speaking test answers. Learn how to ace the TOEFL speaking section

An Amazing Video To Help With Your TOEFL Listening (PLEASE WATCH)

***** PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH PLEASE WATCH****

I found an amazing lecture that gives suggestions on how to do well on the listening section. The teacher speaks clearly, and gives great examples. This will be a big help to everyone if we all can take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to watch this. If we help each other learn, you will see amazing results.

TOEFL Listening Tips

Here are some basic notes I took to help you understand the lecture. I know this will help you!

Common Signal Words

A main idea is likely coming soon if you hear:  6: 00- 10: 33

Now

So

Most importantly

Most significantly

There are 3 kinds of -___

That brings us to

Now let’s talk about

It might also be

Especially

Two things we’re going to talk about

*** You hear these words above. This signals you should note whatever is coming next.**

Main idea

Transition

Signal word- (start writing)

Moving to a new main idea (new signal word) – Change in subject

Clues to important info

Self-correction (11:00)- further explanation  Example; The first election was held in 1938. Wait a minute, I meant 1936.= Self –correction

Digression-  In an academic lecture,  watch for talking about previous information, A switch to new information normally follows.  Example: Last week we talked about listening, today we will talk about speaking.

Question-  (14:13) – Important info coming. Write down the answer to the question.

Change tone/ idioms (14:47)

Example (16: 07- 17:33) Don’t worry about details of example. Always why did he give the example.

Repeat info- 17:37

Question types (19:00- 20: )- Detail, Main Idea, Repeat, Multiple (Choose 2 answers),   

Example Questions, Inference Questions, Chart Question( Example; 3 kinds of joints- more info, with 5 different categories)

Traps or Tricks (22:42)- Avoid answers with this kind of language

Exact language-

Extreme language

Superlatives (most, least)

Not mentioned-

Too broad

Too specific

*** Important tip (25:18) Teacher says, “ They punish people who rely on their memory. Take good notes!”