​Speaking

Speaking Section

1. Independent Speaking [Paired Choice]
Listen to the following question.

Some people like to live in places that have the same weather all year round while others prefer a place where the weather changes several times a year. Which do you prefer? Give examples to support your opinion.

Prepare your response after the beep. Preparation time 15 seconds
Start your response after the beep. Response time 45 seconds

Integrated Reading / Listening / Speaking Situational
— Portion of a Notice Posted on a Bulletin Board

Standards of Conduct
No matter what the reason, any student conduct that is academically dishonest or shows a lack of academic integrity or trustworthiness, or unfairly attempts to use the intellectual rights of others is prohibited. Such conduct includes:

Now, read the passage about Standards of Conduct. You have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading, now.

Cheating on Exams and Other Assignments


Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of materials, information, study aids or collaboration in order to pass an examination or other academic exercise. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the professor if in doubt about what may constitute unethical behavior. It is very important to emphasize that if there is any doubt in a student’s mind about what constitutes proper or improper conduct, the student must be certain to clarify this with the professor prior to taking any exam. Cheating or assisting another student in cheating in connection with an examination or assignment is academically unacceptable. Punishment for such offenses is generally at the discretion of the professor and may include automatic failure of the examination or expulsion from the course.

Listening:
Now listen to a conversation between two students.

Question:
The man gives information about Peter’s behavior during the exam. Does the man think that the professor’s actions were justified? Why does he think Peter did this?

Prepare your response after the beep. Preparation time 30 seconds
Start your response after the beep. Response time 60 seconds

Integrated Reading / Listening / Speaking Academic
— History (Levittown)

Now, read the passage about Levittown. You have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading now.

Reading (45 seconds):
Levittown was the first successful suburban housing development in the United States. It was successful because it enabled ordinary, working class people to own homes in the suburbs.

After the Second World War, many young people wanted to start a new life. Most were tired of living in small apartments in crowded cities. They wanted a better quality of life in which to raise their new families. At that time, however, few young families could afford the limited number of such housing available. William Levitt understood the problem and developed a plan to build affordable housing for these people. By 1951, he had built over 15,000 houses using an assembly-line style of production to keep the prices down.

Question:
Explain how the social conditions of the time encouraged the development of Levittown. Discuss how Levitt managed to meet the needs of his customers.

Prepare your response after the beep. Preparation time 30 seconds
Start your response after the beep. Response time 60 seconds

Listening:
Now listen to part of a lecture on this topic in a history class.

Integrated Listening / Speaking (Summary)
Psychology (Intelligence)

Now listen to part of a lecture in a psychology class.

Question:
Using points and examples from the talk, discuss the problems of measuring intelligence and possible limitations of the IQ test.

Prepare your response after the beep. Preparation time 20 seconds
Start your response after the beep. Response time 60 seconds

​Writing

Integrated Writing — Biology Lecture (Symbiosis)

Directions:
For this integrated task, you have 3 minutes to read the passage. Then you will listen to part of a lecture on the topic you have just read about. Following the lecture, you have 20 minutes to plan and write your response. An ideal response will be 150 to 225 words.

Read the following passage.

Reading:
Symbiosis in biology can, in general terms, be described as the interdependence of two different species, whether they be plants and plants, animals and plants, or animals and animals. It should be noted that few symbiotic relationships are equally beneficial to both species, as often one of the members in the relationship receives greater benefits from the other. A detrimental relationship, in which one member is actually injured by the other, is more commonly known as parasitism. Thus, symbiosis can encompass any point on the spectrum from parasitism to perfectly equal sharing.

The equal sharing end of the spectrum can be best exemplified by lichens and their relationships with an alga. In fact, lichens are composite organisms consisting of a fungus and an alga. The fungus generally forms the base and roots, or hyphae, while the alga grows upon it. In most lichens, the fungus supplies a base upon which the alga can grow. It is thought by most scientists that the fungus supplies necessary growing conditions such as moisture, the absence of which would prevent the alga from growing on its own. In its turn, the alga supplies carbohydrates which can be used as food by the fungus. Such well balanced examples of symbiosis are often referred to as mutualism.

​Another type of symbiosis, called commensalism, is often found among marine invertebrates. Certain species of simple animals such as polyps may grow on the shells of other animals such as crabs, thus providing them with protection and camouflage. On the other hand, the colonizing animal receives more food when the animal which they colonized feeds. The first animal, in this case, the polyp, would be considered a parasite if it eventually harmed the colonized animal, but this is not usually the case. In fact, some hermit crabs actually seek out sea anemones which they then place on their bodies.

Listening:
Now, listen to part of a lecture on symbiosis, which you have just read about. You may take notes while listening to the lecture.

Now, get ready to answer the question. You may use your notes to help you answer.

Question:
Explain the variations of symbiosis from mutualism to parasitism. How does the ant use symbiosis to improve its life? Discuss how the professor’s view of mutualism differs from that of the reading.

2. Writing for an Academic Discussion

Your professor is teaching a class on small business management. Write a response to the professor’s question.

Please contribute your own ideas to this discussion, and support them with some details.

Your response should be at least 100 words in length.

Doctor Thompson
This week we will be discussing the qualities necessary for people contemplating starting their own small businesses. Of course, there are practical concerns such as the amount of capital available for investment and the importance of a good location, but many entrepreneurs simply don’t realize that they have to have a personality that is suitable for such a challenge. A good businessperson needs to be well-organized, knowledgeable, and budget-conscious. However, they must also be passionate, personable, and persistent. I would like to know what qualities you think are necessary to become a successful small business owner and explain why you think so.

Anna
In my country, it would be important for a person opening a small business to have patience. This is because there are a lot of problems they will face when working with the government. There are many regulations on businesses and if a person doesn’t have patience, they will probably give up the idea of opening a business before they even get started.

Peter
I think Anna makes a good point. A person who wants to start a business should not be frustrated too easily because they are certain to find many obstacles to overcome. For this reason, I think that someone who wants to start a business must be persistent and passionate about their ideas. Being passionate will make you goal-oriented. It will stop you from giving up on your plans so easily.