In this section of the test, you will be able to demonstrate your ability to speak about a variety of topics. You will answer six questions by recording your response. Answer each of the questions as completely as possible.
In questions 1 and 2, you will first hear a statement or question about familiar topics. You will then speak about these topics. Your response will be scored on your ability to speak clearly and coherently about the topics.
In questions 3 and 4, you will first read a short text. You will then listen to a talk on the same topic.
You will be asked a question about what you have read and heard. You will need to combine appropriate information from the text and the talk to provide a complete answer to the question. Your response will be scored on your ability to speak clearly and coherently and on your ability to accurately convey information about what you read and heard.
In questions 5 and 6, you will listen to part of a conversation or a lecture. You will be asked a question about what you heard. Your response will be scored on your ability to speak clearly and coherently and on your ability to accurately convey information about what you heard.
You may take notes while you read and while you listen to the conversations and lectures. You may use your notes to help prepare your response.
Listen carefully to the directions for each question. For each question you will be given a short time to prepare your response. When the preparation time is up, you will be told to begin your response.
START
1. Please listen carefully.
A good teacher should have some special qualities. What qualities do you think are necessary for a good teacher to have and why? Include details and examples in your explanation.
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
You may begin to prepare your response after the beep. Please begin speaking after the beep.
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START
2. Please listen carefully.
Some people believe that people who play video games are learning important life skills. Others believe that video game players are wasting their time. Which view do you agree with and why? Include details and examples in your explanation.
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
You may begin to prepare your response after the beep. Please begin speaking after the beep.
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START
3. Please listen carefully.
The University of the Rockies newspaper has published a letter to the editor concerning a university policy. Read the letter about the hiring of temporary instructors. You will have 45 seconds to read the letter. Begin reading now.
PAUSE II (for 45 seconds)
Reading Time: 45 seconds
Letter to the Editor
Most students are unaware of the employment conditions of our instructors. In fact, an ever increasing percentage of our university teachers have adjunct contracts. This means that they are only hired for a semester at a time, are underpaid, and receive no benefits. Although universities make great savings by following a policy of using temporary instructors, students do not benefit from these savings in the form of lower tuition fees. Considering how our university is exploiting teachers, we as students should be asking in what ways our education is suffering from this situation.
Now listen to two students as they discuss the issue brought up in the letter.
Now get ready to answer the question.
The man expresses his opinion on the issue of temporary instructors. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for that opinion.
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
You may begin to prepare your response after the beep. Please begin speaking after the beep.
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START
4. Please listen carefully.
Read the passage about imprinting in baby birds. You have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading now.
PAUSE II (for 45 seconds)
Reading Time: 45 seconds
Imprinting
Animal psychologists have long known that young geese and ducks instinctively follow their mother, but only if they have the opportunity to do so at an early point in their lives. If these goslings or ducklings are separated from their mothers during this sensitive period, they will not develop an attachment to her.
Konrad Lorenz, the scientist who developed our knowledge of this phenomenon, used the term imprinting to identify the process in which this bond is formed. Lorenz noted that imprinting appears immediately after hatching and that the period during which it can develop lasts for at most a couple of days. Moreover, Lorenz argued that imprinting was irreversible and that a hatchling will imprint on its mother, or, remarkably, on any suitable moving object if the mother is not available.
Now listen to part of a lecture on this topic in an ecology class.
Now get ready to answer the question.
The professor explains the notion of imprinting in young geese and ducks. Explain how this behavior develops and how it might be important for the birds' survival.
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds
You may begin to prepare your response after the beep. Please begin speaking after the beep.