LISTENING SCRIPTS AND SAMPLE RESPONSES WITH RATERS' COMMENTS
The raters who listen to your response will analyze it in three general categories. These categories are Delivery, Language Use, and Topic Development. All three categories have equal importance. Use the sample Independent and Integrated Speaking rubrics on pages 242 to 246 to see how responses are scored.
This section includes important points that should be covered when answering each question. All of these points must be present in a response in order for it to receive the highest score in the Topic Development category. These important points are guides to the kind of information raters expect to hear in a high-level response.
This section also refers to example responses on the accompanying CD. Some responses were scored at the highest level, while others were not. The responses are followed by explanations for their scores.
Question 1 Listening Script
Narrator
Choose a place you go to often that is important to you and explain why it is important. Please include specific details in your explanation.
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
Important Points
In this question, you are asked to talk about a place you like to go often and explain why it is important to you. People who listen to your response should be able to easily follow the progression of your ideas. Responses scored at the highest level contain ideas supported with details and elaboration that go beyond simple structures. For example, the response, "I like this place because it is nice" does not have enough detail. Why is this place nice? Developing this idea more might look like this: "I like this place because it is quiet and peaceful. Listening to the ocean waves on the beach relaxes me and helps me to relieve stress."
Sample Responses
Play track #30 [attach]59561[/attach]on the CD to hear a high-level response for Question 1.
Rater's Comments
The speaker continues speaking throughout the entire 45 seconds. She speaks clearly using a variety of vocabulary and a wide range of grammar. Her reasons are well developed. She uses specific details about why France is an important place for her. Instead of just saying, "I'm interested in French culture because it is interesting," she elaborates by talking about her friend, her interest in French history and culture from a young age, and the food. There is a logical progression of ideas that make the response easy to understand.
Play track #31 [attach]59562[/attach]on the CD to hear a mid-level response for Question 1.
Rater's Comments
This response is sustained and the speech is generally understandable. At times, though, the speaker's pronunciation makes it difficult to understand the meaning of her ideas. She really gives only one reason why she likes shopping. This reason is used repetitively without much elaboration. Shopping is something she likes very much and makes her feel better. She could have added complexity to her ideas by saying something like "When I go shopping, I usually go with friends and we have a good time together without thinking about jobs, or schoolwork" She also makes some basic grammatical errors and uses a limited range of vocabulary.
Question 2 Listening Script
Narrator
Some college students choose to take courses in a variety of subject areas in order to get a broad education. Others choose to focus on a single subject area in order to have a deeper understanding of that area. Which approach to course selection do you think is better for students and why?
Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds
Important Points
In this question, you are asked to make a choice between two given options. In a complete, well-developed response, you should clearly state your choice/preference. You may choose both options, but you must support both of them with reasons that are detailed. If you think taking a variety of courses is better, make sure you explain in detail what your reasons are for having that opinion. Here is an example: "Taking a variety of courses is better because it gives you an opportunity to learn about subjects outside of your field of study. Because so many fields of study are related, you never know when knowledge from one area will be helpful in another." This kind of response clearly shows which option was chosen and includes a detailed reason why it was chosen.
Sample Responses
Play track #32[attach]59563[/attach] on the CD to hear a high-level response for Question 2.
Rater's Comments
The speaker gives a thoughtful, sustained answer with ideas and reasons that progress logically. He speaks fluently and demonstrates good control of grammar and vocabulary, with only minor errors that do not obscure the meaning of his ideas. The speaker very clearly states his opinion that the answer depends on whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student. He continues by giving a detailed reason that supports each perspective.
Play track #33 [attach]59564[/attach]on the CD to hear a low-level response for Question 2.
Rater's Comments
Although the speaker's pronunciation is clear, his pace is slow and irregular. The clearest parts of his speech are words that he has taken from the prompt of the question. He demonstrates very limited vocabulary. His thoughts are understandable at the sentence level, but there are very few connections between sentences. Such connections would help listeners to understand what is being said or enable them to predict what will likely come next. The opinion is stated in the beginning. However, he frequently uses words from the prompt and repeats the same idea throughout the response.