TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Sample: Using points from the lecture, explain how the passion plant and the potato plant defend themselves from insects.

1.Sub Scores

• Delivery: 3

• Language Use: 3

• Topic Development: 3

2.Estimated Scores

• Total Score: 23

3.Delivery The speaker's delivery is generally clear and fluid, with a consistent pace and only occasional pauses. However, there are some minor issues with pronunciation and word choice that could be improved. For example, the phrase "spiky hair" should be "spiky hairs" to match the lecture content. Additionally, the speaker should work on pronouncing "chemical substance" more clearly. To improve delivery, the speaker should practice speaking more naturally and focus on accurate pronunciation.

4.Topic Development The response is coherent and well-organized, with clear connections between ideas and sufficient support or examples from the lecture. The speaker effectively explains how the passion plant and potato plant defend themselves from insects using physical features and chemical defenses, respectively. However, there is room for improvement in providing more specific details from the lecture. For example, mentioning that the passion plant's spiky hairs are "numerous and dense" would strengthen the response. To improve topic development, the speaker should focus on including more specific details from the lecture while maintaining a coherent structure.

5.Language Use

Original: There are two different ways that plants can defend themselves from insects. The first type is passion plant. This plant has a spiky hair. This spiky hair is sticking around the leaves. So this sticking hair can prevent the insect landing on the leaves. So the insect cannot eat the plants. The second type is potato plant. This plant will release chemical substance when the insect starts eating the plants. So when the insect swallows down the chemical substance, this chemical substance let them feel full. So when the insect feel no longer hungry, they will stop eating the plants. So the plant can prevent insect keep eating them. This is how plants prevent insects.

Corrected: There are two different ways that plants can defend themselves from insects. The first type is passion plant the passion plant (adding "the" for proper grammar). This plant has spiky hair spiky hairs (plural form for accuracy). These spiky hairs are sticking around the leaves, preventing insects from landing on them and eating the plants. The second type is potato plant the potato plant (adding "the" for proper grammar). This plant releases a chemical substance when insects start eating it. When insects swallow this substance, it makes them feel full, so they stop eating the plant. This is how these plants protect themselves from insects.

Revised (140 words): There are two distinct methods that plants use to defend themselves against insects. The first example is the passion plant, which has numerous and dense spiky hairs covering its leaves. These hairs create a physical barrier that prevents insects from landing on and consuming the plant. The second example is the potato plant, which employs a chemical defense mechanism. When insects begin to eat the potato plant, it releases a chemical substance throughout its leaf system. As insects ingest this substance, they experience a sensation of fullness, causing them to lose their appetite and stop eating the plant. By utilizing these physical and chemical defense strategies, both the passion plant and the potato plant effectively protect themselves from insect predation.

6.Mind Map

• Defense mechanisms
  • Passion plant
    • Physical features
      • Spiky hairs
      • Prevent landing
  • Potato plant
    • Chemical defenses
      • Chemical substance release
      • Insects feel full

7.Key Words