Lesson 2 of 9 - Learn How to Answer Q1

Perfect TOEFL Speaking 9-Day Challenge

My Speaking Score’s Perfect TOEFL Speaking Challenge is a 9-day task-based course that shows you how to combine a foolproof approach called the Grid, with My Speaking Score’s automated scoring tool to earn a perfect score on the TOEFL Speaking section. In the wrong place? Go to lesson 1.

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Lesson 2 - Perfect Q1

Welcome back. You should have recorded, submitted, and analyzed your first test. How were your responses? 

Mindset check - remember that your baseline score is just your starting point. You are at the bottom of the mountain - there is only one way to go - up!

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Please share your experience in the comments so we can learn from you!

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The hard work starts now. Let’s start at the beginning. 

Most people do not know how to effectively prepare for Question 1. They get nervous.

The fact is, when you have a framework to rely on like “the Grid”, you can answer any question with ease, even with only 15 seconds of preparation time.

I’m going to teach you the Grid.

Game Plan

• Lesson 2

  • The Q1 Grid: what it is, and how to use it to organize and deliver a perfect TOEFL Speaking response to Q1

• How to Answer Q1 

  • Organize and structure your response to any Q1, quickly

  • Practice Question: A college education is not necessary for a successful career. Do you agree?

• Sample Response

  • Listen to a very high-scoring response (with transcript)

• Homework

  • Assignment 2

» To get the most out of this lesson, consult page 49 of Perfect TOEFL Speaking.

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The Grid - What is it?

The Grid is a simple, yet sophisticated TOEFL Speaking response system that will help you get a high TOEFL Speaking score.

The Grid helps you organize your ideas and deliver structured, high-scoring responses to TOEFL Speaking Questions. When used correctly, the Grid is also a template to guide time and transitions.

How to use the Grid

The Grid sort of looks like a tic-tac-toe board. Draw two vertical lines and one horizontal line to create 6 squares.

Each square represents 7-8s of response time (see page 78 of Perfect TOEFL Speaking).

Tip: Prepare all 4 Grids before you begin the Speaking Section. Use the pre-test time or a moment after you return from break to draw your Grids on your note paper - one for each Speaking question.

How to answer Q1

1. Prepare the Question 1 Grid now

1. Use a blank landscape page (in the real test, prepare your Grids before the Speaking section)

2. In the top middle square, jot "V" (verb) to remind you to use an action word

3. In the top right square, jot "A" (adjective) to remind you to use a description word

   

download this grid

2. The Q1 Grid Tactic

• First 15s - start, establish yourself as a credible speaker, state your thesis

• Next 15s - state and develop your first point/reason

• Final 15s - state and develop your first point/reason

3. Begin the Q1 task

In the TOEFL, once the prompt for Question 1 appears, you have only 15 seconds to think of, and structure, a response to whatever question you see.

Tip: There are only a few styles of questions (see page 50 of Perfect TOEFL Speaking).

When you see the prompt for Q1, start filling in your Grid. Jot specific ideas/symbols about what you want to say. Often one word - or even a quick doodle - will suffice.

Tip: Jot a verb in column 1 and an adjective in column 2 (you can also use 2 adjectives, or 2 verbs).

4. Deliver your response

Take a deep breath and begin speaking when you hear the 'beep'. Speak as quickly as you can - this is not a conversation, it’s a TOEFL speaking response. Watch your time on the screen - you should be transitioning to a new column in your Grid every 15 seconds.

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Question 1: A college education is not necessary for a successful career. Do you agree?

Column 1: Me + Thesis (15s)

First, acknowledge the quality of the question and set a hook that bridges your opening statement and your thesis

"This is an intriguing question - I was just discussing a similar issue with my mom."

Now it's time to state your case. Use this format for your thesis.

"I would certainly choose x, and I can think of 2 compelling reasons why"

Tip: The benefit of the Grid is the first 15 seconds are "done for you" - you can modify the steps slightly and answer any Question 1 prompt.

Column 2: Verb + Why (15s)

Describe a college education using a verb - what does a college education do?

Again, if you are "pro" college, use positive verbs to describe a college education - create, establish, inform, educate, prepare, etc. Once you settle on a verb, you have your second reason.

"A college prepares students for a career."

Now, all you have to do is describe why it prepares students for a career. 

So, your second reason (15s in total) follows this sequence - does-why.

Tip: This is/does tactic also works very well in writing topic sentences (for example in TOEFL Writing Q2).

Column 3: Adjective + How (15s)

Describe a college education using an adjective - what is a college education?

If you are "pro" college, use positive adjectives to describe a college education - valuable, irreplaceable, precious, etc. Once you settle on an adjective, you have your first reason. (If you are "anti" college, use opposite adjectives - useless, wasteful, etc).

"A college education is irreplaceable."

Now, describe how a college education is irreplaceable. 

Tip: Your first reason (15s in total) follows this sequence - is-how. Should you use a personal example? Absolutely!

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Sample Response

Notice how the response below follows the Grid framework exactly. (This response earned a 3.95 from My Speaking Score.)

Question 1: A college education is not necessary for a successful career. Do you agree?

This is a really great question. In fact, I recently had a rather profound conversation about this exact topic with a friend of mine. I disagree. My belief is that a college education is more important these days than ever before, and I feel this way for a couple of reasons.

First, a college education prepares you for a profession. If you choose your major wisely, you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to be competitive in the job market. For example, engineers and and computer science majors tend to get well-paying jobs when they graduate.

Second, a college education is irreplaceable. This is because the college or university experience is about so much more than acquiring academic knowledge. For example, when you're at college, you form lifelong friendships that you will cherish for the rest of your life.

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Homework - Assignment 2

Flashback

Re-do Question 1 from Lesson 1. This time, use the Grid to reformulate your response from last time. Remember your "Baseline score" response from the ETS Test Prep test for Q1? We want to improve upon that. So, use the same prompt as last time, and beat that score!

Tip: Don't worry too much about duplicating test taking conditions. We'll worry about that later. That’s why you’re in AI Assist mode. We want to focus on getting comfortable with the Grid, and not add anxiety by switching on the preparation timer (we will toggle on Real Mode soon enough).

Tip: Remember the verb/adjective technique. It's easy to come up with ideas using "does" and "is" - just ask yourself:

• what does it do or what is it capable of?

• what is it, or how is it?

Recommended Mode: AI Assist Mode

Approach

• login to your account on My Speaking Score

• go to the test library in your Dashboard

• use AI Assist Mode

• choose the TOEFL Speaking test “ETS Test Prep”

• go to Question 1, prepare with the Grid, and respond (hint: consult the model answer)

• submit for Analysis

• examine your results and compare with your first attempt

Advice

• record your "first take" response to establish your new baseline score

• we want this score to be "valid" so no do-overs 

See you in Lesson 3!

*** END OF LESSON 2