Task one: Independent Task, personal preference

• Preparation time: 15s Response time: 45s

tips

1. start reading the question as soon as they come up
2. read the question carefully, and answer it exactly
3. organize your response very clearly
4. do not try to present a lot of points at one time
5. use signal words
6. stick to vocabulary, sentence, structure
7. speak slowly and distinctly
8. monitor the time carefully

Step

1. decide which specific topic you are going to say
2. during the preparation time, thick about a couple of sub points. You even can put down the key word.
   • start with a topic statement. You can even repeat part of the question
   • present only a couple of sub point with supporting details and examples
   • use the signal words to show how the ideas are related.
   • Pay attention to the time

Task two: Independent Tasks, paired choice

• Preparation time: 15s Response time: 45s
  1. make and defend a choice between two contrasting behaviors or courses

Task three: Read/Listen/Speak, Campus situation topic, fit and explain (summarize)

• Preparation time: 30s Response time: 60s
  1. Consists of two source and a single question
  2. A reading passage (75-100 words) presents a campus-related issue
  3. A listening passage (60-80 seconds, 150-180 words) comments on the issue in the reading
  4. The question asks the test taker to summarize the speaker’s opinion within the context of the reading passage
  5. The question is always about the opinion of one (not two!) person in the conversation and why he or she holds the opinion.
  6. Do not listen to the direction, and use the time (15s) to read the reading passage
  7. Organize your response very clearly
  8. Use transition to make your response clearly
• Note-taking strategy: Note format
  • Female Male
  • ..... .....
  • ...... .....
  • ..... .....

Task four: Read/Listen/Speak, Academic Course Topic; General/Specific Task

• Preparation time: 30s Response time: 60s
  1. A reading passage (75-100 words, 45deconds) gives background information about an academic topic
  2. An excerpt from a lecture (60-90 seconds, 150-220 words) deals with a more specific aspect of the topic
  3. Combine and convey important information from the reading and the lecture
  4. Example in listening should be repeated in speaking
  5. Do not listen to the direction, and use the time (15s) to read the reading passage
  6. Organize your response very clearly
  7. Use transition to make your response clearly

reading

1. When listening to the direction, pay attention to the first part of it, which usually tells you the main topic of the reading passage and the following conversation. Then start reading immediately
2. Take notes on the topic and the main points

listening

1. Take notes!!!
2. Focus on the content, not the delivery
3. Anticipate what you will hear
4. Stay active by asking mental questions

• Note-taking strategy: Note format
  • Major Point
  • Supporting detail
    • Supporting detail
      • Subsidiary detail
      • Subsidiary detail
  • Major Point
  • Supporting detail
    • Subsidiary detail
    • Subsidiary detail
  • Supporting detail
  • Supporting detail
  • Subsidiary detail
    • Subsidiary detail
      • More detail
      • More detail

Task five: Listen/Speak: Campus situation topic; Problem/Solution

• Preparation time: 20s Response time: 60s
  1. One listening passage (60-90s, 120-180 words) about a student-related problem and two possible solutions. A conversation.
  2. Understanding of the problem and express an opinion about the solving problem.
• Note-taking strategy: Note format
  • Female Male
  • ..... .....
  • ...... .....
  • ..... .....
  1. Response like this
     • The problem
     • Solutions
     • My choice
     • My reason

Task six: Listen/Speak: Academic Course Topic; Summary

• Preparation time: 20s Response time: 60s
  1. The direction usually tells you what the topic of the upcoming lecture will be or at least in which field the lecture will be.
  2. 2 minutes lecture
• Sample listening notes:
  • Two technological innovations
    • Automobiles:
      • Mass produced in 1920s
      • Attitude and create links
    • Radio:
      • Listen to the same program
      • Shared experience

Tips

Tips for Task 5 & 6

1. Listen to the direction carefully
2. Do not worry if the material is not familiar to you
3. Listen carefully to the passage
4. Take notes
5. Organize your response very clearly
6. Use transition to make your response cohesive
7. Stick to the vocabulary
8. Speak slowly and distinctly

Template

Task three

• I think the woman/man (supports, is in support of, is happy with, is against, is unhappy with, feels sorry for) + part of the question. She/He expresses two reasons for holding this opinion. Firstly,…….Second of all,……….

Task four (reading is very important!)

• The ( topic in the reading passage) is …… (Topic in the reading passage) refers to ……The professor describes two examples to demonstrate……

Task five

• I think the man’s/ the woman’s problem is……The man/ woman/ professor in the conversation provides him/ her with two solutions, one is… and the other is……In my opinion/As far as I concerned/ Personally I think the first/the second solution is better. The reason is……

Task six

• Explain terminology/ concept (what is it?)
  • (Move on to the two details/examples)
  • First of all………..
  • Second of all…….