Mastering TOEFL iBT Speaking Task 2: The Integrated Campus-Related Task

Now that we’ve covered the Independent Speaking Task, let’s dive into Task 2 of the TOEFL iBT Speaking section. Task 2 focuses on your ability to integrate reading, listening, and speaking skills in a campus-related context. This task challenges you to summarize and convey information accurately while responding to a university policy, announcement, or issue.

In this article, we’ll break down Task 2, offering clear insights and practical tips to help you navigate the reading and listening components with confidence. Whether it’s summarizing an article about a campus change or explaining students’ opinions on a new policy, mastering Task 2 is a key step in improving your TOEFL iBT score.

Join us as we explore how to effectively approach Task 2 and enhance your performance in this critical part of the TOEFL iBT Speaking section!

Task 2: Integrated Speaking Task – Campus-Related

• Description: You’ll read a short passage (about 75-100 words) about a campus-related issue and listen to a conversation (about 60-90 seconds) on the same topic. You’ll then respond to a question based on both the reading and listening materials.
• Time: You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond.
• Example: You might read an announcement that the campus library is changing its hours of operation. Then, you’ll listen to a conversation between two students discussing how this change affects them—perhaps one is in favor of the change due to more study time, while the other dislikes it because it interferes with their work schedule.

What the test evaluates:

• Your ability to synthesize information from both reading and listening materials.
• Your ability to organize your thoughts and respond clearly.
• Your pronunciation, fluency, and coherence.

Example 1

Directions: The University is planning to implement a new meal plan policy. Read the article from the university newspaper about the change. Give yourself 45 seconds to read the article.

Meal Plan Changes Coming Next Semester

The University administration announced that beginning next semester, all students living in on-campus housing will be required to purchase the full meal plan. “The reason for the change is that the current system, which allows students to choose from several meal plans, has become too costly,” said an administrator. “Many students are opting for the smaller plans, leading to a loss in revenue for the dining services. The full meal plan will help cover the fixed operational costs of the dining facilities.”

Directions: Now, listen to the conversation:

Directions: Give yourself 30 seconds to prepare your response to the following question. Then you’ll have 60 seconds to give your response. 

Question: The woman expresses her opinion of the university’s plan. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

Sample answer

The woman is strongly opposed to the university’s new meal plan policy. She feels that it’s unfair because she rarely eats in the dining hall, preferring to cook her own meals in the dorm kitchen. Since she won’t use the full meal plan, she believes being forced to pay for it is a waste of money, especially for students like her who don’t rely on the dining services. Additionally, she suggests that the university could have handled the situation differently. Instead of making all students buy the full meal plan, they could have raised the price of the smaller plans slightly or offered better dining options to encourage more students to eat in the dining hall. She argues that the current approach ignores students’ needs and is focused more on increasing revenue than improving student life. Overall, she feels the university is prioritizing financial concerns over what’s best for the students, which is why she finds the policy frustrating and unfair.

Example 2

Directions: The University is making a change to its campus transportation services. Read the article from the university newspaper about the change. Give yourself 45 seconds to read the article.

Bus Routes to Be Reduced

The University administration announced that starting next semester, the number of campus shuttle bus routes will be reduced from five to three. “This change is being implemented due to low ridership on certain routes,” stated an administrator. “We believe that by focusing on the most popular routes, we can improve the efficiency of the shuttle system while also cutting costs.” Despite concerns from some students, the administration insists that the remaining three routes will be sufficient to cover the majority of the campus.

Directions: Now, listen to the conversation

Directions: Give yourself 30 seconds to prepare your response to the following question. Then you’ll have 60 seconds to give your response. 

Question: The woman expresses her opinion of the university’s plan. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.

Sample answer

The woman is opposed to the university’s decision to reduce the number of shuttle bus routes on campus. She is particularly concerned because the route she uses to commute from her off-campus housing is being eliminated. This means she will have to take two buses and transfer, which will increase her travel time significantly. She also points out that many students depend on the routes being cut to get around campus quickly, and this change will make it harder for those with tight schedules. Furthermore, she expresses concern that even if the university adds more buses to the remaining routes, the buses will likely become overcrowded and uncomfortable, resulting in longer waiting times at bus stops. Overall, she feels that the administration is cutting costs at the expense of students’ convenience and time, and she doesn’t believe the change will improve the shuttle system as the university claims.

Tips for success in TOEFL iBT Speaking Part 2

1. Understand the connection between the Reading and Listening

The key to this task is recognizing the relationship between the reading passage and the listening conversation. Focus on how the conversation adds to or critiques the information provided in the reading. Usually, the speakers will agree or disagree with the policy or change described, and your job is to explain that connection clearly.

2. Learn effective note-taking 

During the reading and listening, jot down the main points quickly. For the reading, note the key details of the policy or change being discussed. For the listening, focus on the opinions of the speakers and the reasons behind their views. This will help you organize your thoughts when you respond.

3. Summarize, don’t paraphrase too much

You don’t need to use fancy or complicated vocabulary. Instead, focus on summarizing the core ideas from the reading and listening sections. Ensure that you are concise but cover the main points, including the issue, the perspectives of the speakers, and their reasoning.

1. Practice timing

With 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak, practice finding the balance between too much detail and not enough. Aim for a clear, organized response that includes the key points from both the reading and listening. Practicing with a timer will help you feel more comfortable with the pacing.

2. Use a clear structure

A simple structure like this can help:

• Introduction: Briefly state what the reading passage is about.
• Main Body: Summarize the speakers’ opinions from the listening, explaining how they agree or disagree with the reading and their reasons.
• Conclusion: Wrap up by reiterating the connection between the reading and listening.

3. Stay neutral and objective

Don’t insert your personal opinion. Your role is to summarize the viewpoints in the reading and the listening, not to express whether you agree or disagree with them.

4. Be aware of grammar and pronunciation

While content is important, remember that grammar and pronunciation also play a role in your score. Speak clearly, and don’t rush through your response. Use transitions like “the woman believes,” “the reading passage mentions,” or “the man disagrees because…” to make your response coherent and easy to follow.

5. Practice active listening

Task 2 relies heavily on your ability to listen closely to what the speakers are saying. Practicing active listening by regularly listening to English podcasts, academic lectures, or conversations will improve your comprehension and help you catch important details during the test.

6. Priortitize key points

Focus on the main reasons behind the speakers’ opinions. Don’t worry if you don’t include every single detail, as long as you’ve accurately captured the most important points and how they relate to the reading.

Summary

Task 2 of the TOEFL iBT Speaking section may seem challenging at first, but with a solid understanding of the task’s structure and regular practice, you can excel. Remember, your goal is to connect the reading and listening materials and present them clearly in your response. By focusing on key points, organizing your thoughts, and practicing active listening, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle this task with confidence.

Keep practicing, stay calm, and remember that each task is an opportunity to show your skills. In the next article, we’ll explore the academic-focused Speaking Tasks 3 and 4 to help you continue mastering the TOEFL iBT Speaking section.

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