Mastering TOEFL iBT Speaking Task 3: The Integrated Academic Task

Now that we’ve covered the Independent Speaking Task and the Campus-Related Task, it’s time to tackle Task 3 of the TOEFL iBT Speaking section. Task 3 shifts the focus to academic content and challenges you to integrate information from both a reading passage and a lecture on a specific academic topic, such as psychology, biology, or history.

In this article, we’ll break down the structure of Task 3 and offer practical tips to help you succeed. Whether you’re explaining a theory or summarizing examples from a lecture, mastering this task will help you excel in the TOEFL iBT Speaking section.

Join us as we explore strategies to confidently approach and navigate Task 3, building on the skills you’ve developed in the earlier tasks!

Task 3: Integrated Speaking Task – Academic

Reading Component: You’ll begin by reading a short academic passage (about 75-100 words) on a specific concept or theory. The passage is usually introductory and provides basic information on the topic.
Listening Component: After reading, you’ll listen to a lecture (60-90 seconds) where the speaker, usually a professor, elaborates on the topic presented in the reading. The lecture will provide additional details, examples, or applications of the concept.
Speaking Component: Once the reading and listening sections are complete, you will be asked to summarize the information by combining details from both the reading passage and the lecture. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
Example: You might read a passage explaining a psychological theory, such as classical conditioning. Then, you’ll listen to a lecture where the professor gives real-life examples or experiments related to that theory. Your task would be to summarize the theory and explain how the examples from the lecture support or illustrate it.

What the test evaluates:

Your ability to accurately synthesize and convey information from both the reading and listening materials.
Your ability to explain the relationship between the concepts introduced in the reading and the examples or explanations provided in the lecture.
Your clarity, fluency, and coherence in delivering your response.

Example 1

Directions: Read a passage about classical conditioning from a psychology textbook. You have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading now.

Classical Conditioning

Classical conditioning is a type of learning in which an individual comes to associate a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that naturally triggers a response. Over time, the individual begins to respond to the previously neutral stimulus in the same way they would respond to the naturally triggering stimulus. This learning process was famously demonstrated in experiments by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov.

Narrator

Now listen to part of a lecture from a psychology class.

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

Question: Using the examples of Pavlov’s experiment with dogs and a person developing a phobia, explain the concept of classical conditioning.

Sample answer

Classical conditioning is a learning process where an individual associates a neutral stimulus with a stimulus that naturally triggers a response. One famous example is Pavlov’s experiment with dogs. Pavlov rang a bell before giving the dogs food, and over time, the dogs began to salivate just at the sound of the bell, even when no food was presented. The dogs learned to associate the bell with food and responded by salivating. Another example is how people can develop phobias. If someone is bitten by a dog, they might start to associate all dogs with pain and fear. Over time, just seeing a dog, even without being bitten, can trigger feelings of anxiety. In both cases, a neutral stimulus—the bell or the sight of a dog—becomes associated with a natural response, demonstrating classical conditioning.

Example 2

Directions: Read a passage about photosynthesis from a biology textbook. You have 45 seconds to read the passage. Begin reading now.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose, a sugar molecule. During this process, carbon dioxide and water are used to produce glucose and oxygen. Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth as it is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems and also produces the oxygen that many organisms need to survive.

Narrator

Now listen to part of a lecture from a biology class.

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

Question: Using the examples of plants and algae, explain the process of photosynthesis.

Sample answer

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae convert light energy into chemical energy, typically in the form of glucose. In plants, this happens in the chloroplasts, which contain the pigment chlorophyll. When sunlight hits the leaf, chlorophyll absorbs the light energy and triggers a series of reactions that combine carbon dioxide from the air with water from the soil to produce glucose. This glucose is used by the plant for energy. At the same time, oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is essential for many living organisms. Algae in aquatic environments also perform photosynthesis, producing oxygen that helps sustain marine ecosystems. Without photosynthesis, there would be far less oxygen in the atmosphere, making life difficult for many organisms, including humans.

Tips for success in TOEFL iBT Speaking Part 3

Focus on the relationship between the Reading and Listening

The key to Task 3 is understanding how the lecture expands on or supports the concept introduced in the reading. Pay close attention to how the professor uses examples or elaborates on the theory, as this connection will form the basis of your response.

Take effective notes

For the Reading, jot down the core concept or theory. Focus on keywords that capture the essence of the passage.

For the listening, take notes on the examples or further explanations the professor provides. Write down specific details that help illustrate the concept. Don’t worry about writing in full sentences—just get the main ideas down.

Organize your response

Structure is important to ensure clarity and coherence. A simple structure is:

Introduction: Briefly introduce the main concept from the reading.
Explanation: Explain how the professor expands on the concept with examples.
Conclusion: Conclude by summarizing how the examples support or illustrate the main concept.

Use transition words and phrases

Transition words signal the relationship between ideas and help the listener follow your response more easily. Common transitions include:

For adding information: Additionally, furthermore, also, moreover
For explaining examples: For example, for instance, such as
For showing cause/effect: As a result, therefore, because of this, thus
For contrasting ideas: However, on the other hand, but, yet
For showing sequence: First, next, then, finally

Avoid repetition and redundancy

Be concise and avoid repeating the same ideas unnecessarily. This helps maintain clarity and ensures that your ideas flow smoothly.

Example:

Instead of saying:

“The professor talks about the viceroy butterfly. The viceroy butterfly looks like the monarch butterfly. Predators avoid the viceroy butterfly because it looks like the monarch butterfly.”

Say:

“The professor discusses how the viceroy butterfly mimics the appearance of the poisonous monarch butterfly, leading predators to avoid both species.”

Stay neutral and objective

Remember, your job is to summarize the information from the reading and listening, not to give your personal opinion. Focus on clearly explaining the content and showing the relationship between the two sources.

Summary

Mastering TOEFL iBT Speaking Part 3 requires a strong understanding of both academic content your ability to synthesize information from both reading and listening sources. By using a structured approach, taking effective notes, and focusing on key points, you can confidently deliver clear and coherent responses. Remember, practice is key to improving your performance, so keep refining your skills by working through sample questions and timing yourself. And of course, we can help too! Contact us to find out more!

Stay focused, keep practicing, and trust in your ability to succeed!

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