TOEFL TPO 42 Speaking Task 3 Sample: Explain how the example of the prairie dog illustrates the concept of habituation.

1.子项得分 Delivery: 3 Language Use: 3 Topic Development: 3

2.预估分数

23. 3.表达

从表达方面来看，回答中存在一些不太流畅的地方，例如“Infatuation”应为“Habituation”，以及“jump upside down”应为“jump up and down”。建议在发音和词汇选择上多加练习，以提高口语的流畅度和准确性。

4.话题发展 从话题发展方面来看，回答基本上阐述了habituation的概念，并通过草原犬的例子进行了解释。但是，在组织结构上可以更加清晰。建议在回答时先简要介绍habituation的概念，然后再详细描述草原犬的例子，最后总结说明这个例子如何说明habituation。这样可以使回答更加条理清晰，更好地展示话题发展能力。

5.语言使用

Original Answer: Infatuation Habituation(习惯化) is the behavior that through continuous and prolonged exposure to the situation, animals will learn that something is not harmful and will not respond to it. The professor elaborates it by citing a kind of dog, for instance. These dogs live near the area that humans walk through. The first time they see humans, they will make sharp bark and jump upside down jump up and down(上下跳跃) to warn other dogs. But day after day, when they find humans do no harm to them, they will stop this behavior as though that human has no threat to them.

Corrected Answer: Habituation is a learning process in which animals, through continuous and prolonged exposure to a situation, come to understand that something is not harmful and cease responding to it. The professor illustrates this concept using the example of prairie dogs living near an area frequented by humans. Initially, when these prairie dogs encounter humans, they emit a sharp bark and jump up and down as a warning signal to others. However, as they observe humans passing by daily without causing harm, they eventually stop reacting as if humans pose a threat.

Revised Answer (140 words): Habituation is a learning process where animals gradually stop responding to a stimulus after realizing it's not harmful through continuous exposure. The professor uses prairie dogs as an example to illustrate this concept. Prairie dogs live in areas where humans frequently pass by. When they first encounter humans, they instinctively emit a sharp bark and jump up and down to warn their fellow prairie dogs of potential danger. However, as they continuously observe humans passing by without causing any harm, they eventually adapt and cease reacting to humans as a threat. This example demonstrates how habituation allows animals to modify their natural behaviors based on their experiences, ultimately leading to a more accurate assessment of potential dangers in their environment.

6.思维导图

• Habituation

  • Learning process
  • Continuous exposure
  • Realizing stimulus is not harmful
  • Ceasing response

• Prairie dogs example

  • Living near humans
  • Initial reaction: sharp bark, jumping up and down
  • Continuous observation: humans not harmful
  • Adaptation: stop reacting to humans as a threat

7.关键词