TOEFL TPO 8 Speaking Task 4 Sample: Using the points and examples from the lecture, explain the two pricing strategies described by the professor. 

1.Sub Scores

• Delivery: 3

• Language Use: 3

• Topic Development: 3

2.Estimated Scores

• Total Score: 23

3.Delivery The speaker's delivery is generally clear and fluid, with a consistent pace and only occasional pauses. However, there are some areas where the speaker could improve. For instance, the speaker could work on varying their intonation to make the speech more engaging. Additionally, the speaker should focus on pronouncing certain words more accurately to avoid confusion.

4.Topic Development The response is coherent and well-organized, with clear connections between ideas and sufficient support or examples. The speaker effectively explains the two pricing strategies described by the professor using examples from the lecture. To further improve topic development, the speaker could provide more specific details from the lecture to strengthen their explanation of each strategy. For example, they could mention how companies using the high-price strategy can make very high profits from consumers willing to pay more for a high-quality product, or how companies using the low-price strategy encourage customers to buy accessories also manufactured by them to increase profits.

5.Language Use

Original: The professor discusses two strategies of determining initial price of a product. The first strategy is to set the price high in the early stage and then lower the price. By using this strategy, the company will set the image of high quality and will make higher profit in the early stage. This strategy is usually applied to high-tech products such as video cameras and mobile phones. Another strategy is to set a low price in the early stage. This usually occurs when the market is already saturated with the product. For instance, computer companies usually offer an affordable price which will attract not only new customers but also existing customers. The company will make profits by selling accessories to customers. And these are two strategies of determining initial price of product.

Corrected: The professor discusses two strategies for determining the initial price of a product (added "the" for clarity). The first strategy is to set the price high in the early stage, and then lower it (replaced "the price" with "it" for conciseness). By using this strategy, companies create a high-quality image and generate higher profits in the early stage (changed "will set" and "will make" to "create" and "generate" for more advanced vocabulary). This approach is typically applied to innovative high-tech products, such as video cameras and mobile phones. Another strategy involves setting a low initial price, which often occurs when the market is already saturated with similar products (rephrased for clarity). For instance, computer companies may offer affordable prices to attract both new and existing customers (rephrased for smoother transitions). These companies generate profits by selling accessories to their customers (rephrased for a stronger conclusion). These are the two strategies for determining the initial price of a product.

Revised Answer (140 words):

The professor discusses two strategies for determining the initial price of a product. The first strategy involves setting a high price during the early stage and later lowering it. By employing this approach, companies create a high-quality image and generate higher profits in the early stage. This strategy is typically applied to innovative high-tech products, such as video cameras and mobile phones. The second strategy involves setting a low initial price, which often occurs when the market is already saturated with similar products. For example, computer companies may offer affordable prices to attract both new and existing customers. These companies generate profits by selling accessories to their customers, such as printers or software. In summary, these are the two strategies that businesses use to determine the initial pricing of their products.

6.Mind Map

• Introduction

  • Two strategies for determining initial price

• Strategy 1: High initial price

  • Create high-quality image
  • Generate higher profits early on
  • Applied to innovative high-tech products
    • Examples: video cameras, mobile phones

• Strategy 2: Low initial price

  • Market saturation
  • Attract new and existing customers
    • Example: computer companies
  • Generate profits through accessories sales
    • Examples: printers, software

• Conclusion

  • Summary of the two strategies

7.Key Words