TOEFL Speaking Task 1 Sample: When taking notes during a lecture or meeting, some people prefer to write them by hand on paper. Other people prefer to take notes by typing them on a laptop or other device. Which do you prefer?
Historical user samples and AI evaluation results from an older TOEFL format.
5 archived user samples
Older TOEFL Format
This task is from a previous version of the TOEFL exam. The current TOEFL has a different structure. These archived samples remain available as a reference for practice.
Task Overview
Question
When taking notes during a lecture or meeting, some people prefer to write them by hand on paper. Other people prefer to take notes by typing them on a laptop or other device. Which do you prefer?
User Samples & Evaluation Results
Opens the speaking question list in the LingoLeap app, not this exact question. Practising needs a free account. AI scoring uses credits, except 3 free scores a day on Practice Test 1 (PQ26-1) questions.
1User Sample #1
Score23
User Sample #1
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分
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交付 (Delivery): 3
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主题发展 (Topic Development): 3
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语言使用 (Language Use): 3
2.预估分数
- 总分: 23
3.表达 从交付方面来看,回答中的语音清晰,流利度较好,但有些地方存在适当的停顿。为了提高口语表达能力,建议在练习时注意掌握自然的语速和节奏,并尝试减少不必要的停顿。同时,注意正确发音以避免拼写错误。
4.话题发展 从话题发展方面来看,回答内容基本上是连贯和组织良好的。然而,为了更好地支持观点和论据,可以尝试提供更多具体的例子或详细说明。例如,在提到使用电子设备时可以描述一些实际的场景或优势,以使回答更具说服力。
5. 语言使用Original:
I prefer to take notes by typing them on my laptop or my pad. It has two reasons. Firstly, it really makes me annoyed and tired if I need to take the textbooks and notebooks everywhere in my school. And just carrying a laptop can alleviate my stress. Secondly, because I always forget things and I really like the electrical resources restored in the laptop. So, I will not forget to take them when I just take one laptop outside.
Revised:
I prefer taking notes by typing them on my laptop or tablet for two main reasons. First, carrying multiple textbooks and notebooks around campus can be both cumbersome and exhausting. Utilizing a laptop significantly reduces the burden and streamlines my academic experience. Second, I tend to be forgetful, so having all my resources stored electronically on a single device ensures that I always have access to the necessary materials when I'm on the go.
I prefer taking notes by typing them on my laptop or tablet for two main reasons (revised to provide a clearer introduction and use advanced vocabulary). First, carrying multiple textbooks and notebooks around campus can be both cumbersome (revised for advanced vocabulary) and exhausting (revised for proper grammar). Utilizing a laptop significantly reduces the burden (revised for advanced vocabulary) and streamlines my academic experience (revised for natural flow of statements). Second, I tend to be forgetful (revised for proper grammar), so having all my resources stored electronically on a single device ensures that I always have access to the necessary materials when I'm on the go (revised for smooth transitions and strong conclusions).
Corrected:
I prefer to take taking notes by typing them on my laptop or my pad. It has tablet for two reasons. Firstly, it really makes me annoyed main reasons (revised to provide a clearer introduction and tired if I need to take the use advanced vocabulary). First, carrying multiple textbooks and notebooks everywhere in my school. And just carrying around campus can be both cumbersome (revised for advanced vocabulary) and exhausting (revised for proper grammar). Utilizing a laptop can alleviate significantly reduces the burden (revised for advanced vocabulary) and streamlines my stress. Secondly, because academic experience (revised for natural flow of statements). Second, I tend to be forgetful (revised for proper grammar), so having all my resources stored electronically on a single device ensures that I always forget things have access to the necessary materials when I'm on the go (revised for smooth transitions and I really like the electrical resources restored in the laptop. So, I will not forget to take them when I just take one laptop outside.strong conclusions).
- Display title: 6.思维导图
- Preference or Opinion
- Typing notes on laptop or pad
- Main Point
- Convenience and organization
- Supporting Examples
- Reduces stress from carrying textbooks and notebooks
- Easy access to electronic resources
- Less likely to forget materials when only carrying a laptop
- Conclusion
- Typing notes on a laptop or pad is more efficient and convenient for the student.
- Display title: 7.关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English Definitions | Simplified Chinese Translations | Sample Sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| alleviate | /əˈliːviˌeɪt/ | verb | to make something less severe | 减轻 | Typing notes on my laptop can alleviate the stress of carrying heavy textbooks and notebooks. |
| electronic | /ɪˌlekˈtrɒnɪk/ | adjective | using, based on, or used in systems | 电子的 | I prefer using electronic resources because they are easily accessible and organized. |
| efficiency | /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ | noun | the quality of being efficient | 效率 | Typing notes on my laptop increases my efficiency in studying and organizing my materials. |
| convenience | /kənˈviːniəns/ | noun | the state of being convenient | 方便 | The convenience of having all my notes in one place makes studying much easier for me. |
| organization | /ˌɔːɡənaɪˈzeɪʃn/ | noun | the action of organizing something | 组织,安排 | Proper organization of my notes and resources helps me to be more prepared and focused in class. |
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Display title: 8.补充示例
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Sub-opinion: Typing notes is faster than writing by hand.
- Explanation: Typing allows for quicker note-taking, which helps in keeping up with lectures.
- Supporting Example: During fast-paced lectures, I can type much faster than I can write, ensuring that I don't miss any important information.
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Sub-opinion: Digital notes are easier to edit and revise.
- Explanation: With digital notes, it's simple to make changes and corrections without creating a mess on the page.
- Supporting Example: If I make a mistake while typing my notes, I can easily delete or modify the text without affecting the rest of my notes.
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Sub-opinion: Digital notes are more environmentally friendly.
- Explanation: Using electronic devices for note-taking reduces paper waste and saves trees.
- Supporting Example: By typing my notes on a laptop, I am contributing to a greener environment by reducing my paper consumption.
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Sub-opinion: Digital notes can be easily shared with classmates.
- Explanation: Electronic notes can be quickly sent to peers, promoting collaboration and group study.
- Supporting Example: If a classmate misses a lecture, I can effortlessly share my typed notes with them via email or file-sharing platforms.
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Sub-opinion: Digital note-taking tools offer additional features.
- Explanation: Many note-taking apps provide features like search functions, tags, and multimedia integration that enhance the note-taking experience.
- Supporting Example: Using a note-taking app on my laptop allows me to search for specific keywords, add images or videos, and categorize my notes for easy access later.
2User Sample #2
Score23
User Sample #2
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分
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Delivery: 3
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Topic Development: 3
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Language Use: 3
2.预估分数
- Estimated Score: 23
3.表达 在表达方面,发言者的语速较为稳定,但有时会出现不必要的停顿。为了提高口语表达能力,建议发言者注意以下几点:1) 在练习时尝试保持流利且连贯的语速;2) 注意适当的停顿,以便让听众更好地理解你的观点;3) 在发音方面,尽量准确地模仿英语母语者的发音,以提高口语表达的自然度。
4.话题发展 The speaker provided a coherent and well-organized response, with two main reasons for preferring to take notes on paper. However, the response could be improved by providing more specific examples or personal experiences to support each reason. For example, the speaker could mention a situation where they were distracted by social media while taking notes on a laptop and how it affected their learning. Additionally, they could share an experience where writing notes by hand helped them remember the content better than typing. By incorporating more detailed examples, the speaker can further strengthen their argument and improve their topic development.
5. 语言使用Original:
Personally speaking, I prefer to take notes on writing paper, definitely. First, I think there are a lot of distractions on laptop or other electronic devices. Like, if I receive a message from WeChat or other social media, I would like to reply or respond to the message from my friends. So I would not be concentrating on the class content. And the second is, I feel like I would forget sooner by typing. So I think writing can strengthen our memory of the knowledge.
Revised:
Personally, I prefer taking notes by hand on paper. One reason is that laptops and electronic devices can be quite distracting. For example, receiving notifications from social media platforms like WeChat can divert my attention from the lecture or meeting, making it difficult to concentrate on the content being presented. By writing notes on paper, I can avoid these distractions and maintain focus. Another reason is that writing by hand helps reinforce my memory of the material. Studies have shown that the physical act of writing engages our brain more effectively than typing, leading to better retention of information. Therefore, I believe that taking notes by hand on paper is more beneficial for both concentration and memory retention.
Personally, I prefer taking notes by hand on paper (I revised "writing paper" to "by hand on paper" for clarity). One reason is that laptops and electronic devices can be quite distracting (I added "quite" to emphasize the level of distraction). For example, receiving notifications from social media platforms like WeChat can divert my attention from the lecture or meeting (I added "from the lecture or meeting" to specify what my attention is being diverted from), making it difficult to concentrate on the content being presented (I added "being presented" to clarify what content I am referring to). By writing notes on paper, I can avoid these distractions and maintain focus (I added "maintain focus" to emphasize the benefit of writing notes). Another reason is that writing by hand helps reinforce my memory of the material (I revised "writing can strengthen our memory of the knowledge" for better phrasing). Studies have shown that the physical act of writing engages our brain more effectively than typing, leading to better retention of information (I added this sentence to provide evidence supporting my argument). Therefore, I believe that taking notes by hand on paper is more beneficial for both concentration and memory retention (I added this sentence to provide a strong conclusion to my answer).
Corrected:Personally speaking,
Personally, I prefer to take taking notes on writing by hand on paper (I revised "writing paper" to "by hand on paper" for clarity). One reason is that laptops and electronic devices can be quite distracting (I added "quite" to emphasize the level of distraction). For example, receiving notifications from social media platforms like WeChat can divert my attention from the lecture or meeting (I added "from the lecture or meeting" to specify what my attention is being diverted from), making it difficult to concentrate on the content being presented (I added "being presented" to clarify what content I am referring to). By writing notes on paper, definitely. First, I think there are a lot of I can avoid these distractions on laptop or other electronic devices. Like, if I receive a message from WeChat or other social media, I would like to reply or respond to the message from my friends. So I would not be concentrating on the class content. And the second is, I feel like I would forget sooner and maintain focus (I added "maintain focus" to emphasize the benefit of writing notes). Another reason is that writing by typing. So I think writing hand helps reinforce my memory of the material (I revised "writing can strengthen our memory of the knowledge.knowledge" for better phrasing). Studies have shown that the physical act of writing engages our brain more effectively than typing, leading to better retention of information (I added this sentence to provide evidence supporting my argument). Therefore, I believe that taking notes by hand on paper is more beneficial for both concentration and memory retention (I added this sentence to provide a strong conclusion to my answer).
- 思维导图
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Preference or Opinion
- Prefers taking notes on paper
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Main Point
- Distractions on electronic devices
- Social media notifications
- Temptation to reply to messages
- Strengthen memory through writing
- Distractions on electronic devices
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Supporting Examples
- WeChat messages interrupting focus
- Forgetting content sooner when typing
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Conclusion
- Writing on paper is more effective for concentration and memory retention
- 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concentration | /ˌkɒnsənˈtreɪʃən/ | Noun | The ability to focus one's attention | 集中力 | Taking notes on paper helps me maintain better concentration during class. |
| Distraction | /dɪˈstrækʃən/ | Noun | Something that takes one's attention away from the main task or activity | 分心事物 | Electronic devices often cause distractions, such as social media notifications. |
| Strengthen | /ˈstrɛŋθən/ | Verb | To make or become stronger | 加强 | Writing notes by hand can strengthen our memory of the knowledge learned in class. |
| Retention | /rɪˈtɛnʃən/ | Noun | The ability to keep or hold something, such as information or knowledge | 保留,记忆力 | Writing on paper improves my retention of the class content compared to typing on a laptop. |
| Temptation | /tɛmpˈteɪʃən/ | Noun | The desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise | 诱惑 | The temptation to reply to messages on electronic devices can lead to a lack of focus in class. |
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补充示例
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Sub-opinion: Writing notes by hand helps with better organization. Explanation: Handwritten notes allow for more flexibility in organizing thoughts and ideas. Supporting Example: Drawing diagrams or arrows between related points is easier on paper.
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Sub-opinion: Handwriting improves fine motor skills. Explanation: Writing by hand engages different muscles and brain areas than typing. Supporting Example: Studies have shown that handwriting can improve cognitive development and learning.
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Sub-opinion: Taking notes on paper reduces eye strain. Explanation: Staring at screens for long periods can cause eye discomfort and fatigue. Supporting Example: Using paper for note-taking provides a break from screen time and helps maintain eye health.
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Sub-opinion: Writing on paper is more environmentally friendly. Explanation: Using paper notebooks reduces the need for electronic devices, which consume energy and produce waste. Supporting Example: Choosing recycled or sustainably sourced paper products can further reduce environmental impact.
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Sub-opinion: Handwritten notes are more personal and unique. Explanation: Writing by hand allows for individual expression through handwriting style and note organization. Supporting Example: Personalized notes can make studying more enjoyable and memorable.
3User Sample #3
Score23
User Sample #3
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分
-
Delivery: 3
-
Language Use: 3
-
Topic Development: 3
2.预估分数
- Estimated Score: 23
3.表达 从发音的角度来看,这个回答基本上是清晰的,但在某些地方可能会有一些不必要的停顿。为了提高发音的流利性,建议多加练习,尤其是在连贯表达思路时。同时,注意在发音时要保持一致的语速,避免因为紧张或者思考而出现过多的停顿。
4.话题发展 The response is coherent and well-organized, with two clear reasons provided for preferring to type notes on a laptop. However, the support and examples for each reason could be further developed. For the first reason, you could mention specific applications that help with grammar and spelling, such as Grammarly or Microsoft Word's built-in grammar checker. For the second reason, you could provide a personal example of how using a laptop has made it easier for you to review and organize your notes compared to using paper. This would make your response more engaging and convincing.
5. 语言使用Original:
In my opinion, I would prefer to type them on a laptop. To be specific, there are two reasons. The first reason is that there are many applications that can avoid grammar errors and automatically correct my errors on a laptop. So if I just use them, I can avoid so many grammar errors. The second reason is that compared to paper, laptops are easy to save notes and it also provides easy ways to review them because you can just open your laptop and look at them. If we use paper, we might discard them everywhere.
Revised:
In my opinion, I prefer taking notes on a laptop rather than writing them by hand on paper. Specifically, there are two main reasons for this preference. Firstly, numerous applications on laptops can help avoid grammar errors and automatically correct any mistakes made while typing. For example, using a tool like Grammarly can significantly improve the quality of my notes by ensuring proper grammar and spelling.
Secondly, laptops offer a more convenient method for saving and reviewing notes compared to paper. With a laptop, I can easily access and organize my notes in folders or cloud storage, making it simpler to find specific information when needed. In contrast, using paper may lead to disorganization and the potential loss of important notes if they are misplaced or discarded accidentally.
In my opinion, I prefer taking notes on a laptop rather than writing them by hand on paper (revised for clarity and natural flow). Specifically, there are two main reasons for this preference (smooth transition). Firstly, numerous applications on laptops can help avoid grammar errors and automatically correct any mistakes made while typing (clearer explanation). For example, using a tool like Grammarly can significantly improve the quality of my notes by ensuring proper grammar and spelling (strong supporting example).
Secondly, laptops offer a more convenient method for saving and reviewing notes compared to paper (clearer statement). With a laptop, I can easily access and organize my notes in folders or cloud storage, making it simpler to find specific information when needed (detailed explanation). In contrast, using paper may lead to disorganization and the potential loss of important notes if they are misplaced or discarded accidentally (strong supporting example).
Corrected:
In my opinion, I would prefer to type them taking notes on a laptop. To be specific, laptop rather than writing them by hand on paper (revised for clarity and natural flow). Specifically, there are two reasons. The first reason is that there are many main reasons for this preference (smooth transition). Firstly, numerous applications that on laptops can help avoid grammar errors and automatically correct any mistakes made while typing (clearer explanation). For example, using a tool like Grammarly can significantly improve the quality of my errors on notes by ensuring proper grammar and spelling (strong supporting example).
Secondly, laptops offer a laptop. So if I just use them, more convenient method for saving and reviewing notes compared to paper (clearer statement). With a laptop, I can avoid so many grammar errors. The second reason is that compared easily access and organize my notes in folders or cloud storage, making it simpler to paper, laptops find specific information when needed (detailed explanation). In contrast, using paper may lead to disorganization and the potential loss of important notes if they are easy to save notes and it also provides easy ways to review them because you can just open your laptop and look at them. If we use paper, we might discard them everywhere.misplaced or discarded accidentally (strong supporting example).
- 思维导图
-
Preference or Opinion
- Prefer typing on a laptop
-
Main Point
- Error correction and convenience
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Supporting Examples
- Grammar-checking applications
- Easy saving and reviewing of notes
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Conclusion
- Laptops are more efficient for note-taking
- 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| preference | /ˈprɛfərəns/ | noun | a greater liking for one option | 偏爱 | I have a preference for typing on a laptop because it's more convenient. |
| application | /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃən/ | noun | a computer program | 应用程序 | Grammar-checking applications help me avoid errors in my writing. |
| convenience | /kənˈviːniəns/ | noun | the quality of being useful | 方便 | The convenience of laptops makes them ideal for note-taking. |
| efficiency | /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ | noun | the quality of being productive | 效率 | Using laptops for note-taking increases my efficiency in studying. |
| review | _ /rɪˈvjuː/_ | noun | a formal assessment or examination | 复习 | Laptops provide an easy way to review notes, making them a better choice for me. |
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补充示例
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Laptops allow for faster typing, which helps me keep up with the pace of lectures.
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Digital notes are easily searchable, making it quicker to find specific information when needed.
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Laptops enable easy sharing of notes with classmates, facilitating collaborative learning.
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Using laptops for note-taking is more environmentally friendly as it reduces paper waste.
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Laptops offer the ability to integrate multimedia elements, such as images and videos, into notes for better understanding.
Opens the speaking question list in the LingoLeap app, not this exact question. Practising needs a free account. AI scoring uses credits, except 3 free scores a day on Practice Test 1 (PQ26-1) questions.
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The TOEFL exam has been updated. Explore the latest format and practice with current question types.
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