TOEFL TPO 1 Speaking Task 3 Sample: Explain groupthink and its effects using example of the computer company.
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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
Reading Passage
Groupthink One process by which groups may make bad or irrational decisions is known as groupthink. Individual members of a group attempt to conform their opinions to what they believe to be the group consensus even though the result may be negative. There are many reasons why groupthink happens. These include the desire to be liked, fear of losing a job, or even not wanting to be the one employee delaying a decision that seems inevitable. These kinds of implicit pressures to conform lead group members to ultimately make decisions that each, by himself or herself, might normally not make.
Question
Explain groupthink and its effects using example of the computer company.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
Evaluation Result
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,这位同学的回答相对清晰,但在语速和停顿方面还有待提高。建议在练习时注意保持一致的语速,适当减少不必要的停顿。同时,注意发音的准确性,以避免拼写错误。
4.话题发展 从话题发展方面来看,这位同学的回答内容基本上符合题目要求,但在组织结构和论据支持方面还有提升空间。建议在练习时注意逻辑结构的梳理,确保观点之间的关联性,并尝试提供更多具体的例子或论据来支持观点。
5.语言使用Original Answer: The group thinking is a process by which groups make bad or irrational decisions. The professor used his own example in a computer company to illustrate this idea. The professor proposed a new design of the computer in a meeting. However, originally, half of the co-workers voted for his opinion. However, after senior co-workers made disagreements, there was a shift in support. People began to vote against his own idea. And it turned out that the decision was really poor because the other year, the competitors changed his new design and used that design to attract the last of consumer which jeopardized the company's potential profits.
Corrected Answer: The group thinking Groupthink (原文为group thinking,应改为groupthink) is a process by which groups make bad or irrational decisions. The professor used his own example experience (原文为example,应改为experience) in a computer company to illustrate this idea. The professor proposed a new design of the computer in a meeting. However, originally, Initially (原文为however, originally,应改为initially以使句子更自然流畅), half of the co-workers voted for his opinion. However, Yet (原文为however,应改为yet以避免重复使用however), after senior co-workers made disagreements disagreed (原文为made disagreements,应改为disagreed), there was a shift in support. People began to vote against his own idea. And it turned out that the decision was really poor because the other year the following year (原文为the other year,应改为the following year), the competitors changed his new design introduced a new design (原文为changed his new design,应改为introduced a new design) and used that design to attract the last of consumer more consumers (原文为the last of consumer,应改为more consumers), which jeopardized the company's potential profits.
Revised Answer (140 words): Groupthink is a process by which groups make bad or irrational decisions. The professor shared his own experience in a computer company to illustrate this concept. He proposed a new design for the computer during a meeting. Initially, half of the co-workers supported his idea. Yet, when senior co-workers disagreed, there was a shift in support, and people began voting against his proposal. Eventually, the decision not to change the design proved to be detrimental, as the following year, competitors introduced an innovative design that attracted more consumers. This negatively impacted the company's potential profits. To achieve a higher score, it is essential to use advanced vocabulary, proper grammar, maintain a natural flow of statements, smooth transitions, and strong conclusions in your response.
6.思维导图
Groupthink
├─ Definition
├─ Professor's experience
│ ├─ Computer company
│ ├─ Proposed new design
│ ├─ Initial support
│ └─ Shift in support due to senior co-workers' disagreement
└─ Effects
├─ Decision not to change design
└─ Competitors' success with new design and impact on company's profits
7.关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English definitions | Simplified Chinese translations | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groupthink | /ˈɡruːpˌθɪŋk/ | Noun | A process by which groups make bad decisions | 集体思维定势 | Groupthink can lead to poor decision-making, as seen in the professor's experience at the computer company. |
| Consensus | /kənˈsensəs/ | Noun | General agreement within a group | 共识 | The group reached a consensus to maintain the old design, which ultimately harmed the company's profits. |
| Jeopardize | /ˈdʒepərdaɪz/ | Verb | To put something at risk or in danger | 危及 | The decision not to update the computer design jeopardized the company's potential profits. |
| Detrimental | /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ | Adjective | Causing harm or damage | 有害的 | The decision was detrimental to the company, as competitors attracted more customers with their new design. |
| Competitor | /kəmˈpetɪtər/ | Noun | A person or organization that competes | 竞争对手 | The competitor's innovative design attracted more consumers, negatively impacting the company's potential profits. |
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