TOEFL TPO -1 Speaking Task 3 Sample: Explain how the example of the television advertisement for pots and pans from the lecture illustrates the technique of refute-and-persuade.

Historical user samples and AI evaluation results from an older TOEFL format.

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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

Reading Passage

Refute-and-Persuade Sometimes companies realize that consumers may have developed a negative impression of a product. One way in which they can resolve this problem is by using an advertising technique known as refute-and-persuade. Refute-and-persuade means that in advertising a product, the company first indicates its awareness of the product's disadvantage. But then the company refutes or challenges that disadvantage by demonstrating how the advantage of buying and using the product makes up for any limitation it may have. In this way, companies can persuade consumers to purchase a product despite its drawback

Question

Explain how the example of the television advertisement for pots and pans from the lecture illustrates the technique of refute-and-persuade.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

Evaluation Result

1.Sub Scores Delivery: 3 Language Use: 3 Topic Development: 3

2.Estimated Scores

23. 3.Delivery

The speaker's delivery is generally clear and fluid, but there are occasional pauses that disrupt the flow of speech. To improve, the speaker should practice speaking more consistently and reduce unnecessary pauses. Additionally, the speaker should work on pronouncing certain words correctly, such as "paws and pants" instead of "pots and pans."

4.Topic Development The speaker provides a coherent response that explains the refute-and-persuade technique using the example from the lecture. However, the response could be better organized and include more specific details from the listening passage. To improve, the speaker should focus on clearly connecting ideas and providing sufficient support or examples from the lecture to strengthen their argument.

5.Language Use

Original: Review and Persuade is a type of advertising strategy that companies at first admit their disadvantages, then they use their advantages to persuade customers to buy their product. For example, in the ~~Paws and Pants~~ Pots and Pans (corrected for accurate pronunciation) advertisement, the woman at first expressed that she also feel these ~~paws and pants~~ pots and pans (corrected for accurate pronunciation) are very expensive because it cost a lot than other companies. However, then she thinks that these expensive ~~paws and pants~~ pots and pans (corrected for accurate pronunciation) is worthwhile because these companies provide lifetime warranty, which can save a lot of money in long term because other companies didn't provide this service.

Revised (140 words): The refute-and-persuade technique is an advertising strategy where companies initially acknowledge their product's disadvantages before highlighting its advantages to convince customers to make a purchase. In the Pots and Pans advertisement, for instance, the woman first admits that these pots and pans are quite expensive compared to other brands. However, she then argues that investing in these costly pots and pans is worthwhile due to the lifetime warranty provided by the company. This warranty can lead to significant long-term savings, as other companies do not offer such a service. By using this approach, the advertisement effectively demonstrates how the benefits of purchasing these pots and pans outweigh their initial high cost, thus persuading potential customers to consider buying the product despite its drawbacks.

6.Mind Map

Refute-and-Persuade Technique
- Advertising strategy
- Acknowledge disadvantages
- Highlight advantages
Pots and Pans Advertisement
- Expensive compared to other brands
- Lifetime warranty
- Long-term savings
- Persuading customers

7.Key Words

Word	Phonetic Symbols	Parts of Speech	English Definition	Sample Sentence
Refute	/rɪˈfjut/	verb	Prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.	The advertisement effectively refutes the notion that the high cost of the pots and pans is a significant drawback.
Persuade	/pərˈsweɪd/	verb	Cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.	The company aims to persuade potential customers by emphasizing the long-term benefits of their product.
Warranty	/ˈwɔrənti/	noun	A written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time.	The lifetime warranty offered by the company sets their pots and pans apart from competitors.
Long-term	/ˈlɒŋ tɜrm/	adjective	Occurring over or involving a relatively long period of time.	Investing in these pots and pans can lead to long-term savings for customers.
Acknowledge	/əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/	verb	Accept or admit the existence or truth of (something).	The advertisement acknowledges the high cost of the pots and pans before highlighting their advantages.