TOEFL TPO -1 Speaking Task 3 Sample: Using the example of baboons, explain how the professor illustrates the concept of adjustable group size.

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

3 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

Reading Passage

Adjustable Group Size Animals often group together for survival purposes. Some animal groups maintain a constant number of members even under changing circumstances. However, some animal species exhibit adjustable group size, which means the number of group members changes temporarily in response to different types of survival challenges the animals face. A group of a certain size may help protect animals from threats to their safety. But the same animals may need to form a group of a different size in order to effectively obtain resources.

Question

Using the example of baboons, explain how the professor illustrates the concept of adjustable group size.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分 Delivery: 3 Language Use: 3 Topic Development: 4

2.预估分数

23. 3.表达

从表达方面来看，这个回答的发音和语速基本上是清晰和流畅的，但偶尔会有停顿。为了提高发音的准确性，建议在练习时注意一些发音细节，并尝试减少不必要的停顿。此外，可以多加练习，提高自己的语言运用能力。

4.话题发展从话题发展方面来看，这个回答是连贯和组织良好的，观点之间的联系清晰，举例也充足。在这方面，你已经做得很好了。为了进一步提高，可以尝试在回答中加入更多关于动物行为和生态环境的细节描述。

5.语言使用

Original Answer: In the lecture, the professor uses an example of baboons to illustrate the concept of adjustable group size. During the night when the baboons are resting, a lot of them gather together. In this case, if their predator such as a lion approaches them, it is a good chance for one of the baboons to notice and warn others that a lion is coming up to them. On the other hand, if there is only one or a few baboons, it is easy for a lion to sneak up on them unnoticed. However, during the day when baboons need to look for food, they separate into smaller groups. Because baboons eat flowers from a certain kind of trees which spread apart in forests. Because there are limited flowers on one tree, it makes more sense for baboons to spread out in smaller groups to search for food.

Corrected Answer: In the lecture, the professor uses the example of baboons to illustrate the concept of adjustable group size. During nighttime when baboons are resting, many of them gather together. In this situation, if a predator like a lion approaches them, there is a high likelihood that one of the baboons will notice and alert others about the approaching lion. Conversely, if there are only one or a few baboons, it becomes easier for a lion to sneak up on them without being noticed. However, during daytime when baboons need to search for food, they separate into smaller groups. This is because baboons consume flowers from specific types of trees that are scattered throughout forests. Since there are limited flowers on each tree, it is more efficient for baboons to spread out in smaller groups while searching for food. (在这个回答中，我们对一些词汇和表达进行了修改，使其更自然和准确。例如，我们将“a lot of them”改为“many of them”，将“a good chance”改为“a high likelihood”，将“look for food”改为“search for food”等。这些修改有助于提高语言使用的质量。)

Revised Answer (140 words):

In the lecture, the professor uses the example of baboons to illustrate the concept of adjustable group size. During nighttime when baboons are resting, many of them gather together. In this situation, if a predator like a lion approaches them, there is a high likelihood that one of the baboons will notice and alert others about the approaching lion. Conversely, if there are only one or a few baboons, it becomes easier for a lion to sneak up on them without being noticed. However, during daytime when baboons need to search for food, they separate into smaller groups. This is because baboons consume flowers from specific types of trees that are scattered throughout forests. Since there are limited flowers on each tree, it is more efficient for baboons to spread out in smaller groups while searching for food.

6.思维导图

Adjustable Group Size
- Baboons
  - Nighttime
    - Gather together
    - Predator (lion)
    - High likelihood of noticing and alerting others
  - Daytime
    - Smaller groups
    - Search for food (flowers from specific trees)
    - Scattered trees in forests
    - Limited flowers on each tree
    - More efficient to spread out

7.关键词

Word	Phonetic Symbols	Parts of Speech	English definitions	Simplified Chinese translations	Sample sentences
Predator	/ˈprɛdətər/	Noun	An animal that naturally preys on others	捕食者	The presence of predators, such as lions, influences the behavior of baboons in their environment.
Scattered	/ˈskætərd/	Adjective	Occurring or found at intervals or various places	分散的	The trees with flowers that baboons eat are scattered throughout the forest.
Efficient	/ɪˈfɪʃənt/	Adjective	Achieving maximum productivity with minimum waste	高效的	It is more efficient for baboons to search for food in smaller groups during the day.
Alert	/əˈlɜrt/	Verb	Warn or inform someone of a danger or problem	警告	One baboon will alert others if it notices a predator approaching the group.
High likelihood	/haɪ ˈlaɪklɪhʊd/	Noun	A great chance or probability of something happening	高可能性	There is a high likelihood that one of the baboons will notice a predator and warn the others.