TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Sample: Using points and examples from the professor's lecture, explain two advantages of keeping a business small.
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
Question
Using points and examples from the professor's lecture, explain two advantages of keeping a business small.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
1User Sample #1
Score23
User Sample #1
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分
-
Delivery: 3
-
Language Use: 3
-
Topic Development: 3
2.预估分数
- 23
3.表达 回答中的发音大部分清晰,但在某些地方需要注意适当的停顿。为了提高发音的准确性,请多加练习,尤其是在单词发音和语调上。此外,保持一致的语速和避免过多的停顿也有助于提高整体表达。
4.话题发展 The response is coherent and well-organized, with clear connections between ideas and sufficient support or examples from the lecture. However, to improve topic development, try to provide more specific details from the lecture and avoid repeating the same example for both advantages. Also, make sure to use a variety of sentence structures and transitions to connect ideas more smoothly.
6.语言使用Original Answer: The lecturer mainly talked about some small businesses also have two benefits. The lecturer discussed two advantages that small businesses have. (原句表达不够自然,改为更自然的表达方式。) The first one is their owner can keep a close relationship with their customers by interacting with those customers directly and also they can get more involved. The first advantage is that the owners can maintain close relationships with their customers through direct interaction and involvement. (修改句子结构,使其更流畅。) For example, some small closed stores can get their customers' preference and sell their products by recommendation. The second one is they have higher flexibility by changing quickly. The second advantage is that they have greater flexibility, allowing for quick changes. (简化句子结构,使其更清晰。) For instance, those small closed stores can open late and have adjustments by working extra hours or ask other employees to do that but it's very hard for some large companies to do that. It's more complicated to make some adjustments.
Revised Answer (140 words): The lecturer discussed two advantages that small businesses have. The first advantage is that the owners can maintain close relationships with their customers through direct interaction and involvement. For example, in a small clothing store, the owner can personally assist customers in finding items that suit their preferences, leading to increased sales. The second advantage is that small businesses have greater flexibility, allowing for quick changes. For instance, if a small store owner decides to extend their operating hours, they can easily do so by working extra hours themselves or asking an employee to cover the additional time. In contrast, larger companies may face difficulties and complications when trying to implement similar adjustments. Overall, small businesses can benefit from closer customer relationships and greater adaptability compared to their larger counterparts.
7.思维导图
- Introduction
- Two advantages of small businesses
- Advantage 1
- Close relationships with customers
- Direct interaction and involvement
- Example: Small clothing store
- Advantage 2
- Greater flexibility
- Quick changes and adjustments
- Example: Extending operating hours
- Conclusion
- Small businesses benefit from closer customer relationships and adaptability
8.关键词
| Words | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English definitions | Simplified Chinese translations | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| interaction | /ˌɪntərˈækʃən/ | noun | Mutual communication or influence between people | 互动 | Effective interaction with customers is crucial for the success of a small business. |
| involvement | /ɪnˈvɒlvmənt/ | noun | The act of participating or being involved in | 参与 | The owner's active involvement in the daily operations helps maintain a strong connection with the customers. |
| adaptability | /əˌdæptəˈbɪlɪti/ | noun | The ability to change or be changed to fit a situation | 适应性 | Small businesses often have greater adaptability, allowing them to respond quickly to market changes. |
| preferences | /ˈprɛfərəns/ | noun | A greater liking for one alternative over another or others | 偏好 | Understanding customers' preferences is essential for providing personalized services. |
| complications | /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ | noun | Difficulties or problems that make a situation harder to deal with | 复杂性 | Large companies may face complications when trying to implement changes quickly, unlike small businesses. |
2User Sample #2
Score19
User Sample #2
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分 Delivery: 2 Language Use: 2 Topic Development: 3
2.预估分数
19. 3.表达
从表达方面来看,发言者的语速较快,有时会出现不恰当的停顿。建议发言者注意语速,适当放慢,并在适当的地方停顿。此外,发言者在发音方面也存在一些不准确之处,需要加强发音练习。
4.话题发展 From the topic development aspect, the speaker provides a coherent response and covers the two advantages mentioned in the lecture: forming close relationships with customers and flexibility. However, the response could be better organized and more concise. The speaker should work on clearly stating each advantage and providing a brief example for each point. Additionally, it would be helpful to use more accurate vocabulary and grammar to improve the overall clarity of the response.
5.语言使用Original Answer: Actually the professor is talking about two advantages of keeping a business more and the first advantage is the convenient for them to form closer relationship with the customers because it will have interactions directly to the customers and Even the customers will want to have a personalized style products They will choose for them For example, if the customers want to have personalized clothes, the sellers will know What they like and choose the correct color and style for them And the second advantage is the flexibility of the changing directly changing quickly of the different trends of the products And even the small business want to help sellers to open later It will use the least employees and will have easy extra hours for them to keeping a business more so That the business more will have great advantage
Corrected Answer: In fact, the professor discusses two advantages of maintaining a small business. The first advantage is that it's convenient for owners to form close relationships with customers due to direct interactions. Customers often prefer personalized products, and small businesses can cater to their preferences. For example, if customers want customized clothing, store owners can identify their preferred colors and styles. The second advantage is flexibility in adapting quickly to market trends. Small businesses can easily adjust their operations, such as extending store hours with minimal staff involvement. This flexibility contributes significantly to a small business's success. (在这个修改后的版本中,我们更正了语法错误,使用了更自然的词汇,并使句子结构更清晰。这样可以使答案更容易理解,提高整体质量。)
Revised Answer (140 words): In fact, the professor discusses two advantages of maintaining a small business. The first advantage is that it's convenient for owners to form close relationships with customers due to direct interactions. Customers often prefer personalized products, and small businesses can cater to their preferences. For example, if customers want customized clothing, store owners can identify their preferred colors and styles. The second advantage is flexibility in adapting quickly to market trends. Small businesses can easily adjust their operations, such as extending store hours with minimal staff involvement. This flexibility contributes significantly to a small business's success. By focusing on these advantages, small business owners can create a strong foundation for growth and customer satisfaction, ultimately leading to a more sustainable and profitable enterprise.
6.思维导图
- Introduction
- Professor's lecture
- Two advantages of small businesses
- Advantage 1: Close relationships with customers
- Direct interactions
- Personalized products
- Example: Customized clothing
- Advantage 2: Flexibility
- Adapting quickly to market trends
- Adjusting operations easily
- Example: Extending store hours with minimal staff involvement
- Conclusion
- Small business success factors
7.关键词
| Words | Phonetic Symbols | Parts of Speech | English definitions | Simplified Chinese translations | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interactions | /ˌɪntərˈækʃənz/ | Noun (Plural) | Mutual actions or influence between people | 相互作用 | Direct interactions with customers help small businesses understand their needs and preferences better. |
| Personalized | /ˈpɜːrsənəlaɪzd/ | Adjective | Made or done especially for a particular person | 定制的 | Personalized services attract customers who value unique experiences and tailored products. |
| Flexibility | /ˌflɛksəˈbɪlɪti/ | Noun | The ability to change or be changed easily | 灵活性 | Flexibility is crucial for small businesses to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. |
| Adapt | /əˈdæpt/ | Verb | To change something to suit different conditions | 适应 | Small businesses must adapt their strategies to stay competitive in the ever-evolving market. |
| Minimal | /ˈmɪnɪməl/ | Adjective | Very small in amount or degree | 最小的 | By keeping minimal staff involvement, small businesses can reduce costs and maintain flexibility. |
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