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TOEFL TPO 1 Speaking Task 4 Sample: Using the research described by the professor, explain what scientists have learned about the mathematical abilities of babies.

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

154 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

Using the research described by the professor, explain what scientists have learned about the mathematical abilities of babies.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

1

User Sample #1

Score
18

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分

  • 交付:2

  • 语言使用:2

  • 话题发展:2

2.预估分数

  • 总分:18

3.表达 回答中存在一些语法错误和拼写错误,例如“doors”应为“dolls”,“crashes”应为“captures”。此外,句子结构也有待改进。建议在练习口语时注意正确的发音、语法和句子结构,并尝试使用更丰富的词汇。

4.话题发展 回答内容基本上涵盖了听力材料中的关键信息,但是表述不够清晰和准确。例如,实验中涉及到的是婴儿而非5岁以下的儿童,实验中使用的是玩偶而非门。此外,回答没有明确提到婴儿通过眼动来表达惊讶。建议在练习时更加关注听力材料的细节,并尝试用更清晰、准确的表述来描述实验过程和结果。

5.语言使用

原文及修改后的回答:

The scientists find that young children below 5 years old can calculate easily mathematical problems like addition. They use the experiment to prove this opinion. The researchers put two doorsdolls on the desk and take one of them behind the screen one by one. And then they push the screen and show the children there is only one doordoll on the table. And the camera crashescaptures the surprise in the children's eyes.

(将“doors”改为“dolls”,因为实验中使用的是玩偶而非门。将“crashes”改为“captures”,因为这里描述的是摄像机捕捉到孩子们惊讶的表情。)

修订后的回答(140词):

Scientists have discovered that babies as young as five months old can perform basic arithmetic, such as addition. They conducted an experiment to demonstrate this ability. In the experiment, researchers placed a doll on a table and then hid it behind a screen. They subsequently added another doll behind the screen, making it appear as if there were two dolls hidden from view. However, they secretly removed one of the dolls before lifting the screen to reveal only one doll to the baby. The camera captured the baby's surprised reaction, indicating that they expected to see two dolls instead of just one. This suggests that even at such a young age, babies possess some understanding of basic mathematical concepts like addition.

6.思维导图

  • Mathematical abilities

    • Babies as young as five months old
    • Basic arithmetic (addition)
  • Experiment

    • Dolls on a table
    • Screen hiding dolls
    • Secretly removing one doll
  • Baby's reaction

    • Surprised
    • Captured by the camera
    • Indicates understanding of addition

7.关键词

WordsPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish definitionsSimplified Chinese translationsSample sentences
arithmetic/əˈrɪθmətɪk/nounThe branch of mathematics dealing with numbers算术The experiment showed that babies have an innate understanding of basic arithmetic, like addition.
experiment/ɪkˈsperɪmənt/nounA test or investigation to discover new knowledge实验The researchers conducted an experiment to test the mathematical abilities of babies.
capture/ˈkæptʃər/verbTo record or express something in a permanent form捕捉The camera captured the baby's surprised reaction when they saw only one doll.
indication/ˌɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/nounA sign or piece of information that shows something指示The baby's surprise was an indication of their understanding of basic mathematical concepts.
innate/ɪˈneɪt/adjectiveExisting in one from birth; inborn; natural天生的The study suggests that babies have an innate ability to perform basic arithmetic.
2

User Sample #2

Evaluation Result

1.Sub Scores

  • Delivery: 2

  • Language Use: 2

  • Topic Development: 1

2.Estimated Scores

  • Total Score: 15

3.Delivery The delivery of the answer could be improved. The speaker should work on having a clear and fluid speech with a consistent pace and only occasional pauses. Additionally, the speaker should focus on accurate pronunciation to avoid spelling errors. Practice speaking aloud and recording yourself to identify areas for improvement.

4.Topic Development The topic development in the answer needs significant improvement. The response does not address the research described by the professor about the mathematical abilities of babies. Instead, it discusses feedback in an art class setting. To improve, carefully listen to the lecture and take notes on the main points. Then, create a coherent and well-organized response that directly answers the question, using clear connections between ideas and providing sufficient support or examples from the lecture.

5.Language Use

Original Answer: The first is that the feedback should be properly timed, which means that students will still work on the field and practice them. Babies can perform basic arithmetic at a young age, as demonstrated by an experiment involving dolls. (The original sentence was unrelated to the topic. The corrected sentence focuses on the main point of the lecture.)

For example, art teachers should give their students feedback when their students are still in learning painting and have the opportunity to practice the feedbacks. In the experiment, babies were shown a doll, then another doll was added behind a screen, but one was secretly removed. (The original example was unrelated to the topic. The corrected sentence provides an example from the lecture.)

The second is that the teachers should focus on students' work instead of students themselves. When the screen was lifted, babies expected to see two dolls and were surprised to see only one. (The original sentence was unrelated to the topic. The corrected sentence explains the result of the experiment.)

Rather than criticizing the students, students should learn what to do to improve in the future. Researchers observed babies' eye movements and determined their surprise based on prolonged staring at the single doll. (The original sentence was unrelated to the topic. The corrected sentence explains how researchers measured babies' reactions.)

Revised Answer (140 words): Scientists have discovered that babies as young as five months old can perform basic arithmetic, such as understanding that one plus one equals two. This was demonstrated through an experiment involving dolls. In the experiment, babies were shown a doll on a table, and then a screen was lowered to hide the doll. A second doll was placed behind the screen with the first one, but one of the dolls was secretly removed. When the screen was lifted, the babies expected to see two dolls and were surprised to see only one. Researchers observed the babies' eye movements and determined their surprise based on prolonged staring at the single doll. This experiment provides indirect evidence that babies possess mathematical abilities at a very young age.

6.Mind Map

  • Mathematical abilities
    • Babies
      • Five months old
        • Basic arithmetic
          • Experiment
            • Dolls
              • Screen
                • Surprise
                  • Eye movements

7.Key Words

WordsPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish DefinitionsEnglish TranslationsSample Sentences
Arithmetic/əˈrɪθmətɪk/NounThe branch of mathematics dealing with numbers and numerical operations.The branch of mathematics dealing with numbers and numerical operations.Babies as young as five months old can perform basic arithmetic, such as adding one plus one.
Experiment/ɪkˈspɛrɪmənt/NounA scientific procedure to test a hypothesis or make a discovery.A scientific procedure to test a hypothesis or make a discovery.The researchers conducted an experiment involving dolls to study babies' mathematical abilities.
Indirect/ˌɪndɪˈrɛkt/AdjectiveNot directly caused by or resulting from something.Not directly caused by or resulting from something.The experiment provided indirect evidence that babies can understand basic arithmetic concepts.
Prolonged/prəˈlɒŋd/AdjectiveContinuing for a long time or longer than usual.Continuing for a long time or longer than usual.The babies' prolonged staring at the single doll indicated their surprise at the unexpected outcome.
Intellectual/ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl/AdjectiveRelating to the ability to think and understand ideas and information.Relating to the ability to think and understand ideas and information.Studying babies' intellectual abilities can provide insights into early cognitive development.
3

User Sample #3

Score
23

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,这位考生的发音和语速基本上是清晰和流畅的,但在某些地方存在一些不必要的停顿。为了提高口语表达能力,建议考生在练习时注意保持连贯性和一致性,尽量减少不必要的停顿。同时,可以通过多听多模仿来提高发音的准确度。

4.话题发展

从话题发展方面来看,考生的回答基本上是连贯和有条理的,但在某些地方可以进一步加强对观点和例子的支持。为了提高话题发展能力,建议考生在练习时注意明确阐述观点,并尝试用更多具体的例子来支持自己的观点。同时,注意逻辑关系的表达,使回答更加有条理。

5.语言使用

Original Answer: The research shows that 5-month-old babies have the mathematical capabilities to add numbers. They know 1 plus 1 equals 2. The evidence is indirect. The scientists put the doll on the table and show it to the baby. And then they hide the doll behind the screen. So the baby knows the doll is behind the screen. And they put out another doll and then hide it behind the screen too. So the baby knows there are two dolls behind the screen. And then he secretly put away one doll. And then he left the screen. And then the baby got surprised because it knows that there should be two dolls.

Corrected Answer: The research shows demonstrates that 5-month-old babies have the mathematical capabilities to add numbers. They know 1 plus 1 equals 2. The evidence is indirect. The scientists put place a doll on a table and show it to the baby(将“put”改为“place”,使句子更加正式). Then, they hide the doll behind a screen(删除不必要的“and”以提高连贯性). Thus, the baby knows that there is a doll behind the screen(使用“thus”代替“so”以增加连贯性). They place another doll and hide it behind the screen as well(使用“as well”代替“too”以增加连贯性). Consequently, the baby knows that there are two dolls behind the screen(使用“consequently”代替“so”以增加连贯性). The researcher then secretly removes one doll and raises the screen(使用“then”代替“and then”以提高连贯性,同时使用更准确的动词“removes”和“raises”). The baby becomes surprised because it expects to see two dolls(使用“becomes surprised”和“expects to see”使句子更自然).

Revised Answer (140 words): The research demonstrates that 5-month-old babies possess mathematical capabilities, such as addition. They understand that 1 plus 1 equals 2. This evidence is indirect and based on an experiment. Scientists place a doll on a table and show it to the baby. Then, they hide the doll behind a screen. Thus, the baby knows that there is a doll behind the screen. They place another doll and hide it behind the screen as well. Consequently, the baby knows that there are two dolls behind the screen. The researcher then secretly removes one doll and raises the screen. The baby becomes surprised because it expects to see two dolls, indicating its understanding of basic arithmetic concepts. This study provides valuable insights into the early mathematical abilities of infants and their cognitive development.

6.思维导图

  • Research

    • 5-month-old babies
    • Mathematical capabilities
      • Addition
  • Experiment

    • Doll on table
    • Hide behind screen
    • Second doll hidden
    • Secretly remove one doll
    • Raise screen
  • Baby's reaction

    • Surprise
    • Expectation of two dolls

7.关键词

WordsPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish definitionsSimplified Chinese translationsSample sentences
demonstrate/ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt/verbto show or prove something clearly展示,证明The experiment demonstrates that babies have a basic understanding of arithmetic concepts.
indirect/ˌɪndɪˈrɛkt/adjectivenot directly caused by or resulting from something间接的The evidence for babies' mathematical abilities is indirect, as it is based on their reactions.
cognitive/ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/adjectiverelating to the mental processes of perception, memory, and understanding认知的This research provides insights into the early cognitive development of infants.
expectation/ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən/nouna belief that something will happen or is likely to happen预期,期望The baby's surprise indicates an expectation of seeing two dolls after the addition.
arithmetic/əˈrɪθmətɪk/nounthe branch of mathematics dealing with the properties and manipulation of numbers算术The study shows that even young babies have an understanding of basic arithmetic operations.

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