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TOEFL TPO 44 Speaking Task 3 Sample: Explain how the example in the lecture illustrates the concept of scope creep.

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

22 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

Scope Creep  Businesses that perform services or carry out projects for clients generally come to an agreement with their clients about the extent or scope of a project before beginning the project. However, as a project progresses, clients may ask for more than the business originally expected to provide, and the scope of the project may grow larger than intended This phenomenon is known as scope creep, and it can cause conflict between businesses and their clients. Scope creep is especially common when the terms or conditions of the initial agreement are not clearly defined, and a client may expect more than the business had planned to provide.

Question

Explain how the example in the lecture illustrates the concept of scope creep.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

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1

User Sample #1

Score
22

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分 Delivery: 3 Language Use: 2.5 Topic Development: 3

2.预估分数 Estimated Score: 22

3.表达 从表达方面来看,发言者的语言流利度和语速基本一致,偶尔有停顿。但在回答中存在一些拼写错误,这可能是发音不准确导致的。为了提高发言质量,建议发言者加强对发音的练习,以减少拼写错误。同时,注意在适当的地方停顿,使表达更加清晰。

4.话题发展 The speaker's response is generally coherent and well-organized, with clear connections between ideas. However, there are some inaccuracies in the content, such as referring to the fence as a "wooden vase" and "vine." To improve topic development, the speaker should pay more attention to the accurate use of vocabulary and ensure that the examples provided are consistent with the original content from the reading and listening passages. Additionally, it would be helpful to further emphasize how this example illustrates the concept of scope creep by mentioning that the lack of a written agreement contributed to the misunderstanding between the client and the friend.

5.语言使用

Original Answer: The reading passage introduces a concept of Scope Crepe, which means that crepes may ask for more than the business original expects to provide, and the scope of this project may grow longer than extended. The reading passage introduces the concept of scope creep, which occurs when clients ask for more than the business originally expected to provide, causing the project's scope to grow larger than intended. (将“Scope Crepe”改为“scope creep”,将“crepes”改为“clients”,修改句子结构,使表达更准确) The professor explains this concept by using an example. A woman asks his friend to build a wooden vase in her yard, and his friend finishes it, but the woman wants his friend to paint this vine too white. The professor illustrates this concept with an example. A woman hires his friend to build a wooden fence in her yard. After his friend finishes building it, the woman requests that he also paint the fence white. (将“wooden vase”改为“wooden fence”,将“vine”改为“fence”,修改句子结构,使表达更清晰) His friend is very surprised because he just built not fine, but finally he agrees with this because he just wants to be nice, but he is not happy about it. His friend is surprised because he thought he was only hired to build the fence, not paint it. However, he agrees to paint it without charging extra to maintain a good relationship with the client, even though he is not happy about it. (修改句子结构,使表达更自然流畅)

Revised Answer (140 words): The reading passage introduces the concept of scope creep, which occurs when clients ask for more than the business originally expected to provide, causing the project's scope to grow larger than intended. The professor illustrates this concept with an example. A woman hires his friend to build a wooden fence in her yard. After his friend finishes building it, the woman requests that he also paint the fence white. His friend is surprised because he thought he was only hired to build the fence, not paint it. However, he agrees to paint it without charging extra to maintain a good relationship with the client, even though he is not happy about it. This example demonstrates how scope creep can arise from misunderstandings between clients and service providers, particularly when agreements are not clearly defined in writing.

6.思维导图


- Scope Creep
  - Definition
    - Clients ask for more than expected
    - Project scope grows larger than intended
  - Example from the lecture
    - Woman hires friend to build wooden fence
      - Misunderstanding about painting the fence
        - Friend agrees to paint without extra charge
          - Not happy about it
  - Importance of clear agreements
    - Avoid misunderstandings and conflicts

7.关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish definitionsSimplified Chinese translationsSample sentences
scope creep/skoʊp kriːp/nounThe expansion of a project beyond its goals项目范围蔓延Scope creep can lead to conflicts between clients and service providers if not properly managed.
misunderstanding/ˌmɪsʌndərˈstændɪŋ/nounA failure to understand something correctly误解The misunderstanding between the client and the contractor led to scope creep in their project.
agreement/əˈɡriːmənt/nounA mutual understanding or arrangement协议Having a clear written agreement can help prevent scope creep and ensure smooth project execution.
conflict/ˈkɒnflɪkt/nounA serious disagreement or argument冲突Scope creep often results in conflicts between clients and businesses, affecting their relationship.
compromise/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/noun/verbA settlement of differences by mutual concessions妥协The contractor decided to compromise and paint the fence without extra charge to avoid further conflict.
2

User Sample #2

Score
23

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分

  • 交付 (Delivery): 3

  • 语言使用 (Language Use): 3

  • 话题发展 (Topic Development): 3

2.预估分数

  • 总分: 23

3.表达 回答中的语言表达较为流畅,但仍有部分不自然的地方。建议在练习时注意以下几点:首先,注意在句子之间加入适当的停顿,以提高表达的清晰度;其次,尝试使用更丰富的词汇和表达方式,以增强说话的吸引力;最后,注意发音的准确性,避免出现拼写错误。

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,并对范围蔓延现象进行了解释。但在组织结构和逻辑上还有改进空间。建议在练习时注意以下几点:首先,在回答问题时尝试使用更清晰的结构,如先总结概念,再详细介绍例子;其次,在提供支持或举例时,确保内容与主题紧密相关;最后,在回答过程中保持连贯性,确保观点之间有明确的联系。

5.语言使用

原文:Score creep Scope creep (“Score creep”应改为“Scope creep”,因为这是正确的术语) is a definition which means that clients ask for more than the business originally expected to provide and make the scope of the project grow larger than intended. The professor uses his friend's experience to explain it. His friend owns a construction company, which provides services of improving yards. And one day, a woman hired him to build a fence on her yard, and they quickly settled on a price without agreement in writing, and then he worked in building. When he almost finished it, she asked him to paint the fence white. He was surprised that he was paid to build the fence, not to paint. She thought she paid for it, finally he agreed to paint without extra, but he was unhappy.

修订后的回答(140词):

Scope creep refers to a situation where clients request more than what was originally agreed upon, causing the project's scope to expand beyond its initial intentions. The professor illustrates this concept through his friend's experience in the construction business. His friend's company specializes in yard improvements, and one day, a woman hired him to build a fence around her yard. They quickly agreed on a price without a written contract, and he began constructing the fence. As he neared completion, the woman requested that the fence be painted white. Surprised by this additional request, he explained that his job was only to build the fence, not paint it. However, she believed that painting was included in the price. Ultimately, he agreed to paint the fence without charging extra but was displeased with the outcome.

6.思维导图


- Scope creep
  - Definition
  - Professor's example
    - Friend's construction company
      - Yard improvements
      - Fence project
        - No written contract
        - Unexpected request: paint fence white
        - Misunderstanding and disagreement
        - Resolution: paint without extra charge, but unhappy outcome

7.关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish definitionsSimplified Chinese translationsSample sentences
Scope creep/skoʊp kriːp/NounAn expansion of a project beyond its initial goals范围蔓延Scope creep often leads to conflicts between businesses and clients due to unclear expectations.
Misunderstanding/ˌmɪsʌndərˈstændɪŋ/NounA failure to understand something correctly误解The misunderstanding between the client and the contractor resulted in additional work.
Agreement/əˈɡriːmənt/NounA negotiated arrangement between parties协议They reached an agreement on the project's scope, but it was not put in writing.
Resolution/ˌrezəˈluːʃən/NounA decision or solution to a problem解决方案The resolution to the conflict was for the contractor to paint the fence without extra charge.
Displeased/dɪsˈpliːzd/AdjectiveUnhappy or dissatisfied不满意The contractor was displeased with the outcome, as he had to do extra work without compensation.
3

User Sample #3

Score
23

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分

  • 交付:3

  • 语言使用:3

  • 话题发展:3

2.预估分数

  • 23

3.表达 回答中的表达相对清晰,但在某些地方存在一些不必要的停顿。为了提高交付得分,建议练习流利地讲话,保持一致的语速,并尽量减少停顿。同时,注意正确发音以避免拼写错误。

4.话题发展 回答从话题发展的角度来看,整体上是连贯和有组织的。然而,可以通过更详细地解释阅读材料和听力材料中的关键概念来进一步加强话题发展。例如,在解释范围蔓延时,可以提到初始协议不明确的情况下更容易出现范围蔓延。此外,在描述听力例子时,可以更详细地解释双方之间的误解以及如何导致范围蔓延。总之,为了提高话题发展得分,请尝试提供更多关于范围蔓延概念的详细信息和例子。

5.语言使用

Original Answer: The reading talks about scope creep, which means that clients will ask for more surveys than the company originally provides. The reading discusses scope creep, a phenomenon where clients request more services than initially agreed upon by the company. (原句中的表达不够准确,修改后的句子更清晰地描述了阅读材料中的范围蔓延现象。) The professor in the listening takes an example of his brand, for example. In the listening, the professor provides an example from his friend's experience. (原句中的表达不清楚,修改后的句子更准确地描述了听力材料中教授提供的例子。) One day, a woman client asked his friend to go to help building his fence in the courtyard. When his friend finished building the fence, the woman asked him to paint it white. After his friend completed the fence construction, the woman requested it to be painted white. (修改后的句子使用了更自然的表达方式。) However, beyond the surveys, his friend agreed on it but not happy about this requirement. This is an example of scope creep. Despite not being part of the initial agreement, his friend reluctantly complied with her request, illustrating scope creep. (修改后的句子更清楚地解释了这个例子如何说明范围蔓延现象。)

Revised Answer (140 words): The reading discusses scope creep, a phenomenon where clients request more services than initially agreed upon by the company. In the listening, the professor provides an example from his friend's experience. His friend owns a construction company and was hired by a woman to build a fence around her yard. They made a verbal agreement without specifying the details in writing. After his friend completed the fence construction, the woman requested it to be painted white. This additional task was not part of their initial agreement, and his friend had not anticipated it. Despite not being part of the initial agreement, his friend reluctantly complied with her request, illustrating scope creep. This example highlights the importance of having clear and well-defined agreements to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts between businesses and their clients.

6.思维导图

  • Scope Creep
    • Definition
    • Reading
      • Clients request more services
      • Initial agreement
    • Listening
      • Professor's example
        • Friend's construction company
        • Fence construction
        • Additional request: painting the fence
        • Illustration of scope creep

7.关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolsParts of SpeechEnglish definitionsSimplified Chinese translationsSample sentences
Scope creep/skoʊp kri:p/NounThe phenomenon of a project's scope expanding beyond its original objectives.范围蔓延Scope creep can lead to conflicts between businesses and clients if not managed properly.
Phenomenon/fəˈnɒmɪnən/NounA fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause is in question.现象The professor used a real-life example to illustrate the phenomenon of scope creep.
Agreement/əˈɡri:mənt/NounA negotiated arrangement between two parties as to a course of action.协议Having a clear and well-defined agreement can help prevent scope creep in projects.
Construction/kənˈstrʌkʃən/NounThe act or process of building something, especially infrastructure.建筑The construction company faced scope creep when the client requested additional work on the project.
Reluctantly/rɪˈlʌktəntli/AdverbIn an unwilling and hesitant manner.不情愿地The contractor reluctantly agreed to the client's additional requests, illustrating scope creep.
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