TOEFL iBT Test

Independent SPEAKING Rubrics

SCORE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The response fulfills the

demands of the task, with
at most minor lapses in
completeness. It is highly
intelligible and exhibits
sustained, coherent
discourse. A response at this
level is characterized by all of
the following:

DELIVERY

LANGUAGE USE

The response demonstrates

effective use of grammar and
vocabulary. It exhibits a
fairly high degree of
automaticity with good
control of basic and complex
structures (as appropriate).
Some minor
(or systematic) errors are
noticeable but do not
obscure meaning.
The response addresses
Speech is generally clear, with The response
the task appropriately but
some fluidity of expression, demonstrates fairly
may fall short of being
though minor difficulties with automatic and effective
fully developed. It is
pronunciation, intonation,
use of grammar and
generally intelligible and
or pacing are noticeable
vocabulary, and fairly
coherent, with some
and may require listener
coherent expression of
fluidity of
effort at times (though
relevant ideas. Response may
expression, though it exhibits overall intelligibility is not
exhibit some imprecise or
some noticeable lapses in
significantly affected).
inaccurate use of vocabulary
the expression of ideas.
or grammatical structures or
A response at this level is
be somewhat limited in the
characterized by at least two
range of structures used. This
of the following:
may affect overall fluency, but
it does not seriously interfere
with the communication of
the message.
The response addresses the
Speech is basically intelligible, The response demonstrates
task, but development of the though listener effort is
limited range and control of
topic is limited. It contains
needed because of unclear
grammar and vocabulary.
intelligible speech, although articulation, awkward
These limitations often
problems with delivery and/ intonation, or choppy
prevent full expression of
or overall coherence occur;
rhythm/pace; meaning may
ideas. For the most part, only
meaning may be obscured
be obscured in places.
basic sentence structures are
in places. A response at
used successfully and spoken
this level is characterized
with fluidity. Structures and
by at least two of the
vocabulary may express
following:
mainly simple (short) and/or
general propositions,
with simple or unclear
connections made among
them (serial listing,
conjunction, juxtaposition).

Response is sustained
and sufficient to the
task. It is generally well
developed and coherent;
relationships between
ideas are clear (or clear
progression of ideas).

The response is very

limited in content and/
or coherence or is only
minimally connected to the
task, or speech is largely
unintelligible. A response at
this level is characterized by
at least two of the following:

Limited relevant content

is expressed. The response
generally lacks substance
beyond expression of
very basic ideas. Speaker
may be unable to sustain
speech to complete the
task and may rely
heavily on repetition
of the prompt.

Speaker makes no attempt to respond OR response is unrelated to the topic.

Generally well-paced flow

(fluid expression). Speech is
clear. It may include minor
lapses, or minor difficulties
with pronunciation or
intonation patterns,
which do not affect
overall intelligibility.

TOPIC
DEVELOPMENT

Consistent pronunciation,
stress and intonation
difficulties cause
considerable listener effort;
delivery is choppy,
fragmented, or telegraphic;
frequent pauses and
hesitations.

Range and control of

grammar and vocabulary
severely limit or prevent
expression of ideas and
connections among ideas.
Some low-level responses
may rely heavily on practiced
or formulaic expressions.

Response is mostly
coherent and sustained
and conveys relevant
ideas/information. Overall
development is somewhat limited, usually lacks
elaboration or specificity.
Relationships between
ideas may at times not be
immediately clear.

The response is connected

to the task, though the
number of ideas presented
or the development of
ideas is limited. Mostly
basic ideas are expressed
with limited elaboration
(details and support). At
times relevant substance
may be vaguely expressed
or repetitious. Connections
of ideas may be unclear.

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TOEFL iBT Test

SPEAKING TASK 1 MARIA F. MORENO
Things to improve (in red + comments)

also known AS
three red bUses (short U sound)
this photo Is in summer (short I sound)
this city OfferS many (short O sound and SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE)

Pluses:

Great use of unit vocabulary!

Great use of unit grammar structures!
Your pronunciation is improving nicely, too! You need to pay a little for more attention to short vowel sounds.
Very good descriptions of your pictures!
You did a very good job, Mara Fernanda! I hope these types of activities will help you improve even more every day! Also,
I hope your dreams will become true in the near future! Go London!