English Speaking Test for Adult students at Academic level.
Name:_______________________ Date:_______________________
Duration: 1 Hour
Instructions:
– Speak clearly and confidently.
– Use complete sentences.
– Organize your thoughts before speaking.
– Support your answers with examples where possible.
Part 1: Personal Introduction (5 minutes)
Instructions: Introduce yourself and talk about your background, education, and career goals. You have 2 minutes to prepare and 1 to 2 minutes to speak.
Sample Answer:
“Hello, my name is Maria. I am originally from Brazil and moved to the United States three years ago. I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Marketing. I work part-time at a marketing firm, where I help develop social media strategies for clients. My career goal is to become a marketing director at an international company, where I can use my skills to create impactful marketing campaigns.”
Part 2: Reading Aloud (10 minutes)
Instructions: Read the following passage aloud. You will have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 to 3 minutes to read.
Text:
“Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing our world today. The Earth’s climate is changing due to increased levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. These changes are leading to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and disruptions to ecosystems. It is crucial for individuals and governments to take action to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Climate change refers to alterations in the Earth’s climate patterns that can persist for several decades to centuries. These changes are driven by various factors known as forcing mechanisms, which can be either external or internal. External forcing mechanisms encompass both natural factors, such as variations in the Earth’s orbit, changes in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, and plate tectonics, and human-induced factors, including the emission of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions.
Internal forcing mechanisms are natural processes that occur within the climate system and include ocean-atmosphere variability and the influence of life on Earth. The consequences of climate change are far-reaching, with negative impacts on forests, wildlife, water systems, and polar regions. Many plant and animal species have faced extinction due to these shifts in climate patterns, while others have suffered adverse effects. Human activities, such as deforestation, land use changes, and practices that increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere, have played a significant role in recent climate change. It is imperative to monitor and control these activities to mitigate the effects of climate change and maintain environmental balance.
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Part 3: Conversation (15 minutes)
Instructions: You will have a conversation with the examiner on the following topics. Each topic will be discussed for about 5 minutes.
1. Travel Experiences
– Talk about a memorable trip you have taken.
– Discuss what you enjoyed most and what you learned from the experience.
Sample Questions & Answers:
– Examiner: “Can you describe a memorable trip you have taken?”
– Student: “Yes, last year I traveled to Japan. It was an incredible experience because I got to immerse myself in a completely different culture. I visited historical sites like Kyoto and enjoyed the delicious Japanese cuisine.”
– Examiner: “What did you enjoy most about your trip?”
– Student: “I loved the mix of traditional and modern aspects in Japan. Seeing the ancient temples alongside cutting-edge technology in cities like Tokyo was fascinating. The hospitality of the people was also something I truly appreciated.”
2. Hobbies and Interests
– Describe your favorite hobby or pastime.
– Explain why you enjoy it and how it benefits you.
Sample Questions & Answers:
– Examiner: “What is your favorite hobby or pastime?”
– Student: “My favorite hobby is painting. I started painting when I was a teenager, and it has been a passion of mine ever since.”
– Examiner: “Why do you enjoy painting?”
– Student: “Painting allows me to express my creativity and relax after a long day. It’s therapeutic and helps me focus my mind. Plus, it’s rewarding to see the final piece come together.”
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Part 4: Discussion (20 minutes)
Instructions: Engage in a discussion with the examiner on the following topics. Each topic will be discussed for about 10 minutes.
1. The Role of Technology in Education
– Discuss the impact of technology on education.
– Talk about both positive and negative aspects.
Sample Questions & Answers:
– Examiner: “How has technology impacted education in recent years?”
– Student: “Technology has greatly impacted education by making learning more accessible and interactive. Online courses and educational apps have enabled students to learn from anywhere in the world.”
– Examiner: “Can you mention some negative aspects of technology in education?”
– Student: “One negative aspect is the potential for distraction. With so many digital tools and platforms, students can easily get sidetracked. Additionally, there is a risk of reduced face-to-face interaction, which is important for developing social skills.”
2. Pollution and Environmental Issues
– Discuss the causes and effects of pollution.
– Suggest ways individuals and governments can address these issues.
Sample Questions & Answers:
– Examiner: “What do you think are the main causes of pollution?”
– Student: “The main offender in my country is overuse of plastics. It’s everywhere, it’s in the ocean, people have no respect even for parklands and forests.
– Examiner: “What can individuals do to help address the issue?”
– Student: “Individuals can recycle and do their part by just generally cleaning their streets up, where they live and where they work. It’s amazing to me, the lack of awareness so many citizens have. They see the garbage in our rivers and on the beach and they don’t appear concerned at all.”
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Assessment Rubric
This rubric provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating the speaking abilities of non-native English speakers at an academic level. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score.
Instructions for Assessors:
1. Use the rubric to rate each student’s performance in each part of the test.
2. Provide feedback based on the criteria, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.
Usage Instructions
1. Fluency: Evaluate the speaker’s ability to maintain a smooth and continuous flow of speech.
2. Pronunciation: Assess how clearly and correctly the speaker pronounces words.
3. Vocabulary: Consider the range and appropriateness of the vocabulary used by the speaker.
4. Grammar: Judge the accuracy and complexity of the grammatical structures used.
5. Coherence & Cohesion: Examine how well the speaker organizes their ideas and connects them logically.
6. Content & Relevance: Evaluate the relevance and thoroughness of the speaker’s content in relation to the task.
7. Interaction: Assess the speaker’s ability to engage in and maintain a conversation.
Criteria Excellent (5) Good (4) Satisfactory (3) Needs Improvement (2) Unsatisfactory (1)
Fluency
Speaks fluently with minimal pauses
Speaks fluently with occasional pauses
Speaks with some pauses but maintains flow
Frequently pauses, affecting flow
Struggles to speak, frequent long pauses
Pronunciation
Pronunciation is clear and easy to understand
Generally clear pronunciation
Pronunciation is somewhat unclear at times
Often unclear, requiring listener effort
Very difficult to understand, frequent errors
Vocabulary
Uses a range of basic vocabulary accurately
Uses basic vocabulary with minor errors
Uses limited vocabulary, some errors
Uses very basic vocabulary, frequent errors
Very limited vocabulary, many errors
Grammar
Uses simple structures correctly
Uses simple structures with minor errors
Uses simple structures, noticeable errors
Uses very simple structures, frequent errors
Mainly uses incorrect structures, difficult to understand
Coherence & Cohesion
Ideas are well-organized and connected effectively
Ideas are generally well-organized, minor lapses
Ideas somewhat organized, some disjointedness
Ideas poorly organized, lacks cohesion
Ideas are very disorganized, hard to follow
Content & Relevance
Content is highly relevant, addresses all aspects of the task
Content is relevant, addresses most aspects
Content is somewhat relevant, misses some aspects
Content is often irrelevant, misses many aspects
Content is mostly irrelevant, does not address the task
Interaction
Responds confidently, maintains conversation naturally
Responds well, generally maintains conversation
Responds adequately, but with some difficulty
Struggles to respond, conversation falters
Unable to maintain conversation effectively
Answer Key
There is no fixed “answer key” for a speaking test since responses will vary. The rubric above provides the criteria to assess students’ performance.
Peter Abram 