TOEFL® impressions

[SkiIucK]

Hello,

Today I sat for the TOEFL. I got, according to many, the hardest variant of the test - with two extra reading passages. It was rather exhausting, especially in test conditions.

The only problem wasn't in the complexity of the texts - they were relatively easy, at least for me, to understand. However, the questions that followed the texts were a whole different matter. Although I consider myself a person with stable logic, the questions seemed to me as if they were designated for other texts. So complicated, unlike any practice test I've done! I don't mean to scare anyone, but...

The listening comprehension part was pretty much the same story - easy dialogues and conversations but extremely tough questions, very ambiguous if I must be accurate.

The speaking part, feared by many, wasn't as hard. I messed it up big time, though.

In my opinion, the integrated task of the writing part was the test's easiest element - both the lecture and the passage were fairly easy to comprehend.
Then again, the independent essay topic was structured in such a manner that it was close to impossible to reach the desired 300 words.

Overall, the test sucked. Maybe it's just me, but I talked to two guys after the test and they shared the same feeling. If I had to give an objective estimation of my score, I'd hover around 98. The test was just beyond my capabilities.

Best regards everyone, feel free to ask any questions.

[SkiIucK]

Hello again,

Firstly, I would like to thank the team of english-test.net for providing me with essential knowledge regarding the English language. Thank you, Alan, Amy, Jamie, Mister Micawber, Ralf, and Torsten!

Now to the test. Today I received my results, was quite shocked with the score.

Scores:

Reading - 29;

Listening - 28;

Speaking -27;

Writing - 29;

Overall - 113.

Everything, besides the writing mark, makes my eyes bulge. Thought I'd done worse.

Best regards

[Orlandoenglishtutor]

SkiIucK, congratulations on your excellent score! What are your plans, now that you have aced the TOEFL?

I am hoping you would answer a few short questions for me about your English studies and your TOEFL experience. I am an English tutor and graduate student in TESOL in Orlando, Florida. For one of my classes, I need to "interview" (online is okay) a person who has recently taken the TOEFL. It should only take 5 minutes or less. I hope you will help me out, and if you need any information from me about English or Florida or Disney World or anything, I'll be happy to try to return the favor!

Here are the questions (some are answered in your posts, so I can just use that information, with your permission):

Your nationality and native language(s):

Age (approximate is okay)

How much English instruction have you had?

Have you taken the TOEFL prior to your recent experience? If so, when, and in what format?

Why did you take the TOEFL?

What are your general feelings about the internet based TOEFL?

Again, congratulations on your great score. I also listened to your recorded speaking elsewhere on this forum and your accent is excellent!

Thanks for reading this!
Sandy

[SkiIucK]

Hello Sandy,

Thank you for the positive feedback.

It is okay to use information previously given by me.

Now, let me answer your questions:

1. I was born in Bulgaria, my native language is therefore Bulgarian;

2. 19 in April;

3. Instruction? A tough one. I often had to arrive at the conclusion my English tutors were less knowledgeable than me. (No, I'm not vaunting, it's just that Bulgaria lacks proficient cadre.) Probably the instruction in kindergarten gave me the most (basic words, numbers, simple grammar). The rest I owe to myself and the staff here;

4. Yes, I used some practice TOEFL iBT tests offered on the Internet in the recent months, just to prepare for the actual examination;

5. I sat for the TOEFL to gain proof of my English level to present to the institutions of higher education I am planning to apply for;

6. My overall impression is that it is a hard test; maybe not as hard as CPE but still tough.

Thanks again and best regards,
Ski

[Orlandoenglishtutor]

Ski, Thank you so much! Nice to "meet" you! You are the same age as my son, who is an excellent student like you.

I have known only one person from Bulgaria in my life -- an extremely nice young man who gave my son private practice lessons in table tennis. Is table tennis popular in Bulgaria? This guy was fantastic!

May I suggest a couple of tiny usage changes in your reply? Of course, this is American English, not British, but we would use the word "bragging" rather than "vaunting" -- in fact, I think there are many Americans who do not know the meaning of the word "vaunt"! I don't think most would know the word "cadre" either. Your vocabulary is great! We would probably just say that Bulgaria "lacks proficient teachers."

Let's see, what else did I notice...oh, "apply for" -- we would use "apply to." I'm curious, Ski, about your future. What kind of programs will you apply to, and in what country?

One final question -- is there a particular site for practice TOEFL that you would recommend?

Have a great day!
--Sandy

[SkiIucK]

Hey again, Sandy!

Thanks a bunch for clarifying the usage of the words I used in my previous post.

It's great to hear you've met someone from Bulgaria who is actually decent... That's a phenomenon these days. Also, it's nice to know there are prosperous young folks out there - like your son.

To be honest, table tennis isn't quite popular here, but I love practising it. Actually, I play twice a week.

My interests are in the field of business; hence, I applied to one university in the UK as well as to a few universities located in the Scandinavian peninsula (particularly in Denmark and Holland).

I suppose I expressed myself obscurely. My preparation for the TOEFL came down to using practice materials offered by the leaders in the branch - Kaplan, Longman, Baron's. Besides that, I would recommend this site as well as EnglishRaven's website, whose name I cannot quite recall at the moment , for preparation.

Have an even greater day, Sandy!

Ski

[Orlandoenglishtutor]

Thanks for responding so quickly! You must be "wasting time" at the internet this morning like I am.

I was thinking about what I told you regarding the use of "apply." We use "apply to" when talking about schools, but we "apply for" jobs, financial aid, and admission. That is, you will apply *to* schools, but you will apply *for admission* to schools. American English, of course -- not sure about those Brits!

Your plans sound very interesting and I wish you the best of luck. If you ever find yourself in Orlando, Florida (many people do!), you should contact me about visiting the table tennis club. It is like the United Nations there, with immigrants from all over the world.

Okay, now I'd better get going out to the university, where I am observing a TOEFL prep class this morning to learn more about teaching it. Thanks again!
--sandy

[EnglishRaven]