TOEIC lesson 14: Business Meeting

June 9, 2016July 10, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-2 question from TOEIC speaking test. Describe the photo in your own words; you have 60 seconds to answer.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will describe the picture on your screen in as much detail as you can. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response. Then you will have 45 seconds to speak about the picture.

Question 3

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

What is the theme of the picture?
- There are some people having a business meeting.
Organize the photo into 3 parts:
- Describe the person’s main action
- Describe the objects in the picture
- Describe what you see in the background
Think of expressions and vocabulary that describe person, objects, and background
- Have a business meeting
- Dark brown hair tied in a ponytail
- Light gray work dress
- Give a presentation holding a marker in her right hand
- Graphs on a whiteboard
- Listen to her while sitting around the table
- Wear a shirt and tie
- Blue tone tie with stripes
- A light blue dress shirt
- Four glasses of water
- Take memo on a notepad with a pen
- Judging by the people’s body posture in this picture
- The woman have their whole attention
Combine the expressions above to describe the picture in your own words.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

I think this is a picture of some people having a business meeting. A woman with brunette hair tied back in a ponytail is giving a presentation while holding a white marker in her right hand and keeping eye contact with a listener. She looks very confident. The presenter is wearing a nice gray work dress with a black belt on her waist. There are four different graphs that seem like are printed on papers attached to the whiteboard. There are three businessmen and one businesswoman listening to her presentation. Three of them are looking at the presenter while one man on the right side of the table is jotting down notes. All the men are wearing dress shirts with a tie while a woman listener is wearing a short-sleeve white shirt and beige color trousers. There are four glasses of water and a glass jar on the table. Judging by the people’s body postures in this picture, the presenter has the listeners’ full attention.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

pointer

(n) something that is used for pointing at things
e.g. It can be used like a laser pointer.

ponytail

(n) hair tied up high at the back
e.g. She usually wears her hair tied back in a ponytail.

brunette

(adj) black or brown
e.g. She had brunette hair.

work dress

(n) formal looking dress suitable for office work
e.g. I need to shop for some work dresses.

keep eye contact

(idiom) when two people look at each other’s eyes at the same time
e.g. Keep eye contact and pay attention to what they have to tell you.

confident

(adj) certain about your ability
e.g. I am confident about my ability to do the job.

engaged

(adj) busy; occupied
e.g. He is engaged in research.

have attention

(idiom) receive somebody’s attention
e.g. May I have your attention, please?

jot down

(v) write a short note
e.g. I’ll just jot down the address for you.

body posture

(n) the position in which you stand or sit.
e.g. He can read your emotions from your facial expressions, voice tone, and body posture.

TOEIC lesson 13: Hotel

June 9, 2016July 10, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-1 question from TOEIC speaking test. Take 45 seconds to read the text out aloud. Then go over the text again with your tutor to correct any mispronunciation.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will read aloud the text on the screen. You will have 45 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 45 seconds to read the text out aloud.

Question 1

Overlooking Wichita Market, the Planet Star Hotel is the ideal location for discovering all that the historic and unique city of Manhattan has to offer. Stay in brand new, stylish but spacious guest rooms and suites. The Planet Star Hotel has completed the final stage of its $24 million renovations that include guest rooms, the lobby, and the courtyard driveway entrance. Our new exciting dining venue, North 26 Restaurant, features contemporary New Mexican cuisine.

Vocabulary

Work with your tutor to go over these keywords. Pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation when you read them out loud.

Key Words

Wichita

(n) the largest city in Kansas state

unique

(adj) the only one of its kind
e.g. The shape of each and every snowflake is unique.

Manhattan

(n) chief business district of New York City

spacious

(adj) roomy
e.g. They met in a spacious room.

suite

(n) a group of rooms of a hotel
e.g. She checked into a suite.

Directions

Try it again with a 2nd question. Take 45 seconds to read the text out loud. Pay attention to your pronunciation, intonation, and speed. Your tutor will correct when you pronounce something incorrectly.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will read aloud the text on the screen. You will have 45 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 45 seconds to read the text out loud.

Question 2

I was delayed on my way home from Lincoln to Madison this evening. Below is the service announcement apologizing for the delay:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologize for the delay in your journey this evening. It was caused by the train in front of us stopping. Apparently, a teenage boy onboard the train was unhappy that it was not scheduled to call at his stop, so he pulled the emergency stop cord, smashed the window, and jumped out. We will be delayed for a few minutes and will then proceed slowly to the next set of lights in case he is still wandering along the tracks.”

Vocabulary

Work with your tutor to go over these keywords. Pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation when you read them out loud.

Key Words

delay

(v) put off to a later time
e.g. The doctor wants to delay surgery for a few weeks.

apologize

(v) saying sorry
e.g. I want to apologize for what I said. I didn’t mean it, and I’m sorry if it hurt your feelings.

emergency

(n) unexpected and dangerous situation
e.g. Here’s a phone number where I can be reached in the event of an emergency.

proceed

(v) continue to do something
e.g. “Before we proceed further, does anyone have any questions?”

wander

(v) moving randomly
e.g. They wandered down the street.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

historic

(adj) important in history
e.g. It was a historic event.

ideal

(adj) something in its perfection
e.g. It was an ideal spot for a vacation.

renovate

(v) to restore to good condition; repair
e.g. It’s an old factory that has been renovated as office space.

courtyard

(n) area surrounded by walls
e.g. The apartment overlooks a courtyard.

contemporary

(adj) modern
e.g. He liked contemporary jazz.

announcement

(n) formal public statement
e.g. Many people were surprised by the government’s announcement that there will be a cut in taxes.

journey

(n) the act of traveling from one place to another
e.g. He went on a long journey across the country.

complaint

(n) a statement that you are unhappy or not satisfied with something
e.g. The company has a system to handle customer complaints.

smash

(v) hit hard
e.g. He smashed the vase with a hammer.

occurrence

(n) the fact of happening or occurring — usually + of
e.g. The occurrence of the disease is low. [=the disease does not occur commonly]

TOEIC lesson 12: Mobile Phone Safety

June 9, 2016July 10, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-6 question from TOEIC speaking test. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 60 seconds to answer on your own.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will give your opinion about a specific topic. Be sure to say as much as you can in the time allowed. You will have 15 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.

Question 11

Some people think that cell phones make children safer, and others think that cell phones make them more unsafe. Do you agree with the idea that children under the age of 12 should be allowed to have cell phones?

If yes, why? If not, why not?

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

Brainstorm before you choose your position
- Agree:
  - You can contact your child easily in case of emergencies.
  - There are many educational apps that kids can use these days.
- Disagree:
  - Children can be addicted to smartphones more than adults.
  - Children might use cell phones to browse harmful sites and spend an excessive amount of money on data.
Choose your position
Disagree: Children under 12 should be allowed to carry cell phones.
Come up with 3 reasons to back up your argument
- A cell phone is the best way to contact your child easily in case of emergencies, and they can also contact their parents.
- Most children use cell phones to communicate and connect with their friends.
- Although children can get addicted to smartphones more easily than adults, there are also many educational apps for kids these days.
Give a concrete example of one of the reasons
- For instance, I know you can have parental control function on the phone for the kids so they do not use it at night.
Conclude with your argument
- I support the idea that children under 12 should be allowed to carry cell phones.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

I think that children under 12 should be allowed to carry cell phones. There are some reasons why it is more beneficial for children to have cell phones. First of all, a cell phone is the best way to contact your child easily in case of emergencies, and they can also contact the parents. Secondly, most children use cell phones to communicate and connect with their friends just like adults. Lastly, although children can get addicted to smartphones more easily than adults, there are also many educational apps for kids these days. For instance, I know you can have parental control function on the phone for the kids so they do not use it at night before going to bed. With some guidance from adults, cell phones will be much more beneficial for children just as it is for adults. In conclusion, I support the idea that children under 12 should be allowed to carry cell phones.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

emergency

(n) an unexpected and usually dangerous situation that calls for immediate action
e.g. Her quick thinking in an emergency saved the baby’s life.

be/get addicted to~

(idiom) having an addiction to something
e.g. He‘s addicted to smoking.

excessive

(adj) too much
e.g. He drinks excessive amounts of coffee.

contact

(v) call or write to
e.g. We were able to contact them by radio.

communicate

(v) give information about something to someone by speaking, writing, moving your hands, etc.
e.g. Good teachers communicate effectively.

misuse

(v) use incorrectly
e.g. She heard a word that is frequently misused.

parental control

(n) a feature designed to let parents set controls for their children’s computer use
e.g. I had to set parental control on your computer.

beneficial

(adj) producing benefits
e.g. He hopes the new drug will prove beneficial to many people.

data usage

(n) any download or browser usage on mobile
e.g. Data usage will be reset next month.

guidance

(n) the act or process of guiding someone or something
e.g. I couldn’t have done it without her guidance.

TOEIC lesson 11: Flight Ticket

June 9, 2016July 10, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-5 question from a TOEIC speaking test. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 60 seconds to answer on your own.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.

Question 10

In your response, be sure to:

show that you recognize the problem
propose a way of deal with the problem

(Tutor: read the text to the student. The question is not presented to the student in the actual test)

Hello. This is Bill Gates. I booked a round-trip ticket that is valid for 3 months from Singapore to Munich through your travel agency a month ago. I’ve already used the one-way ticket from Singapore to Munich on July 14th, and the return flight to Singapore is scheduled on October 10th. The problem is that I got in a big car accident in Germany and my doctor advised me to stay in the hospital in Munich for another month to fully recover before boarding an aircraft. The earliest day she suggested is October 31st, which means the ticket may not be valid by then. I need to rebook the return flight on October 31st or later and wanted to check whether this is possible with my ticket. Please let me know what my options are as soon as possible. You can reach me on my cell phone at (213) 123-4567.

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

Make note of the key facts
- Who is calling? Bill Gates
- Why is he calling? He had an accident and has to stay in Munich for another month.
- What is he asking for? He wants to rebook his return flight to Munich from Singapore on October 31st or later.
Come up with a solution
- Say who you are: Hello, Mr. Gates. This is XXX calling from the Ace Travel Agency.
- Say why you are calling: I am calling regarding your voice message.
Repeat the problem: You said that you have a round-trip flight ticket to Singapore from Munich that is only valid until October 14th, but you had an accident and need to stay in Munich until October 31st.
Repeat the request: You want to change the date of your return ticket to October 31st or later so that you can make a full recovery from the accident.
Propose a solution:
- In general, the tickets cannot be used after it has expired.
- However, you have a medical problem, which is a different story.
- It looks like we can rebook your return ticket on October 31st, so I will go ahead and reserve your seat.
- Please send a letter from your doctor to us by fax and we’ll change your reservation.
Wrap up: If you have further questions on this issue, you can reach me at (123) 456-7890.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

Hello, Mr. Gates. This is XXX calling from the Ace Travel Agency. I am calling regarding your voice message. You said that you have a round-trip flight ticket to Singapore from Munich that is only valid until October 14th, but you had an accident and need to stay in Munich until October 31st. You want to change the date of your return ticket to October 31st or later so that you can make a full recovery from the accident. In general, the ticket cannot be used after it has expired. However, you have a medical problem, which is a different story. It looks like we can rebook your return ticket on October 31st, so I will go ahead and reserve your seat. Please send a letter from your doctor to us by fax and we’ll change your reservation. If you have further questions on this issue, you can reach me at (123) 456-7890.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

valid until~

(idiom) acceptable; usable until ~
e.g. My passport is valid until May 24th.

round-trip

(n) a trip to a place and back usually over the same route
e.g. It’s a 50-mile round-trip to my parents’ house.

(re)book

(v) to make arrangements so that you will be able to use or have something at a later time
e.g. I booked a table at our favorite restaurant.

board

(v) to get into or onto (an airplane, a bus, a train, etc.)
e.g. You must have a ticket in order to board the train.

aircraft

(n) a machine that flies through the air
e.g. He went on a new military aircraft.

reserve

(v) have or keep something for possible use at a future time
e.g. This table is reserved for someone else.

statement

(n) a message that is declared (oral or written)
e.g. This is his first public statement about the investigation.

confirmation

(n) check to see if something is correct
e.g. We don’t have independent confirmation of the facts.

medical condition

(n) a disease, illness or injury
e.g. Her medical condition worried doctors at the time.

recovery

(n) return to original state
e.g. The patient made a miraculous recovery.

TOEIC lesson 10: Exhibition

June 9, 2016July 9, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-4 question from TOEIC speaking test. Take a look at the information provided below. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 15 seconds to answer on your own.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will answer three questions based on the information provided. You will have 30 seconds to read the information before the questions begin. For each question, begin responding immediately. No additional preparation time is provided. You will have 15 seconds to respond to question 7 and 8 and 30 seconds to respond to question 9.

Information Provided

Opening Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on Saturday until 7:00 p.m.)
*Entry is permitted until 30 minutes before closing.

toeic-lesson-10

Day closed: Monday
*When a national holiday falls on a Monday, the museum is open, and is closed on the following day. While the Grand Tennis Tournament is held in Sydney, the museum will be open.

Admission fee for the exhibition
*Special exhibitions require $AUD1 additional fees.
*AUD=Australian Dollar

Free or discounted tickets for the exhibition

Preschool children and those who have not entered school yet.
Handicapped individuals or those receiving welfare assistance (please show your identification) and their attendants.
Students in ninth grade or lower and who go to school in Sydney.

*Adults accompanied by children under 18 years old are admitted for half price on the third weekend of every month (Sydney residents only).

Question 7

(Tutor: read the text to the student. The question is not presented to the student in the actual test)

Hi. I happened to hear about your upcoming exhibition yesterday and I’d like to get some detailed information about it. Could you please answer some of my questions?

Could you tell me about your opening hours during the Grand Tennis Tournament?

Your Answer

How did you do? Here are some pointers if you want to try again.

It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and to 7pm on Saturday.
It’s normally closed on Mondays, but if a national holiday falls on a Monday it is open on that day.

Directions

Let’s try another one. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 15 seconds to answer on your own.

Question 8

(Tutor: read the text to the student. The question is not presented to the student in the actual test)

Please tell me about the ticket price for the exhibition.

Your Answer

How did you do? Here are some pointers if you want to try again.

The admission fees are $AUD 6 for adults and $AUD 3 for junior high and high school students and senior citizens.
The admission fee for a group of 20 who are all adults is $AUD4.5, and also some group discounts apply to seniors and students as well.

Directions

Let’s try another one. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 30 seconds to answer on your own.

Question 9

(Tutor: read the text to the student. The question is not presented to the student in the actual test)

Do you have any free or discounted tickets for the exhibition?

Your Answer

How did you do? Here are some pointers if you want to try again.

The exhibition is free for all handicapped, preschool children, and students who go to school in Sydney.
Adults accompanied by children under 18 also qualify for 50% discounted admission for the exhibition.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

Q7: The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and it will be open until 7pm on Saturday. It’s normally closed on Mondays, but if a national holiday falls on a Monday, it is open on that day. Please note that it will be open while the Grand Tennis Tournament is held in Sydney as well.

Q8: The admission fees are AUD$ 6 for adults and AUD$ 3 for junior high or high school students. If there is a group of 20 or more people, it will cost AUD$ 4.50 for adults and AUD$ 2.50 for junior high or high school students.

Q9: The exhibition is free for all handicapped, preschool children, and students in the ninth grade or lower in Sydney. It is also free for those who are getting welfare assistance, so please show us your ID. Sydney residents accompanied by children under 18 also qualify for 50% discounted admission for the exhibition.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

entry

(n) the act of entering something
e.g. The thieves gained entry through a back window.

attendant

(n) an assistant or servant
e.g. They saw a bride and her attendants.

preview

(v) see before others do
e.g. Critics have not yet previewed the new movie.

exposition

(e) exhibition
e.g. They have an international exposition.

be eligible for~

(adj) meeting the requirements
e.g. I’d like to join but I‘m not eligible for it yet.

welfare assistance

(n) help given by the government to those in need
e.g. The people in the lower–income category will be offered a variety of welfare assistance.

handicapped

(adj) physically or mentally disabled
e.g. He has been handicapped since his motorcycle accident.

verify

(v) confirm
e.g. She verified her flight number.

ID (identification)

(n) means of identification
e.g. The guard insisted that we show him our ID‘s.

accompany

(v) go somewhere with (someone)
e.g. She will accompany me to the store.

TOEIC lesson 9: Mobile Phone

June 9, 2016July 3, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-3 question from TOEIC speaking test. Read the following question out loud and give your answer in your own words first.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will answer three questions. For each question, begin responding immediately. No preparation time is provided. You will have 15 seconds to respond to Question 4 and 5 and 30 seconds to respond to Question 6.

Question 4

Imagine that an American marketing firm is doing research in your country. You have agreed to participate in a telephone interview about cell phones.

How long do you keep your cell phone before getting a new one?

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

How to answer questions that start with “how long…”
- Around one year
- Approximately six to eight months
- Normally more than two years
- Three years maximum
- Minimum half a year
- e.g. I normally keep my cell phone for 18 months before I change it.

Directions

Let’s try another one. Read the following question out loud and give your answer in your own words first. You get 15 seconds, starting immediately.

Question 5

What do you use your cell phone for other than making or receiving calls?

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

How to answer questions that start with “what do you use…for?”
- Texting
- Playing games
- Setting alarms
- Keeping a memo
- Taking selfies
- Snapchatting
- e.g. I use my cell phone to go on to Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat mostly.

Directions

Let’s try another one. Read the following question out loud and give your answer in your own words first. You get 30 seconds, starting immediately.

Question 6

What are some good or bad things about using a cellular phone?

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

Think of pros and cons of using a cellular phone.
- (good) It connects me to my friends instantly
- (good) It keeps me informed about what’s going on in the world
- (bad) Using my phone too much makes me less productive
- (bad) I can’t focus on anything when I have my phone nearby
- e.g. The good thing about using a cell phone is that it makes communication super convenient, but the bad thing is that it can be a huge distraction. It all depends on how you use it.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

Q4: In my case, I keep my cell phone until it becomes too slow to use, and that takes about two years. I don’t think I need to change my phone every time a new model comes out, but I get annoyed when the phone is too slow.

Q5: Besides making and receiving calls, my cell phone is like my personal secretary. I use it to schedule my appointments, birthdays, wedding anniversary, and to note other reminders. Additionally, I use my cell phone to listen to music and watch tv as well.

Q6: I think that there are more advantages to using cell phones. First of all, cell phones provide me with entertainment such as games and music, let me send messages, and give me an Internet connection. Secondly, I can communicate with anyone I want anytime, anywhere. Finally, where there is an emergency situation, mobile phones are very useful. Most of all, I think getting Internet access by using a cell phone is the best thing about using mobile phones.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

set alarm

(idiom)
e.g. She set the alarm for six o’clock.

user interface

(n) visual part of a computer application
e.g. Familiarize yourself with the user interface.

mobility

(n) the quality of moving freely
e.g. He was a great football player known for his mobility on the field.

reception

(n) used to describe how well or badly a radio, television, etc., is able to receive signals
e.g. My cell phone reception is terrible.

advantage

(n) benefit, gain, profit
e.g. He lacked the advantages of an advanced education.

functionality

(n) useful function within a computer program
e.g. He used a device with new functionalities.

distract

(v) to cause (someone) to stop paying attention to someone or something
e.g. He was distracted from his studies.

accessible

(adj) easy to obtain or use
e.g. The information should be accessible to all.

gadget

(n) (often) small electronic device
e.g. The kitchen is equipped with all the latest gadgets.

set reminder

(idiom)
e.g. You can set reminders for yourself for TV shows you want to catch.

TOEIC lesson 8: Woman Riding a Motorcycle

June 9, 2016July 3, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-2 question from TOEIC speaking test. Describe the photo in your own words; you have 60 seconds to answer.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will describe the picture on your screen with as much detail as you can. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your response. Then you will have 45 seconds to speak about the picture.

Question 3

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

What is the theme of the picture?
Organize the photo into 3 parts:
- Describe the person’s main action
- Describe the objects in the picture
- Describe what you see in the background
Think of expressions and vocabulary that describe person, objects, and background
- Two women riding on a motorcycle
- The motorcycle is silver and shiny
- It’s a two-wheeled motorcycle
- A lot of people watching them
- The clothes the women are wearing
- They are both wearing jeans
- They seem like they’re in their 30s
- It seems like it’s warm or hot weather
- There is another motorcycle in the background
- They may be racing one another
- They are not wearing any helmet or safety gear
- They look dangerous riding without a helmet
Combine the expressions above to describe the picture in your own words.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

I think this is a picture of two women riding a silver motorcycle. The one sitting on the front seat of the motorcycle is wearing a navy short-sleeved T-shirt, blue jeans, bracelets, a black necklace, and sunglasses. She is holding the motorcycle with both of her hands. The one sitting on the rear seat of the motorcycle is wearing a white sleeveless tank top and blue jeans. She is holding on to the woman in the front seat. They are both not wearing any helmets, which is dangerous. In the background of this picture, I can see a group of people watching them on the sidewalk. Judging by the clothes the two women are wearing and by the green leaves on the tree in the background, it seems to be a hot summer day.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

bystander

(n) viewer, passerby
e.g. Two innocent bystanders were injured in the shooting.

spectator

(n) observer
e.g. The spectators lining the road cheered the racers on.

freewheeling

(adj) independent, free
e.g. She led a freewheeling life in the city.

vehicle

(n) a means of transport
e.g. They saw cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

motorist

(n) vehicle driver
e.g. He was an uninsured motorist.

cruise

(v) to travel in a moderate speed
e.g. On Friday nights, teenagers cruise the main street in town to show off their cars.

drift

(v) to wander aimlessly
e.g. The party guests drifted from room to room, eating and mingling.

handgrip

(n) handle bar
e.g. Hold onto the handgrip!

dashboard

(n) front display panel
e.g. Don‘t put your feet up on the dashboard.

rim

(n) the outer circle of a wheel
e.g. He bought stainless steel rims for his new car.

TOEIC lesson 7: Magazine

June 9, 2016July 3, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-1 question from TOEIC speaking test. Take 45 seconds to read the text out aloud. Then go over the text again with your tutor to correct any mispronunciation.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will read aloud the text on the screen. You will have 45 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 45 seconds to read the text out loud.

Question 1

Complete the form below to qualify to receive broad coverage and penetrating analysis of the issues, events, trends, and strategies shaping the pharmaceutical industry. Money magazine contains original editorials that provide insight into trends and events affecting pharmaceutical sales and marketing. You won’t find this type of business reporting in any other pharmaceutical business publication. To qualify for a complimentary subscription to Money magazine, complete the subscription form below and click submit.

Vocabulary

Work with your tutor to go over these keywords. Pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation when you read them out loud.

Key Words

qualify

(v) to be fitted or competent for something
e.g. They both qualify for the job.

analysis

(n) detailed examination of the elements or structure of something
e.g. They reviewed a scientific analysis of the data.

pharmaceutical

(adj) pertaining to pharmacy or pharmacists
e.g. He worked for a pharmaceutical company.

editorial

(n) opinion piece written by the senior editorial staff
e.g. The paper published an editorial strongly criticizing the mayor’s actions.

complimentary

(adj) given free of charge
e.g. The restaurant offers valet parking as a complimentary service.

Directions

Try it again with a 2nd question. Take 45 seconds to read the text out loud. Pay attention to your pronunciation, intonation, and speed. Your tutor will correct when you pronounce something incorrectly.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will read aloud the text on the screen. You will have 45 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 45 seconds to read the text out loud.

Question 2

Come and celebrate spring in Vietnam with Authentic Cuisine. We will prepare summer rolls and watch our experienced Vietnamese hosts prepare a hot pot of beef noodle soup with vegetables and Vietnamese crepes. Learn the secrets of Vietnamese dishes. Our hosts will share their recipes and show you how they prepare an authentic three-course meal followed by local desserts. Ingredient lists, restaurants, and market ideas in Little Nham will be provided.

Vocabulary

Work with your tutor to go over these keywords. Pay attention to the pronunciation and intonation when you read them out loud.

Key Words

authentic

(adj) genuine
e.g. We saw authentic examples of ancient Roman sculpture.

Vietnamese

(adj) relating to Vietnam
e.g. We met Vietnamese people.

crepe

(n) thin pancake
e.g. Place 3-5 apple slices on each crepe.

recipe

(n) instructions for making food
e.g. She found a recipe for beef stew.

ingredient

(n) any of the foods that are combined to make a particular dish
e.g. He uses only the freshest ingredients in his cooking.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

coverage

(n) communication of selected information on current events
e.g. The issue is not getting much coverage in the mainstream press.

exclusive

(adj) story published or broadcast by only one source
e.g. He told the magazine in an exclusive interview

article

(n) written work published in a print or electronic medium
e.g. He wrote a magazine article.

publication

(n) printed work made for sale or distribution
e.g. She submitted a scientific publication.

journalism

(n) the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news
e.g. She followed responsible journalism.

ethnic

(adj) cultural, religious, or linguistic traditions of a people or country
e.g. The U.S. has a wide variety of ethnic groups made up of immigrants or their descendants.

regional

(adj) local
e.g. They received a regional newspaper.

culinary

(adj) relating to cooking
e.g. The chef bought culinary herbs.

seasoning

(n) salt or an herb, or spice, for improving the flavor
e.g. My favorite seasonings are black pepper and oregano.

exotic

(adj) of foreign origin or character
e.g. She’s known for her exotic tastes.

TOEIC lesson 6: Movie Review

June 9, 2016July 3, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-6 question from TOEIC speaking test. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 60 seconds to answer on your own.

Test Question

Question 11

Do you check the movie reviews before you decide what movie to watch?

If yes, why? If not why not?

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

Brainstorm before you choose your position
- Check review:
  - You can get more insightful information about the movie
  - I can appreciate the movie more when I understand the overall story
- Not check review:
  - People have different opinions, and I may like movies with low ratings
Choose your position: Check review
Come up with three reasons to back up your argument
- Movie reviews give insightful information about the movie
- Reading movie reviews does not mean I have to agree with movie critics’ opinion
- I can appreciate the movie more when I understand the overall storyline
Give concrete example to one of the reasons
- For instance, I watched Interstellar after having read the reviews, and it was much easier for me to follow the plot. Also I watched the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey because it came up many times in the movie reviews. So when I actually watched Interstellar in theater, I could appreciate the movie much more than my friends who didn’t know about 2001.
Conclude with your argument
- I check movie reviews not to watch the most popular movie but to get more insightful information about the movie that I am about to watch in the theater.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

I like to check movie reviews before going out to see a movie. There are three main reasons why I prefer to read movie reviews before. First of all, movie reviews give insightful information about the movie, and I like to read what the critics have to say about the movie more than just the ratings. Besides, reading movie reviews does not mean I have to agree with movie critics’ opinion. I think I can appreciate the movie more when I understand the overall storyline, background, etc. For instance, I watched Interstellar after having read the reviews, and it was much easier for me to follow the plot. Also, I watched the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey because it came up many times in the movie reviews. So when I actually watched Interstellar in the theater, I could appreciate the movie much more than my friends who didn’t know about 2001. In conclusion, I check movie reviews not to watch the most popular movie but to get more insightful information about the movie that I am about to watch in the theater.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

movie critic

(n) professional writer of opinions on movies
e.g. He is an influential movie critic.

synopsis

(n) a short description of the most important information about something
e.g. She gave us a brief synopsis of the story.

plot

(n) a series of events that form the story in a novel, movie, etc.
e.g. The movie has a strong plot.

rating

(n) a measurement of how good, difficult, efficient, etc., something or someone is
e.g. The school has an above-average academic rating.

appreciate

(v) to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone)
e.g. The company strives to appreciate its employees.

blockbuster

(n) big budget film production
e.g. The actor starred in a blockbuster last year.

trailer

(n) a selected group of scenes that are shown to advertise a movie
e.g. He watched a theatrical trailer.

(v) to understand the sense or logic of (something or someone)
e.g. I found it hard to follow the twists and turns of the movie’s complicated plot.

box office

(n) used to describe how many tickets have been sold for a movie, play, etc
e.g. The movie did very well at the box office.

sequel

(n) a follow-up series
e.g. The new film is a sequel to the very successful comedy that came out five years ago.

TOEIC lesson 5: Job Interview

June 9, 2016July 3, 2018 Test Prep, TOEIC speaking

Directions

In this lesson, your tutor will help you go over a type-5 question from TOEIC speaking test. Your tutor will read the question to you, and you have 60 seconds to answer on your own.

Test Question

Directions: In this part of the test, you will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a solution. You will have 30 seconds to prepare. Then you will have 60 seconds to speak.

Question 10

In your response, be sure to:

show that you recognize the problem
propose a way of dealing with the problem

(Tutor: read the text to the student. The question is not presented to the student in the actual test)

Hello. This is Julia Roberts. I am scheduled for a job interview for a customer service position with your airline today at 3 p.m. I am very excited about this opportunity and believe that this position would be a great fit for me. I left home an hour ago to give myself enough time to arrive before my appointment, but it looks like I am in a traffic jam due to an accident on the freeway. Because of this, I am afraid that I might not make it on time. I will do my best to try to get off the freeway so that I can take an alternate route, but, just in case I can’t make it on time, would it be possible to reschedule my job interview? I don’t want all of my preparations to go to waste, and, as I just mentioned, I really want to work for your company. I will wait for your call. You can reach me on my cell phone at (123) 456-7890. My name is Julia Roberts. Thank you.

Brainstorm

How did you do? Use the following pointers as a guideline to refine your answer.

Make note of the key facts
- Who is calling? Julia Roberts and she has an interview with the company
- Why is she calling? She is in a traffic jam due to an accident on the freeway, and she is concerned that she will be late for the interview
- What is she asking for? She is trying to be on time but wants to reschedule the interview in case she doesn’t make it on time
Come up with a solution
- Say who you are: Hello, Ms. Roberts. This is XXX from the human resource department.
- Say why you are calling: I am returning your voice message.
- Repeat the problem: You said that you may be late for your job interview, which is scheduled at 3 pm today, due to an unexpected accident on the freeway.
Repeat the request: You want to reschedule your job interview in case you arrive late.
Propose a solution:
- I understand how important this job interview is to you.
- It is not possible to reschedule your job interview today because several other interviews have been scheduled right after yours.
- I will leave a note for the interviewers in case you do not make it on time, but I have to let you know this may reflect negatively on your candidacy.
Wrap up: Please let me know immediately when you arrive here. You can reach me on my cell phone at (213) 123-4567.

Sample Answer

Reading great sample answers is one way to improve. Go over the sample answer with your tutor. Ask questions if you have any.

Sample Answer

Hello Ms. Roberts. This is XXX from the human resource department at Alpha Airline and I am returning your call. You said that you may be late for your job interview, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. today, due to an unexpected accident on the freeway. First of all, I am sorry to say that it is not possible to reschedule your job interview because several other interviews have already been scheduled right after yours. I will leave a note for the interviewers in case you do not make it on time, but I have to let you know this may reflect negatively on your candidacy. I understand how important this job interview is to you, so please let me know immediately when you arrive here. You can reach me on my cell phone at (213) 123-4567.

Further Study

Got more time? Here is a list of common vocab words related to the text you studied today. Go over each one with your tutor.

Additional Expressions

unexpected

(adj) not expected
e.g. He received unexpected results.

traffic jam ( traffic congestion)

(n) a large number of vehicles unable to move or moving very slowly
e.g. I’m stuck in a traffic jam, so I’ll be late.

reschedule

(v) change to a new time for an event
e.g. The meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday.

due to something

(idiom) because of a reason
e.g. The accident was primarily due to her carelessness.

candidacy

(n) the position of a person who is trying to be elected
e.g. She is expected to announce her candidacy for president.

reflect positively/negatively on~

(idiom) to cause people to think of someone or something in a positive/negative way
e.g. This incident reflects negatively on everyone involved.

interviewer / interviewee

(n) a person who is asking someone questions at an interview / a person who is interviewed
e.g. The interviewer asked the interviewee some very personal questions.

make it on time

(idiom) arrive punctually
e.g. I’m leaving early so I can make it on time.

punctual

(adj) being on time
e.g. The trains were punctual.

you can reach me at ….

(idiom) you can call me at
e.g. You can reach me at 012345678.