TOEIC lesson 4: Art Museum

June 9, 2016June 26, 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

The art museum is open all year round except on Mondays and the last Friday of every month. The hours for the museum are:
toeic-lesson-4

*Guide service in foreign language is available in Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish only. The minimum number of people required for the foreign guide service is 6, and, in case there are fewer than 6 people, an extra $10 will be charged. For more information, please call us at (415) 123-4567.

Question 7

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

Hello. Sometime this weekend, I am planning to visit your art museum with my two kids and two nephews coming from China. I visited your website for some information, but your website is under construction. Could you answer some of my questions?

Please tell me the details on the hours for the museum.

Your Answer

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

It is closed on Mondays and the last Friday of every month.
On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and on Wednesday and Sunday, it is open from 11 am to 7 pm.

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)

How much are the admission fees for children and adults?

Your Answer

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

Admission to the museum is $1 for adults and $0.50 for children.
If you want a museum guide, the fee will be $2 for adults and $0.50 for children.

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)

I am taking my two Chinese nephews along with my two children. Is there guide service in Chinese available?

Your Answer

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

The museum offers a foreign guide service in Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish only and it is a fixed fee of $3 regardless of age.
The minimum number of people required for a foreign guide service is 6, and in case there are less than 6 people, additional $10 will be charge.

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: We are open all throughout the year except for Mondays and the last Friday of every month. The museum is open from 9:30am to 5:30pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 11am to 7pm on Wednesday and Sunday.

Q8: The art museum admission fee is $0.50 for children and $1 for adults. If you want the regular museum guide, it will be $2 for adults and $1 for children. For foreign language guide service, $3 per person will be charged regardless of age.

Q9: Yes, we provide guide services in Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. You need to have a minimum of six people to qualify for the foreign guide service, and if there are fewer than six people, an extra $10 will be charged.

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

museum admission

(n) the price of museum entrance
e.g. The museum admission is free on Tuesday.

foreign guide service

(n) tour of the museum in foreign languages
e.g. Our museum provides foreign guide service.

per person

(idiom) each
e.g. They paid $10 per person.

a minimum number of #

(idiom) no less than a #
e.g. A minimum number of 12 participants is needed to start the meeting.

additional $ will be charged

(idiom) required to pay $ more
e.g. An additional $15 will be charged for the laundry.

surplus

(n) more than what is needed
e.g. There is a surplus of workers and not enough jobs.

regardless of

(idiom) nevertheless
e.g. He runs every day regardless of the weather.

supplementary

(adj) additional
e.g. He had a list of supplementary readings for the class.

curate

(v) to take charge of a museum
e.g. The exhibition has been curated by a famous artist.

museum archivist

(n) a person in charge of collecting archives in a museum
e.g. He is a museum archivist.

TOEIC Lesson 3: Exercise

June 6, 2016June 26, 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.

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 exercise.

How often and where do you exercise?

Brainstorm

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

How to answer questions that start with “How often…?”
- Everyday
- At least three times a week
- On weekends
- Every other day
- e.g. I work out every other day.
How to answer questions that start with “Where…?”
- Fitness club
- Gym
- In the park near my house
- Along the path by the river
- e.g. Every morning, I go for a run along the path by the river.

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 usually consider when you choose a gym?

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 consider…?”
- I prefer…
- I think ___ is important
- I consider ___ as my top priority when I choose a gym.
- e.g. Location is my top priority when I choose a gym.

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 advantages of doing exercise?

Brainstorm

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

How to answer ‘what kind of advantages/benefits…’ questions?
- It makes me stay healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally
- It helps me feel less stressed
- It keeps me in good shape
- It reduces the risk of getting sick

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: I go to the gym near my house every other day for about 2 hours. I usually run on the treadmill for an hour and I spend another hour weightlifting.

Q5: I prefer gyms that are close to my house. And because I often work till late, I prefer a gym that is open 24 hours a day. In addition, I think having clean showers and relatively new equipment are also very important.

Q6: I think exercise has many benefits, especially when you exercise on a regular basis. First of all, I need regular exercise to stay in good shape. Also, it’s a good way to get rid of stress. I feel very refreshed and healthy when I finish my exercise, so I think exercise helps me stay healthy mentally and emotionally as well.

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

treadmill

(n) an exercise machine which has a large belt that moves around while a person walks or runs on it
e.g. I run on the treadmill.

do weightlifting

(idiom) lifting weights for strength
e.g. I did 30 minutes of weightlifting today.

facilities

(n) building that provides a particular service
e.g. He worked at a large manufacturing facility.

workout

(n) a period of physical exercise that you do in order to improve your fitness, ability, or performance
e.g. The team had a good workout at practice today.

wear (someone) out

(idiom) to make (someone) tired
e.g. She was worn out from exercising.

sprint

(v) to run or go very fast for a short distance
e.g. The bicycle racers sprinted for the finish line.

pull a muscle

(idiom) overstretch or torn muscle
e.g. I pulled my muscle because I skipped my warmup.

hit the gym

(idiom) go to the gym
e.g. I want to hit the gym before going home.

cardio

(n) exercise that causes the heart to beat faster and harder for a period of time
e.g. After weightlifting, she does 40 minutes of cardio.

reduce the risk of~

(idiom) take precautionary steps to lower risk
e.g. Regular exercise reduces the risk of diabetes.

TOEIC Lesson 2: Woman in Clothing Store

June 6, 2016June 26, 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 the person, objects, and background
- Clothing store selling women’s clothes
- Clothes racks
- A lot of summer clothes hanging on clothes racks
- In the background of this picture
- A selection of comfort wear
- Different types of womens’ pants and shirts are hanging on the wall
- Judging by the clothes she is wearing and the clothes displayed at the apparel store in this picture
- It seems to be spring or fall
- Wear a pink, striped blouse
- Hold a pair of sweatpants
- Feel the fabric
- Has bleached hair
- Look at the price tag
- Pick out woman’s comfort wear
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 a clothing store that sells womens’ comfort wear. A young, pretty woman wearing a pink, striped blouse and black jeans is holding a pair of black sweatpants while feeling the fabric to figure out the quality of the clothing. Also, she looks like she is looking for a price tag. A lot of womens’ shirts and pants hanging on the clothes rack have different colors and patterns, such as pink shirts and flower prints. In the background of this picture, there is a display of a tank-top on a mannequin and many handbags hung on the wall. Judging by the clothes she is wearing and the clothes displayed at this apparel store, it seems to be spring or fall.

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

suit and tie

(n) formal clothing
e.g. He said the dress code was a suit and tie for gentlemen and a cocktail dress for ladies.

tank top

(n) sleeveless shirt with low neck
e.g. I forgot the tank top for my yoga class.

trousers

(n) (usually) loose-fitting pants
e.g. He wore a pair of trousers.

pullover

(n) sweater that must be drawn over the head
e.g. She wore a pullover jacket.

cardigan

(n) collarless knitted sweater with open front
e.g. She bought a new cardigan sweater.

jersey

(n) a loose shirt worn by a member of a sports team as part of a uniform
e.g. He stored his football jersey.

overall

(n) pants with chest cover and shoulder straps
e.g. I always wear a pair of overalls before I paint the house.

sneakers / running shoes

(n) shoes designed to wear while running or playing sports
e.g.Sneakers are also called training shoes in the U.K.

trench coat

(n) usually long raincoat with deep pockets and a belt
e.g. Burberry is known for its trench coats.

comfort wear

(n) comfortable clothing; lounge wear
e.g. Comfort wear includes sweatpants, sweatshirts, and PJs.

TOEIC Lesson 1: Advertising

June 6, 2016June 26, 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 mispronunciations.

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

The expected drop in Internet advertising revenues this year was neither unpredictable nor unpredicted, nor was it caused by only the general recession and the decline in retail sales. Internet advertising will rapidly lose its value and its impact for reasons that can easily be understood. Traditional advertising simply cannot be carried over to the Internet. It is impossible to replace full-page ads on the back of The Chicago Tribune or 30-second spots on a National Basketball League (NBL) broadcast with pop-ups, banners, and click-throughs on sidebars.

Vocabulary

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

Keywords

revenue

(n) money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization
e.g. The company receives millions of dollars in advertising revenue.

unpredictable

(adj) not predictable, uncertain
e.g. The weather has been completely unpredictable lately.

recession

(n) reduction of business activity
e.g. They faced an economic recession.

be carried over to something

(idiom) to continue to exist or be seen in another place or situation
e.g. His unhappiness at home carried over into his work.

click-through

(n) when someone clicks on an advertisement or link on the Internet
e.g. They learned about click-through advertising.

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 you 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

The Yellow Newspaper is the most common paper in the city and one of the best sources of grocery coupons. Every week, literally hundreds of dollars worth of potential savings are delivered to homes and neighborhood stores. The Yellow Newspaper generally has two sets of coupons for groceries: one from Kmart Source and the other from Green Apple. Around once a month, there is also a section of grocery coupons from Wal-Mart, and once in a while, there are coupon sections from companies such as Home Depot.

Vocabulary

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

Keywords

grocery

(singular, adj) food sold by a grocer : food bought at a store
e.g. grocery bags/shopping

literally

(adj) word for word; exactly
e.g. He took her comments literally.

potential savings

(n) possible savings
e.g. $200 is my maximum potential saving per month.

Wal-Mart

(n) the largest discount retail store in the world
e.g. Wal-Mart is a big box retailer.

Home Depot

(n) American retailer of home improvement
e.g. I went to Home Depot to buy some plywood.

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

expectation

(n) belief, anticipation
e.g. The company has expectations of making a profit next year.

(n) public notice of sale, commercial
e.g. They planned a television advertisement.

replace

(v) to be used instead of (something)
e.g. Will computers ever completely replace books?

broadcast

(n) the act of sending out radio or television signals : the act of broadcasting something
e.g. The judge decided to allow a broadcast of the trial.

pop-up

(n) a window that suddenly appears on the screen
e.g. The website is full of pop-ups.

freebie

(n) something that is given for free
e.g. On the store’s opening day, the manager gave out hats, small toys, and other freebies.

economical

(adj) using money, resources, etc., carefully
e.g. They found an economical way to heat your house.

thrifty

(adj) economical
e.g. She has thrifty habits.

extravagant

(adj) more than is usual, necessary, or proper
e.g. They lived an extravagant lifestyle.

voucher

(n) a document that gives you the right to get something (such as a product or service) without paying for it
e.g. He found a travel voucher.