Description
EXAMPLE SPEAKING TASK 4
Be careful! The reading usually presents the definition of a term, a concept, a principle, or a theory, and the lecture usually provides an example, evidence, a case study, a research study, or a specific instance. In other words, this task is usually a synthesis of agreement, extension, and clarification. But sometimes, it can be a synthesis of disagreement and opposition.
1. Draw a chart with space for a relationship sentence at the top and 3 points underneath
Relationship sentence: __________________________________________
|
Reading
|
Lecture
|
|
Point 1
|
Point 1
|
|
Point 2
|
Point 2
|
|
Point 3
|
Point 3
|
2. Read a short passage about an academic topic and take notes on the chart.
Reading Time: 45 seconds
|
Endangered Languages
Recent estimates of language populations indicate that half of the world's languages ·will likely become extinct in the 21st century. Three main criteria are used as guidelines for considering a language endangered: the number of speakers currently living, the average age of native speakers, and the percentage of the youngest generation acquiring fluency.
Given these criteria, it is obvious that language extinction occurs gradually across generations. Fewer and fewer speakers use the traditional language until only the older generation is familiar enough with the grammar to understand and express themselves in it.
|
Relationship sentence: __________________________________________
|
Reading
|
Lecture
|
|
Point 1
number speakers
|
Point 1
|
|
Point 2
average age native
|
Point 2
|
|
Point
Percent youngest gen3
|
Point 3
|
3. Listen to a lecture on the same topic and take notes on the chart.
Now listen to part of a lecture in a linguistics class. The professor is talking about endangered languages.
[audio|src:'\listening\toefl_advanced\SynthesizingMemorizeTheStepsActivity2.mp3']
Relationship sentence: The Christensen study in 1995 provided evidence that Ojibwa should be on the endangered language list.
|
Reading
|
Lecture
|
|
Point 1
number speakers
|
Point 1
500—3 states
|
|
Point 2
average age native
|
Point 2
elders 80+
|
|
Point
Percent youngest gen3
|
Point 3
Almost no children
|
Question
The professor reports a study of the Ojibwa language. Explain why the study confirms that Ojibwa is an endangered language.
4. Write a relationship sentence.
5. Respond, using information from both the reading and the lecture.
Ojibwa is considered an endangered language because it meets all three criteria for that classification.
First, few speakers are fluent in the language. In Christensen's study in 1995, only about 500 of the tribal members in the tri-state area studied were fluent speakers.
Second, the average age of native speakers is older. Among the 500 fluent speakers, most were elders 80 years of age or older.
Finally, the percentage of speakers in the youngest generation is small. Among Ojibwa speakers, almost no children were fluent.
Unfortunately, this study confirmed that Ojibwa is endangered, and despite efforts to teach the language in federally funded preschools, its future is very uncertain.
6. Use the points on the chart to check for a complete response.
The response is complete because it includes all three criteria for a language to be considered endangered and provides evidence from the Christensen study to prove that Ojibwa meets all three criteria. |