新托福口语Task 2必备话题及范例
朗阁海外考试研究中心 崔明媛
托福口语考试的第二题作为最后一个独立口语题是有一定难度的，它不像第一题给考生很大的自由去定自己想说的内容，而是给考生一个情景让考生做出选择，或二选一，或同意与否。总之，考生需要结合情景与自身经验，做出选择之后给出两个合理的理由。通过不断地总结考题我们发现，Task 2的考题也是具有高度重复性的，所以对于考生来说，在备考后期牢牢掌握高频题是重中之重。所以在这里朗阁海外考试研究中心口语组的老师就总结了10个Task 2的高频题并逐一给出范例。
1. Some people like to go to college immediately after graduation while others prefer to have a one-year break to learn something or do something they like. Which do you prefer?
Answer: Well, I personally prefer to have a break before getting into college as I think, first of all, to know what I’m interested in and what I’m looking for is of great significance. I mean, to me to know what I like to learn in college is not that easy as I don’t experience much during school. Only by experiencing more out of class can I find my real interest. More importantly, it’s a good chance to get a part-time job to save me some money on my tuition fee in college, so I’m able to have a quite easy budget. So to me to have a break before college is more preferable.
2. Some people like to have a break or get a job during summer vacation. Others think it is better to take a class. Which do you prefer and why?
Answer: To me, I’d say I would have a break or get a job during summer vacation. I think the essence of summer vacation is to allow us to have a relaxation after a term-long devotion to study and therefore refresh and recharge us to get ready for a new semester; otherwise we will consume too much energy. What’s more, summer vacation serves as a great opportunity to allow us to have a travel with friends or family so as to enhance our social relationship, or to get a job whether in relation to our major or not so that we are able to expand our experience.
3. Some students prefer to study alone while others prefer to study in group. Which do you prefer?
Answer: Well, I think that depends on what kind of work I’m doing. But on most occasions I’d like to study alone. First of all, I think everyone has own ideas about a task. It’s great to learn from others’ ideas and experience, but personally I am easy to be affected by others’ thoughts or whatever. I prefer to learn individually since I can hold on my opinion about a question or a task and later discuss with my classmates. Secondly, when I study I have to make sure that I a hundred percent focus on my work so I’m able to think deeply and ensure my study efficiency; otherwise I probably would not have a satisfying learning result.
4. Some people think the first impression is important when making friends while others think it’s more important to know each other over time. What do you think?
Answer: Well, I think to know each other over time is more important when making friends. Firstly, most people won’t show their real personality to strangers at first encounter nowadays. So the first impression is not as reliable as it was before. What we see and what we hear are probably not what people really want to express, or probably what they pretend to express. Only by interacting with people more often later can we get to know them more clearly. What’s more, many people make friends by exploiting common interests, and I think they can get to know each other more deeply through long-term interaction. So that’s why I’d say to know each other over time is more important when making friends.
5. Some students think maths is more important while others think art and history are more important. What do you think?
Answer: Personally, I think art and history are more important to learn because firstly, learning art allows students to exploit their interests and cultivate their temperament. I would never know that I’m good at making sculptures if my school didn’t open sculpture class. What’s more, learning history is of great significance to sharpen students’ analytical skill and critical thinking. Only by drawing experience from history can we move forward without making same mistakes.
6. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is never too late for an old person to receive higher education and to get a university degree. Use specific reasons to support your answer.
Answer: I personally agree with this idea because first of all, every person has own right to receive higher education, regardless of age, gender or anything else. I mean, an old person didn't get higher education earlier may because of some reasons; it’s never too late for them to chase what they like. Plus it’s their right to choose what they want to do provided that their health condition allows them to do so. What’s more, to get higher education is rather a good way to enrich elder people’s lives. I mean, to listen to a lecture and to do an assignment are definitely good to exercise the elders’ mind.
7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should always wear uniforms in school.
Answer: Ok, I totally agree that students should always wear uniforms in school. I believe it’s quite significant as wearing uniforms allows students to look more confident, spirited and most importantly, allow them to pay their attention on study other than thinking about what to wear every day. Besides, I think uniforms are an identity that represents the culture and image of a school, so they are there to remind students that whatever they do represents the school rather than themselves. In this way students can watch their behaviours and try to do everything that makes their schools proud.
8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should not take their mobile phones into classroom.
Answer: Personally, I disagree with this idea. Primarily, mobiles are an indispensable communicating tool in modern life. They are popular not only because they make contact more convenient but allow people to handle emergency the first time it happens. I’d take my friend Jenny for example. She and I both had marketing class on a Tuesday afternoon. Suddenly she got her landlady’s call that her neighbour smelled the gas leaking from her house. She then recalled that she forgot to switch off the gas as she cooked Cantonese soup as usual. So she left class immediately off home and she just prevented a potential fire. From that case, I realized that if she didn't pick up the phone call there might be an unimaginable fire. So that’s why I think taking mobile phones with us is important.
9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? University students should take a part-time job during university.
Answer: Well, I totally agree with the idea that college students should take a part-time job. Primarily, I think taking part-time job allows students to expand their experience as well as social circle. I mean, when taking a part-time job students will for sure get to know more people, so they can develop their communication skill and social skill, which are definitely significant for their future career. What’s more, students can earn their own bread or even help cover some of the tuition fee by taking part-time jobs. So that’s why I think university students should take a part-time job during university time.
10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should always tell the truth.
Answer: Well, I personally disagree with this idea as I think people sometimes lie for good. For example, my little cousin is learning cooking now. You know when children learn something you’d better encourage them rather than criticizing them. So even the omelette she cooked was burned and tasted extremely salty, my aunt pretended that it’s not that bad and kept encouraging her to practice more so she can get a good result. I mean, my aunt didn't tell the truth to my cousin only not to break my little cousin’s heart. I think this happens frequently in our lives when we want to protect someone’s heart from being hurt. So sometimes it is better to tell lies rather than truths.
以上10道题分别是5道二选一及5道同意与否的题目，考生可以结合自身情况进行融合改编，将其转化为自己的素材，并学习范例中的表达方式，加以应用到其他话题中。更重要的是，考生要学会总结通用素材，以不变应万变，灵活运用，才能更好地处理Task 2话题。
