Speaking Test - Report

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Hello my dearest students... Welcome back to my blog, after finishing your listening test last week, now, I'm going to give you a speaking test. There will be four sections on my speaking test. So, let's get to the business!

Section 1
In this section there will be three pictures provided with some questions. What you have to do is take a look at the pictures and answer the questions. Answer the questions in form of report, then record your answer.

Picture 1

 

Questions:

1. What does picture 1 tell you about?
2. What do you know about picture 1?

Picture 2

Questions:

1. What do you know about picture 2?
2. How come it happen?

Picture 3

Question:

1. What do you know about picture 3? Elaborate your answer!

Section 2
In this section I will give you three types of model dialogs/ monologues that will help you to work on the next three sections. Please pay attention.
Dialog about Volcanic Eruption

The following is a conversation focusing on volcanic eruptions. After reading the following dialog, make a role play with your partner and record your voice.

Jane     : Hey Kevin, what are you reading on?
Kevin   : Oh, I’m reading news about eruption in Japan after the tsunami.
Jane     : Yeah, it was very terrible. It would be the most terrible one.
Kevin   : Yes, it is written that “The Shinmoedake volcano started spewing ash and rocks into the sky, and the explosion from the eruption could be heard miles away.  It is unclear at this point if the eruption of the Japan volcano is linked to the massive earthquake in Japan a few days ago, but at this point it certainly looks like that could be the case.”
Jane     : So, do you also think that the eruption in Japan happened because the earthquake and tsunami a few days ago?

Kevin   : Umm, it could be. But I do not know exactly the cause of the eruption.

Jane     : Then, what exactly is a volcanic eruption?
Kevin   : As far as I know, a volcanic eruption happen when the magma or molten rock beneath the earth’s surface is pushed out through the vent in the volcano’s crater and flows out in the form of lava. Eruptions occur when magma contains a high proportion of gas.
Jane     : Looks something like one losing his temper.
Kevin   : Quite true. Just as the pent up anger is released with force, the lava is forced out.
Jane     : No wonder a quick-tempered person is called hot-blooded.

Glossary

eruption  : forceful pushing out

vent         : opening

crater      : a bowl -shaped cavity

pent up   : held back

lava          : melted rock which we is also known as magma

Useful Expression

Asking for opinion

• What do you think about.....?
• Do you think that.....?

Simple questions

• What is this?
• What is that?

Asking for information

• What do you know about.....?
• Can you tell me what is......?

Now, I will give you another model dialog. This is an authentic dialog about an earthquake (taken from: www.learnrealenglish.com). Please listen carefully to the following audio and learn the difficult words and some expression from it.



Glossary

check this out                  : listen to this

I have no idea                 : I do not know

you’ve gotta be kidding : you cannot be serious

pullin’ my leg                   : making a joke by lying to someone and pretending the lie is true

far-fetched                       : unbelievable

due east                            : exactly east of someplace

epicenter                          : the middle of an earthquake

all of a sudden                  : right away with no warning

aftershock                        : an earthquake that happens right after another earthquake

it dawned on me              : I remembered; I realized

totally                               : definitely

a while                              : a long time

it’s a given                        : there is no doubt

perspective                      : what someone thinks about something

World Series                    : the championship games in American baseball

taking place                      : happening

cut out                               : no longer was able to be seen

rundown                           : information

weed through                   : to look or dig through

I’ll tell you what               : that is for sure

a dime a dozen                 : very common

surreal                               : unreal

The last model I will give to you is a monologue about The Truth about Vaccines (taken from: www.videojug.com). I provide you with the transcription of the monologue, but first, please watch the following video without reading the transcription. Try to understand what the video tells you about.

The Truth about Vaccines

           The United States have the highest percentage of vaccinated pets in the world. Vaccines protect millions of animals from serious diseases like canine distemper, parvovirus and rabies. Traditionally vets offer buster vaccines every year but all that shots and all those trips to the vet maybe unnecessary.
           We really shouldn't vaccinated unless is absolutely necessary. Professor Ronald Schultz is working with other vaccines experts to develop new guidelines for vaccines. He believes vaccinate every year is overkill and may even be dangerous for your pets.
           The vaccine may actually precipitate a skin condition or it may cause a hives or diarrhea, vomiting. All vaccines have a minimum duration of immunity this is how long the vaccine can fully protect against diseases. The manufacturer of the canine distemper vaccine suggests buster shots every year. Recent studies had shown that the vaccine last up to seven years, the same of to the parvovirus and the adenovirus.
           Those core vaccines you did not need so often than once every three to five years. It also pays to learn what vaccine your pet really needs. The corona virus vaccine last a life time but if often included in routine vaccinations. Vaccines are essential to your pets health but you should talk with your vet about the new minimum guidelines. In the case of vaccine less can be more.


Section 3
In this section I will give you fill-in-the blank exercise. Please complete the following dialog using the provided answers and after that make a role play with your partner and record your voice.

Jane       : Hello, Tom. (1)___________________?

Tom       : Hello, Jane. I’m reading a report about mangrove trees.

Jane       : It sounds interesting. By the way, (2)____________________?

Tom       : Well, A mangrove is a tropical marine tree. Mangroves have special aerial roots and salt-filtering tap roots which enable them to thrive in brackish water.

Jane       : (3)______________________anyway?

Tom       : Brackish water is salty but not as salty as sea water. Mangrove trees are commonly planted and found in coastal areas.

Jane       : Oh, I see. So,(4)­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________?

Tom       : Mangroves can serve as walls of protection for natural disaster in coastal area like tsunami. According to BBC News, healthy mangrove forests had helped save lives in the Asia disaster tsunami and people tended to respect these natural barriers even more, especially after the tsunami.

Jane       : Well, we have to preserve mangroves then. (5)____________________?

Tom       : There are several species of mangrove tree found all over the world. Some prefer more salinity, while others like to be very-close to a large fresh water source such as river. Some prefer areas that are sheltered from waves. Some species have their roots covered with sea water every day during high tide. Other species grow on dry land but are still part of the ecosystem.

• Can mangroves serve to protect from disaster like tsunami
• Can you please tell me about it
• What are you reading on
• What do you know about its species
• What is brackish water

Section 4
This is the last section of your speaking test. Please work in pairs and make a dialog with the topic of animals. Make sure that your dialog in a form of report (You still remember what a report is, don't you?), for example, you may talk about sharks, birds, rhinoceros, etc. Please be prepare for the next week meeting because you have to act out your dialog with your partner in front of the class orally without script on your hand!


Due date of recording task 
I will give you one week to finish your task. Please submit your recording task in form of CD (you have to make your voice recording in .mp3 format) before Monday, April 11, 2011.

Those who are late, I consider they don't submit the assignments. Please feel free if you have any question, leave a comment. Good Luck :)