One of the more frustrating aspects of helping people get high scores on the TOEFL is that sometimes I get students who have watched a lot of (stupid) youtube videos and who are convinced that they just have to memorize 'formats' and certain phrases to do well on the TOEFL.
Basically, it's tough to work with these types of students because they are looking for ways to cheat on the TOEFL exam instead of just fixing their English.
If you see some guy on youtube telling you that he has taken the TOEFL exam 20 times himself and is an expert on it and that all you have to do is memorize his phrases and follow his instructions, you would be an idiot to do that. The better your English sentence structures, the better your vocabulary, the better your score is going to be.
So should you ignore all formats?
No. Nobody 'just talks'. Before any intelligent person speaks, he/she organizes his/her thoughts a bit. So I think if you look at the formats on this blog, you'll see that they are formats which help you to quickly and effectively organize your thoughts for answers.
I think the formats you find on this blog are, actually, among the most useful formats out there.
Daniel Gauss
English Teacher/Tutor
http://djg51qu.wix.com/gauss
Want something fun to read that will improve your vocabulary? Try my very inexpensive English vocabulary building book, please: http://www.amazon.com/York-Sucks-Youll-Wanna-Anyway-ebook/dp/B004TSPAQS
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Monday, September 1, 2014
How to use "recommend" or "suggest" correctly for speaking question number 5
Many foreign students, in fact, most foreign students of English, do not use 'recommend' or 'suggest' correctly.
And, question number 5 kind of requires you to use 'recommend' or 'suggest'.
Be careful using recommend and an object pronoun. For instance, this is wrong, wrong, wrong: He recommended me to go to the museum. <---- 100% wrong.
He recommended the museum to me.
or
He recommended that I should go to the museum.
It's the same with suggested.
Wrong ------> He suggested me that restaurant. <------Wrong
He suggested that restaurant to me.
He suggested that I should go to that restaurant.
So you have to use recommend or suggest plus AN OBJECT plus an INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUN
Now, if you begin to speak English really well, you can use a trick that native speakers use. They often drop the "that" and "should".
For instance:
They recommended that we should visit the planetarium. <---- correct
But, a native speaker might shorten this to: They recommended we visit the planetarium.
Do you see how they drop the "that" and "should"?
Now, be careful! Sometimes you can use 'recommend' and 'suggest' with an object pronoun. For example: "He recommended me for the position of teacher to the principal." "me" works here because it really should be an object.
Here it doesn't work: "He recommended me to apply for a job." "me" is NOT the object here but the indirect object. "He recommended applying for the job to me." Or: He recommended that I should apply for the job. Or: He recommended I apply for the job.
So how can recommend or suggest be used in question #5? You might have to say, "In the listening section we hear that the student's friend recommends two pieces of advice to him."
Fix these mistakes using the three correct forms above:
1. I recommended him to eat his veggies.
2. She recommended you to call your mother.
3. We suggested them to climb the mountain.
4. You suggested us to drive slowly.
5. They recommended us to see the opera.
Answers are below:
1. I recommended eating veggies to him. I recommended that he should eat his veggies. I recommended he eat his veggies.
2. She recommended calling your mother (to you). 'to you' isn't really necessary here because of the possessive pronoun 'your'. She recommended that you should call your mother. She recommended you call your mother.
3. We suggested climbing the mountain to them. We suggested that they should climb the mountain. We suggested they climb the mountain.
4. You suggested driving slowly to us. You suggested that we should drive slowly. You suggested we drive slowly.
5. They recommended seeing the opera to us. They recommended that we should see the opera. They recommended we see the opera.
---------------------------------
Hey! Guess what? I wrote a cool book for foreign learners of English about how badly New York City sucks. I would recommend that you should buy it. :P :P :P (Sorry, just trying to give you more practice with 'recommend'.)
http://www.amazon.com/York-Sucks-Youll-Wanna-Anyway-ebook/dp/B004TSPAQS
But I think it's a pretty good book. If you want a free copy via pdf file attached to email, please drop me a line. I'll be happy to zip a copy over. Please be aware this book is not designed to help you on your TOEFL, it is meant to help you fix your grammar mistakes and improve your vocabulary.
Also, please be aware that the book has some dirty words in it - curse words.
-------------------------------------
I'm also the guy who used to teach English to a famous (well, they used to be famous) Korean pop group, I didn't think these performers were being treated well and I said something about it:
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100511000742
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100512000682
And, question number 5 kind of requires you to use 'recommend' or 'suggest'.
Be careful using recommend and an object pronoun. For instance, this is wrong, wrong, wrong: He recommended me to go to the museum. <---- 100% wrong.
He recommended the museum to me.
or
He recommended that I should go to the museum.
It's the same with suggested.
Wrong ------> He suggested me that restaurant. <------Wrong
He suggested that restaurant to me.
He suggested that I should go to that restaurant.
So you have to use recommend or suggest plus AN OBJECT plus an INDIRECT OBJECT PRONOUN
Now, if you begin to speak English really well, you can use a trick that native speakers use. They often drop the "that" and "should".
For instance:
They recommended that we should visit the planetarium. <---- correct
But, a native speaker might shorten this to: They recommended we visit the planetarium.
Do you see how they drop the "that" and "should"?
Now, be careful! Sometimes you can use 'recommend' and 'suggest' with an object pronoun. For example: "He recommended me for the position of teacher to the principal." "me" works here because it really should be an object.
Here it doesn't work: "He recommended me to apply for a job." "me" is NOT the object here but the indirect object. "He recommended applying for the job to me." Or: He recommended that I should apply for the job. Or: He recommended I apply for the job.
So how can recommend or suggest be used in question #5? You might have to say, "In the listening section we hear that the student's friend recommends two pieces of advice to him."
Fix these mistakes using the three correct forms above:
1. I recommended him to eat his veggies.
2. She recommended you to call your mother.
3. We suggested them to climb the mountain.
4. You suggested us to drive slowly.
5. They recommended us to see the opera.
Answers are below:
1. I recommended eating veggies to him. I recommended that he should eat his veggies. I recommended he eat his veggies.
2. She recommended calling your mother (to you). 'to you' isn't really necessary here because of the possessive pronoun 'your'. She recommended that you should call your mother. She recommended you call your mother.
3. We suggested climbing the mountain to them. We suggested that they should climb the mountain. We suggested they climb the mountain.
4. You suggested driving slowly to us. You suggested that we should drive slowly. You suggested we drive slowly.
5. They recommended seeing the opera to us. They recommended that we should see the opera. They recommended we see the opera.
---------------------------------
Hey! Guess what? I wrote a cool book for foreign learners of English about how badly New York City sucks. I would recommend that you should buy it. :P :P :P (Sorry, just trying to give you more practice with 'recommend'.)
http://www.amazon.com/York-Sucks-Youll-Wanna-Anyway-ebook/dp/B004TSPAQS
But I think it's a pretty good book. If you want a free copy via pdf file attached to email, please drop me a line. I'll be happy to zip a copy over. Please be aware this book is not designed to help you on your TOEFL, it is meant to help you fix your grammar mistakes and improve your vocabulary.
Also, please be aware that the book has some dirty words in it - curse words.
-------------------------------------
I'm also the guy who used to teach English to a famous (well, they used to be famous) Korean pop group, I didn't think these performers were being treated well and I said something about it:
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100511000742
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100512000682
Sunday, August 24, 2014
New 'tricky' element to Speaking Question #5 on the TOEFL
Someone recently told me that when he took his TOEFL recently he noticed something strange about Speaking Question #5.
Instead of the 'friend' offering two pieces of advice, the friend offered one piece of advice and the person with the problem came up with another possible solution.
This should pose no real problem, however. Instead of saying something like, "...the friend offers two pieces of advice.." you can just say, "...there are two possible solutions offered among these students..." ETS is always throwing these little tricks in. Why? I don't know either.
So using the format below, after you state the problem in speaking question number 5, you can say, "The friend offers one piece of advice. The friend recommends that...." Then you can say, "The student, himself, also presents the second piece of advice..."
By the way, please remember to use "recommend" correctly.
Instead of the 'friend' offering two pieces of advice, the friend offered one piece of advice and the person with the problem came up with another possible solution.
This should pose no real problem, however. Instead of saying something like, "...the friend offers two pieces of advice.." you can just say, "...there are two possible solutions offered among these students..." ETS is always throwing these little tricks in. Why? I don't know either.
So using the format below, after you state the problem in speaking question number 5, you can say, "The friend offers one piece of advice. The friend recommends that...." Then you can say, "The student, himself, also presents the second piece of advice..."
By the way, please remember to use "recommend" correctly.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
The best format for Speaking Question 5
I've been working with students on the TOEFL exam for a few years now and we all tend to agree that this is the best format for question number 5.
1. Briefly state the problem.
2. Simply state the first piece of advice, with no explanation.
3. Simply state the second piece of advice, with no explanation.
4. State which option you would choose and explain why (do NOT mention the other option at all)
5. State the option you reject and explain why (do NOT mention the previous option)
For example, here's a sample dialogue:
M. Hi Beth, you look a little worried.
W. Well, I am. I am having some problems at the Student Job Center, where I work part time.
M. But I thought you were doing a great job there.
W. I have been doing a great job - everybody says so. But apparently I've been doing too well and the director feels that too many students are saying too many good things about me. So she has moved me from the information desk into the back office where I now have to do data entry. It's boring work and I think I was the best information officer this center ever had.
M. So the director feels that you are outshining her work and the work of the center? Wow, that sometimes happens. It's called professional jealousy.
W. She's never going to let me work with my fellow students again. She told me other students need to have the experience I was having and the staff has to be rotated, but I can tell she's upset with me. More students have started coming to the center now that I work there.
M. Well, let's problem solve. At this point you have nothing to lose, so go over her head and email her supervisor and just tell the truth. Let it all hang out. Spill the beans. Tell her boss that she's messing up the job center by removing the best information officer ever.
W. I've thought of that, but I think I'd get fired. My boss is very good friends with her boss and they would just stick together and fire me. That would look bad on my record and I kind of need the money.
M. OK, just stay there then. My advice would be to do nothing. Just do the data entry and take your check and accept this situation as a learning experience.
W. No. I think I have to do something. This really seems wrong to me. I have been removed from my duties because I was doing a great job. That is insane.
So now let's use our format:
Problem
Advice
Advice
positive
negative
P = The student's problem is that she has been removed from her duties as an information officer because the director of the Student Job Center is jealous of how popular she has become.
A = Her friend recommends that she should protest this by writing to her boss' boss.
A = He also recommends that if this is not a good option, she should just shut up and do the work she is given.
positive = If I were in this woman's shoes, I would definitely email the supervisor's supervisor. If what the woman is saying is true, this is a terrible injustice and nobody should remain silent for an injustice, regardless of how small it might seem. Furthermore, she is NOT going to get fired. If the university fires her for bringing a legitimate grievance to their attention, she can take them to court and sue them.
negative = Furthermore, the other option is just unacceptable. If she does not say anything she is going to be miserable and she is going to be doing a job that she is not well-suited for. She hates data entry but loves working with students. It is clear that she not only has a right but also an obligation to speak up.
So, isn't that a good format?
I think it's a good format because usually one option is usually just very unrealistic or even impossible. Usually there is just one possible option and one impossible or nearly impossible option.
---------------------------
---------------------------
Yes, I am the guy who reported to the Korean press that pop stars were not being treated as well as I felt they should have been in New York City:
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100511000742
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100512000682
1. Briefly state the problem.
2. Simply state the first piece of advice, with no explanation.
3. Simply state the second piece of advice, with no explanation.
4. State which option you would choose and explain why (do NOT mention the other option at all)
5. State the option you reject and explain why (do NOT mention the previous option)
For example, here's a sample dialogue:
M. Hi Beth, you look a little worried.
W. Well, I am. I am having some problems at the Student Job Center, where I work part time.
M. But I thought you were doing a great job there.
W. I have been doing a great job - everybody says so. But apparently I've been doing too well and the director feels that too many students are saying too many good things about me. So she has moved me from the information desk into the back office where I now have to do data entry. It's boring work and I think I was the best information officer this center ever had.
M. So the director feels that you are outshining her work and the work of the center? Wow, that sometimes happens. It's called professional jealousy.
W. She's never going to let me work with my fellow students again. She told me other students need to have the experience I was having and the staff has to be rotated, but I can tell she's upset with me. More students have started coming to the center now that I work there.
M. Well, let's problem solve. At this point you have nothing to lose, so go over her head and email her supervisor and just tell the truth. Let it all hang out. Spill the beans. Tell her boss that she's messing up the job center by removing the best information officer ever.
W. I've thought of that, but I think I'd get fired. My boss is very good friends with her boss and they would just stick together and fire me. That would look bad on my record and I kind of need the money.
M. OK, just stay there then. My advice would be to do nothing. Just do the data entry and take your check and accept this situation as a learning experience.
W. No. I think I have to do something. This really seems wrong to me. I have been removed from my duties because I was doing a great job. That is insane.
So now let's use our format:
Problem
Advice
Advice
positive
negative
P = The student's problem is that she has been removed from her duties as an information officer because the director of the Student Job Center is jealous of how popular she has become.
A = Her friend recommends that she should protest this by writing to her boss' boss.
A = He also recommends that if this is not a good option, she should just shut up and do the work she is given.
positive = If I were in this woman's shoes, I would definitely email the supervisor's supervisor. If what the woman is saying is true, this is a terrible injustice and nobody should remain silent for an injustice, regardless of how small it might seem. Furthermore, she is NOT going to get fired. If the university fires her for bringing a legitimate grievance to their attention, she can take them to court and sue them.
negative = Furthermore, the other option is just unacceptable. If she does not say anything she is going to be miserable and she is going to be doing a job that she is not well-suited for. She hates data entry but loves working with students. It is clear that she not only has a right but also an obligation to speak up.
So, isn't that a good format?
I think it's a good format because usually one option is usually just very unrealistic or even impossible. Usually there is just one possible option and one impossible or nearly impossible option.
---------------------------
---------------------------
Yes, I am the guy who reported to the Korean press that pop stars were not being treated as well as I felt they should have been in New York City:
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100511000742
http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20100512000682
Daniel Gauss
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Unusual (New) TOEFL Speaking Questions - 1 and 2
Today I learned that on last week's TOEFL exam in Manhattan, there were slight changes in the first two speaking questions. Apparently the questions were not simple one sentence questions. Instead, a situation was described and the TOEFL taker was asked to make a choice and support it in regard to the situation.
For instance: Let's say that you are accepted to two university graduate programs. One program is considered prestigious, but they can only offer you a loan to pay for your very expensive tuition, while the other program is an average program, but they are willing to give you a scholarship. Which program would you choose to attend?
You can handle this type of question using the same format that I recommended for other types of 1 and 2 questions: http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2013/04/toefl-speaking-topics-1-and-2.html
Intro
Reason 1
Example 1
Reason 2
Example 2
Conclusion, using 'Although..."
An example:
Intro: If I were admitted to a prestigious school, which offered no financial aid other than a loan, or an average school, which offered a scholarship, I would choose the prestigious school for two reasons.
R1: First of all, I want the best educational experience possible.
E1: I think it would be a real shame to choose a school just due to financial considerations. You only live once and should not allow money to determine your choices. If I am lucky enough to get into a great school, I would be foolish to turn that experience down.
R2: With great credentials, I can pay off my loans easily.
E2: OK, it's true I'll go deep into debt, but it will be worth it. I'll learn amazing things, meet amazing people and if the school is really great, everyone will want to hire me and I'll get a job easily and pay off the loan quickly.
Conclusion: Although it's true that living with debt is stressful and we should do what we can to avoid going into debt, education is especially meaningful to me. I want to go to the best school possible regardless of the cost and paying off a loan does not have to be a terrible experience.
For instance: Let's say that you are accepted to two university graduate programs. One program is considered prestigious, but they can only offer you a loan to pay for your very expensive tuition, while the other program is an average program, but they are willing to give you a scholarship. Which program would you choose to attend?
You can handle this type of question using the same format that I recommended for other types of 1 and 2 questions: http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2013/04/toefl-speaking-topics-1-and-2.html
Intro
Reason 1
Example 1
Reason 2
Example 2
Conclusion, using 'Although..."
An example:
Intro: If I were admitted to a prestigious school, which offered no financial aid other than a loan, or an average school, which offered a scholarship, I would choose the prestigious school for two reasons.
R1: First of all, I want the best educational experience possible.
E1: I think it would be a real shame to choose a school just due to financial considerations. You only live once and should not allow money to determine your choices. If I am lucky enough to get into a great school, I would be foolish to turn that experience down.
R2: With great credentials, I can pay off my loans easily.
E2: OK, it's true I'll go deep into debt, but it will be worth it. I'll learn amazing things, meet amazing people and if the school is really great, everyone will want to hire me and I'll get a job easily and pay off the loan quickly.
Conclusion: Although it's true that living with debt is stressful and we should do what we can to avoid going into debt, education is especially meaningful to me. I want to go to the best school possible regardless of the cost and paying off a loan does not have to be a terrible experience.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Some more CrAzY TOEFL type 1 and 2 speaking topics
If you need some sample questions to work on, please try these. You will definitely not find these questions on the TOEFL, but these are challenging questions which will make you think and speak quickly. In fact, some of these questions are pretty fun.
To answer these questions, please use this method: http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2013/04/toefl-speaking-topics-1-and-2.html
1) In Mexico City there are yellow cabs and pink cabs. The yellow cabs are for everyone. The pink cabs are just for women and are driven by women. This is to help women feel safe while taking a taxi cab. Is this a good idea or does this discriminate against men? Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
2) Last year a young Brasilian woman, who claimed to be a virgin, auctioned her virginity in order to raise money for her poor village. A man 'purchased' her virginity for $700,000. She gave 90% of this to her village and kept 10%. Some people claimed she was a hero while some people claimed she was a prostitute. Was she a hero or prostitute? Use reasons and examples.
3) Last year a 39 year old woman became pregnant. With one month to go before delivering her baby, her boyfriend left her, she became depressed and she tried to kill herself by taking poison. The poison did not kill her, but it killed her unborn baby. Should this woman be arrested for murder? Why or why not?
4) In some Asian countries students go to school and after school programs and are away from home and engaged in 'learning' from about 8am to 8pm. Is this a good system or a bad system? Why? Why not?
5) Let's say that a known terrorist has been arrested and, by torturing him, you might be able to acquire information that would save the lives of 100 people. He may or may not have useful information. Should this person be tortured? Why? Why not?
6) Some people who value the ownership of guns believe that we should used armed guards to protect our schools. They say that only a good guy with a gun can protect us from a bad guy with a gun. Do you agree or disagree?
7) Last year an Italian man, in NY City, forgot to bring his wallet to a restaurant and the restaurant staff had him arrested by the police because he could not pay his bill. If you were a restaurant manager and a customer did not have his wallet with him, and nobody could bring his wallet to him from his hotel, what would you do? Support your answer with reasons and examples.
8) In some European countries there are 'baby boxes.' If a woman who has given birth wants to, she can place the baby in the box and hospital staff will take the baby and put it up for adoption. Some people claim that baby boxes encourage mothers to abandon their babies (so hospitals and adoption agencies can make money) while others say these boxes save the lives of unwanted babies. Should baby boxes exist? Why? Why not?
9) In America when you eat at a restaurant you are expected to leave a tip for the waiter/waitress. Do you think this is a good system?
10) In the city of Amsterdam, marijuana is legal and no social problems seem to have arisen because of this situation. Yet, some people say America is different from Holland and significant social problems might occur if a drug like marijuana were legalized. Do you think marijuana should be legal in the USA?
To answer these questions, please use this method: http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2013/04/toefl-speaking-topics-1-and-2.html
1) In Mexico City there are yellow cabs and pink cabs. The yellow cabs are for everyone. The pink cabs are just for women and are driven by women. This is to help women feel safe while taking a taxi cab. Is this a good idea or does this discriminate against men? Use reasons and examples to support your answer.
2) Last year a young Brasilian woman, who claimed to be a virgin, auctioned her virginity in order to raise money for her poor village. A man 'purchased' her virginity for $700,000. She gave 90% of this to her village and kept 10%. Some people claimed she was a hero while some people claimed she was a prostitute. Was she a hero or prostitute? Use reasons and examples.
3) Last year a 39 year old woman became pregnant. With one month to go before delivering her baby, her boyfriend left her, she became depressed and she tried to kill herself by taking poison. The poison did not kill her, but it killed her unborn baby. Should this woman be arrested for murder? Why or why not?
4) In some Asian countries students go to school and after school programs and are away from home and engaged in 'learning' from about 8am to 8pm. Is this a good system or a bad system? Why? Why not?
5) Let's say that a known terrorist has been arrested and, by torturing him, you might be able to acquire information that would save the lives of 100 people. He may or may not have useful information. Should this person be tortured? Why? Why not?
6) Some people who value the ownership of guns believe that we should used armed guards to protect our schools. They say that only a good guy with a gun can protect us from a bad guy with a gun. Do you agree or disagree?
7) Last year an Italian man, in NY City, forgot to bring his wallet to a restaurant and the restaurant staff had him arrested by the police because he could not pay his bill. If you were a restaurant manager and a customer did not have his wallet with him, and nobody could bring his wallet to him from his hotel, what would you do? Support your answer with reasons and examples.
8) In some European countries there are 'baby boxes.' If a woman who has given birth wants to, she can place the baby in the box and hospital staff will take the baby and put it up for adoption. Some people claim that baby boxes encourage mothers to abandon their babies (so hospitals and adoption agencies can make money) while others say these boxes save the lives of unwanted babies. Should baby boxes exist? Why? Why not?
9) In America when you eat at a restaurant you are expected to leave a tip for the waiter/waitress. Do you think this is a good system?
10) In the city of Amsterdam, marijuana is legal and no social problems seem to have arisen because of this situation. Yet, some people say America is different from Holland and significant social problems might occur if a drug like marijuana were legalized. Do you think marijuana should be legal in the USA?
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Should you take notes in your native language or in English?
Today I had an interesting discussion with one of my TOEFL students. He told me that he takes his notes, for the speaking section, in his native language. He feels that when he has to read back from these notes he can better understand what he wrote - after he writes something in English he sometimes can't read his handwriting and he no longer remembers what he wrote.
What do you think of this approach? I have always advised my students to write in English. He feels that translating back from his native language to English is actually more comfortable for him. I disagree. People are always looking for 'tricks' or 'short-cuts' to 'pass' the TOEFL exam. Fixing your English and speaking more fluently is always the best way to score high on this test.
If you have an opinion, feel free to comment or drop me a line at my e-mail above. Thank you!
What do you think of this approach? I have always advised my students to write in English. He feels that translating back from his native language to English is actually more comfortable for him. I disagree. People are always looking for 'tricks' or 'short-cuts' to 'pass' the TOEFL exam. Fixing your English and speaking more fluently is always the best way to score high on this test.
If you have an opinion, feel free to comment or drop me a line at my e-mail above. Thank you!
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