[TOEFL] Task 4_Exercise 1

PASSAGE READING

Please read the passage silently for 45 seconds.
Then, please read the passage aloud.

READ

Learning a foreign language means more than just acquiring a second language for communication purposes. Language and culture reflect one another. By studying a certain language, the learner also gets to grasp the culture where the language is spoken. Another advantage of learning a foreign language is understanding other people’s feelings. Understanding other people’s feelings is about identifying the speaker’s emotions to interpret the intended message accurately. It comes with understanding not only one’s message but also the intention behind it.

LECTURE READING

I will read aloud the lecture part. Please take down notes while I am reading.
After that, please read aloud the lecture part.

READ

Today, English is the most common second language spoken in the world. Learning a foreign language can give two major benefits–first is learning about cultures, second is understanding people’s feelings.
Let me talk about the benefit of learning about cultures. When studying a foreign language, we also learn something about the culture behind it. Let’s have idioms as an example. Idioms are expressions that have another meaning aside from their original definition. Their origin is often based on the local customs where the language is spoken. For example, the idiom “know the ropes” means to know how to do a particular task. It began in the 19th century during the golden age of sailing where knowing how to handle the ropes is essential to operate a ship. This idiom is still in use even until now.
As for understanding other people’s feelings, it is said that people who can speak two or more languages have stronger intellectual abilities. Imagine that a foreigner in your country is asking for directions. As someone who understands other people’s feelings, you don’t only try to understand him through words. You also try to identify his emotions, so you understand him on a deeper level.
Studying a foreign language can widen a person’s perspective on various cultures. It also develops understanding of other people’s feelings which is essential when communicating in a foreign language.

QUESTION

Using the examples from the lecture, explain how learning a foreign language can give benefits other than just acquiring a second language for communication purposes.

ANSWER

You have 60 seconds to answer. Please start your answer now.

ANSWER

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

We will check the sample answers. Please repeat after me.

SAMPLE ANSWERS

A professor is talking about the benefits of learning a foreign language, the topic mentioned in the passage.
According to the passage, learning a foreign language means more than just acquiring a second language for communication purposes.
The professor gives 2 examples of benefits of learning a foreign language. The first point in the passage is that language and culture reflect one another. The professor explains that the learner also gets to grasp the culture where the language is spoken because idioms are often based on local customs.
The second idea in the passage is that learning a foreign language helps students develop understanding of other people’s feelings.
The professor states that people who can speak two or more languages have stronger intellectual abilities. He says that people who understand other people’s feelings don’t only try to understand others through words. They also try to identify others’ emotions, so they could understand them on a deeper level.