TOEFL Speaking Practice-11 - Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say why it was embarrassing.

I was working in construction of a giant Oil Refinery. One Mr. Desai was my colleague. We were living in the same street but had not visited houses of each other for socializing. Mr. Desai and I had been pressing each other for home visits. One fine evening I made-up my mind and visited Mr. Desai’s house. I was very warmly welcomed and received a nice hospitality. He introduced me to his Father and Brother. I was not introduced to one female sitting in corner of the room. However I was amidst them for an hour. The curiosity to know about that female member was mounting higher and higher. At the end when I was to depart, Mr. Desai came downstairs to see me off. During this I asked Desai “If the female sitting in corner was his mother?” Desai replied “Mr. Joshi! She is my younger sister and she is mentally retarded”. I felt so embarrassed I can’t express in words. I apologized. The main cause of this embarrassment was my judgemental type of a question. Since then I learnt a lesson never to put judgemental type of questions.

TOEFL Speaking Practice 10 - Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and explain why it is fun.

Sayaji Baug is a garden located in my city Vadodara (erstwhile Baroda) in the state of Gujarat India. Sayaji Baug was dedicated to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III in 1879. Maharaja Sayajirao III built Sayaji Baug, well known as Kamati Baug on the river Vishwamitri. The main attractions of this garden are Museum, Zoo, Aquarium and a Planetarium. In addition it has a huge Floral Clock and a Toy Train. It is a great fun to move around in the garden and watch site of the garden, watching wildlife animals and birds in the zoo, colourful fishes in the aquarium, beautiful floral clock and toy train. The planetarium conducts regular shows on planets. It is a great fun to see the stars so near to us. It is exciting to see children so excited on a ride of toy train. There is a Band Stand in this garden where music is played by the musicians and the visitors enjoy the instrumental music too. Sayaji Baug is a real great place for fun.

TOEFL Speaking Practice 09 - Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.

I feel my sister Kirti close to me. She is three years older to me. Since my birth we were together. I being the only male child of my old parents received a lot of love and affection from all and maximum from my sister. My sister and I were studying in the same school hence I was always accompanied by her to and from the school. She always helped me in my studies and home work as she was three classes ahead of me. Also she helped me a lot in my preparations of monthly tests, quarterly exams, half yearly exams and annual exams. My sister always encouraged me to participate in games, sports and extracurricular activities like debate, music, drama etc and build a greater confidence level. During summer vacations we use to come to our hometown Sinor in Gujarat. We had to have a lot of excursion trips and boating in the Narmada River. She is very loving, caring, kind and sympathetic. I hence feel close to my sister Kirti.

TOEFL Speaking Practice 08 - What is your favourite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favourite.

My favourite book is “The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking” By Dale Carnegie. This book teaches most modern techniques for dynamic communication and influencing people in business. What to say, how to say, and most importantly what not to say. Although we all communicate still misunderstanding and conflicts do prevail. By reading this book one can communicate effectively and with minimum or no misunderstandings or conflicts. It teaches communication on work and business front and also on family and social front. One learns to communicate effectively without misunderstandings and conflicts. In addition this book enlightens the subject of self confidence which plays a vital role in day to day communication, communication in interviews, one to one communication, and mass communication, communication with press and media and public address. In nutshell this book covers almost all aspects of communication in depth. Communication is my passion hence this book is my most favourite book.