TOEFL Speaking Practice - 14 - Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.

I had been to Ooty in the state of Tamil-Nadu in India. This is a hill station in The Nilgiris District and this is a great tourist attraction. This is the right spot for a nature lover. It sparkles with lush green vegetation that adds to the beauty of this spot and this is popularly known as “The Queen of Hill Stations”. The height of the hills in the Nilgiri range varies between 2280 and 2290 meters. I was flabbergasted to see the multitudes of greenery and variety colourful flowers blossoming all over. The lofty mountains, dense, forest and very vast Tea Estates are marvellous. It is lush green all over so cool to watch. I also visited botanical gardens, and fabulous rose gardens just superb. I also enjoyed boating in the Ooty Lake. I stayed here for a week relaxed and enjoyed a lot. The weathers are very pleasant through-out the year; the temperatures are 17 to 20 degrees Celsius in summer and 5 to 13 degrees Celsius in winters. Hence I find this place to be ideal for vacation.

TOEFL Speaking Practice - 13 - Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.

I strongly feel that Mr. Anna Hazare from Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra India is the most important person for India. Because very few social activists have captured the attention of Indians across the globe as Anna Hazare did during his "fast unto death" over the issue of the Lokpal Bill in New Delhi in April 2011. Hazare, a Gandhian by belief, outlook and practice, has become the face of India's fight against corruption. During his fast over the Lokpal Bill, Hazare, managed to inspire and mobilize the support of even the ultra-modern Indians. The "Anna Hazare fast" can be described as the first real "social networking movement" in India. Hazare, a former Army man, began his social activism from Ralegan Siddhi, village itself where he successfully led a movement against alcoholism and made Ralegan Siddhi a "model village". Hazare's campaign was instrumental in the implementation of the Right to Information Act in Maharashtra, which is considered one of the best RTI Acts in India. A Ramon Magsaysay award winner, Anna Hazare, like his idol, Mahatma Gandhi, has triggered a debate over the use of fast as a means of protest in India. By sheer commitment and simplicity, he has demonstrated that Gandhian principles are relevant even in the 21st-century India.

TOEFL Speaking Practice - 12 - What was your favourite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favourite one.

My favourite subject at school was English Language. I was born and raised with the kids of Royal Family where the environment was totally English speaking. For majority of my time I had been in the company of my friends from royal family and the English Nurses. Hence I learnt very good English right from my Nursery days. I was studying in Hindi Medium School where English was one of my subjects. Among all other students, my vocabulary, fluency and command over English were Topmost. I was scoring highest marks in English and was receiving a lot of praise from my teachers and friends from time to time. Also I was always winning in English Debate and Talk competitions. Last but not least, I was getting a lot of love and respect from my school mates because of my knowledge in English. Because of all these reasons English was my most favourite subject during my school days. Even today English and Communication is my passion.

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.