Should governments spend money on space research? Explain.
A strong Task 1 answer states the choice immediately, gives two supports or one support with an example, and lands its last word around forty seconds. Fifteen seconds of preparation is enough for the plan, not for the wording.
The prompt and the clock
Should governments spend money on space research? Explain.
15 seconds to prepare, up to 45 seconds to speak
A model answer at the right length
109 words — what 45 seconds actually holds.
Answer it yourself first
Record yours first. A memorised TOEFL answer is audible in the rhythm, and raters mark delivery, which is exactly what memorisation damages. Read this afterwards for the shape and the vocabulary.Yes, and I would defend it on grounds most people find unsatisfying. The usual argument is the spin-off technologies, satellites, materials, medical imaging, and that is true but it sounds like an excuse. The stronger case is that some research has no visible application for forty years and then turns out to be foundational, and no private company will fund something on that timescale. Governments are the only actor with that horizon. The objection that the money should go to poverty is serious, and my honest answer is that space budgets are a fraction of a per cent, and cutting them would fund very little while removing something irreplaceable.
The words that carry it
Each one links to how it is pronounced.
- unsatisfying
five syllables with the stress on the third
- satellites
three syllables with the stress on the first
- foundational
four syllables with the stress on the third
- timescale
compound noun, precise about duration
- horizon
three syllables with the stress on the second
- irreplaceable
five syllables with the stress on the third
How to build the 45 seconds
- 1Agree and flag that your reason is unfashionable.
- 2Name and set aside the usual argument.
- 3Give the stronger argument about timescales.
- 4Take the strongest objection seriously and answer it.
Sounds to watch
Straight answers
How long should this answer be?
Forty-five seconds, which is roughly 110 to 130 words at a natural pace. The model below is 109. If your version runs past fifty seconds the recording cuts off, and raters hear an answer that stops mid-sentence.
Does it matter which side I take?
No. Raters mark delivery, language use and topic development, never which opinion you chose. Pick one in the first second and spend the preparation time on two supports rather than on deciding.
What does sayit score here?
An estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar. The transcript is shown in full, so you can judge your own wording and development yourself.
What the score on your result means
An estimate from fluency and pronunciation only — not an official band, and not a mark for vocabulary or grammar.Drill it until the clock stops mattering
A free account keeps every take, so you can watch your pace settle and your filler count fall across a fortnight.