TOEFL Test Success Integrated Writing Presentation
READING LISTENING WRITING
READING Introduction to Academic Topic
*300-350 words *3 minutes *4 paragraph essay *the reading will reappear at the end
3:00
Silent Partners Thousands of businesses in North America have used silent partners to start up and maintain their businesses. Although many entrepreneurs are skeptical about going into business with this type of investor, many have done very well. In fact, without a silent partner, many of today's successful business owners would not have been able to start their venture at all. Despite the initial reluctance by first-time business owners, there are several benefits to starting a business with a silent partner on board. First, a silent partner brings the one thing needed to start a business: capital. This means that the silent partner brings money to cover the costs of a business. This is especially crucial at the start-up point. Money is needed to purchase or lease the space for a business, the office equipment, even the costs of employee's wages and benefits, such as medical insurance. Second, a silent partner does not get involved in the decision-making process of the business. He or she is merely an investor. This leaves the other partner with creative and managerial freedom. Decisions about marketing, advertising or even how to take care of an issue about an employee do not involve the silent partner. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the silent partner to be available. This saves lots of time. Additionally, having a silent partner means there is no need to compromise or take another person's opinion into account when making decisions about the business. Third, along with the money, the silent partner is also responsible for any liability issues. This means that if the company is sued for any reason, this partner is there to help cover the costs of any settlement against the company. For example, if an employee accidentally slips and falls inside the business location, such as an office or clothing store, the silent partner is also responsible for paying any money that a judge awards the employee. In other words, the silent partner is there to cover the costs of any unfortunate occurrences that might otherwise bankrupt the business.
READING The reading ALWAYS has the same structure Paragraph 1- Introduction (main Idea) Paragraph 2- Point 1 Paragraph 3- Point 2 Paragraph 4- Point 3 There is NOT a conclusion paragraph
Thousands of businesses in North America have used silent partners to start up and maintain their businesses. Although many entrepreneurs are skeptical about going into business with this type of investor, many have done very well. In fact, without a silent partner, many of today's successful business owners would not have been able to start their venture at all. Despite the initial reluctance by firsttime business owners, there are several benefits to starting a business with a silent partner on board. First, a silent partner brings the one thing needed to start a business: capital. This means that the silent partner brings money to cover the costs of a business. This is especially crucial at the start-up point. Money is needed to purchase or lease the space for a business, the office equipment, even the costs of employee's wages and benefits, such as medical insurance.
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Second, a silent partner does not get involved in the decision-making process of the business. He or she is merely an investor. This leaves the other partner with creative and managerial freedom. Decisions about marketing, advertising or even how to take care of an issue about an employee do not involve the silent partner. Therefore, there is no need to wait for the silent partner to be available. This saves lots of time. Additionally, having a silent partner means there is no need to compromise or take another person's opinion into account when making decisions about the business. Third, along with the money, the silent partner is also responsible for any liability issues. This means that if the company is sued for any reason, this partner is there to help cover the costs of any settlement against the company. For example, if an employee accidentally slips and falls inside the business location, such as an office or clothing store, the silent partner is also responsible for paying any money that a judge awards the employee. In other words, the silent partner is there to cover the costs of any unfortunate occurrences that might otherwise bankrupt the business.
Main Idea
Specific point 1
Specific point 2
Specific point 3
NOTES Topic: benefits of silent partners Point 1: Brings capital taken when staff are on duty, material cost paid by families
Point 2: not involved in decision making process everybody takes same test: hard to cheat
Point 3: also responsible for liability issues liable if company sued/ can pay for costs from accidents etc.
LISTENING 1.5-2 Minutes 1. An academic lecture about the same topic as the reading passage. 2.The speaker will disagree with the reading and give specific reasons that support his/her opinion.
LISTENING The listening will follow the same format as the reading. The points made in the lecture will correspond to the points in the reading passage.
Predicting the Listening
READING
LISTENING
TOPIC
TOPIC
Benefits of silent partners
1. brings capital 2. not involved in decisions 3. shares in liability
1. __(no; yes, but)____ 2. ____________ 3. _____________
3:00
Well, you've heard about all of the supposed benefits of having a silent partner. But, in reality, they are often not very useful and can even be detrimental to your business. First off, while it is true that silent partners bring capital to the table and therefore help to start-up a company, once the money has been given, they will only receive from that point forward. Think about it. A silent partner gives you say $50,000 to start your business, well that's great, right? What happens after that? Well, they will just show up to collect their share of the profits. They have done nothing else. The other partner deals with the stress and challenges of running the business on a daily basis. Then here comes the silent partner and just takes the money home. That doesn't sound fair. Second, does a business really need someone who stays silent? Decision making is a vital process of keeping the business going. New ideas are needed to stay competitive and avant-garde. And as they say, two heads are better than one. After all, how many innovative approaches can just one person come up with? Creative and effective approaches to running a business are more likely to occur and more often if two people or are running the show. Compromise and sharing in decision-making are crucial to running a successful business. Third, while it is true that a silent partner also shares in the legal liability of the business, he or she is not required to be directly involved in legal matters. Silent partners are not required to appear in court or meet with lawyers. Other than being financially liable, in fact, such investors typically do nothing to assist with legal issues of any sort from lawsuits to tax judgements. All of the responsibility for scheduling meetings and appointments and all of the requirements for appearing in court must be borne by the "active" partner.
READING
LISTENING TOPIC
TOPIC Benefits of silent partners
S.P.s not really beneficial
1.
1.
brings capital
once capital is given, SP
only takes
2.
not involved in decisions
2.
3.
shares in liability
3.
decision making is vital for business. not required to be directly involved.
QUESTION 1. The question will ALWAYS ask you to explain the points from the lecture and how they contrast with the points from the reading. SAMPLE QUESTION: Summarize the points made in the lecture you just heard, being sure to specifically explain how they cast doubt on points made in the reading.
WRITING 20 Minutes 150-225 words Same format as reading AND listening
WRITING Paragraph 1- Introduction- 2 sentences State the topic from the reading and the CONTRASTING topic from the listening. Example: The reading claims that there are benefits to starting a business with a silent partner and provides three supporting reasons. However the professor says that, in reality, silent partners are not very useful and refutes each claim in the reading.
WRITING Paragraphs 2-4 -Body- 3-4 sentences Begin by stating the point from the reading passage in one clear sentence. Example: First, the author states that a silent partner brings capital.
WRITING Paragraphs 2-4 -Body- 3-4 sentences Continue by transitioning into the point from the listening. *Be sure to use a CONTRAST word here. Example: Conversely, the professor argues that after they bring the capital, silent partners just receive.
WRITING Paragraphs 2-4 -Body- 3-4 sentences Finish by stating 1 or 2 details from the listening that support the speakers point. Example: She explains that once he provides the start-up money, the investor just shows up to collect his profits. He does not have to share in the daily stress of running the business.
The reading claims that there are benefits to starting a business with a silent partner and provides three supporting reasons. However the professor says that, in reality, silent partners are not very useful and refutes each claim in the reading. First, the author states that a silent partner brings capital. Conversely, the professor argues that after they bring the capital, silent partners just receive. She explains that once he provides the start-up money, the investor just shows up to collect his profits. He does not have to share in the daily stress of running the business. Second, the reading claims that silent partners are not involved in the decision making process which means the other partner is has creative freedom. However, the lecturer contests this. She says that businesses don’t need somebody who stays silent. She explains that two heads are better than one for making decisions . Also, since it is necessary to find creative ways to run a business, more people can sharing in the process is good for the company. Third, the reading states that the silent partner is also responsible for any liability issues that come up. But, the professor says that this kind of investor is not required to be directly involved in legal issues. The silent partner is only responsible for paying money and is not required to appear in court or meet with lawyers. The other partner is the one who has to appear in court, meet with lawyers, etc.
Writing Task 1 Template 150-‐225 words
Introduction
Point 1
Point 2
Point 3
Standard Template The reading claims that (topic from the reading) and provides three supporting reasons. However, the professor says that (topic from the listening) and refutes each claim in the reading. First, The author states that (reading point 1). Conversely the professor argues that (listening point 1). (listening detail 1) (listening detail 2) Second, the reading claims that (reading point 2). However, the lecturer contests this. He says that (listening point 2). (listening detail 1) (listening detail 2) Third, the reading states that (reading point 3). But, the professor says that (listening point 3). (listening detail 1) (listening detail 2)