VOA慢速：托福上线官方app
燕山大学 刘立军 编写
【TRANSCRIPT】
Students around the world wanting help with the TOEFL English test have a new tool: a mobile app. The “TOEFL official app” became available last week. Users can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.” Students must pass the test to get into many universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries. It is made up of four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
Test-takers will be able to use it for everything from registration and test preparation, to receiving their scores and requesting health-related accommodations.
What we wanted to do through the app is to meet them where they are on their own terms and schedule, and on the devices they increasingly prefer to use, said Srikant Gopal. He leads the TOEFL program at the non-profit Educational Testing Service, or ETS, and recently spoke with VOA about the new app.
After downloading the app, users can get material to help prepare them for the test. They can also register to take the test. And, the organization says, users can see their test scores and send reports to schools they wish to attend.
Students also can search for the test centers near where they are, as well as find open seats for the test. This works through Google maps.
TOEFL is offered in over 150 countries around the world. It is mostly internet-based. In places where internet connections are not strong, students take a paper version of the test.
I'm Jonathan Evans.
【VOCABULARY】
1. available adj. （of things 东西）that you can get, buy or find 可获得的；可购得的；可找到的。例如：
l available resources/facilities可利用的资源/设备
l readily/freely/publicly/generally available可以容易/免费/让公众/普遍得到
l Tickets are available free of charge from the school. 学校有免费票。
l When will the information be made available? 何时才可以了解到情况？
l Further information is available on request. 详情备索。
l This was the only room available. 这是唯一可用的房间。
l We'll send you a copy as soon as it becomes available. 一有货我们就会给你寄一本去。
l Every available doctor was called to the scene. 所有能找到的医生都被召集到了现场。
2. register v. put name on list 登记姓名
【QUESTIONS】
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and check the true (ü) or false (û) statements.
1. The “TOEFL official app” became available last month.
2. Users can download the “TOEFL official app” from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
3. According to the news, students must pass the test to get into many universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
4. TOEFL is made up of four parts: reading, listening, writing and discussion.
5. Test-takers will be able to use the “TOEFL official app” for everything, such as registration, test preparation, receiving test scores and requesting health-related accommodations.
6. ETS is a non-profit organization in the USA and Canada.
7. After downloading the app, users can get material to help prepare them for the test and register to take the test. Besides, users can see their test scores and send reports to schools they wish to attend.
8. After downloading the app, students also can search for the test centers and find open seats for the test.
9. TOEFL is offered in over 115 countries around the world.
10. TOEFL is mostly internet-based. In places where internet connections are not strong, students take a paper test.
【KEY】
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and check the true (ü) or false (û) statements.
1. The “TOEFL official app” became available last month.
正确表达：The “TOEFL official app” became available last week.
2. Users can download the “TOEFL official app” from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
3. According to the news, students must pass the test to get into many universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries.
4. TOEFL is made up of four parts: reading, listening, writing and discussion.
正确表达：TOEFL is made up of four parts: reading, listening, writing and speaking.
5. Test-takers will be able to use the “TOEFL official app” for everything, such as registration, test preparation, receiving test scores and requesting health-related accommodations.
6. ETS is a non-profit organization in the USA and Canada.
正确表达：ETS is a non-profit organization in the USA.
þ 7. After downloading the app, users can get material to help prepare them for the test and register to take the test. Besides, users can see their test scores and send reports to schools they wish to attend.
þ 8. After downloading the app, students also can search for the test centers and find open seats for the test.
ý 9. TOEFL is offered in over 115 countries around the world.
正确表达：TOEFL is offered in over 150 countries around the world.
þ 10. TOEFL is mostly internet-based. In places where internet connections are not strong, students take a paper test.