Speaking
Speaking: fulfill the task clearly
Speaking tasks are scored on task fulfillment, organization, pronunciation and tones, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary range. Read or listen to the prompt carefully and identify the required function: describe, narrate, explain, compare, persuade, or respond interactively. Plan a short structure before speaking-often three points: a direct answer, one concrete example or reason, and a brief reflection. Use time markers (首先, 然后, 最后) and logical links (因为, 所以, 不过) to make your answer easy to follow. If you make a mistake, self-correct briefly rather than restarting.
Traps include reciting a memorized template that does not answer the question, rushing tones so that meaning changes, filling silence with 那个/然后 instead of developing content, and ignoring a follow-up question. In interactive tasks, respond to the other speaker’s point before adding your own. Register matters: use 您 and polite forms in formal situations, and avoid slang in academic prompts.
Worked example: Prompt “介绍一次你帮助别人的经历.” A strong answer states the situation (谁、什么时候、在哪里), the problem, what you did, and the result or lesson. For instance: “上个月，我帮邻居阿姨搬东西。她一个人拿不了，我先帮她搬箱子，后来又叫朋友来帮忙。虽然很累，但我觉得很开心。” This is concrete, ordered, and reflective. Rule of thumb: one clear main point plus one specific detail beats a long list of general statements.