眾所周知，為了模擬北美大學課堂的學術氣氛和學生在校園生活的方方面面，新托福考試的口語部分首次允許考生做課堂筆記(筆記考完要上交，但筆記不算分)、并要求考生能夠發表自己的意見和看法，而且必須具備對教授推薦的參考書寫出讀書報告、闡明自己觀點的能力以及其他處理校園生活中可能遇到的各種情況的能力。本文擬對新托福口語試題(包括獨立口語任務和綜合口語任務)中如何做筆記的問題做深人地分析和探討，以幫助大家更好的進行托福口語學習。
　　Note-taking in the Independent Task
　　該部分要求考生就某一自己熟悉的話題闡述自己的觀點。一類問題是自由回答間題(Free-choice Response)，如：If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Use details to support your. response;另一類是選擇類問題(Paired-choice Response)，如：Do you like to try new kinds of food or eat the same kind of food all the time? Use details and examples to support your response,準備時間為15秒，回答問題時間為45秒。問題會被朗讀出來，且同時出現在屏幕上。考生可以不用理會電腦的朗讀，迅速閱讀完問題。這樣可以爭取大概5秒，那么在這大約20秒內，考生可在草稿紙上迅速記下自己所要表達的關鍵信息。這里記筆記的方法為“TST表格”。TST ( Topic-Supporting ideas--Transitions)意思是考生須在草稿紙上用一到兩個詞寫下欲表達的Topic(主題)，Supporting ideas(分論點)和Transitions(信號詞)。下面試舉一例：
　　Question:
　　Where would you want to be professionally in ten years? Use details to support your response.
　　考生應迅速在紙上寫下“own bus...”、“master”、“work com...”、“start”等信息見以下TST( Topic―Supporting ideas―Transitions )表格。
　　Topic statement: own bus... (I would like to own my own business) Supporting ideas: ( How I will work toward owning my business)
　　* master (Will get master's in business )
　　* work com... (Will work in company while planning my business)
　　* start (Will start my own business when I am ready)
　　Transitions: 10 next because 3 within 10 y (可用y代替 years)
　　Sample Answer
　　In ten years I would like to win an import business of my own. Next year, I will be starting a master's program in business with a specialization in entrepreneurship. I will be getting this degree because I hope to start my own business and make it successful some day. After I finish my master's degree three years from now, I will most likely take a position in another company for a few years to make some money and to spend some time planning my own business. Within ten years, I hope to own my own company and be on the way to making it a success.
　　再舉一例：
　　Question:
　　Sometimes students have to write papers. Sometimes they have to give oral presentations. Which activity do you think is better for students, and why? Include details and examples in your explanation.
　　考生應迅速在紙上寫下“pap”、“strong read write exams”、“more time think deeply”等信息。見以下TST( Topic―Supporting ideas―Transitions )表格：:
　　Topic: pap (writing papers is better for students) Supporting ideas: (Why writing papers is better)
　　* strong read write exams (need strong writing skills for reading and writing and prepare for exams)
　　* more time think deeply (show understanding for more time to explain and think deeply)
　　Transitions: firstly because, so also
　　Sample Answer
　　I think writing papers is better for students. Firstly we need to develop strong writing skills. We go to school mainly to learn reading and writing, so we need a lot of practice. Examinations require a lot of writing, so writing papers is good reparation. Also, I think writing is a better way to show that I understand. When I write a paper, I can think deeply because I have more time to explain my ideas.