新托福口语练习过程中，学会有效的记笔记是提高托福口语水平的基本功。分析托福口语评分标准就能把握托福口语考察方向，其中快速抽出托福口语材料的主题是关键的一步，下面通过例子介绍记笔记时如何快速抓主题。
　　Note-taking in the Independent Task
　　该部分要求考生就某一自己熟悉的话题阐述自己的观点。一类问题是自由回答间题(Free-choice Response)，如：If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Use details to support your. response;另一类是选择类问题(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,准备时间为15秒，回答问题时间为45秒。问题会被朗读出来，且同时出现在屏幕上。考生可以不用理会电脑的朗读，迅速阅读完问题。这样可以争取大概5秒，那么在这大约20秒内，考生可在草稿纸上迅速记下自己所要表达的关键信息。这里记笔记的方法为“TST表格”。TST ( Topic-Supporting ideas--Transitions)意思是考生须在草稿纸上用一到两个词写下欲表达的Topic(主题)，Supporting ideas(分论点)和Transitions(信号词)。下面试举一例：
　　Question:
　　Where would you want to be professionally in ten years? Use details to support your response.
　　考生应迅速在纸上写下“own bus...”、“master”、“work com...”、“start”等信息见以下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.
　　再举一例：
　　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.
　　考生应迅速在纸上写下“pap”、“strong read write exams”、“more time think deeply”等信息。见以下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.