TOEFL Speaking Questions with Answers

TOEFL Speaking is important, accounting for 26% of the score. This portion has six exercises to test a candidate's English communication skills. Independent speaking activities allow candidates to convey their perspectives on common topics, while integrated tasks challenge them to synthesise information from reading and listening passages.

Here, you can find several TOEFL speaking topics with answers to help you prepare effectively for the exam.

Candidates must pick between two options and explain their reasoning in TOEFL Independent Speaking preference-based questions. These questions test the candidate's ability to express personal choices and provide supporting reasoning.

Here are some sample preference-based TOEFL Independent Speaking topics:

• Which do you prefer—a large city or a small town? Justify your choice.
• Would you rather work in the arts or sciences and why?
• Do you prefer classroom or hands-on learning? Discuss your favoured method's benefits.
• Do you prefer reading or viewing films in your free time? Give reasons for your preference.
• Would you rather do group or solo projects? Discuss your favoured method's benefits.

The following tips are vital when answering preference-based questions:

• Simply say your preference and explain why.
• Justify your choice with examples or personal experiences.
• Show your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
• Stay organised and make easy transitions between ideas.
• Use diverse vocabulary and grammar to communicate.

The TOEFL Independent Speaking assignments may also require applicants to agree or disagree with assertions or viewpoints. These questions test the candidate's position and argumentation.

Sample TOEFL Independent Speaking "agree or disagree" topics:

• "Foreign language education should be mandatory in schools.” Do you agree? Justify your position.
• "Technological advancements have made life easier and more convenient." Do you agree? Justify your position using examples.
• "Attending college is essential for success in today's job market." Do you agree? Explain your view.
• “All communities should require recycling.” Do you think so? Justify your position.
• “Travelling is the finest method to understand other cultures.” Do you approve? Justify your position using examples.

Answering "agree or disagree" questions requires you to:

• Clearly convey your opinion on the statement.
• Give examples, reasoning, or personal experiences to support your position.
• Show your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
• Stay organised and make easy transitions between ideas.
• Use diverse vocabulary and grammar to communicate.

Practising independent speaking questions on TOEFL can significantly improve your confidence and performance on the test. Candidates are tested on their ability to explain a topic in detail.

Some TOEFL Independent Speaking themes explained:

• Describe an unforgettable spot you visited. Tell me why this place was special.
• Describe an acquired talent or pastime. Explain how you learned and why this skill matters.
• Write about an impactful book, movie, or art. Explain how it changed your perspective.
• Describe someone who shaped your life. Explain how this person influenced your ambitions and ideals.
• Describe a difficult situation. Explain how you resolved this difficulty and learned from it.

Answering description and explanation questions requires you to:

• Describe the topic in full.
• Explain the topic's significance, influence, or causes.
• Show your points with vivid language and examples.
• Stay organised and make easy transitions between ideas.
• Use diverse vocabulary and grammar to communicate.

Sample Question 1: Do you agree or disagree: “College is necessary for today's work economy."

I disagree that college is necessary for today's work economy. College can teach vital skills, but many successful people have done so without a degree.

I believe that applicable skills and experience are more important than a college degree for work success. Tech and skilled craft professions are high-paying and in demand, but they don't require a college degree. Instead, they value practical abilities, hands-on experience, and problem-solving and organisational contribution.

While college might be helpful, it is not the sole path to success. What matters most is developing relevant skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to adjust to employment market changes.

Sample Question 2: Describe a past pastime or expertise. Explain how you learned and why this skill matters.

Playing the guitar is one talent I've learned. Attending a concert by one of my favourite bands in high school inspired me to play guitar. I was inspired by the guitarist's effortless creation of such beautiful and complicated music and wanted to do the same.

Playing guitar was difficult at first. I spent a lot of time learning the basic chords and techniques. I found the procedure quite enjoyable. Playing easy tunes led to learning more sophisticated skills and playing more complex compositions.

Guitar playing is essential to me for many reasons. First, it lets me express myself and release stress creatively. Playing my guitar calms me down instantaneously when I'm stressed or overwhelmed.

Finally, learning the guitar has been a satisfying personal struggle. Learning a new skill has been frustrating and exciting, teaching me the value of perseverance. I'm proud of my progress and excited to keep playing the guitar.

Candidates for the TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 2 must listen to a lecture or discussion and read a brief excerpt before answering a question. These inquiries often cover university life.

Here are some sample TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 2 questions related to campus life:

• The benefits of campus student groups and organisations will be discussed. You'll then hear two students explain their club experiences. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.
• You'll read about student housing's relevance. Then, a university administrator will explain on-campus housing issues and considerations. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture addresses the text's issues.
• Read about how campus dining services enhance student health and well-being. Two students will explain their college dining hall experiences. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.
• Read about campus recreation facilities' benefits for students. A university employee will lecture about the campus recreation centre's recent improvements and extensions. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture addresses the text's issues.
• A section discusses university career services' value to students. You'll then hear two students explain their campus career centre experiences. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.

The TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 3 challenges applicants to extract knowledge from a reading passage and a lecture or conversation on an academic topic. These usually concern academic fields, university policies, or current research.

Sample academic TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 3 questions:

• A renewable energy breakthrough will be described. Then, a professor will teach this new technology's uses and drawbacks. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture addresses the text's issues.
• You'll learn about a university grading reform. You will then hear two students debate the potential effects of this move. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.
• You will read about a new study on sleep deprivation and academic performance. Then, a psychology professor will explain this research's ramifications. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture addresses the text's issues.
• A university's new sustainability project will be described. This initiative's pros and cons will be discussed by a student and administrator. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.
• Read about a nanotechnology discovery. Then, an engineering professor will explain this discovery's uses and consequences. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture addresses the text's issues.

The TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 4 demands students to comprehend information from a reading passage and a lecture or conversation on a more difficult academic topic. These questions often analyse historical events, scientific theories, or other complex academic concepts.

Sample TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 4 academic questions:

• Read about a historical event and its varied causes and meanings. A historian will then present a different view on this incident. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture content supports or contradicts the reading's interpretations.
• Read about a scientific hypothesis that explains a natural phenomenon. Then, two students will discuss this theory's merits and weaknesses based on recent research. Summarise the reading and conversation and explain how the interaction supports, challenges, or adds nuance to the reading's theory.
• Read about a planned university curriculum overhaul, including its reasoning and benefits. An academic administrator will talk on the problems and considerations of adopting this reform. Summarise the major points from the reading and lecture and tie them to the text's arguments.
• You will read about a new AI development and its possible impact on numerous businesses. Next, you will hear two experts address the ethical and social ramifications of this technical progress. Summarise the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation addresses the reading's issues.
• You'll read about a historical figure's scholarly contributions. A professor will then lecture on this person's significance and lasting impact. Summarise the reading and lecture and explain how the lecture deepens or changes your understanding of the historical figure and their legacy.

Mentioned below are some sample questions that candidates may encounter during TOEFL:

Sample Question 1 (Campus Life)

Q. Read about campus student groups and organisations' benefits. You'll then hear two students explain their club experiences. Restate the book and conversation's main arguments and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts them.

The reading passage covers university student clubs and organisations' benefits. It shows how extracurriculars can improve students' talents, community, and college experience. The passage says groups let students pursue their interests, work with friends, and lead.

The two students discuss their university entrepreneurship club involvement in the listening half. A student says the organisation has taught her business skills like pitching and project management. She believes the club helped her prepare for a career. The second student complains that the club's meetings are poorly organised and that the leadership ignores student concerns.

Sample Question 2 (Academic)

Q. Read about a recent renewable energy breakthrough. Then, a professor will teach this new technology's uses and drawbacks. Summarise the major points from the reading and lecture and apply them to the reading's issues.

A new solar panel employs a revolutionary material to boost energy conversion efficiency compared to regular solar panels. This technique might make household and commercial solar power more affordable and practical, revolutionising the renewable energy market.

The professor discusses the technical intricacies of this new solar panel technology throughout the lecture. He says the perovskite material used absorbs more solar spectrum and converts it into power better. The professor also emphasises that this technology is still in development and confronts obstacles including long-term durability and production scalability.

Sample Question 3 (Academic)

Q. You'll learn about a university grading reform. You will then hear two students debate the potential effects of this move. Summarise the main ideas from the reading and conversation and explain how the conversation supports or contradicts the text.

The reading passage proposes switching the university's grading system from A-F to pass/fail. The paragraph claims that this adjustment would lessen student stress and competition, allowing them to focus on learning rather than grades. It also argues that the pass/fail system would encourage students to take greater risks and pursue courses beyond their comfort zones by eliminating GPA pressure.

Two students debate the proposed grading system reform in the listening segment. One student supports the concept, saying it would reduce stress and increase intellectual curiosity. The other student is more sceptical, noting that the pass/fail system could penalise students when applying for graduate programmes or jobs because companies and admissions committees value GPA.

Conversational information supports and opposes reading points. The first student's good opinion supports the reading's claim that the pass/fail system would alleviate stress and encourage exploration. Despite the reading's optimism, the second student worries about post-graduation chances.

In conclusion, the TOEFL iBT Speaking portion is vital, testing candidates' English communication skills on academic and campus issues. Candidates can master both independent and integrated speaking tasks by studying the scoring criteria and practising with a range of sample questions. Practising independent speaking questions TOEFL can significantly improve your confidence and performance on the test.

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