TOEFL SPEAKING

 

Exam Format

Duration: About 2 hours

Section	Time	Questions/Tasks	Score
Reading	35 minutes	20 questions (2 passages)	0–30
Listening	36 minutes	28 questions	0–30
Speaking	16 minutes	4 tasks	0–30
Writing	29 minutes	2 tasks	0–30

Total Score: 0–120

SPEAKING (

Scoring

0–30)

Task	Type	What You Read	What You Listen To	Preparation Time	Speaking Time	What You Must Do
Task 1	Independent	❌ None	❌ None	15 seconds	45 seconds	Express your opinion and support it with reasons and examples.
Task 2	Integrated	✔ Read a short campus announcement (≈50 words)	✔ A conversation between two students	30 seconds	60 seconds	Summarize the student's opinion and explain the reasons.
Task 3	Integrated	✔ Read an academic concept (≈50–100 words)	✔ A professor's lecture	30 seconds	60 seconds	Explain the academic concept using the lecture example.
Task 4	Integrated	❌ None	✔ An academic lecture	20 seconds	60 seconds	Summarize the lecture and explain the key points.

SPEAKING 

TOEFL Speaking Task 1 (Independent)

Preparation: 15 seconds
Speaking: 45 seconds

Template

Personally, I prefer __________.

The first reason is that __________. For example, __________.

Another reason is that __________. As a result, __________.

For these reasons, I believe __________ is the better choice.

Sample Question

Do you prefer studying at home or in a library?

Band 30 Sample Answer

Personally, I prefer studying at home.

The first reason is that I can concentrate better because it's quiet and comfortable. For example, I usually study in my bedroom where I have all my books and notes.

Another reason is that studying at home saves me time because I don't have to travel to the library. As a result, I can spend more time preparing for my exams.

For these reasons, I believe studying at home is the better option.

Task 2 – Campus Situation (60 seconds)

Reading (45–60 words)

The university plans to install self-service kiosks in the cafeteria. Students will be able to order and pay for their meals using touch-screen machines instead of waiting in line at the cashier. The university believes this change will reduce waiting times and improve customer service.

Listening (Conversation Summary)

A male student supports the proposal.

He gives two reasons:

1. Students often have only a short break between classes, so faster service will save time.
2. The kiosks will reduce long lines, especially during lunchtime, making the cafeteria less crowded.

Speaking Question

The man expresses his opinion about the university's proposal. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives.

Template

The university announces that __________.

The student supports/opposes this decision.

First, he/she says __________.

Second, he/she explains that __________.

Therefore, he/she believes this is a good/bad decision.

Sample Answer

The university announces that the library will remain open until midnight during exams.

The student supports this decision.

First, he says many students work during the day, so they need extra time to study.

Second, he explains that the library is much quieter than student housing.

Therefore, he believes the longer opening hours will help students perform better in their exams.

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🎤 Task 3 – Academic Reading + Lecture (60 seconds)

Reading

Concept: Habituation

Habituation is a process in which an animal gradually stops responding to a repeated stimulus that is harmless. This allows the animal to save energy by ignoring things that do not pose a threat.

Listening (Lecture Summary)

The professor describes birds living near a railway station.

At first, the birds fly away whenever a train passes because they are frightened by the noise.

After several weeks, they realize the trains never harm them, so they continue eating and no longer react to the sound.

Speaking Question

Using the example from the lecture, explain the concept of habituation.

Template

The reading explains __________.

In the lecture, the professor gives an example of __________.

First, __________.

Then, __________.

This example clearly illustrates the concept described in the reading.

Sample Answer

The reading explains the concept of the primacy effect, which means people remember the first information they receive better than later information.

In the lecture, the professor gives the example of a job interview.

First, the candidate arrives on time and makes a positive first impression.

Then, even though the rest of the interview is average, the interviewer still remembers the candidate positively.

This example clearly illustrates the primacy effect.

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🎤 Task 4 – Lecture Summary (60 seconds)

Listening (Lecture Summary)

The professor discusses seed dispersal by animals.

He explains two methods:

Method 1
Some animals eat fruit and later drop the seeds in different places after digestion. This helps plants grow far from the parent tree.

Method 2
Some seeds have tiny hooks that attach to an animal's fur. When the animal walks away, the seeds eventually fall off and grow in a new location.

Speaking Question

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain the two methods of seed dispersal discussed by the professor.

Template

The professor discusses __________.

First, he/she explains __________.

Then, he/she gives the example of __________.

Next, he/she mentions __________.

Overall, the lecture shows __________.

Sample Answer

The professor discusses mutualism, a relationship in which two species benefit from each other.

First, she explains that bees collect nectar from flowers for food.

Then, she says the bees carry pollen from one flower to another.

As a result, the flowers are able to reproduce.

Overall, the lecture shows that both bees and flowers benefit from this relationship.