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An important part and parcel of your study abroad journey is qualifying for the English proficiency tests. One renowned name in the list of language proficiency tests is TOEFL. Indian outbound students take this exam to apply to the universities of English-speaking countries. Conducted by the English Testing System, TOEFL focuses on testing the fluency of the applicants on 4 main learning parameters- Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.
Though there have been changes in the TOEFL Exam Pattern that will be effective from the 26th of July 2023, there are no particular changes inculcated in the Speaking section. The overall exam duration however will be reduced to less than 2 hours. If you aspire to outshine your TOEFL score, here is a blog to help you with some TOEFL sample speaking questions.
This Blog Includes:
- General TOEFL Speaking Questions
- Popular TOEFL Speaking Questions 2024-2025
- Choice-Based Sample Questions for TOEFL
- Top 10 TOEFL Speaking Topic Questions
- TOEFL Speaking Questions: Agree or Disagree
- Preference Type Questions
- Structure of TOEFL Speaking Questions
- Tips and Tricks for TOEFL Speaking Section
- Best Books for TOEFL Preparation
- FAQs
General TOEFL Speaking Questions
General TOEFL Speaking Questions assess your ability to express ideas clearly, coherently, and effectively in English. These questions typically cover everyday topics, personal experiences, and opinions, allowing you to showcase your fluency and communication skills. Here are a few of the best TOEFL Speaking Questions for practice.
- Till now, who is the best teacher you have come across and why?
- Tell us your dream vacation spot and describe why you want to visit that place.
- According to you, what is an ideal way of spending a holiday?
- What are the five best qualities that you have that your family or friends should be proud of?
- Describe three career options that are appealing to you and why?
- Often people like to travel with their families and friends whereas some are solo travellers. Which kind of a traveller are you and why?
- Were you brought up in an urban area or a rural area? If urban then, will you be comfortable living in rural areas for the rest of your life or vice-versa? Elaborate upon why and why not.
- Some people believe that school students should only focus on their studies and not waste their time on sports. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
- Do you believe in saving the money one earns or spending it on your present desires?
- Students should opt for streams like Science or Commerce rather than Arts is a common notion. Do you agree or disagree with it? Support your answer with some examples.
Also Read: TOEFL Sample Test
Popular TOEFL Speaking Questions 2024-2025
Here are popular TOEFL speaking questions for you to practice:
- Talk about an important national holiday in your country.
- Describe the most impressive moment in your life.
- Do you prefer a profession that requires you to work in a group?
- Which study method do you prefer, online courses or traditional classrooms?
- How did you spend your free time during the pandemic? For example, reading, drawing, baking, etc.
- Some people think life in modern times is better than in older times, what is your opinion?
- Tell us about one of your favourite songs or one of your favourite movies.
- Describe your favourite place, for example, a seashore park in your city where you often visit.
- What is the most important gift you have and describe why it is important.
- If your friends from another country are going to visit your country, where would you suggest they should go?
Choice-Based Sample Questions for TOEFL
Often students come across questions based on a situation and containing 2-3 options to ponder upon. Here are some likely TOEFL sample speaking questions:
- While choosing your roommate abroad which is the quality you will look for the most out of- Quietness, Cleanliness, Friendliness?
- If the university is renovating the dormitory, tell us one thing you will recommend them to incorporate out of- Gym, Cafe, Personalized Study room.
- As a task for your assignment which one of the following will you choose? A review of the novel you read recently, Read out your favourite poem, Act out a scene from the play
- Elaborate upon whether you will choose A written paper test, Presentation, or Creating a video as your assessment.
- Electronic Books, Smartphones, or Online classes which out of these is the best technological inventions for students.
Also Read: Top Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
Top 10 TOEFL Speaking Topic Questions
To help you kickstart your preparation, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common and engaging TOEFL speaking topics. These questions are designed to give you insight into the test and help you practice effectively.
- Group Study vs. Solo Study
Many approaches exist for academic studies, each with unique advantages. Do you prefer studying in a group or independently? Provide examples and reasons to explain your choice. - Outdoor Work vs. Office Work
Some people enjoy jobs that allow them to be outdoors, while others prefer working in an office environment. Which do you prefer and why? Share examples to support your response. - Immediate vs. Delayed Responses
While some people respond to emails, messages, and calls right away, others take their time. Which approach do you follow, and why? Include examples to explain your reasoning. - Meatless Diets and Health
Do you agree or disagree with the statement: “A diet with little or no meat is the healthiest.” Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. Avoid memorized answers. - New vs. Used Books
When purchasing books, some people prefer new ones, while others opt for used copies. What’s your opinion? Explain your reasoning with examples. - Theater Experience vs. Renting Movies
Do you enjoy watching movies at the theater or prefer renting them to watch at home? Share your preference and explain why, including details and examples. - Choosing Roommates
Would you prefer to select your own roommate or allow the university to assign one for you? Discuss your preference with reasons and examples. - Learning Outside vs. Inside the Classroom
Do you agree that students should spend more time learning outside the classroom rather than inside? Support your answer with specific reasons and examples. - Borrowing vs. Saving for Expensive Purchases
If you were buying an expensive item, would you borrow money to purchase it immediately or save up and buy it later? Explain your decision with examples. - The Most Intelligent Person You Know
Describe the most intelligent person you’ve encountered in your life. Why do you consider them intelligent? Provide examples and explanations.
These TOEFL speaking topics cover a wide range of scenarios, from personal preferences to thought-provoking opinions. Practicing with such prompts will not only improve your fluency but also build your confidence for the exam.
TOEFL Speaking Questions: Agree or Disagree
The test-takers will be asked questions in which they will be needed to explain their agreement or disagreement in reference to a particular question. Following are some TOEFL speaking questions for agree or disagree topic:
- Do you agree that experienced doctors are better than young ones?
- Do you agree or disagree that the youth should learn more about domestic chores along with their studies?
- Indian students aspiring to study abroad must be fluent in a foreign language other than English. Do you agree or disagree?
- Male and female students should have separate living halls. Do you agree or disagree?
- Elaborate upon your agreement or disagreement on the fact that celebrities should not hide their personal life issues from the media.
Preference Type Questions
Here are a few TOEFL speaking questions based on preferences:
- What are your views on using brand-new books rather than using old books?
- Will you choose to study for a few hours and have a full night’s sleep or study for the entire duration comprising of your sleep?
- Do you prefer calling someone directly or just texting? Why?
- Some students like to watch educational programs on TV and some prefer entertainment programs. Which one will you prefer and why?
- Some students prefer to switch off their phones while studying and some use it for the same. Which one do you prefer to choose and why?
Structure of TOEFL Speaking Questions
The TOEFL Speaking section is made up of four questions, each designed to test different speaking skills:
- Task 1: Independent Speaking
- In this task, you’ll be asked to answer a question based on personal experience or opinion.
- Duration: 45 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to respond.
- Task 2: Independent Speaking
- This question requires you to choose between two options and explain your preference.
- Duration: 45 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to respond.
- Task 3: Integrated Speaking
- You will listen to a short conversation or lecture and summarize the information in your response.
- Duration: 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to respond.
- Task 4: Integrated Speaking
- Similar to Task 3, but you’ll read a passage and then listen to a conversation. Your response will involve summarizing the information from both sources.
- Duration: 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to respond.
Tips and Tricks for TOEFL Speaking Section
Here are a few tips to ace the TOEFL Speaking Section.
- Practice makes you perfect. Speaking requires a lot of practice to master the pronunciations and become fluent.
- Relax and stay confident. This helps in focusing on what you’re saying and concentrating better.
- Use your imagination. If you have time left after answering, use your imagination to elaborate on the answer by creating hypothetical situations and framing them correctly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in TOEFL Speaking
Avoiding common pitfalls will improve your TOEFL speaking performance. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:
- Speaking too quickly: This can hurt your pronunciation and clarity. Take your time.
- Failing to answer the question fully: Always ensure you fully address the question and provide supporting details.
- Overusing fillers: Words like “um” or “uh” can detract from your fluency. Practice speaking without them.
- Not organizing your thoughts: Disorganized responses can be hard to follow. Always structure your answers logically.
Best Books for TOEFL Preparation
| Books | Author | Buy Here |
| ETS Official Guide to the TOEFL Test (4th Edition) | ETS | Buy Here |
| Cracking the TOEFL iBT | Princeton Review | Buy Here |
| Official TOEFL iBT Test Volume 2 | ETS | Buy Here |
| Kaplan TOEFL iBT Premier with 4 Practice Tests | Kaplan Test Prep | Buy Herre |
| The Only Grammar Book You’ll Ever Need: A One-Stop Source for Every Writing Assignment | Susan Thurman | Buy Here |
| Essential Words for the TOEFL, 6th Edition (Barron’s Essential Words for the TOEFL ) | Steven J. Matthiesen | Buy Here |
| Practice Exercises for the TOEFL with MP3 CD | Pamela J. Sharpe | Buy Here |
| TOEFL Grammar Guide: 23 Grammar Rules You Must Know To Guarantee Your Success On The TOEFL Exam | Timothy Dickeson | Buy Here |
| 240 Speaking Topics: With Sample Answers (Volume 2) | LIKE Test Prep | Buy Here |
| 240 Writing Topics: with Sample Essays | LIKE Test Prep | Buy Here |
FAQs
Ans: TOEFL Exam can be taken as many times as you wish but in a gap of 12 days.
Ans: Yes. You can register for the TOEFL exam more than once but only after the completion of 12 days since your first registration.
Ans: The registration for a particular date stops 4 days prior to the date. Make sure you register before it.
Ans: Ideally, you should register for the exam 3-4 months prior to your desired test date. With this gap, you will also have a chance to re-appear for a better score.
Ans: The cost of the TOEFL iBT test varies from one country to another. In India, it is US$ 180 (INR 14,000).
Ans: While both IELTS and TOEFL require basic preparation at the least, many takers felt that preparing for TOEFL was harder. Also, the reading section in IELTS is considered much easier when compared to that of TOEFL.
Ans: The TOEFL score is valid for 2 years.
Ans: There are 17 minutes for TOEFL speaking
Ans: TOEFL speaking questions test your ability to speak clearly, organize your thoughts, and express your ideas effectively in English. They include both independent tasks (based on personal experiences or opinions) and integrated tasks (which involve listening to a conversation or reading a passage and then responding).
Ans: There are two types of questions:
Independent speaking: Answering personal questions based on your opinions or experiences.
Integrated speaking: Summarizing information from listening and reading passages.
Ans: There are four questions in the TOEFL speaking section: two independent speaking tasks and two integrated speaking tasks.
Ans: The TOEFL writing section involves crafting essays based on a prompt, whereas the speaking section focuses on your ability to express thoughts verbally. The speaking section evaluates fluency, pronunciation, and coherence, while writing focuses on grammar, structure, and vocabulary.
Ans: You can practice by:
– Recording yourself answering sample speaking questions.
– Practicing with TOEFL practice tests.
– Listening to English podcasts and summarizing the content.
– Speaking with native speakers or language exchange partners.
Ans: It’s fine to briefly rephrase the question in your answer, but avoid repeating it word-for-word. Focus on providing a well-organized response with relevant details and examples.
Ans: Pronunciation is very important in TOEFL speaking. While minor mispronunciations may not severely impact your score, poor pronunciation that affects the clarity of your response can result in a lower score. Practice enunciating words clearly.
Ans: While you can use conversational language, it’s important to avoid excessive slang or informal expressions, especially in integrated speaking tasks. Use language that is clear, coherent, and appropriate for an academic setting.
We hope this blog about TOEFL sample speaking questions has provided you with a long list of questions to practice.
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