TOEFL Speaking Sample Questions with High-Scoring Answers

The TOEFL Speaking section checks how well you can speak English in academic situations. Many students find this part difficult because they get nervous. But don’t worry—if you practice with the right tips and examples, you can speak clearly and get a high score.

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✅ What’s in the TOEFL Speaking Section?

There are 4 speaking tasks. These are:

1.      Independent Task – Talk about your opinion or experience.

2.      Integrated Task (Reading + Listening + Speaking) – Read and listen, then speak about what you understood.

3.      Integrated Task (Listening + Speaking) – Listen to a talk, then explain what you heard.

4.      Integrated Task (Lecture + Speaking) – Listen to a lecture and then answer a question based on it.

Each task gives you 15–30 seconds to prepare, and 45–60 seconds to speak.

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✅ Tips to Speak Better in TOEFL

·         Speak clearly, not fast

·         Organize your answer (beginning, middle, end)

·         Use transition words (first, next, finally, in my opinion)

·         Don’t stay silent – say something

·         Practice speaking daily, even alone or in front of a mirror

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🗣️ Sample Question & High-Scoring Answer (Task 1 - Independent Speaking)

Question:
"Do you prefer studying in a group or studying alone? Give reasons for your answer."

High-Scoring Answer:
"I prefer studying alone because it helps me focus better. When I study alone, there are no distractions, and I can choose my own schedule. Also, I understand the topic more deeply when I take my own notes. For example, last month I studied alone for my math exam, and I scored the highest in my class. That’s why I think studying alone is better for me."

✔️ Why it's good:
It’s clear, organized, gives a personal example, and uses good vocabulary.

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🗣️ Sample Question & High-Scoring Answer (Task 2 - Integrated Reading/Listening)

Question:
(Read a short article about a university policy. Then listen to a student giving their opinion. Now explain the student’s opinion.)

High-Scoring Answer:
"The student disagrees with the university’s new rule about charging parking fees. He says it’s unfair because many students already pay high tuition. Also, he thinks it will cause problems for students who live far away. Instead, he suggests building more parking spots to solve the issue without extra fees."

✔️ Why it's good:
It includes both the reading (policy) and the listening (student’s opinion), and it is short and clear.

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✅ Extra Practice Ideas

·         Record yourself answering practice questions.

·         Use apps like TOEFL Go! or SpeakingPal.

·         Ask a friend or tutor to listen and give feedback.

·         Practice using sample questions from the official TOEFL website.

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✅ Final Thoughts

The TOEFL Speaking section is not about sounding perfect. It’s about communicating your ideas clearly. Use short sentences, give examples, and speak with confidence. With regular practice, you can improve your fluency and get a better score.