TOEFL SPEAKING

Sample Speaking Questions and Answers

TASK 1 - SAMPLE 1
What is the best quality of a good son or daughter? Why? Use specific reasons and details
to support your choice.
Introduction
I think the most important quality is kindness.
Body
This is because kindness automatically includes so many other qualities. First, kindness implies
that a son or daughter is helpful to the parents. This is critical no matter how old the child is.
Second, kindness means being respectful. There is nothing that touches parents hearts more than
being treated well by a child. Conversely, nothing hurts parent more than when a child shouts at
them.
Last, kindness incorporates so many other positive traits such as thoughtfulness, cooperation,
caring, compassion, understanding and so on.
Conclusion
In todays world, having loving parents is a blessing and children of all ages should honour that
through their kind actions.
TASK 1 - SAMPLE 2
What is your favourite day of the year? Use reasons to support your answer.
Introduction
My favourite day of the year is December 31.
Body
This is due to many reasons. Personally, December 31 is full of hope and promise for the year
ahead. Like others, I love to make resolutions to improve myself in the coming year. December
31 makes everything seem possible.
Professionally, since I have my own business, December 31 enables me to take stock of my
strengths and weaknesses. It forces me to make better plans for the next year
Socially, Dec 31 shows me who means the most to me because you usually think of those people
on this day. It is a lovely time when people from around the world are united in joy.
Conclusion
All days in life are special but December 31 makes me feel the most optimistic, hopeful and
thankful of all.

40 New Practice Topics for iBT TOEFL Speaking Part 1

Here is a list of 40 new topics that you might find useful if you are preparing for Part
1 of the iBT TOEFL Speaking section. These are all Independent topics of the "open
choice" / personal experience or opinion type.
1. Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best
friend.
2. What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is
your favorite place to go.
3. What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain
why it is your happiest memory.
4. What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.
5. Talk about a person in your life who has inspired you. Describe the person and
explain why you found him/her inspirational.
6. Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it
most.
7. Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and
explain why it is important.
8. What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.
9. Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person
and say why you feel close to him/her.
10. Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and
explain why it is fun.
11. Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it
and say why it was embarrassing.
12. What was your favorite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject
was your favorite one.
13. Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why
he/she is important.
14. Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say
why it was interesting.
15. Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say
why it was a success for you.

16. What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your
favorite.
17. Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you
admire him/her.
18. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain
why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.
19. Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience
and say why it was difficult to overcome.
20. What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in
helping you to study.
21. Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person
and explain why he/she was so influential to you.
22. Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good
place for you to study.
23. Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the
experience and say why it was a positive one.
24. What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
25. Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person
and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.
26. Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is
memorable to you.
27. When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and
say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
28. Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe
it and explain why it was helpful to you.
29. Describe a person from your countrys history. Why do you think this person was
important?
30. Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why
you would like to holiday there.
31. Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together. Describe it and
explain why you all enjoy it.
32. What is your favorite recreational activity? Describe it and say why you enjoy
doing it.

33. Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why you
think he/she is intelligent.
34. Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you would
like to live there.
35. What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you
like it so much.
36. What custom from your home country are you most fond of? Describe the custom
and explain why you are fond of it.
37. Which person are you most likely to go to with a personal problem? Describe this
person and say why you would go to him/her in particular.
38. Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit. Describe this
place and explain why you would recommend it.
39. Talk about an event from the past that you would like to relive. Describe the
original event and say why you would like to relive it.
40. What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your
favorite means of transportation.

Delivering your answer

I teach my students to use a ten sentence format for giving an answer based on the above
outline. I warn them not to be overly strict about following it, however. Remember that you
only have 45 seconds to talk. You might have to freestyle a bit. Regardless, here is the plan I
teach:

Sentence one: A hook. This is an interesting sentence that comes before your main
point. It references the question and draws your reader into the essay.

Sentence two: Your main point. In one good, clear sentence state your main
point. Dont be too long. Get to the point! Let the TOEFL grader know what you are
going to talk about. Make his job easy.
Sentence three: A transitional sentence. Try something like I feel this way for two
reasons."
Sentence four: State your first reason. Begin this sentence with first.
Sentences five and six: State the details that match the first reason.
Sentence seven: State your second reason. Begin this sentence with "second"
Sentences eight/nine: State the details that match the second reason.
Sentence ten: A conclusion. Finish by saying something like "To sum it up..." and then
repeating your main point.

And that's it! I also suggest that my students use transitional phrases where possible. Try using
something like "moreover" between details. You might even try a phrase like "what I mean
is" before you mention your details.
If you want to make your answer LONGER than ten sentences, use extra sentences when you
mention the details.
Heres an example outline for the question: What is the best gift to give to a child? It was
written by an actual student of mine. Look at it closely:

Here's an example answer using the above method and the example question:
"There are many great gifts that can be given to a child. I believe that the best gift to give a
child is a pet. I feel this way for two main reasons. First, a pet can be very
educational. Pets teach children about responsibility because they have to be serious about
taking care of them, or they will die. Furthermore, watching a pet grow from an infant to
an adult is a wonderful way for children to learn about the stages of life. Second, a pet can
be a good friend to a young child. What I mean is that children sometimes fight with their
friends and family members but pets are never judgmental. Moreover, children are often
left alone by busy parents. Having a pet in the house will ensure that children never feel
lonely. For these reasons, I feel that there is no better gift for a child than a pet."
And that's how it is done! If you want to make your answer even longer try mentioning a
personal example. This student could mention her pet gecko and talk about how she learned
about the stages of life when it grew from a baby into an adult.