TOEFL Independent Speaking questions and answers Sample

The TOEFL independent question is ‘explain a choice’ which may appear in different forms. Let’s look at some of the most
common forms in which these questions appear on the TOEFL exam including preference, agree and disagree,
description and explanation.
TOEFL Independent Speaking questions – Preference
Here are sample TOEFL IBT speaking questions and answer preference questions.
Q.1.There are many different approaches to Q.2. Some people like to watch television
academic studies, and all of them have specific news programs every day, while others
benefits. Do you prefer to study for tests in a like to watch them only now and then.
group, or to study alone? Include details and Which do you prefer? Include details and
examples to support your explanation. examples to support your explanation.

I like to study for my examinations on my own.

This is how I feel for two reasons. I would much rather watch the news only
Firstly, I will be able to concentrate solely on on rare occasions. This is because of two
what I need to study. Since everyone has their reasons.
own weak points, we may end up spending a lot To begin with, spending too much time
of time addressing those points, even if most of watching the evening news makes me
the other members are good in those areas. really uneasy. For example, if I hear about
When we work alone, on the other hand, we a new battle or tragedy every day of the
may concentrate solely on our own weaknesses, week, I become melancholic and find it
allowing us to get the highest potential exam difficult to function in my day-to-day life.
result. Second, I believe that daily news viewing is
Moreover, I’m easily distracted, which may be a waste of time. For example, if I watch a
problematic while studying in a group setting. news program for an hour daily, I will
For example, last year, I was researching for a simply not have enough time to
midterm test with a group of classmates. Rather accomplish other things. For instance, ever
than studying, we spent most of our time talking since I quit watching the evening news, I
about music and sports. As a result, my exam find that I have more time to complete all
scores were quite low. of my school tasks.
TOEFL Independent Speaking questions – Agree or Disagree
TOEFL agree or disagree questions generally present with a statement, and ask candidates whether they agree or
disagree with the statement.
Q.1. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Children should help Q.2. Do you agree or disagree with the
their parents with household chores as following statement? It is better for children
soon as they are old enough. Use details to have teachers who are young, even if they
and examples in your response. are inexperienced.

I believe that allowing children to help with I believe that having young professors, even if
home duties as soon as they are old enough they are inexperienced, is beneficial for kids.
is a fantastic concept. To begin with, youthful instructors are better
First and foremost, this may teach able to relate to their students. In terms of
youngsters some really useful skills that will actual interests and pop-cultural
serve them well later in life. When I was a understanding, they just have a great deal in
youngster, for example, I was in charge of common with them. As a result, they have an
making breakfast for my younger brother easier time connecting the classroom subject
every day before we went to school. This to the students’ everyday life. This can make
experience served me well later in my life the learning process more fun for the students.
when I moved away for university. There, I Secondly, I personally find young instructors to
 was able to prepare my own healthy meals
instead of depending on fast food joints like
my peers. be less intimidating. In my experience, older
Secondly, when parents and children work instructors are more critical of their students’
together on domestic duties, they get an mistakes than their younger counterparts. This
opportunity to bond. They can converse may cause students to be apprehensive, and as
while doing tasks like washing dishes or a result, they may be reluctant to ask doubts in
making food, and the kids may open up class—which in the long run will affect their
about what’s happening in their life. learning process.
TOEFL Independent Speaking Questions – Description and Explanation
This question format includes certain daily topics on which you need to provide your opinion with details.
Q.2. Nowadays, some people use extreme
Q.1. Some companies have rules that forbid methods, including surgery, to change their
employees from using personal cell phones appearance. They do this because they
during working hours. Do you think this is a want to look more attractive. Do you think
good idea? Why or why not? Use specific this is a good idea? Support your answer
reasons and examples to support your with details and examples.
answer.

I don’t think it is a good idea for companies to

prohibit employees from using their phones
during business hours, because of two
reasons. I think getting surgery to change your look is
To begin with, our mobile phones are the a terrific idea. This is how I feel for two
fastest means by which we can communicate reasons.
with others. So, if there is an emergency at First and foremost, by changing our
home, the news would most probably be appearance through plastic surgery, we will
conveyed to us through our phones. And, of be able to develop the confidence to face
course, we’d like to know about emergencies any social situation. After all, self-confidence
as quickly as possible. If a worker is worried comes only when you are comfortable in
about being disconnected from his loved ones your skin, and sometimes an aesthetic
throughout the day, then there is a good surgery with that!!
chance that he may start looking for jobs that Secondly, if we are unhappy with the
allow him to use his phone, which would be outcome of our operation, we can always
disastrous for the company. reverse it. I mean, plastic surgery is so
Second, I believe that personal phones have inexpensive these days that if you get an
the potential to increase our workplace operation and it doesn’t look good, you can
atmosphere. Making a brief phone call or easily have another treatment done. For
looking at a social media post might help us example, I’ve changed the shape of my nose
relax. And if we’re happier, we’re more likely three times already, and the cost to me has
to do well. been modest.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Sample Questions- Task 2 (Campus Life)
The first integrated task in the TOEFL speaking section is based on a topic related to campus life. To complete this task,
you will have to use your reading, listening, and speaking skills. As, it consists of three parts:
 A short passage: Read a short passage (of around 100 words) on a campus-related topic (e.g., a change in
university policy, campus facility, quality of life on campus, etc.), which will provide you detailed information.
 A Conversation: Listen to a conversation (of around 90 seconds) in which two people express their opinion about
the article/passage.
  A Question: After reading the passage and listening to the conversation over the same topic, now you need to
respond to the question which generally requires you to summarize the main speaker’s opinion within the
context of the passage.
To answer this speaking section question, try to include all the points from passage and audio.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 2 Sample Question and Answer
Direction: Read a short passage and listen to a conversation on the same topic. You will then be asked a question about
them. After you hear the question, you will have 15-30 seconds to prepare your response and 45-60 seconds to speak.
Currently, the university drama club organizes plays only on campus. Next year, however, the
drama club will also perform street plays in and around Washington D.C. Mr. Watkins, the head
of the drama club, feels that doing street plays will help in taking important social messages to
large groups of people, which in turn will help create a sense of awareness in the society in
which we live. In addition to this, it is hoped that getting the drama club to perform street
plays will also help motivate students in the club to pursue a higher standard of excellence, and
will also help them improve their confidence.
Read the transcript
Narrator: Now listen to two students discussing the article.

Male Student: Meriya, you are a part of the drama club, right? What do you think about the
proposal in the article?

Female Student: I really liked the proposal. I have always wanted to do street play. I personally
believe that art should try to bring about a social change in the society that we live in.

Male Student: I agree…but why a street play? Wouldn’t a conventional theater performance
also have the same impact?

Female Student: Yes, conventional theater performances can have a good social impact. But, I
feel the street theater provides a much wider reach…not very many people visit a theater, but
you can always find people on the street.

Male Student: Mhmm…that’s true

Female Student: Also, I know a lot of people who would like to do a street play, but lack the
confidence to do it. I feel that when the club organizes a street play, those people also will get
an opportunity to do what they’ve always wanted to do, with the added advantage of their
peers being there for support.

Male Student: Mhmm…you’re right…I hadn’t really thought about that.

Female Student: Also, the audience of a street play would be similar to the audience we’d get
if we were to take up acting as our profession…at least, it would be more similar than the kind
of audience we usually get when we perform a play in the campus…I have a feeling that this
article might encourage more students to join the drama club.

Male Student: Um, to be honest, right now, I am considering if I should join the drama club.

Female Student: Given your artistic flair, we’d be more than happy to have you in our club.
 Q: The woman expresses her opinion about the change described in the article. Briefly
summarize the change. Then state her opinion about the change and explain the reasons she
gives for that opinion.

The university drama club is planning to perform some street plays in addition to the plays
performed on campus. The head of the club feels that doing this will not only help in raising
public awareness of social causes, but will also motivate the students to do better and improve
their confidence.
The woman fully agrees with the head of the club. She holds that street plays have a much
wider reach when compared to conventional theater performances. She believes that by
performing on the streets, students will get an opportunity to spread public awareness on a
much larger scale.
She also believes that this initiative of the club will not only help boost its members’
confidence by giving them an opportunity to perform in public alongside their peers, but will
also encourage more students to join the club since it offers a more ‘real’ experience.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Practice Questions- Task 3 (Academic)
The second integrated task in the TOEFL speaking section, i.e. Task 3 is based on an academic topic. Similar to TOEFL task
2, the Academic speaking test also includes three parts to this task:
 Passage: Read a short passage (of around 100 words) on an academic topic.
 Recorded Lecture: Listen to a lecture (of around 90 seconds) in which the lecturer will elaborate on the subject
in the reading passage by adding more details and giving specific examples.
 Question: Combine and convey important information from the passage and the lecture while answering the
question.
The topics for the question are drawn from various fields: life science, social science, physical science, and the
humanities. Although the topics are academic in nature, you do not need any prior knowledge to understand the reading
passage and the lecture, or to answer the question that follows.
In fact, it is recommended that you do not include any ‘extra’ information when responding to this task. The reading
passage and pre recorded-lecture will provide all the information you would require to respond to the task.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 3 Sample Question and Answer
Direction: Read a passage, afterwards listen to the lecture and respond to the question. You will get 15-30 seconds to
prepare your response and 45-60 seconds to speak.
Man vs. nature conflict refers to the conflicts that occur when a literary character faces
resistance from a natural force. This natural force can include the weather, wildlife, the
wilderness, or a natural disaster. In man vs. nature conflict, a common theme is for a natural
event to force a character to look within themselves and consider their internal strengths to
meet the challenges they face. The characters usually end up confronting their powerlessness
and mortality in the face of the natural world. Therefore, the essence of the man versus nature
conflict can be summarized thus: man struggles with human emotions, while nature charges
forward undeterred.
Read the transcript
Narrator: Now listen to part of a lecture from a Literature class

Professor: One of the conflicts that can be seen in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is
that between man and nature. Romeo and Juliet are two star-crossed lovers from two warring
families.
When Romeo kills a member of the Capulet family, he is exiled from Verona. On the eve of his
banishment from Verona, Juliet—who understandably wants to spend more time with her
love, mistakes the singing outside her window to belong to the nightingale—a symbol for the
night. Upon realizing that it was a lark—the messenger of the morning—Juliet is forced to let
 Romeo leave. Nature, thus, hinders the couple from spending more time together.
Another instance can be seen when the messenger, who is supposed to carry an important
letter to Romeo detailing the plan for Juliet to fake her own death, is detained by a plague
threat. The letter, which would have explained to Romeo that Juliet was still alive and that he
could whisk her away when she awakens from her death-like slumber, is not delivered to
Romeo in time. As a result, when Romeo sees Juliet’s still body, he decides to take his own life.
Juliet also follows suit when she wakes up from her slumber and sees him lying dead.

Q: Using the examples provided by the lecture, explain the man vs. nature conflict.

When in a literary work, the character encounters some resistance from natural forces, it is
known as the man vs nature conflict. The professor, here, takes the example of two characters
in William Shakespeare’s play — Romeo and Juliet. They are lovers who come from rival
families.
The first instance he provides is of the lark’s song. This song prevents the couple from spending
some much-needed quality time together. Thus, the lark, here, serves as a symbol of nature
intervening in their love.
Another instance is when the messenger who carries an important letter to Romeo detailing a
crucial plan is held back by a plague threat. This results in the death of the two lovers. Thus,
the plague—another one of nature’s minions—succeeds in putting a complete end to their
love story.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Sample Question- Task 4 (Academic)
The TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 4 Questions is also associated with the academic topic. However, like task 2 and 3, it
doesn’t offer three parts. It has only two parts:
 Recorded lecture- Listen to a lecture (of around 90 seconds) in which the lecturer explains a term or concept
and provides examples to illustrate it.
 Response to Questions- The question this section usually asks you to summarize the lecture and bring out the
relationship between the examples and the overall topic.
For this task, you will have to use your listening and speaking skills in order to complete.
Similarly, like task 3, the topics for the question are drawn from a variety of fields like Life Science, Social Science, Physical
Science, and the Humanities. To complete this task also, you do not require any prior knowledge to understand the
lecture or answer the follow up question.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 3 Sample Question and Answer
Direction: Listen to part of a lecture of a class and response to the question.
Professor: “Déjà vu” describes the uncanny sensation that you’ve already experienced
something, even when you know you never have. Say you’re exploring a new city for the first
time. And all at once, you feel as if you’ve walked down that exact tree-lined footpath before.
You know that you haven’t been there before. So, then, why do you experience that feeling of
familiarity?
One theory suggests that déjà vu has to do with how you process and recall memories. Déjà vu
can happen in response to an event that resembles something you’ve experienced, but don’t
remember. Even though you can’t access that memory, your brain still knows you’ve been in a
similar situation. This process of implicit memory leads to the somewhat odd feeling of
familiarity. If you could recall the similar memory, you’d be able to link the two and likely
wouldn’t experience déjà vu at all. This commonly happens when you see a particular scene,
like the inside of a building or a natural panorama that’s very similar to one you don’t
remember.
Instances of déjà vu in healthy individuals may also be attributed to a ‘mismatch’ in the brain’s
neural pathways. This could be because the brain is constantly attempting to create whole
 perceptions of the world around us with limited input. For example, it only takes a small
amount of sensory information—like a familiar smell—for the brain to create a detailed
recollection. This may produce the unsettling feeling that we’ve experienced a new moment
before.

Q: Using points and examples from the talk, explain how déjà vu occurs.

The professor, in her lecture, discusses two potential causes of déjà vu. The professor describes
déjà vu as the uncanny sensation someone gets when they feel as if they have experienced an
unfamiliar situation before.
The first theory states that déjà vu occurs when our current experience is similar to a past
forgotten experience. So, even though you cannot recollect that experience, your brain is—
causing you to feel as though you have been in this situation before.
Another theory states that déjà vu occurs when the brain attempts to make sense of the world
using the limited information it receives. The lecturer talks about how a familiar smell could
sometimes evoke a detailed recollection in our minds. And this may cause us to feel that we
have experienced that event before.
TOEFL Speaking Questions Answers Tips
 Develop a General Template
Since, you would have less time to prepare for speaking test responses, It would be convenient if you have a template to
format your answer, that includes important details.
Sample template for Speaking Test
Task 1 (Response Task 2 (Response Task 3 (Response Task 4 (Response
Template) Template) Template) Template)

Main speaker’s Main idea of passage and Main idea of the

State your opinion opinion lecture lecture

Reason #1 for Reason #1 for Detail #1 from

opinion opinion Detail #1 from Passage lecture

Details for reason Corresponding detail #1 Detail #2 from

Detail for reason #1 #1 from lecture lecture

Reason #2 for Reason #2 for Detail #2 from Passage (if Detail #3 from
opinion opinion any) lecture

Detail for reason #2 Details for reason Corresponding detail #2 Detail #4 from
And Conclusion #2 from lecture lecture (if any)
 Take ‘good’ notes
Integrated speaking tasks that require you to summarize the information presented in a reading passage and/or listening
audio, you need to make ‘good’ notes within the time allotted for you. So, you need to be strategic when you take notes.
Don’t jot down everything you read or hear word for word; instead, jot down keywords or phrases that will remind you
of what you want to say. Also, try to draw connections between ideas when you take notes. You can do this through the
use of arrows. While making notes, ensure that you include all the important points discussed in the reading passage
and/or listening audio accurately.
 Don’t Exaggerate Your Response
Since TOEFL doesn’t offer you a long time to speak. Don’t exaggerate your answer. Try to speak your answers simple,
crisp, and interesting. In your answer, try to compile important points and eliminate repetitive sentences, synonymous,
and paraphrasing the same statement. Moreover, let your response stay natural without focusing much over your accent
and pronunciation. However, while responding keep in mind that your words and sentences are clear and precise.
 Memorize Some General Used Phrases
Since you have limited time, it’s good to memorize some phrases that you can use while responding to the question.
Such phrase examples are: “This person believes that”, “This person holds that”, “This person argues that”, “This
person’s view is that”, “This person’s point is that”, “The lecture stated”, “The reading stated”, “The reading presented”,
and “The lecture offered”. In addition to this, try to learn a minimum of two new words (including spelling,
pronunciation, meaning) every day. This will help you in all sections of the TOEFL exam.
 Practice
Practice is king to qualify in any exam. To get a good score in your speaking section, you can practice with sample TOEFL
questions, previous year question paper sets, and study materials. However, you can also practice your TOEFL speaking
section questions while performing your day-to-day activities. For example, you could improve your note-making skills by
making notes during class lectures and while reading your course textbook. You can, then, improve your speaking skills
by summarizing what you learned from the lecture and textbook.
A bonus tip for speaking section question practice is to always record your answer and hear it back. So, you could
evaluate your performance and ensure you can convey your answer in the allotted time.
 Go with the Easier Choice
In independent tasks, the questions TOEFL usually asks you are choice based. Since, you don’t get scored for what your
opinion is but for how well you can support your statement. Select the option for which you will be able to come up with
more points quickly; this is irrespective of whether or not it matches your personal opinion.
For example, if the question is about whether you prefer online or offline classes, and you have more points to state why
online classes are better, go ahead and select that option, even if you personally believe that offline classes are better.
This will help you save some valuable time.
 Use your preparation time effectively
As, TOEFL speaking test has a fixed time, don’t spend all TOEFL preparation time jotting down the points. Set aside 5 or
10 seconds to plan how you would like to start and conclude your response. Remember, both the introduction and the
conclusion are important parts of any response. So, planning them beforehand will help you feel more confident while
giving your response.
Conclusion
TOEFL IBT speaking questions and answers are important for the students to practice for the TOEFL test and ace the
exam, which doesn’t only examine the speaking skills but touches on and evaluates other parts of the test like reading
and listening. Preparing for TOEFL requires a student’s study environment, quality study materials, constant guidance,
and motivation. Study abroad institute Galvanize helps students to get good scores in TOEFL and fulfill their dream to
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FAQs Related to TOEFL Speaking Questions
 What are the questions for TOEFL speaking?
The TOEFL Questions can be based on choice, summarizing the passage, speaking about any point of view after listening
to a conversation/lecture, and/or reading passages on the same topic. Some general speaking questions include:
 Describe any one of the worst moments of your life and what you have learned from it.
 What would you prefer between offline and online studies and why?
 What do you like about watching the news on television?
 How do I practice speaking for TOEFL?
You can use these tips to prepare for your TOEFL speaking test practice:
 Develop a general template for your response.
 Practice with your day-to-day activities.
 Record your responses.
 Analyze your performance, including your answer duration and accent.
 Is TOEFL speaking easy?
TOEFL exam pattern difficulty level differs from person to person. If one has a better understanding of the English
language and speaking quality, that person can find the TOEFL speaking test easily. However, with better practice,
learning some important phrases, and time management skills, you can make the TOEFL speaking section easy for you.
 What are the 4 tasks of speaking in TOEFL?
The four Tasks in the TOEFL Speaking Section include:
 Task 1: Independent Speaking Task (Explain a Choice)
 Task 2: Integrated Speaking Task (Read a passage, listen to a conversation, and respond to the question)
 Task 3: Integrated Speaking Task (Read about a topic, listen to a classroom lecture, and response to the answer)
 Task 4: Integrated Speaking Task (Listen to a classroom lecture and respond to the answer)