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.