Types of TOEFL Speaking Questions Prep. by Ms Jasmine

Question TypeDescriptionTimingExample

Announcement/ Discussion

Reading/Listening/ Speaking

Campus-based SituationRead a notice or announcement related to some aspect of university life and then hear two students discuss the written notice.You then report what was in the notice and what one of the students thought about it.Reading: 45 secDiscussion: 60~80 sec

Preparation time: 30 secResponse time: 60 secThe man expresses his opinion of the notice. State his opinion and explain the reason he gives for having that opinion.

General /Specific

Reading/Listening/ Speaking

Academic SituationRead a passage from a textbook or academic article about a general concept or theory. Next you hear a lecture about a specific example of this concept or application of this theory. You then summarize the reading and lecture and discuss the relation between the two.Reading: 45 secDiscussion: 60~90 sec

Preparation time: 30 secResponse time: 60 secThe professor describes A (a specific point). Explain how A is related to X ( a general idea).

Problem/ Solution

Listening/Speaking

Campus-based situation

You hear two students discussing a problem that one of them has and two possible solutions to this problem. You must summarize the problem and explain which of the two solutions you prefer.Conversation: 60~90 sec

Preparation time: 20 secResponse time: 60 secThe students discuss a problem that the man is having. Describe the problem. Then explain which of the two solutions you think is better and give reasons why.

Summary

Listening/ Speaking

Academic situationYou hear a lecture or a classroom discussion. You must summarize the main points of the lecture/ discussion.Lecture/ Discussion : 90~120 sec

Preparation time: 20 secResponse time: 60 secUsing specific points and examples from the lecture, explain how the process of Z( the topic of the lecture) occurs.

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