Learn about the TOEFL Speaking

The TOEFL Speaking Section

The Speaking Section consists of four questions, which are always presented in the same order:

  • Task 1: 

    • Independent opinion question (“Do you agree or disagree with the following....”).

    • 15 seconds to prepare, 45 seconds to speak. 

  • Task 2: 

    • Read a 75-100 word announcement (university related) in 45-50 seconds.

    • The text is then replaced by a picture of two people. 

    • Listen to a conversation between a man and a woman about the announcement (60-80 seconds). 

    • Task: Briefly summarize the plan presented in the announcement. Then state the dominant speaker’s opinion on the plan and the reasons he/she gives.

    • 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak. 

  • Task 3: 

o Read a 75-100 word academic passage in 45-50 seconds. 

o Listen to a lecture related to the passage. The lecture will provide either one or two examples of the concept presented in the reading. 

o Task: Explain the concept using the examples from the talk. 

o 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak. 

  • Task 4: 

o Listen to a lecture that presents two concepts and examples of each (60-90 seconds). 

o Task: Explain the two concepts, using the examples from 

the lecture. 

o 20 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak. 

Speaking-Task Templates

  • Template for Question 1:

Repeat wording from prompt in formulating your answer "I think it is better to/I prefer X... “. Then you have two options as to how to proceed. You can:

  1. give a list of reasons as to why one option is good and/or the alternative is worse. ("I think it is better to/I prefer X...  First,... Second, … Third,....)

  2. talk about a concrete detailed experience that supports your position ("I think it is better to/I prefer X... now launch into your story).


  • Template for Question 2:
    There are two options as to how to build this response:

  1. "The man/woman supports/opposes the plan/policy/decision/proposal to/that....  First, she/he says that… Second, he/she thinks that…." 

  2. “The plan/policy/decision/proposal is that/to…. The man/woman opposes/supports this plan. First, she/he says that… Second, he/she thinks that….”

  • Template for Question 3:

Repeat the concept presented in the text and then go through the one or two examples presented in the lecture:
“X is/means … For example, ….”
Note: In the worst case scenario in which you were not able to understand or remember  the concept presented in the text, skip the first sentence and only retell the examples.

  • Template for Question 4:

Spend half the response presenting the first concept and its example and the other half presenting the second concept and its example:

“One …. is…., which means….  For example,…. A second … is…, which means…  For example, ….”


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