TOEFL Speaking:

Question One Template (Personal Choice)

Main Point (pick one)
• “I agree with the idea that…”

• “I think it is better to…”

• “I think it is a great/terrible idea to…”

Transition (optional)
• “I feel this way for several reasons.”

First Reason
• “First…” + “For example…” (and a personal example)

Second Reason
• “Second…” + “To be more specific…” (and a few more details)

Question Two Template (Campus Announcement)

Reading Main Point
• “According to the announcement/article/letter…”

Reasons from Reading

• “This is because ___ and ___.”

Transition
• “There are two reasons why the man supports/opposes this change.”

• “The man has a mixed opinion of this change.” (only for mixed-opinion
conversations)

First Reason
• “First of all, he argues that…”

Second Reason
• “Moreover, he mentions that…”
Question Three Template (General to Specific)
Stating the Term or Idea
• “The reading is about (TERM/CONCEPT)”

Give a Small Amount of Detail from the Reading

• “It states that…”

Transition
• “The professor elaborates on this by providing an example.”

• “The professor elaborates on this by providing two examples.”

First Example/First Part

• “To begin with, he/she mentions that…”

Second Example/Second Part

• “Next, he/she says that…”

Question Four Template (Academic Lecture

Stating the Lecture Subject and detail
• “The lecturer explains SUBJECT/TERM by giving two examples/an
example.”

First Example/First Part (3-5 sentences)

• “First, she/he describes…”

Second Example/Second part (3-5 sentences)

• “Second, she mentions…”

Give a Short Conclusion

• “These examples (this example) demonstrate…”
About TOEFL Speaking Question One
TOEFL Speaking question 1 is the independent TOEFL speaking
question. It is also called the “personal choice” question. Currently, this
question has three main styles:
• Agree/Disagree (about 50% of the time)
• Paired Choice (about 30% of the time)
• Good Idea (about 20% of the time)

You will be given 15 seconds to prepare your answer, and 45 seconds to

speak.

Note that “multiple choice” and “advantages/disadvantages” questions are

no longer used.

Sample Questions
Style One: Agree/Disagree
This is the most common style. You are given a statement (usually a single
sentence) and asked whether you agree or disagree with it. It looks like
this:

“State whether you agree or disagree with the following statement. Then
explain your reasons using specific details in your argument. Teachers
should assign daily homework to students.”

“Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should
help their parents with household chores as soon as they are old enough.
Use details and examples in your response.”

Style Two: Paired Choice

In this style you must pick between two contrasting choices. It looks like
this:

“There are many different approaches to academic studies, and all of them
have specific benefits. Do you prefer to study for tests in a group, or to
study alone? Include details and examples to support your explanation.”
“Some people like to watch television news programs every day, while
others like to watch them only now and then. Which do you prefer? Include
details and examples to support your explanation.”

Style Three: Good Idea

In this style a choice or situation is described. You should state if you
think it is a good idea. It looks like this:

Some companies have rules that forbid employees from using personal cell
phones during working hours. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why
not? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Nowadays, some people use extreme methods, including surgery, to

change their appearance. They do this because they want to look more
attractive. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your answer with
details and examples.

Answer Template
The good news is that no matter what style you get, you can use the same
template to organize your answer. Feel free to use just one reason if you
speak slowly. In that case, eliminate the transition.

Main Point (pick one)

• “I agree with the idea that…”

• “I think it is better to…”

• “I think it is a great/terrible idea to…”

Transition (optional)

• “I feel this way for several reasons.”

First Reason

• “First…” + A reason + A personal example

Second Reason

• “Secondly…: + A reason
Tips and Tricks
• Avoid Repeating Words. Vary your vocabulary as much as possible.
• Use discourse phrases like “as a result,” “consequently,” “moreover,”
and “therefore” to link ideas.
• Use a mix of simple and compound sentences.
• Don’t directly copy the prompt.
• Avoid using idioms. They just lead to trouble.

Sample Answer
Main Point

• I agree with the idea that children should be given homework on a

daily basis.

Transition

• I feel this way for several reasons.

First Reason

• First, homework helps children to remember their lessons for a much

longer period of time. The only real way for young people to absorb a
lesson is to actually go home and repeat it as much as possible. In the
long run this leads to a lot more academic success.

Second Reason

• Secondly, working together on school assignments gives children and

parents a great opportunity to bond. For example, I got a lot of daily
homework when I was in elementary school. Every evening I went home
and worked on it with my mom and dad, and I asked them questions
whenever I had trouble. As a result, we became really close.
About TOEFL Speaking Question Two
Here’s how TOEFL speaking question two works:
• You will read a short announcement, article or letter.
• It will describe a change that is happening, or it will propose a
change. It will mention two reasons why the change will be made
(or should be made). You will have 45 seconds to read it.
• Next, you will hear two students talk about the reading. One of the
students will agree with the change, disagree with the change, or
(rarely) have a mixed opinion.
• He/she will give two reasons for their support or opposition. These
reasons will address the reasons for the change mentioned in the
reading.
• After hearing the conversation, you will be asked to summarize what
you have read and listened to. You will have 30 seconds to prepare
your answer, and 60 seconds to speak.

Content and Length

The reading part is about 100 words long, and you are given 45 seconds to
read it and take notes.
The changes are often related to:
• Buildings on a university campus
• Classes and majors at a university
• Transportation on a university campus
• Extra-Curricular activities at a university (sports, clubs, etc.)

The conversation is usually about 1.5 minutes long. It is always between a

man and a woman. The speaker seems to support the change 50% of the
time, and oppose it 50% of the time.

The Question Prompt

The question will look something like this:
“The woman expresses her opinion of the university’s plan. State her
opinion and the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.”
After the prompt is displayed, you will have 30 seconds to prepare. You
cannot see the reading while you prepare or speak.

Answer Template
The good news is that you can always use the same template to organize
your answer to TOEFL speaking question 2. Try this one:
Reading Main Point
• “According to the announcement/article/letter…”

Reasons from Reading

• “This is because ___ and ___.”

Transition
• “The man/woman opposes this.”

• “The man/woman supports this.”

• “The man/woman has a mixed opinion of this.”

First Reason
• “To begin with, he/she points out that…”

Second Reason
• “Moreover, he/she argues that…”

Tips and Tricks

• Link ideas by using discourse phrases like “as a result,”
“consequently,” “moreover,” and “therefore.”
• Spend about 10-13 seconds talking about the reading… at most.
Spend the rest talking about the conversation. Remember that most
of your score is based on the listening part.
• If you are a slow speaker, don’t mention the reasons for the change.
• Use a mix of simple and compound sentences.

Sample Answer
(this is based on a question from my video guide to this task)

• According to the announcement the campus fitness center will be

closed.
• This is because the school can’t afford to maintain it properly,
and students can go to private gyms in the city for free.

• The woman opposes this.

• To begin with, she points out that they will still have to maintain
the building even if the fitness center closes because it could
become a dangerous fire hazard. On top of that, it will be expensive
to tear down the building and replace it with something else.

• Moreover, she argues that all of the gyms in the city are quite far
from the university, so it could be hard for students to reach them if
they don’t have their own car. Additionally, it can be hard to find a
taxi from campus into the city late at night.
About TOEFL Speaking Question Three
Here’s how TOEFL speaking question 3 works:
• First, you will read a short (about 100 words) article on an academic topic. You
will have 45 seconds to read it.
• Next, you will hear a short lecture (1-2 minutes) about the same topic. The
lecture will explain the topic using either one or two examples.
• Finally, you will be asked to summarize the reading and lecture.
• You will be given 30 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.

The Reading
The reading is usually about a specific term or concept. It has a clear
title. In about five sentences it defines the term and give some basic
details. When I surveyed 500 students in 2019, they said the most
common topics were:
• Biology/Animals – 60%
• Business/Marketing – 20%
• Psychology/Learning – 10%
• Art/History/Literature – 10%

The Listening
The lecture is usually about 1.5 minutes long. It is about the same term or
idea from the reading. It includes one or two examples that demonstrate
the term or idea.

The Question Prompt

The question will look something like one of these:
• Describe what _____ is, and how the professor’s example illustrates this idea.
• Describe how the example of the ____ illustrates the concept of ____.
• Explain the concept of _____ using the examples of ____ and ____ given in the
lecture.
 • Using the examples from the lecture, explain the concept of ______.

Answer Templates
The good news is that you can always use the same template to organize
your answer to TOEFL speaking question three. Try using this one:

Stating the Term or Idea using the Reading

• According to the reading [CONCEPT] is [DETAILS].

Transition
• “The professor elaborates on this.

First Example
• “First, he explains [summarize the first example]. He says [details].

Second Example/Second Part

• “Second, he explains [summarize the second example]. He mentions [details]

If there is just one example, omit the “second example” part of the
template.

Tips and Tricks

• Try to use transitional phrases like “as a result,” “consequently,” “moreover,”
and “therefore.”
• Spend about 10-13 seconds summarizing the reading… at most. Remember
that most of your score is based on the listening summary.
• Use a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences if possible.
• Paraphrase, but don’t be obsessed.

Sample Answer
(this is based on a question from my video guide)
• According to the reading convergent evolution is when animals
living far apart from each other evolve the same features or
characteristics.
• The professor elaborates on this.
• First, he explains why antelope and pronghorns look similar. He
says that their habitats are distant from each other, but both are flat
grasslands with few trees. They need to be able to notice predators
quickly and escape from them. As a result, both species have
evolved legs and lungs that help then run quickly, and huge eyes
that improve their vision.
• Next, he explains that bats and dolphins share a unique
feature. He mentions that bats live in dark caves and hunt at night
and that dolphins live in the ocean, which is also very dark. To
survive without being able to see well, both species have evolved to
use echolocation to spot objects in their surrounding environment.
About Speaking Question Four
Here’s how TOEFL speaking question 4 works:
• First, you will listen to a lecture that is 1.5 to 2 minutes long. It will be
about some academic term, concept or process.
• After it finishes, you will be asked a specific question that requires
you to mostly summarize the lecture.
• You will be given 20 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.
Note that this is the same as question six on the old version of the TOEFL.

The Listening
The lecture is usually 1.5 minutes or 2 minutes long. It will be about an
academic term, concept, process. This term will likely be illustrated using
two examples. In some cases it could be illustrated using one example
with two clear parts (before/after, cause/effect, etc).
The lecture starts with a short introduction that states and defines the
subject (3-5 sentences). After the introduction the example(s) are given.
A survey of 600 students in October 2019 suggests the most common
topics in TOEFL speaking question 4 are:
• Biology/Animals – 60%
• Business/Marketing – 17%
• Psychology/Learning – 17%
• Art/History/Literature – 6%

The Question Prompt

The question will look something like one of these:
• Using the example of ______ from the lecture, explain two ways that
(CONCEPT/TERM) is beneficial for animals.

• Using the points and examples from the lecture explain (CONCEPT/TERM).

• Using the example of _____, explain the possible effects of

(CONCEPT/TERM).

• Using the examples of ______ and _____, explain two ways that animals use
(CONCEPT/TERM).
Answer Templates
The good news is that you can always use the same template to organize
your answer for TOEFL speaking question 4. Try using this one:

Stating the Lecture Subject and detail

• “The lecturer explains SUBJECT/TERM by giving two examples/an
example.”

First Example/First Part (3-5 sentences)

• “First, she/he describes…”

Second Example/Second part (3-5 sentences)

• “Second, she mentions…”

Give a Short Conclusion

• “These examples (this example) demonstrate…”

Tips and Tricks

• Try to use transitional phrases like “as a result,” “consequently,”
“moreover,” “for example” and “therefore.”
• Focus mostly on the examples. Those should be about 50 seconds
long.
• If you are a slow speaker, omit the conclusion.
• Use a mix of simple and compound sentences if possible.
• Your conclusion should be a bit more detailed than your
introduction

Sample Answer
(this is based on a question from theofficial ETS practice set)
Introduce the Concept and Transition to the Example
• The lecturer explains pricing strategies by giving two examples.

State the First Example or First Part

• To begin with, she describes setting a high initial price. Often,
companies will make a product expensive at first in order to give it a
positive image. People know it will be cheaper if they wait for a little while,
but they are willing to pay a lot to own it immediately. Many high-tech
products like video recorders, cameras and cell phones are all expensive
at first, but much more affordable later on.

State the Second Example or Second Part

• Second, she mentions how companies might also give their merchandise
a low initial price. Sometimes the market is saturated with a certain type
of product, and as a result manufacturers need to undercut their
competitors. For example, she mentions a new computer company trying
to gain market share. They set a low initial price to both attract people not
usually interested in computers, and get existing buyers to switch brands.
In the future, the company can make money selling parts and accessories
to these people.

Give a Short Conclusion

• These examples illustrate how companies determine the initial prices of
their goods.
About the TOEFL® Speaking Section

The TOEFL Speaking section has four questions. You are given either 45 or
60 seconds to answer each one. They are (in order): Personal
Choice, Campus Announcement, General To Specific, and Academic
Lecture.

Question One
TOEFL Speaking question 1 is the independent TOEFL speaking
question. It is also called the “personal choice” question. Currently, this
question will be written in one of three main styles:
• Agree/Disagree
• Paired Choice
• Good Idea

Question Two
TOEFL Speaking question two is the first integrated TOEFL speaking
question. First you will read a short campus announcement or an article
or letter in a campus newspaper. It will describe some change that is
happening, or it will propose some change that should happen. There will
be two reasons given for the change. You will have 45 seconds to read it.

Next, you will hear two students talk about the reading. One of the
students will agree or disagree with the change. He/she will give two
reasons for their opinion.

After hearing the conversation, you will be asked to summarize what you
have read and listened to. You will have 30 seconds to prepare your
answer, and 60 seconds to speak.
Question Three
TOEFL Speaking question three is another integrated speaking
question. First, you will read a short (about 100 words) article about an
academic topic. You will have 45 seconds to read it. Next, you will hear a
short lecture about the same topic. The lecture will illustrate this topic
using either one or two examples.

Finally, you will be asked to summarize the reading and lecture. You will
be given 30 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.

Question Four
TOEFL Speaking question four is the last integrated speaking question.
First, you will listen to a lecture that is 1.5 to 2 minutes long. It will be
about some academic term, concept or process. The lecture will give one
or two examples of the concept.

After the lecture finishes, you will be asked a specific question that
requires you to summarize the lecture. You will be given 20 seconds to
prepare, and 60 seconds to speak.