Free TOEFL Speaking Samples

An easy way to get a high score on the TOEFL independent speaking tasks is to think of your answer as
a mini essay. Of course, you have only 45 seconds in total, so your introduction and conclusion may be
only one line each. Even so, by including them, you provide a complete answer.
INTRODUCTION: The introduction should immediately answer the question asked in the task. State
clearly what you are going to speak about or what you prefer. This is like the thesis statement in an
essay.
BODY: The body is where you provide the reasons, details or examples to explain or support your
answer.
CONCLUSION: Your last sentence allows you to conclude in a logical, powerful and convincing way.
Lets look at some sample TOEFL speaking tasks below. You can practice for your exam by reading
the answers aloud. In this way, youll have a better idea how to structure your own answer on exam
day.
FREE TOEFL SPEAKING SAMPLE 1 - TASK 1
Describe something that you do to reduce stress. Explain why it is helpful. Include details and
examples to support your answer.
Introduction
Reading books helps me to relieve stress like nothing else can.
Body
This is true for several reasons. First, when I read a book I mentally enter the world of ideas. I
can forget my day-to-day worries.
Second, from an emotional angle, reading is a solitary act. It enables me to spend time alone, away
from others. This helps me feel more peaceful.
Third, from a physical perspective, reading allows me to stop working and relax my
body. At home, I like to read while lying in bed or on the sofa.
Conclusion
The act of reading transports me to another world. Thats why books are good friends and why
reading is such an effective way of reducing my level of stress.

FREE TOEFL SPEAKING SAMPLE 1 - ANALYSIS

The response above would get a high score for several reasons:
What
It answered the question fully.
How
It was grammatically correct.
It used simple, clear vocabulary.
Why
It spoke about the actual topic, and not some other topic.
It proceeded logically, from introduction to body to conclusion.
It used transition words, such as first, second and third.
It gave three reasons: mental, emotional and physical
It gave three details /examples: to forget worries, to feel more peaceful, to lie on bed / sofa
The conclusion reinforced the fact that the speaker had understood the task clearly.

Free TOEFL Independent Speaking Samples - Task 1

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.

Free TOEFL Independent Speaking Samples - Task 2

TASK 2 - SAMPLE 1
Do you like to try new kinds of food or eat the same kind of food all the time? Use details and
examples to support your answer.
Introduction
I prefer to eat the food I know most of the time.
Body
From the time I was young, I was always a bit fussy and finicky about eating. I dont really know the
reason why. I never liked to feel an unfamiliar taste in my mouth. Its almost as if I could tell how
foods tasted without trying them, and so I restricted my diet to those foods I really enjoyed.
As I got older, I realized that I was actually very healthy, even if I was a little thin. So I continued to eat
the foods I loved, when I was at home or in restaurants. I never enjoyed going to peoples homes for
dinner because the choices would be limited and I didnt know in advance what they were going to
cook.
Conclusion
Oh well, everyone has their pet peeves and this one is mine!

TASK 2 - SAMPLE 2
Do you prefer to go out to dinner or stay home and cook a meal? Use reasons to support your
response.
Introduction
I love cooking in my own home.
Body
There are so many reasons for this. First, financially, its impossible to eat out often. You would end up
spending a lot of extra money for no reason.
Second, health-wise, when I cook at home, I have control and can produce much more nutritious meals.
Outside, I have no idea of the quality or quantity of the ingredients they have used.
Third, emotionally, cooking at home makes me feel relaxed, happy and secure. It gives me a warm
feeling to know that my home smells of the delicious food that I have cooked. I also enjoy sharing a
meal with my loved ones.
Conclusion
Thats why I only eat out on very special occasions or when I have no choice.

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.