The TOEFL, is entirely multiple choice, while the IELTS has a mix of short answers and essay questions.
An Introduction to TOEFL Speaking Topics: The TOEFL Speaking section lasts 20 minutes and includes six tasks. You’ll be able to take notes during this entire section. In TOEFL Speaking, there are two independent speaking tasks and four integrated tasks. For integrated tasks, test-takers will need to use more than one skill when responding. The individual tasks will be described in more detail in the next sections.
Also, it’s important to know that you won’t be speaking to a real person during this section. Instead, you’ll hear recorded conversations and respond by speaking into a microphone. After your exam, TOEFL graders will then listen to your responses. This section tests your ability to speak effectively in academic settings. You’ll be graded on how completely you answer each question, your ability to speak clearly and coherently, and your vocabulary and grammar.
The following three sections explain the three format types you’ll see on the Speaking section. There are two tasks for each format type, and for each format type I’ll give an official sample question, explain the format of the tasks, and end with tips on how to approach the tasks.
An Introduction to TOEFL Speaking Topics
The TOEFL Speaking section lasts 20 minutes and includes six tasks. You’ll be able to take notes during this entire section. In TOEFL Speaking, there are two independent speaking tasks and four integrated tasks. For integrated tasks, test-takers will need to use more than one skill when responding. The individual tasks will be described in more detail in the next sections.
Also, it’s important to know that you won’t be speaking to a real person during this section. Instead, you’ll hear recorded conversations and respond by speaking into a microphone. After your exam, TOEFL graders will then listen to your responses. This section tests your ability to speak effectively in academic settings. You’ll be graded on how completely you answer each question, your ability to speak clearly and coherently, and your vocabulary and grammar.
The following three sections explain the three format types you’ll see on the Speaking section. There are two tasks for each format type, and for each format type I’ll give an official sample question, explain the format of the tasks, and end with tips on how to approach the tasks.
How to Approach the Tasks
The two independent speaking questions will ask a question on a familiar topic you can speak about without the help of outside materials. You’ll be giving your opinion or describing information you know. Many students find these two to be the least challenging of the Speaking tasks, but that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to be easy or that you can just talk about whatever you want.
The most important part of these questions is the “why”. You’ll always be asked to support your answer, whether by explaining why you feel a certain way or by giving examples that justify your answer. The key to answering these questions well is to give specific examples and details to support your main idea. Don’t be vague or wishy-washy with your answers; make a strong argument for your opinion and let the grader know exactly why you feel the way you do.
How to Approach the Tasks
The two independent speaking questions will ask a question on a familiar topic you can speak about without the help of outside materials. You’ll be giving your opinion or describing information you know. Many students find these two to be the least challenging of the Speaking tasks, but that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to be easy or that you can just talk about whatever you want.
The most important part of these questions is the “why”. You’ll always be asked to support your answer, whether by explaining why you feel a certain way or by giving examples that justify your answer. The key to answering these questions well is to give specific examples and details to support your main idea. Don’t be vague or wishy-washy with your answers; make a strong argument for your opinion and let the grader know exactly why you feel the way you do.
1.2 2020 Speaking Topics with Sample Answers
These are 20 popular TOEFL speaking topics in 2019-2020 exams. The sample answers are to give you inspirations to prepare speaking questions. Please don’t use these answers directly in any real test scenarios. If an examiner thinks you are copying answers from the Internet, he or she hardly reward you a good score.
1: Describe a place you have never been to but like to go someday.
2: If your friends from other country are going to visit your country, where do you suggest them to go?
3: What are the significant features of cafe or restaurant you like
4: Do you think we should keep or save the old building in the city?
5: Describe a place, for example, a seashore park in your city where you often visit.
6: Describe an important gift you have, tell us why it is important.
7: Did you have any work experiences before? Describe any of your work.
8: Describe the most impressive moment in your life.
9: How do you acquire knowledge? Give us some examples.
10: Do you prefer to choose a profession that requires you to work in a group?
11: Is there any invention that changed your life most recently?
12: Which study method do you prefer, online courses or traditional classroom?
13: Describe a painting you have seen before.Why do you like it or dislike it?
14: What kind of friends do you like? Tell the main reason.
15: What do you like to read in your free time? For example, magazine, newspaper, or book.
16: Do you like to live with roommates or live alone?
17: Someone focuses on one job throughout life; others like to change from one job to another.Which one do you think is better? Why?
18: Some people think life in modern time is easier than our grandparents, do you agree with it?
19: Do you agree that childhood is the happiest time in life?
20: How do you think about university education? Some people think it’s important, and some don’t.
21: Describe one of your favorite songs or one of your favorite movies.
. What is the most useful book for you? Why?
22. Is TV positive or negative to modern society? Give your choice.
23. Describe the most important decision that you made in your life.
24. Do you think the high school should teach music and art as other basic science?
25. After school, how do you spend your time usually?
26. Should mobile phones be forbidden in some places?
27. Describe a celebration or moment that impressed you very much.
28. Which one acts more influence on you, newspaper, TV, or teachers?
29. Describe a social or politics celebration events in your culture.
30. Should the government pay bill for museums and theatres? Explain your argument.
21. Where is your favorite place in your city? Why?
22. Where do you like to visit with friends?
23. Do you prefer having meals at home?
24. What park is your favorite one?
25. Big city or small town, which do you prefer to go to college?
26. Magazine, novel, poem, which do you prefer to read?
27. Do you like living alone or with a roommate?
28. Which is a common choice for your party: restaurant, café, or home?
29. Computers have improved our lives while others think computers have caused problems.
30. Talk about a teacher.
31 Do you prefer to work at an office or home?
32. Talk about someone you respect.
33. Should a university be open to all students?
34. Should parents lead their children to watch TV? Or the children should choose by themselves.
25. What is the most efficient transportation in your country?
Sample Set 2
0. Some people like to do indoor activities in their free time, and others prefer to enjoy outdoor activities, which do you prefer and why? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
1. If you got extra money, would you save the money or spend it immediately? Include reasons and details to support your explanation.
2. Some people prefer to take a long vacation while others prefer to take several short vacations, which do you prefer and why? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
3. Some people like to watch action movies; others prefer to watch comedies, which type of movie do you prefer, and why? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
4. Some people prefer to travel alone; other people prefer to join a tour group, which do you prefer and why? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
5. Do you like to attend a college or university full-time or part-time? Why do you think your choice is better than the other, explain by using details and examples.
6. Some people prefer to go to the movie theatre; others prefer to rent a movie, which do you think is better and why? Include reasons and details to support your explanation.
7. Would you prefer to select your own roommate or let the university assign a roommate to you? Include reasons and details to support your explanation.
8. Which do you think is more helpful to the students: internet materials or textbook materials, why do you think so? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
26. What is the most important invention of the last 100 years?
27. Should college students be successful in career easier than ones without college education? Why?
28. Talk about characteristics of friends.
29. Someone suggests school to cut the recycling. Try to comment on it.
30. Do you want to be a leader? Or to be a follower?
31. Which one do you think is better to help do research: internet or academic books?
32. In general, where do people get information? From TV, newspaper, and other media, or family and friends?
33. What is your ideal job?
34. Do you prefer to take an extended vacation or several short vacations in a year?
35. What are the characteristics of a good parent?
36. Do you prefer to study alone on assignment from class or to study in a group?
37. What is your goal in the future?
38. Describe a challenging experience.
39. Do we should choose a major for job hunting or just for our interests?
40. What sort of movies do you like? Comedy, drama, or others?
41. What will you do to relax?
42. Is it essential for students to attend class regularly or study by oneself?
43. Describe an enjoyable event in your childhood
44. Describe one of your schools?
45. Should school add Sport courses for generic students?
46. What do you miss most when you are away from home?
47. Some people believe that we should give a hand in severe cases without hesitate; others argue that you should ensure not to cause new troubles.
48. Describe a special opportunity given to you.
49. Talk about a good leader.
50. Should people always tell the truth?
51. Describe an object which is very important to you
52. Do you agree that we can judge a person by appearance at first glance?
53. What is your choice: job or career?
54. If you have much money, how do you spend?
55. What should students do in their vacations?
56. Describe a happy event in childhood, explain why it is memorable.
57. Communicate with your family and friends by letter, e-mail, or by telephone. What is your option?
58. Your favorite time of a year.
59. Some people want to have a relaxed and unhurried life, do you agree with it?
60. What is your favorite room?
61. In a journey, some used to get destination directly, and some enjoy the procedure to reach the goal. How about your opinion?
62. When you get a restaurant or café, about what features do you care?
63. In city development, do we keep old building? Or replace them with a new building?
64. Do you prefer to get advice from family and friends, or learning through personal experience?
65. Do you agree or disagree: Students should wear uniform in school?
66. Compare online courses with traditional courses.
67. Talk about a subject that will lead to a better job or that you are interested.
68. Some think college experience is important, and some think not important. What is your opinion?
69. Describe a letter or poem that is important to you.
70. Forest, desert, where do you like to live?
71. Experience of asking help from others. How do the others help you?
72. High salary job or high personal satisfied job, which is your choice?
73. Student should do part-time job or summer intern to learn what sort of jobs is proper to him/her, do you agree?
74. What skill do you want to learn?
75. Is it a good idea to have a one-year break before college study?
76. Talk about some good news about yourself.
77. Should freshmen live alone or with seniors in the same building?
78. Students will learn more when they have discussions. Do you agree with it?
79. Do you agree or disagree: “The most important lesson can’t be learned in class.”
80. Should the university education be free?
2.3 Question and Answer Samples with Audio
TOEFL Speaking test is based on machine, speak loudly when exercising is very important to show your speaking skill at real test scenario. Follow the samples and mock the styles, try your best!
Sample Set 1
0. What is the best class you have taken in school? Why was it the best in your opinion? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
1. What makes you choose a restaurant, why is it important to you? Include details and examples to support your explanation.
2. What is your dream job? Include reasons and details in your explanation.
3. Which custom of your country do you think people in other countries should adopt? Include reasons and details to support your explanation.
4. What is the most memorable event in high school? Give reasons why and include details and examples to support your explanation.
5. Describe a moment of obstacle you have to overcome, include reasons and details to support your explanation.
6. Which public place do you enjoy going to, why do you enjoy going that? Include details and examples in your explanation.
7. What is the most innovative invention? Explain why that event is memorable. Include details and examples to support your explanation.
8. What is the most popular sport in your country? Why is it popular? Include details and examples in your explanation.
