TOEFL Speaking

TOEFL - Speaking
Question 1

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TOEFL Speaking Test, Question 1

These are some of the questions you may encounter on the test. Practice and be prepared to present.

Directions: For this task, you will be asked to speak about a topic that is familiar to you. You will hear a question. You will then have 15 seconds to prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.

Question 1 (Independent open-choice):

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 country’s 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.

Scores:

[002] - Score = 3.0 (Generally a good response, very well organized, but the second reason given was a little unclear and brief, and delivery needs a little improvement as well)

[003] - Score = 3.0 (Quite an articulate response, with a strong personal example, but answer needs clearer reasons - more than one - that are organized and developed well)

[004] - Score = 2.0 (Too general, with not enough organization or ideas, specific reasons need to be given which are then supported in detail - also watch pronunciation/delivery, sometimes hard to understand)

[005] - Score = 2.5 (The beginnings of a good response - I certainly like the careful, clear delivery - but the reasons are a little too vague and not supported with enough detail or examples)

[013] - Score = 2.5 (Good attempt, but the reasons don't appear to have any specific organization or support through examples; pronunciation needs work as some parts very difficult to understand; 12 secs over limit)

[014] - Score = 2.5 (Speaking has a lot of potential in terms of fluency, delivery and language use, but the response is 22 seconds over the limit; the supporting examples were too long and restricted the chance to answer the question efficiently within the set time limit)

[015] - Score = 1.5 (Far too hesitant and vague, no real points made in support of preference in terms of detail and examples, well over the time limit)

[016] - Score = 2.5 (Well delivered and generally well organized, but really lacking in detail or supporting examples; 36 seconds over the time limit!)

[017] - Score = 4.0 (Great response, very fluent and clear, excellent organization and support of main reasons - very natural and convincing, spot on with time use)

[018] - Score = 3.0 ~ 3.5 (Good response, with great delivery and super organization, but limited use of real convincing examples to back up any of the reasons given)

[019] - Score = 3.0 (Similar to [018] above, but with more hampered delivery/pronunciation; the fluency, language use and organization is great, but no solid examples backing up any of the main reasons given)

[020] - Score = 2.5 (Good delivery and language use, but reasons could perhaps be applied to either of the preferences, and none of them were backed up with any sort of real example)

[021] - Score = 1.0 ~ 1.5 (No real preference given, reasons vague and unsupported with solid examples, delivery sometimes very hard to understand; 24 seconds over the time limit allowed)

[022] - Score = 3.0 (The makings of a very good answer, great delivery and language use, excellent organization and supporting detail; just no convincing examples given)

[023] - Score = 4.0 (Great response, very fluent and clear, well organized and supported with detail, and a great example at the end to illustrate your point)

[024] - Score = 2.5 (Made a good start, good organization and attempt at elaboration, but not enough examples and time limit expired right in the middle of trying to introduce another reason)

[025] - Score = 2.5 (Good organization, but the reasons are not given in enough detail or with supporting examples, and delivery needs some work to ensure clarity of pronunciation)

Where do you want to be on your holiday?

Describe your favorite subject.

Describe your favorite sports.

Describe your best teacher.

Describe your best friend.

What do you think about women who word?

What type of life do you want to live?

How important are extra-curricular activities?

Is it good to make decisions quick?

What do you think will your role be in development of nation?

How can you contribute the world?

Who is the person you admire most?

Which is your happiest moment in life?

How important is it for students to get access to latest technologies?

Should teens be provided full access to internet?

What do you think about winter season?

Which is the place you want to be in?

Whose role is important – father’s or mother’s?

Is home a first school for a child?