TOEFL® Speaking 1 Practice 102

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In this question, you'll speak about a familiar topic. Your response will be scored on your ability to speak clearly and coherently about the topics. You'll have 15 seconds to prepare your answer and 45 seconds to speak.

We recommend you practice taking notes with a pen and paper like you will during your TOEFL exam.

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Some people think that they can learn more in the early morning; some others can learn more in the afternoon classes. Which is better for you?
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Some people think that they can learn more in the early morning; some others can learn more in the afternoon classes. Which is better for you?

You have 45 seconds to record your answer. Click the record button to begin.

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00:15
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Question:
Some people think that they can learn more in the early morning; some others can learn more in the afternoon classes. Which is better for you?

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Your Review

THIS IS NOT YOUR REVIEW!

It's an example of what you can expect from our speaking reviews



Review Status: No review requested Status: (N/A)
Get Speaking Review
Review Summary (Sample)
Score 2 / 4
Feedback Each speaking review includes detailed audio feedback.

Audio feedback (Sample)
How we review your speaking response Our TOEFL certified instructors will review your speaking response based on the following criteria:
  1. Task Fulfillment
  2. Pronunciation & Intonation
  3. Flow & Speech
  4. Correct Grammar Usage
  5. Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range)
  6. Support & Development
  7. Connections & Coherence
You will receive a score, feedback, and a TOEFL report on each speaking criteria. The average score for all criteria will be converted to a score out of 4. This reviewing process imitates how ETS® TOEFL grades a TOEFL speaking response.
Task Fulfillment (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Task fulfillment is about how well you respond to the question you are given. TOEFL raters are looking for a response that answers the question directly, with relevant ideas that are fully developed. Fulfilling the task means answering all parts of the question completely.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

The response is unconnected or minimally connected to the given task/question

2

The response is mostly connected to the given task/question, but has limited ideas and explanation or some ideas that are not directly related to the task/question

3

The response addresses the task/question but is not fully developed or has minor irrelevant ideas

4

The response fully addresses the task/question and is fully developed
Pronunciation & Intonation (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Pronunciation and intonation is about how you form English sounds and how you use natural English intonation. Your pronunciation and intonation can damage your score if it is difficult for the raters to understand what you are saying.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

The response requires significant effort by listener because speech is mostly unclear, due to errors with:

individual sounds and clusters

word and sentence stress

final intonation

2

The response requires some listener effort because speech is sometimes unclear, due to some unnatural use of:

individual sounds and clusters

word and sentence stress

final and non-final intonation

3

The response may require effort by listener at times, though speech is generally clear, with:

some sound and cluster pronunciation mistakes

occasional unnatural word and sentence stress

occasional unnatural intonation

4

The response requires almost no effort by listener because speech is clear, including:

natural sound and cluster pronunciation

mostly natural intonation

natural word and sentence stress, which may be used to convey subtle meanin
Flow & Speech (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Flow and speech is about how quickly you can speak and how much pausing and hesitation you use. You don’t have to speak quickly, but just quickly enough to sound natural and explain all of your ideas. Raters want to hear natural rhythm and flow.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

has disconnected speech that does not flow naturally

has mostly short and overly basic utterances

includes many unnatural pauses and hesitations that may make the listener uncomfortable

2

attempts but has some difficulties maintaining natural rhythm and fluid speech

attempts more than just basic utterances, though stops frequently to prepare ideas or self-correct

may contain some long pauses and unnatural hesitations

3

sustains mostly natural rhythm, though at times breaks it with unnatural linking or stress

has some unnatural pausing and hesitation

4

has mostly natural rhythm

is generally quite fluid and sustained

has minimal unnatural pausing and hesitation
Correct Grammar Usage (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Correct grammar usage is about how you use English grammar and sentence structure. Raters want to see that you can use what you know correctly. Your grammar doesn’t have to be perfect to score high, but mistakes shouldn’t interfere with your meaning.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

Meaning is often difficult to understand because of significant and frequent errors with:

nouns

verb tenses

adverbs and adjectives, including some phrases

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

gerunds, infinitives

2

Meaning is sometimes obscured because of errors with:

noun and noun phrases

verbs (tenses and modals)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases)

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

gerunds and infinitives

basic conditionals

3

Meaning is generally clear despite some errors with:

noun phrases and clauses

verb (tenses, modals, and passives)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases and clauses)

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

gerunds, infinitives

most conditionals

some reported speech

4

Meaning is not affected by grammatical errors, though there may still be minor errors with:

noun phrases and clauses

verb (tenses, modals, and passives)

adverbs and adjectives (including phrases and clauses)

word order

articles, pronouns, quantifiers, prepositions

gerunds, infinitives

all and mixed conditionals

reported speech (direct and indirect)
Vocabulary Usage (Appropriacy and Range) (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for responses that use different words correctly and accurately, and that use a wide range of words that help listeners understand.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

includes mistakes with basic word form

includes limited vocabulary, with repetition and reliance on vocabulary from the question prompt

often uses inappropriate or incorrect words or wording

2

may include some incorrect word forms

attempts to use a range of words and phrases but may make errors that confuse the listener

makes somewhat accurate word choice but at times leaves the listener guessing

3

uses mostly correct word forms

uses a range of words and phrases that is mostly appropriate, possibly including some idiomatic language

makes generally accurate word choice with only some effort by the listener

4

uses generally correct word forms with only minimal errors

effectively uses a wide range of words and phrases, which may include phrasal verbs and idioms

includes generally accurate word choice and at times demonstrates sophistication in vocabulary
Support & Development (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
Support and development is about the content of your speaking response. Your content should be related directly to the topic, and you should have several main ideas that support your opinion or position. These ideas should be persuasive or compelling.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

includes only a few very basic ideas

has very little or no explanation, details, or examples

2

has some relevant main ideas but not enough to be fully developed

has some but not enough explanation of reasons to support the main ideas, or the explanation does not always relate directly to main ideas

has some but not enough details and examples to help the listener understand the main ideas

3

has several relevant main ideas and good development

has some good relevant explanation of reasons to support the main ideas

has some good details and examples to help the listener understand the main ideas

4

has several (2-4) fully developed main ideas

has very good explanation of reasons which support the main ideas clearly

has many good details and examples to help the listener understand the main ideas
Connections & Coherence (Sample)
Criteria Description Score
connections and coherence are about how you put your ideas together and link different sentences to each other. Raters want to see speaking that flows naturally from idea to idea without confusing the listener.
Score TOEFL Report
0

doesn’t address the task or no response was given

1

has little or no connection between ideas, making the logic difficult to follow

includes no effective words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion

2

has some connection between ideas but may jump between some topics, causing some listener confusion

includes some brief or simple words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion

3

has generally good connection between ideas

includes generally good range of words or expressions of transition, introduction, or conclusion but may not feel wholly unified

4

has very good connection between ideas that are logically and effectively ordered

includes a range of words or expressions of transition, introduction, and conclusion which conveys a feeling of unity and completeness
 
Sample Answer
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TOEFL Speaking 1 Tips for Success
These are general tips that will appear on all Speaking 1 questions.

Prepare for all 5 question styles
TOEFL Independent Speaking Task 1 has 5 question styles:
  1. Agree or Disagree
  2. Preference
  3. If/Imaginary
  4. Description or Explanation
  5. Advantage and Disadvantage

If / Imaginary Questions
If you had a small amount of money, would you spend it right away or save it? Use details and examples to support your explanation.

Agree or Disagree Questions
Do you agree or disagree that students should bring a cellphone to school? Use details and examples to support your explanation.

Preference Questions
Do you prefer finding information by reading books or searching the Internet? Use details and examples to support your explanation.

Description or Explanation Questions
Should new university students all be required to read the same book in the summer before they start their first course of study? Explain your answer.

Advantage and Disadvantage Questions
Your university is planning to allow students to watch TV in their dormitories. What is your opinion and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.

You’ll have 45 seconds to make your speech. The structure of the response can be the following:
1. Your main idea or your main opinion
2. The first main idea and supporting details and examples
3. The second supporting idea and supporting details and examples
4. Conclusion.

"Agree or Disagree" questions
The first question style is Agree or Disagree. These questions will give you a certain statement and ask whether you agree or disagree with it. You will also have to provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.

Here are a few examples:
  • Do you agree or disagree that students should bring their cellphones to school? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Do you agree or disagree that a celebrity should set a good example for young people? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Do you agree or disagree that a higher education means a better career? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
To answer these questions, you can use the following expressions to begin your response.

I agree/disagree that ...
I agree/disagree to the idea that ….
I agree/disagree with S + Verb-ing
Some people believe that …, but I disagree.
Here are a few examples of beginning responses:

I agree that students should bring their cellphones to school.
I agree to the idea that students should bring their cellphones to school.
I agree with students bringing their cellphones to school.
Some people believe that students should bring their cellphones to school, but I disagree.
"Preference" questions
The second question style is Preference. A preference question will give you a choice between two options and ask which option you prefer. You will need to provide specific reasons and examples to explain why you prefer that option.

Here are some examples of preference questions:
  • Do you prefer finding information by reading books or searching the Internet? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Do you prefer to eat at home or restaurants? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Would you prefer to have a higher-paying job with longer hours or a lower-paying job with shorter hours? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Do you prefer to work in a team or work alone? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
To answer this question, you can use the following expressions to begin your response

I prefer to ___ (V + O).
To me, ____(X) is far preferable to ____(Y)
I prefer ____(X) to/over ____(Y)
I would rather ____(V + O) than ___ (V + O)

I prefer to find information by reading books.
To me, eating at restaurants is far preferable to eating at home.
I prefer having a higher-paying job with longer hours to having a lower-paying job with shorter hours.
I would rather work in a team than work alone.


Here in the third sentence, many students use "than" instead of "to" as in the following sentence Incorrect! I prefer having a higher-paying job with longer hours than having a lower-paying job with shorter hours.

That is wrong! Remember the pattern: "prefer X to Y" or "prefer X over Y".

correct! I prefer having a higher-paying job with longer hours to having a lower-paying job with shorter hours.
"If / Imaginary" questions
An "If / Imaginary" question will give you a hypothetical – an imagined situation and ask what you would do or what you would choose. Rather than choosing between two things or two opinions, you are typically not limited in your choice. That is, you can choose anything that fits the situation.

Here is an example:
  • If you had a small amount of money, would you spend it right away or save it? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
When you write your response to an "If / Imaginary Question", remember that you should use the Conditional Sentence Type 2 so you can start your response like the following:

If I had a small amount of money, I would choose to save it for a number of reasons.
"If / Imaginary" questions
A "Description or Explanation" question will ask you to describe a certain type of person – especially the good qualities of a person – or explain something in the world. You might have to choose something to explain or you might be given something specific to explain. Questions may also ask you to explain why something is beneficial, important, or significant or you might have to explain the reasons for or effects of something.

Here are some examples:
  • Should using cell phones be permitted while driving? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
  • Should new university students all be required to read the same book in summer before they start their first course of study? Explain your answer.
  • Do you think bicycles will still be widely used in the future or replaced by other means of transportation?
  • What is an important benefit that an employer can offer to make sure employees are happy and healthy? Explain your answer.
  • Should college students be required to take at least one class in Philosophy?
To answer this question, you need to first form your opinion on the topic. You can use the following expressions to form your opinion.

In my opinion, _____
I strongly/firmly believe that _____
In my view, _____
As far as I am concerned, _____
It is my belief that _____

In my opinion, not all university students should be required to read the same book before entering their first year of study.
I firmly believe that the use of cellphones should be prohibited while driving.
In my view, bicycles will become obsolete due to the emergence of other means of transportation.
As far as I am concerned, the most important benefit that an employer can offer to make sure employees are happy and healthy is a great health care package.
It is my belief that it should not be a requirement that all college students take at least one philosophy class.
"Advantage and Disadvantage" questions
The last style of question is "Advantage and Disadvantage". These questions ask you to give your opinion on a topic and specifically tell you to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the topic. Look at the following example questions:
  • Should universities allow students to watch TV in their dormitories? What is your opinion and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.
  • Should young children spend a great amount of their time practicing sports? What is your opinion and why? Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
So this style of question requires you to know various ways of talking about advantages and disadvantages. It is helpful to be familiar with all the different synonyms you can use for advantage and disadvantage.
  • Advantages and disadvantages
  • Upsides and downsides
  • Benefits and drawbacks
  • pros and cons
  • Positive aspects and negative aspects

For a sentence like this "Living in a small city has advantages and disadvantages" can be expressed as the following:
- Living in a small city has pros and cons.
- Living in a small city has upsides and downsides.
- Living in a small city has benefits and drawbacks.
- Living in a small city has positive and negative aspects.
Let's have a look at a template you can use for this style of question.

____ has an advantage and a disadvantage.
The advantage of ___ is ____. …..(add more details about the advantage)
On the other hand, there is a disadvantage to ____ (Verb-ing + o). …… (add more details about the disadvantage)
In conclusion,____ has pros and cons, but the advantage outweighs the disadvantage (or the disadvantage outweighs the advantage).
Therefore, I think ___ .
Should university allow students to watch TV in their dormitories? What is your opinion and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.
Allowing students to watch TV in their dormitories has an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage of students watching TV in their dormitories is that the TV can help them escape from stress and relax. This will more or less help their grades and their lifestyles. On the other hand, there is a disadvantage to watching TV in dormitories for students. TV can be extremely distracting. Some students will have a hard time concentrating on their studies while watching TV. Other students might be affected by the noise of TV while studying. In conclusion, watching TV in dormitories has pros and cons, but the disadvantage outweighs the advantage. Therefore, I believe that schools should not allow students to watch TV in their dormitories.
Tips to get a high score
1. Read your response out loud clearly and be enthusiastic with your response.

2. You can paraphrase the prompt to give your first sentence.

3. Be specific about your supporting details and examples. The trick is to use sentence structure like "If I...., I..." or "When I ..., I ..." when providing supporting details and examples.
 
speaking 1 Practice 102
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