In order to do well on the TOEFL Speaking section, you'll need to be prepared. You should know exactly what you will have to talk about. Check out this presentation, which tells you what you'll speak about in Tasks 1 and 2. We've also included tips to do well, and 20 practice questions. Happy studying!

1. TOEFL
What You'll Talk About on the TOEFL
Speaking Topics

2. In this presentation, we'll cover speaking
topics for the independent speaking
tasks, Tasks 1 and 2. You will find 10
practice topics for each task, as well as
tips for how to do well. :)

3. Task 1: Select One From Many
The subject of the first speaking task will be something very
easy to relate to. It will be about a very broad topic which you
will then give a personal answer to. For example, you might be
asked about your favorite type of music.
To answer these questions well, it’s important to choose a
specific subject to speak about quickly. If the TOEFL asks you
about a person who you admire, you should choose the first
person you think of, and then immediately start thinking
about why you admire them.

4. Practice Topics for Task 1
On the TOEFL, you will have 15 seconds
to prepare your response and 45
seconds to speak.
Good luck!

5. Talk about a purchase you’ve made that
you are happy with. Describe what you
purchased and explain why you are
happy about it.
#1

6. Talk about a time when you found a
task harder to accomplish than you
expected. What were you trying to
accomplish? Why did it become
difficult?
#2

7. What personality quality do you
think is most important in a good
friend? Explain why.
#3

8. Talk about something a friend or family
member of yours did that you were
proud of. Describe what they did, and
explain why you were proud.
#4

9. Choose a recent event in your country
that people want to talk about. Why are
people interested in the event? Explain
with specific details and reasons.
#5

10. Imagine the ways in which your country
will change over the next five years. Talk
about one way you expect it to change.
Use details to explain your answer.
#6

11. Choose a famous person who you
think would be enjoyable to have a
conversation with. Explain why you
would like to talk with them, using
specific details and reasons.
#7

12. Choose a subject that students study in
school but you think is not important.
Explain why you feel it is not important
to study. Use details and examples in
your response.
#8

13. What type of long-distance
transportation do you think is most
enjoyable? Explain why you like it
with specific details and examples.
#9

14. Think of a movie you have not seen
but would like to see. Explain why
you expect to like the movie. Give
specific details and reasons in your
response.
#10

15. Task 2: Choose a Preference from Two
This speaking prompt will be very similar to many
TOEFL essay prompts. It will ask you to make a
choice between two things, then support that choice.
Again, this is an exercise in choosing fast. You only
have 30 seconds to answer, so you need to make a
quick decision and then work on supporting it with a
reason or two.
And then there’s the most important part of the
question: why?

16. Practice Topics for Task 2
As before, you’ll have 15 seconds to think
and 45 seconds to speak.

17. Some people prefer work that allows
them to move around outdoors.
Others feel it is more pleasant to work
in an office. Which do you prefer, and
why?
#1

18. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use details and
examples to explain your answer.
Snakes should never be kept as pets.
#2

19. Some people feel they perform better
when they have to finish by a strict time.
Others feel they do better work if they do
not have time pressure. Which best
describes you? Explain why.
#3

20. Do you agree or disagree with the following
statement? Use details and examples to
explain your answer.
Parents should buy for their children any
books that the children choose to read.
#4

21. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use details and
examples to explain your answer.
Students should spend more time
learning outside of classrooms than
within classrooms.
#5

22. In some areas, summer days are
longer, so there is more daylight in the
evening and early morning, but winter
days are shorter. In other areas,
summer and winter days are similar
lengths throughout the year. Which do
you prefer, and why?
#6

23. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use details and
examples to explain your answer.
Movies that are longer than three
hours should be made shorter by
removing less important scenes.
#7

24. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use details and
examples to explain your answer.
Parents who do not regularly exercise
should start in order to be good role
models for their children.
#8

25. Some people prefer to respond to
emails, phone calls, and other
messages they receive immediately.
Others take more time to respond.
Which do you do, and why?
#9

26. Do you agree or disagree with the
following statement? Use details and
examples to explain your answer.
It’s better to reward employees with
gifts and job perks, such as gym
memberships or English classes, than
it is to simply pay more.
#10

27. For more speaking help, check out
the Magoosh TOEFL blog!
magoosh.com/toefl