TOEFL SPEAKING QUESTION 1

1.

Who Would You Like To Go On A Trip Abroad With? Describe This Person And Say Why
He/she Would Be A Good Travel Companion For You?

2.

Talk About An Interesting Tourist Attraction You Have Been To. Describe It And Say
Why It Was Interesting.

3.

School Is Planning To Change The Cafeterias Menu With Aims Of Offering Healthier,
Low-calorie Foods. Describe The Advantage And Disadvantage.

4.

The School Is Planning To Build A Coffee Shop In The Campus Library. Describe The
Advantages And Disadvantages.

5.

Which Person Are You Most Likely To Go To With A Personal Problem? Describe This
Person And Say, In Particular, Why You Would Go To Him/her.

6.

Who Is The Most Intelligent Person You Know? Describe The Person And Say Why You
Think He/she Is Intelligent.

7.

Describe A Person From Your Countrys History. Why Do You Think This Person Was
Important?

8.

Name A Famous Or Influential Figure That Has Inspired You. Describe This Person

TOEFL SPEAKING QUESTION 1

And Say Why He/she Has Been Inspirational To You.
9.

Who Has Been Your Favourite Teacher So Far In Your Life? Use Reasons And Details To
Support Your Answer.

10.

Talk About A Teacher Who Had A Positive Influence On You. Describe This Person And
Explain Why He Or She Was So Influential To You.

11.

Describe Your Favourite Teacher And Explain Why He Or She Inspired You. Include

Details And Examples.

12.

Whom Do You Feel Close To In Your Family (or Extended Family)? Describe This Person

And Say Why You Feel Close To Him/her.

13.

Talk About Something You And Your Family Enjoy Doing Together. Describe It And

Explain Why You All Enjoy It.

14.

What Is Your Happiest Childhood Memory? Describe It And Give Reasons To Explain

Why It Is Your Happiest Memory.

15.

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.

16.

When Have You Been Happily Surprised By Something? Describe The Experience And

Say Why The Surprise Was A Happy One For You.

17.

Talk About A Positive Experience With Learning Or Using English. Describe The

Experience And Say Why It Was A Positive One.

18.

Talk About A Situation That Enabled You To Realize You Had A Certain Strength Or

Weakness That You Did Not Know About Before And How You Dealt With This New Finding.
19.

Talk About An Experience In Your Life That Made You Feel Embarrassed. Describe It And

Say Why It Was Embarrassing.

20.

Talk About A Difficulty You Have Overcome In Your Life. Describe The Experience And

Say Why It Was Difficult To Overcome.

21.

Talk About A Time When You Experienced Success. Describe The Experience And Say

Why It Was A Success For You.

22. What Was Your Favourite Subject At School? Describe It And Explain Why This Subject
Was Your Favourite One.

23. Describe A Class You Have Taken In School And Explain Why The Class Was Important To
You. Include Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation
24. What Is Your Most Important Possession? Describe It And Say Why It Is So Important.
25. What Is Your Favourite Style Of Clothing? Describe It And Explain Why It Is Your
Favourite.
26. Tell Me About A Time When You Used A Resource To Help You Do Something Better Than
Before. Describe It And Explain Why It Was Helpful To You.
27. What Is Your Favourite Place To Visit On Weekends? Describe It And Explain Why It Is
Your Favourite Place To Go.
28. Where Would You Like To Go To Spend A Vacation? Describe This Place And Say Why You
Would Like To Go There.
29.

Which Place Has Fond Memories For You? Describe This Place And Explain Why It Is

Memorable To You.
30.

Think Of A Place That Makes You Feel Relaxed And Peaceful. Describe It And Explain

Why It Is Relaxing And Peaceful For You.

31.

Where Is A Good Place To Have Fun In Your City Or Town? Describe This Place And

Explain Why It Is Fun.

32.

Where Would You Most Like To Live? Describe This Place And Explain Why You Would

Like To Live There.

33.

Name A Place In Your Country You Would Recommend Others To Visit. Describe This

Place And Explain Why You Would Recommend It.

34.

What Is Your Favourite Free Time Activity? Use Reasons And Details To Support Your

Answer.
35.

What Is Your Favourite Recreational Activity? Describe It And Say Why You Enjoy Doing

It.
36.

What Is Your Favourite Movie Or Movie Genre? Use Reasons And Details To Support Your

Answer.

37.

Describe A Particular Tv Show That You Think Is Excellent. Include Specific Details And

Examples In Your answer.

38.

What Is Your Favourite Style Of Music? Use Reasons And Details To Support Your

Answer.
39.

What Is Your Favourite Book? Use Reasons And Details To Support Your Answer.

40.

What Is Your Most Useful Study Aid? Describe It And Explain Why It Is Useful In Helping

You To Study.
41.

Where Is Your Favourite Place To Study? Describe This Place And Say Why It Is A Good

Place For You To Study.

42. If You Could Visit Any Place In The World For Just 24 Hours, Where Would You Choose To
Go? Use Reasons And Details To Support Your Answer.
43.

What Is Your Favourite Form Of Transportation For Getting Around? Describe It And

Explain Why It Is Your Favourite Means Of Transportation.

44.

Where Do You Most Like To Go Eat Out? Describe This Place And Say Why You Like It

Most.
45.

What Is Your Favourite Kind Of Food? Describe It And Explain Why It Is Your Favourite.

46.

What Is Your Favourite Season Of The Year? Describe The Season And Explain Why You

Like It So Much.

47.

Talk About An Important National Holiday In Your Home Country. Describe It And

Explain Why It Is Important.

48.

Talk About Your Countrys National Anthem Or Flag. Describe It, Then Say, Where It Is

Used And Where It Can Be Found Today? Include Details And Examples To Support Your
Response.
49.

Name A Person Whom You Truly Admire. Describe The Person And Say Why You Admire

Him/her.
50.

What Do You Think Your Life Will Look Like After Retirement? Use Reasons And Details

To Support Your Response51.

51. Do You Think That People Will Read Fewer Books In The Future Than Today? Give Details
And Examples To Support Your Response.
52.

What Would You Suggest To Somebody If He Was Planning To Come To Your Country To

Study Abroad? Give Details And Examples To Support Your Response.

53.

Is It Important To Interact With Other People In A Good Manner? Give Details And

Explanations To Support Your Response.

54.

List One Recommendation For The School You Have Recently Attended.

55.

Your Friend Doesnt Have Enough Money To Pay For A New Computer And All His

Textbooks At The Same Time. What Would You Suggest?

56.

Your Friend Wants To Switch Careers But Doesnt Know What New Career To Choose.

What Advice Would You Give Her And Why?

57.

Your Friend Is Working At A Job That Pays Well But That She Doesnt Like. She Has Just

Been Offered A Promotion That Would Mean More Pay But Longer Hours. What Advice Would
You Give Her And Why?
58.

Your Friend Wants A Suggestion For An Interesting Film To Watch. What Film Would You

Recommend And Why?

59.

Your Friends Brother Has Begun Spending Time With A Group Of People That Your

Friend Thinks May Not Be Very Good People. He Wants To Talk With His Brother But Does Not
Know What To Say. What Advice Would You Give Him?
60.

Your Friend Wants A Suggestion For An Interesting Book To Read. What Book Would You

Recommend And Why? 61.

61. Your Friend Has Just Begun Looking At Educational Programs And Is Having A Hard Time
Narrowing Down Her Choices. What Advice Would You Give?
62.

Your Friend Is Buying A New Car For The First Time. What Advice Would You Give?

63.

Your Friends Brother Has Begun Spending Time With A Group Of People That Your

Friend Thinks May Not Be Very Good People. He Wants To Talk With His Brother But Does Not
Know What To Say. What Advice Would You Give Him?

64.

Your Friend Has An Opportunity To Work At A Job That Pays Well And Could Advance

His Career, But It Is In A Country That Has Had Some Political And Civil Unrest Recently.
What Advice Would You Give?
65.

Your Friends Young Sister Has Asked For Music Lessons, But Your Friend Doesnt Know

What Instrument She Should Study. What Advice Would You Give?
66.

Your Friend Is Struggling In A Math Course, And He Does Not Understand The Work Any

Better After His Meetings With The Professor. What Advice Would You Give Him?
67.

Your Friend Is Studying Engineering And Has Room For One Extra Course In Her

Schedule. What Sort Of Course Would You Recommend She Take And Why?
68.

A Friend Is Going To An International Cultural Celebration And Wants To Bring A Food

Dish That Represents Your Country And City. What Food Would You Recommend He Make
And Why?
69.

Your Friend Wants A Pet But Has Never Owned One Before And Doesnt Know What To

Choose. What Advice Would You Give And Why?

70.

Your Friend Is Interested In Developing A New Hobby Or Pastime But Does Not Have

Much Money. What Would You Recommend And Why?

71. Your Friend Is Trying To Decide Whether To Attend A College Program In Her Hometown
Or One Several Hours Away In A New City. What Advice Would You Give Her And Why?
72.

Your Friend Approaches You With A Concern About Another Friend Of His Who Seems

To Be Drinking Too Much Alcohol Lately. What Advice Would You Give Him And Why?
73.

Your Friend Is Trying To Choose A School For Her Child. What Advice Would You Give

Her And Why?

QUESTION 2
1. 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.
2. Do You Prefer Long-term Trips Or Short-term Trips? Use Details And Examples To Support
Your Explanation.
3. Do You Prefer Indoor Activities Or Outdoor Activities? Use Details And Examples To
Support Your Explanation.
4. Do You Prefer Finding Information By Reading Books Or Searching The Internet? Use
Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
5. Does Technology Make Our Lives Simpler Or More Complex? Use Details And Examples To
Support Your Explanation.

6. Do You Agree Or Disagree That Students Should Bring A Cellphone To School? Use Details
And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
7. Do You Prefer To Work In The Office Or Work At Home? Use Details And Examples To
Support Your Explanation
8. Do You Prefer To Go Someplace You Have Never Been Before Or Someplace You Have Been
Before? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
9. 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.
10.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Life Is About Relaxing Instead Of Hurrying? Use Details

And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

11. Do You Agree Or Disagree That People Should Always Tell The Truth? Use Details And
Examples To Support Your Explanation.
12.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That A Celebrity Should Set A Good Example For Young

People? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

13.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That A Childhood Is The Best Time Of A Persons Life? Use

Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

14.

When Communicating With Your Friends And Families, You Can Use Different Methods:

Letters, E-mails, And/or Telephone Calls. Which Method Do You Think Is Better And Why?
Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
15.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That A Higher Education Means A Better Career? Use Details

And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

16.

Would You Prefer To Take A Part-time Course Or Have A Part-time Job During Your

Summer Vacation? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

17.

When Going To A Restaurant, Do You Prefer To Meet Your Friends At Home Or At The

Restaurant? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

18.

You Prefer To Learn About The News In A Newspaper Or On Television? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

19.

Do You Agree That Television Has Destroyed Communication Among Friends And

Family? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

20.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Luck Has Nothing To Do With Success? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

21. Do You Prefer To Eat At Food Stands Or Restaurants? Use Details And Examples To
Support Your Explanation.

22.

Some People Believe That Attending Class In University Should Be Required, While

Others Believe That It Should Be Optional. Which Point Of View Do You Agree With? Use
Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
23. Do You Prefer To Learn On Your Own Or Learn With A Teacher? Use Details And Examples
To Support Your Explanation.
24.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Students Should Have A Job While They Are Studying In

School? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

25.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Businesses Should Hire Employees For Their Entire Life?

Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

26.

Do You Prefer Going To A Live Performance Or Watching It On Tv? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

27.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Students Learn Better With The Help Of Technology? Use

Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

28.

Do You Prefer Traveling Alone Or Traveling With A Companion? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

29.

Which Type Of Movie Do You Prefer Watching, A Serious Movie Or A Comedy Movie?

Which Do You Prefer? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

30.

Would You Rather Be Self-employed Or Working For Someone Else? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

31.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Daily Homework Is Necessary For Students? Use Details

And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

32.

Would You Prefer To Have A Higher-paying Job With Longer Hours Or Lower-paying Job

With Shorter Hours? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
33.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Grades Encourage Students To Learn? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

34.

Do You Prefer To Work In A Team Or Work Alone? Use Details And Examples To Support

Your Explanation.
35.

Some People Think The Internet Provides People With A Lot Of Information, While Others

Think Access To So Much Information Creates Problems. Which View Do You Agree With? Use
Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

36.

Do You Prefer To Live In Places That Have The Same Weather Or Live In Areas Where The

Weather Changes Several Times A Year? Use Details And Examples To Support Your
Explanation.

37.

Would You Rather Have The University Assign A Student To Their Room Or Would You

Rather Choose Your Own Roommate?

38.

When People Move To Another Country, Some Prefer To Follow The Customs Of Their New

Country, While Others Prefer To Keep Their Own Customs. Which One Do You Prefer? Use
Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
39.

Do You Like To Spend Time Alone Or Spend Time With Your Friends? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

40.

When Going On A Trip, Do You Prefer To Drive Or Take A Train? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

Do You Agree Or Disagree That Young People Have Nothing To Teach Older People? Use Details
And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
42.

Do You Prefer To Watch A Movie Or Read A Book? Use Details And Examples To Support

Your Explanation.
43.

Do You Prefer To Be A Team Leader Or A Team Member? Use Details And Examples To

Support Your Explanation.

44.

Do You Prefer To Eat At Home Or Eat At A Restaurant? Use Details And Examples To

Support Your Explanation.

45.

Do You Prefer To Have A Long Vacation Each Year Or Have Several Short Vacations

Throughout The Year? Use Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.
46.

Do You Prefer To Live In A Traditional House Or In A More Modern Apartment? Use

Details And Examples To Support Your Explanation.

47.

Do You Agree Smoking Should Be Prohibited In Public Places? Use Details And Examples

To Support Your Explanation.

48.

If You Have Money, Would You Prefer To Buy A House Or A Business? Use Details And

Examples To Support Your Explanation.

49.

Do You Agree Or Disagree. Watching Sports Programs On Television Is A Waste Of Time.

50.

Do You Agree That Cars Should Be Allowed To Enter Into The Campus? 51.

51. Do You Agree Or Disagree That Universities Should Give The Same Amount Of Money To
Their Students' Sports Activities As They Give To Their University Libraries? Use Details And
Examples To Support Your Explanation.
52.

If You Were Given An Empty Piece Of Land, Would You Rather Use It To Build A Garden

Or A Playground For Children?

53.

Which Of The Following Do You Think Is The Best Way To Get To Know A New School,

Joining A One-day Campus Tour, Spending A Weekend On The Campus Play Field Or Auditing
Lectures?

54.

Do You Think Bicycles Will Still Be Widely Used In The Future Or Replaced By Other

Means Of Transportation?
55.

Do You Think Junk Food Should Be Banned In Schools? Use Details And Examples To

Support Your Explanation.

56.

Should Using Cell Phones Be Permitted While Driving? Use Details And Examples To

Support Your Explanation.

57.

Should Schools Have Teams For Sports That Might Carry A Risk Of Serious Physical

Injury? Explain Your Answer.

58.

Should A Country That Has Enough Food For All Of Its Residents Allow Recreational

Hunting? Explain Your Answer.

59.

Should Communities Create Incentives To Encourage People Raised There To Continue

Living There As Adults? Explain Your Answer.

60.

If The Police Stop A Driver Who Is Driving Drunk (after Drinking Alcohol), Do You Think

That The Persons Drivers License S61.

61. Do You Think That Parents Should Be Allowed To Educate Their Children At Home, Or
Should They Be Required To Send Children To School Outside The Home? Support Your
Answer.

62.

Do You Agree Or Disagree With This Statement: Teachers Should Be Evaluated By Their

Students.
63.

Should Cities Adopt Laws That Prohibit Certain Breeds Of Dogs Because They Are More

Frequently Involved In Attacks Than Other Dogs? Explain Your Answer.

64.

Should Countries Ban The Use Of Genetically Modified Organisms (gmos) In Food

Production? Explain Your Answer.

65.

Should College Students Be Required To Take At Least One Class In Philosophy? Explain

Your Answer.
66.

Should Countries With Teacher Shortages Develop Programs That Recruit People From

Industries Such As Business, Law And Technology And Retrain Them As Schoolteachers?
Explain Your Answer.
67.

Should Countries Intervene In A Civil War In Another Country Where A Lot Of Civilians

Might Be Killed? Explain Your Answer.

68.

Should Schoolchildren Be Required To Study A Musical Instrument For At Least A Year?

Explain Your Answer.

69.

Should Countries Give Financial Incentives To Car Companies That Make Vehicles That

Use Alternative Fuels (other Than Oil And Gas)? Explain Your Answer.

70.

What Should Universities Do To Ensure That Their Professors Are Not Only Experts In

Their Fields, But Good At Teaching Students As Well? 71.

71. Should Schools Engage In Character Education To Instill Morals And Values In Children?
Explain Your Answer.
72.

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.
73.

Should New University Students Be Required To Watch And Discuss The Same Movie At

The Beginning Of Their First Term Of Study? Explain Your Answer.

74.

In General, Should Cities Devote More Resources To Attracting More Industries Or To

Protecting The Environment? Explain Your Answer.

75.

What Is An Important Benefit That An Employer Can Offer To Make Sure Employees Are

Happy And Healthy? Explain Your Answer.

76.

Should Countries Offer Money To Stay-at-home Mothers To Support Them As They Raise

Their Children? explain Your Answer.

77.

Should Cities And States Ban Certain Sorts Of Fats Used For Cooking In Restaurants In

An Effort To Improve Peoples Health? Explain Your Answer.

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.