NEW TOEFL Speaking Task Practice Test #10

Instructions

In this part of the new TOEFL (January 2026 update) Speaking module you participate in a simulated conversation with a prerecorded interviewer about general or academic topics. You answer four questions, starting with factual/personal questions and progressing to opinion questions requiring elaboration and support.

Time Limit: 45 seconds per question

Scoring: 0-5 scale

Score 5: Fully successful (on-topic, well-elaborated, good pace, intelligible, accurate grammar/vocabulary)
Score 4: Generally successful (on-topic, elaborated, good pace generally, mostly intelligible, adequate grammar/vocabulary)
Score 3: Partially successful (generally on-topic, limited elaboration, choppy pace, intelligibility sometimes affected, limited grammar/vocabulary)
Score 2: Mostly unsuccessful (minimally connected, little relevant elaboration, intelligibility limited, very limited range)
Score 1: Unsuccessful (vaguely connected, mostly unintelligible, isolated words/phrases)
Score 0: No response, entirely unintelligible, no English, or unconnected to prompt

Interview

Question 1

Transcript

Question 1: Think of a challenge or difficulty you faced in the past. How did you handle it and what did you learn from the experience?

Sample Response

Sample High-Level Response

Sample Response: A significant challenge I faced was during my first year at university when I struggled with time management and my grades suffered as a result. In high school, I had been a strong student without having to work very hard, so I wasn’t prepared for the increased workload and independence of university. After getting disappointing grades on my first exams, I realized I needed to make changes. I started using a planner to track all my assignments and deadlines, and I broke larger projects into smaller tasks with their own deadlines so I wouldn’t procrastinate. I also began attending my professors’ office hours to ask questions and get feedback on my work. Probably most importantly, I learned to say no to some social activities so I could focus on my studies during busy times. What I learned from this experience is that natural ability only takes you so far, and success really comes down to discipline and good habits. I also learned that asking for help isn’t a weakness but a smart strategy. This experience made me more resilient and gave me skills in planning and self-management that I still use today.

Explanation

Explanation: This response earns a high score through its honest, detailed account of a significant challenge with clear demonstration of learning and growth. The speaker provides context about why this was challenging, which makes the situation understandable rather than just listing difficulties. The description of the solution is specific and concrete with multiple strategies mentioned including planners, breaking down tasks, seeking help, and setting boundaries. The reflection on lessons learned goes beyond surface observations to identify important insights about discipline versus talent and the value of seeking help. The connection to ongoing benefits shows that the learning was lasting and meaningful. The language is natural and reflective while being well-organized. The response demonstrates ability to discuss personal challenges with appropriate vulnerability and self-awareness while focusing on growth rather than just struggle. The progression from problem recognition to solution implementation to reflection on lessons learned shows good narrative structure.

Question 2

Transcript

Question 2: What personal goals are you working toward right now? What steps are you taking to achieve them?

Sample Response

Sample High-Level Response

Sample Response: Right now I’m working toward several goals. My main academic goal is to maintain a high GPA while taking challenging courses in my major. To achieve this, I’m being very systematic about my study habits, reviewing material regularly rather than cramming before exams, and forming study groups with classmates to discuss difficult concepts. I’m also working on improving my public speaking skills because I know this will be important for my career. I’ve joined a public speaking club where I practice giving presentations in a supportive environment. Each time I present, I ask for specific feedback and try to incorporate it in my next presentation. On a personal level, I’m working on becoming more physically active and healthy. I’ve started running three times a week and I’m training for my first 5K race, which gives me a concrete goal to work toward. I’m also trying to develop better work-life balance because I tend to focus too much on academic work and neglect other aspects of my life. I’m making more effort to maintain friendships and pursue hobbies even during busy academic periods.

Explanation

Explanation: This response demonstrates strong goal-setting and self-management through its identification of multiple specific goals across different life domains. Each goal is accompanied by concrete strategies for achievement rather than just stating aspirations, such as forming study groups, joining a speaking club, or training for a specific race. The mention of seeking feedback on presentations shows commitment to continuous improvement. The response shows self-awareness in identifying the tendency toward imbalance and articulating efforts to address it. The variety of goals including academic, professional skill development, physical health, and life balance shows holistic thinking about personal development. The language is clear and action-oriented with specific verbs describing what the speaker is doing. The organization addresses each goal area systematically. The response demonstrates ability to discuss personal development with specific, measurable goals and concrete action plans rather than vague intentions.

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Question 3

Transcript

Question 3: Where do you see yourself in five years? What do you hope to have accomplished?

Sample Response

Sample High-Level Response

Sample Response: In five years, I hope to have completed my undergraduate degree and be either in graduate school or working in my field of environmental engineering. Academically, I want to have gained both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through internships or research projects during my undergraduate years. If I go directly to graduate school, I’d like to be working on research related to renewable energy or water treatment systems. If I start working first, I hope to be with a company or organization that’s doing meaningful work on environmental challenges, maybe in consulting or with a government environmental agency. Beyond career goals, I hope to have developed stronger professional skills like project management and technical communication. Personally, I’d like to be living independently and managing my own finances responsibly. I also hope to maintain important relationships with family and friends despite the changes that come with this life stage. I want to have continued with habits like regular exercise and reading that contribute to my well-being. Honestly, I know that plans can change and unexpected opportunities might arise, so I’m trying to remain flexible while still working toward these goals.

Explanation

Explanation: This response demonstrates thoughtful life planning through its specific yet flexible vision of the future. The speaker provides concrete details about educational and career paths while acknowledging uncertainty and multiple possible routes. The goals span professional, personal, and relational domains showing holistic thinking about life development. The response shows realistic thinking by acknowledging that plans may change and expressing flexibility alongside direction. The mention of developing specific skills like project management shows concrete thinking about what graduate school or work should develop beyond just titles or positions. The personal goals about independent living and maintaining relationships show maturity in recognizing that personal development matters alongside career achievements. The language appropriately uses future forms and hedging language like hope to and I’d like to that suit discussion of future possibilities. The organization covers educational trajectory, career options, skill development, and personal goals before acknowledging flexibility. The response demonstrates ability to articulate life goals with specificity and realism.

Question 4

Transcript

Question 4: What do you think is the key to personal growth and self-improvement? What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop themselves?

Sample Response

Sample High-Level Response

Sample Response: I think the key to personal growth is a combination of self-awareness, goal-setting, and consistent effort. You need to honestly assess where you are and what areas you want to improve. This requires being truthful with yourself about your weaknesses, which can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential. Once you’ve identified areas for growth, setting specific, achievable goals is important. Vague goals like be better at something don’t work as well as concrete goals like read one book per month or practice Spanish for thirty minutes daily. Consistency matters more than intensity. Small actions repeated regularly create lasting change better than occasional bursts of intense effort. I’d also advise seeking feedback from others because we have blind spots about ourselves. Sometimes other people can see our strengths and weaknesses more clearly than we can. Another important factor is being patient and forgiving yourself when you fail or backslide, because personal growth isn’t linear. You’ll have setbacks, and that’s normal. Finally, I’d say surrounding yourself with people who challenge and inspire you makes a huge difference. We tend to become like the people we spend time with, so choosing relationships that support your growth is crucial. Self-improvement is a lifelong process, not a destination, so developing systems and habits that support continuous growth is more important than achieving any single goal.

Explanation

Explanation: This response achieves a top score through its comprehensive, psychologically insightful advice about personal development. The speaker identifies multiple essential elements including self-awareness, goal-setting, consistency, feedback, self-compassion, and social environment, showing sophisticated understanding of how personal growth works. Each point is explained with reasoning about why it matters, such as explaining that consistency beats intensity or that self-awareness requires uncomfortable honesty. The advice is practical and specific, such as the examples of concrete versus vague goals. The point about non-linear progress and the importance of self-forgiveness shows psychological maturity and realistic expectations. The observation about becoming like those we spend time with demonstrates social awareness. The conclusion about growth being a process rather than destination shows philosophical maturity. The language is appropriately advisory and reflective with good use of modal verbs and conditional structures. The organization systematically addresses different dimensions of personal growth. The response demonstrates ability to synthesize practical advice with psychological insight and philosophical perspective on human development.

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