Free Sample Questions For TOEFL Speaking Task 4 [Integrated Speaking Task]

TOEFL Speaking Task 4: Academic Lecture

In this task, you will listen to part of a university lecture about an academic topic, typically from fields like biology, psychology, business, or sociology. The professor will first introduce a concept, idea, or phenomenon and then usually explain it with two specific examples, advantages, or reasons to illustrate the point.

Your job is to summarize the lecture, focusing on how the examples support or explain the concept. You won’t read a passage in this task—just listen carefully and take notes if needed. After the lecture, you’ll have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.

This is a consistent format in the TOEFL test. You’re expected to clearly explain the main idea and how the examples relate to it.

If you want to practice with a tutor, take mock speaking tests, or work on improving your fluency and structure, I’m available for lessons. You can book a lesson here.

What Do You Need to Do for TOEFL Speaking Task 4?

In TOEFL Speaking Task 4, your goal is to summarize the professor’s lecture, focusing on the main points and examples that help explain the topic. The lecture often covers two key aspects of a concept, theory, or method. As the professor explains these points, they will provide examples that either support or clarify the ideas discussed in the lecture.

It’s important to focus on how the examples are used to explain or illustrate the concepts more clearly. Instead of worrying about remembering every detail, focus on showing how the examples make the professor’s points easier to understand or more practical. Even if you don’t recall every detail of an example, make sure to capture the essence of how the example supports the main idea. There’s no need to include a formal conclusion in your response. Just ensure that you link the examples to the key points and explain how they help clarify or expand upon the concept.

Your response should be well-organized, showing a clear connection between the lecture’s main points and how the examples support them. Always aim for clarity and coherence in your explanation, as this will demonstrate your understanding of the material.

What Happens During TOEFL Speaking Task 4?

You listen to a 1-2 minute lecture given by a professor on an academic topic.
You have 20 seconds to prepare your response.
You have 60 seconds to speak and summarize the key points discussed in the lecture.

How to organize your response for Task 4?

State the main topic of the lecture.
Begin by briefly stating what the professor is explaining. This will help set the context for your response.
Example: “The professor discusses the concept of how art helps children develop mentally.”
Summarize the professor’s explanation.
After introducing the topic, summarize the professor’s main points. You can highlight key ideas or the two main aspects the professor focuses on.
Example: “The professor explains that art benefits children in two significant ways: by allowing them to express emotions and by teaching them persistence.”
Provide and link the professor’s examples.
After presenting the main ideas, summarize the examples the professor gives to support each point. Explain how these examples clarify the professor’s explanation.
Example: “For instance, the professor shares an example of a child drawing an emotion she doesn’t have the words for, which shows how art helps children express feelings. She also mentions a boy working on a clay car, showing how persistence through art leads to success and improvement.”
If you still have time left, conclude with how the examples support the main ideas.
Wrap up your answer by linking the professor’s examples back to the main points. You don’t need to repeat the examples word-for-word but focus on how they strengthen the explanation.
Example: “These examples help to clarify how art serves as a tool for emotional expression and teaches children persistence, thus supporting the professor’s points.”

Example Sentence Starters for TOEFL Task 4

Summarize the main idea of the lecture.

“The professor discusses…”
“The professor talks about…”
“In the lecture, the professor explains…”
“The professor outlines the concept of…”
“According to the professor, the topic covered is…”
“The main focus of the lecture is…”
“The professor introduces the idea of…”
“The lecture centers around the idea of…”

Summarize the professor’s explanation and examples.

“The professor explains that…”
“The professor gives an example of…”
“To illustrate, the professor provides an example of…”
“The professor describes how…”
“For example, the professor mentions…”
“The professor elaborates by sharing an example of…”
“According to the professor, an example of this idea is…”
“The professor demonstrates this concept with an example of…”

Transition to the second example:

“Another example the professor provides is…”
“The professor also gives another example of…”
“In addition to this, the professor provides another example…”
“The second example discussed by the professor is…”
“Another aspect the professor mentions is…”
“Moving on to the next example, the professor explains…”
“The professor then goes on to describe another example, which is…”
“The other example the professor mentions is…”

Link the professor’s explanation to the main idea of the lecture:

“These examples illustrate how…”
“These two examples show that…”
“These two examples help clarify the professor’s point about…”
“Together, these examples demonstrate that…”
“The professor’s examples support the idea that…”
“These examples strengthen the argument by showing…”
“Both examples are linked because they show…”
“These examples further develop the main idea by illustrating…”

Video: TOEFL Speaking Overview

TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Sample Questions [With Sample Answers]

Study With Me

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Select Category

Select Service

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Price: {{ service_details.bookingpress_service_price }}

There are currently no services available for booking.

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Load More

Load Less

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{{ n }} {{number_of_person_title}}

{{recurring_appointments_repeat_title}}

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Date & Time

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{{recurring_item.display_formated_date_and_time}}

{{recurring_edit_appointment_title}}

{{bookingpress_set_recurring_appointment_timeslot_formate(appointment_time)}} (Next Day)

Time Slot

There are no available time slots for the selected date.

Morning

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Afternoon

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Evening

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Night

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{{time_details.formatted_start_end_time}} {{ time_details.max_capacity }} {{slot_left_text}} +1 day

Date & Time

{{recurring_item.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date}}

{{recurring_item.display_formated_date_and_time}}

{{recurring_edit_appointment_title}}

{{bookingpress_set_recurring_appointment_timeslot_formate(appointment_time)}} (Next Day)

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }} {{app.bookingpress_current_datetime | bookingpress_format_date}}

Time Slot

There are no available time slots for the selected date.

Morning

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Afternoon

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Evening

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Night

{{time_details.formatted_start_end_time}} {{ time_details.max_capacity }} {{slot_left_text}} +1 day

{{time_details.formatted_start_end_time}} {{ time_details.max_capacity }} {{slot_left_text}}

{{time_details.formatted_start_end_time}} {{ time_details.max_capacity }} {{slot_left_text}}

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{{time_details.formatted_start_end_time}} {{ time_details.max_capacity }} {{slot_left_text}} +1 day

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Basic Details

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Summary

Your appointment booking summary

Customer

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{{ appointment_step_form_data.form_fields.customer_firstname }} {{ appointment_step_form_data.form_fields.customer_lastname }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.form_fields.customer_email }}

Service

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_name}}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_service_name}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_name }}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_price}} {{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_duration}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_selected_qty}}

{{appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_selected_extra_service_count}} Extras

Date & Time

{{ appointment_step_form_data.customer_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{appointment_step_form_data.selected_formatted_start_end_time}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{appointment_step_form_data.selected_formatted_start_end_time}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.customer_selected_end_date || bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }} - {{appointment_step_form_data.selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date}}

Appointment Details

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_name}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_name }}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_price}} {{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_duration}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_selected_qty}}

{{appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_selected_extra_service_count}} Extras

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_formatted_start_end_time }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }} - {{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_service_name}}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.customer_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{cart_details.formatted_start_end_time}}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }} - {{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} to {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.customer_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} to {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} to {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} - {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.customer_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} - {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }} - {{ cart_details.formatted_end_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }}

{{ cart_details.customer_selected_end_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ cart_details.formatted_start_time }}

{{ cart_details.bookingpress_selected_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

Service

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_name}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_name }}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_price}} {{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_duration}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_selected_qty}}

{{appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_selected_extra_service_count}} Extras

Date & Time

{{appointment_step_form_data.recurring_appointments.length-1}} More

Appointment Details

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_name}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_name }}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_price}} {{extras_details.bookingpress_extra_duration}}

{{extras_details.bookingpress_selected_qty}}

{{appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_selected_extra_service_count}} Extras

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ recurring_details.formated_start_time }} to {{ recurring_details.formated_end_time }}

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ recurring_details.formated_start_time }} - {{ recurring_details.formated_end_time }}

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}, {{ recurring_details.formated_start_time }}

{{ recurring_details.display_select_date | bookingpress_format_date }}

{{appointment_step_form_data.recurring_appointments.length-1}} More

{{subtotal_text}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_temp_subtotal_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_price }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_discount_applied_price_with_currency }}

{{tax_title}}

Tax

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tax_amount }}

{{package_applied_txt}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_package_applied_data.bookingpress_package_name }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_package_discount_amount_with_currency }}

{{package_label_txt}}

{{ item.bookingpress_package_name }}

{{package_button_txt}}

{{package_login_msg}}

{{couon_applied_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_code }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_discount_amount_with_currecny }}

{{coupon_code_title}}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{coupon_apply_button_label}} Applied

{{tip_applied_title}}

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tip_amount_with_currency}}

{{tip_label_txt}}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{tip_button_txt}} Applied

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.online_payment_discount_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.selected_service_price }}

{{deposit_heading_title}}

{{deposit_title}}

{{full_payment_title}}

{{deposit_paying_amount_title}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_amt }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.deposit_payment_amount_percentage }}% ( {{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_amt }} )

{{deposit_remaining_amount_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_due_amt }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{tip_applied_title}}

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tip_amount_with_currency}}

{{tip_label_txt}}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{tip_button_txt}} Applied

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.online_payment_discount_with_currency }}

{{subtotal_text}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_recurring_total_with_currency }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_discount_applied_price_with_currency }}

{{tax_title}}

Tax

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tax_amount }}

{{couon_applied_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_code }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_discount_amount_with_currecny }}

{{coupon_code_title}}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{coupon_apply_button_label}} Applied

{{tip_applied_title}}

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tip_amount_with_currency}}

{{tip_label_txt}}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{tip_button_txt}} Applied

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.online_payment_discount_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{deposit_heading_title}}

{{deposit_title}}

{{full_payment_title}}

{{deposit_paying_amount_title}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_total_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.deposit_payment_amount_percentage }}% ( {{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_total_with_currency }} )

{{deposit_remaining_amount_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_due_amount_total_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{subtotal_text}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_temp_subtotal_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_cart_total_with_currency }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_discount_applied_price_with_currency }}

{{tax_title}}

Tax

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tax_amount }}

{{package_applied_txt}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_package_applied_data.bookingpress_package_name }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_package_discount_amount_with_currency }}

{{package_label_txt}}

{{ item.bookingpress_package_name }}

{{package_button_txt}}

{{package_login_msg}}

{{couon_applied_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_code }}

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.coupon_discount_amount_with_currecny }}

{{coupon_code_title}}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{ coupon_code_msg }}

{{coupon_apply_button_label}} Applied

{{tip_applied_title}}

+{{ appointment_step_form_data.tip_amount_with_currency}}

{{tip_label_txt}}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{ tip_apply_code_msg }}

{{tip_button_txt}} Applied

-{{ appointment_step_form_data.online_payment_discount_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{deposit_heading_title}}

{{deposit_title}}

{{full_payment_title}}

{{deposit_paying_amount_title}}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_total_with_currency }}

( {{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_total_with_currency }} )

{{deposit_remaining_amount_title}} {{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.included_tax_label }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.bookingpress_deposit_due_amount_total_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

{{ appointment_step_form_data.total_payable_amount_with_currency }}

No payment methods are currently available. Please contact us for assistance.

Select Payment Method ({{online_payment_discount_text}})

Pay Locally

PayPal

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{{ staffmember_details.bookingpress_staffmember_email }}

{{ staffmember_details.bookingpress_staffmember_phone }}

{{staff_reviews.bookingpress_customer_name}}

{{staff_reviews.review_title}}

{{staff_reviews.review_comment}}

{{staffmember_details.bookingpress_staffmember_rating}} ({{staffmember_details.bookingpress_staffmember_total_rating}} Review Reviews)

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No staff members are available for the selected service or time.

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