The Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT is the third part of the test. It takes about 17 minutes to complete and includes 4 tasks—one independent and three integrated. You’ll be expected to speak clearly, fluently, and coherently on academic and campus-related topics.
🗣️ Question 1 – Independent Speaking
Format: Express your opinion on a familiar topic.
Prep Time: 15 seconds
Response Time: 45 seconds
Materials: A written question asking about a preference, experience, or opinion.
This task asks you to state your personal opinion and support it with reasons or examples. You’ll talk about everyday topics—like your habits, preferences, or experiences. The key is to respond clearly and directly with good structure and fluency.
Examples:
“Do you prefer studying alone or with a group? Why?” → “I prefer studying alone because it helps me focus better. For example, when I’m alone, I can avoid distractions like chatting. Also, I can control the pace of my study sessions.”
“What is your favorite season of the year and why?” → “My favorite season is spring because the weather is mild and nature looks beautiful. For instance, flowers start blooming and I enjoy going on hikes during this time.”
📚 Question 2 – Integrated: Campus Announcement
Format: Read a short campus-related passage, listen to a conversation, and summarize the student’s opinion.
Reading Time: 45 seconds
Prep Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds
Materials: Reading + Listening (conversation)
This task presents a university-related situation, such as a policy change or announcement. You’ll read a short passage and then hear two students discuss it. Your job is to summarize what the student in favor or against the announcement says, including their reasons.
Examples:
Reading: The school plans to increase parking fees. Listening: The male student disagrees because it’s already expensive and public transport isn’t reliable. → “The man disagrees with the university’s decision to increase parking fees. He says it’s already hard for students to afford parking, and the bus schedule is inconvenient.”
Reading: A professor will cancel one of the weekly lectures. Listening: The female student agrees because it gives her more time to review the material independently. → “The woman supports the professor’s plan. She says students can use the extra time for studying and that they can still get help during office hours.”
🎓 Question 3 – Integrated: General to Specific (Academic)
Format: Read an academic definition/concept, listen to a lecture with examples, and explain the concept using those examples.
Reading Time: 45 seconds
Prep Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds
Materials: Reading + Listening (academic lecture)
In this task, you’ll see a short academic text that defines a term or idea (like “groupthink” or “mutualism”), then listen to a professor give specific examples. You’ll need to explain the concept and refer to the examples from the lecture.
Examples:
Reading: “Groupthink” is when people in a group avoid disagreement. Listening: A professor gives an example of a group making a poor business decision because no one spoke up. → “The professor explains groupthink by describing a company that launched a flawed product. Even though some team members had concerns, they stayed silent to avoid conflict.”
Reading: “Habituation” is when an animal stops responding to repeated stimuli. Listening: The professor talks about birds that stop reacting to scarecrows over time. → “The lecture illustrates habituation with birds on a farm. At first, they avoided the scarecrow, but after a few days, they realized it wasn’t dangerous and ignored it.”
🎧 Question 4 – Integrated: Academic Lecture
Format: Listen to an academic lecture and summarize key points.
Prep Time: 20 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds
Materials: Listening only (no reading)
This final task presents a short academic lecture. You’ll hear a professor discuss a concept with two main examples or explanations, and you must summarize them accurately. Focus on clarity and structure, not memorizing every word.
Examples:
Lecture Topic: Animals use camouflage for survival. The professor talks about insects that look like leaves and fish that change color. → “The professor discusses camouflage. One example is insects that resemble leaves to hide from predators. Another example is fish that change their color to match the ocean floor.”
Lecture Topic: How companies influence consumer behavior. The professor mentions product placement in TV shows and limited-time offers. → “The professor explains how businesses shape consumer choices. She first mentions how products appear in shows to increase interest. Then, she describes how time-limited sales create urgency.”
🕒 TOEFL Speaking Section Summary
Task
Type
Prep Time
Response Time
Materials
1
Independent
15 seconds
45 seconds
Article
2
Integrated – Campus
30 seconds
60 seconds
Article + Audio clip
3
Integrated – Academic
30 seconds
60 seconds
Article + Audio clip
4
Integrated – Lecture
20 seconds
60 seconds
Audio clip
💡 Pro Tips for High Scores
Be concise but complete – Don’t ramble. Use the full time, but stay on topic.
Speak clearly and confidently – Avoid filler words like “uh” or “you know.”
Practice integrated skills – These require careful listening and note-taking.
With consistent practice and a good strategy, the TOEFL Speaking section can become one of your strengths. Stick to a clear structure, speak naturally, and support your points with examples. You’ve got this! 💪🎤