TOEFL Speaking Section - Templates, subjects & transitional words

TOEFL Speaking Section - Templates, subjects & transitional words

Independent Task Question 1

This speaking template will help you in the Speaking Section TOEFL iBT especially Question number 1 (hobby, experience and past routine):

Hypothetical Future

If I received some money, I would try to assist my community. There are many projects I could finance/fund ……


Simple Present

There are many reasons why I like to eat out rather than cook food.
First, my wife hates to cook.
Second, I enjoy eating fast food at the mall.
It is more expensive, but I prefer the taste ….

Finally, my whole family likes to eat Western food, so we usually go to fast food restaurants at the mall.
Introducing a topic (Q1)
There are several reasons why I ….
I llike pizza a lot.
I like pizza so much that I eat it everyday.
Past Routine: “used to” / “would”
When I was young, I used to play football with my friends after school. We would play for hours and then we would chat before we went home.
Life Experiences / Achievement: Present Perfect
I have visited many places in my country, but my favorite place is ….
I have been there at least 10 times. I have always enjoy visiting ….

Sample Speaking Topics for TOEFL Speaking Question 1
People
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.
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.
Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why you think he/she is intelligent.
Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was important?
Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.
Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire him/her.
Describe your favorite teacher and explain why he or she inspired you. Include details and examples
Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and explain why he/she was so influential to you.
Who has been your favorite teacher so far in your life? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
Talk about a person who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain why you found him/her inspirational.
Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.

Family
Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.
Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together. Describe it and explain why you all enjoy it.

You and Your Experiences
What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it is your happiest memory.
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.
When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience and say why it was a positive one.
Talk about a situation which enabled you to realize you had a certain strength or weakness that you didn’t know about before and how you dealt with this new finding.
What do you think your life will look like after retirement? Use reasons and details to support your response
Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say why it was embarrassing.
Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.
What was your favorite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favorite one.
Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it was a success for you.

School, Education
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

Things, Possessions
What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.
What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
What's a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.

Places
What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.
Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why you would like to holiday there.
Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is memorable to you.
Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.
Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and explain why it is fun.
Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you would like to live there.
Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit. Describe this place and explain why you would recommend it.
Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.

Hobbies
What is your favorite freetime activity? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
What is your favorite recreational activity? Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.

TV, Movies, Entertainment
What is your favorite movie or movie genre? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
Describe a movie or book that has had a positive influence on you. Please include specific details and examples in your response.
Describe a particular TV show that you think is excellent. Include specific details and examples in your answer.
What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.

Reading, Books, Study, News
What is your favorite book? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping you to study.
Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good place for you to study.

Travel
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.
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.

Transport
What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite means of transportation.

Music
What is your favorite style of music? Use reasons and details to support your answer

Food, Restaurants
Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it most.
What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.

Weather
What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like it so much.

Country, Culture, Festivals
Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and explain why it is important.
Talk about your country’s national anthem or flag. Where is it used and where can it be found today? Include details and examples to support your response.
What custom from your home country are you most fond of? Describe the custom and explain why you are fond of it.

Independent Task - Question 2

This speaking template will help you in the Speaking Section TOEFL iBT especially Question number 2 about agree/disagree or preference:

Some people think that ……….while other disagree …. They feel that ….
I believe that/I prefer to …....for several reasons:
First of all,...
Furthermore,....
That's why I agree/diagree with/prefer to ....based on the two reasons I've just mentioned.

Sample TOEFL Independent Speaking Topics
Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together. Describe it and explain why you all enjoy it.
Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.
What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.
What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite means of transportation.
What was your favorite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favorite one.
Talk about a person in your life who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain why you found him/her inspirational.
Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why you think he/she is intelligent.
Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.
What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.
Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say why it was embarrassing.
Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.
Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience and say why it was a positive one.
Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.
Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and explain why it is important.
Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was important?
Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it was a success for you.
Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best friend.
What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.
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.
Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire him/her.
Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and explain why it is fun.
Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.
Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is memorable to you.
Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good place for you to study.
Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you would like to live there.
Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it most.
What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping you to study.
What is your favorite recreational activity?
Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.
Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit. Describe this place and explain why you would recommend it.
What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
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.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it is your happiest memory.
When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
What custom from your home country are you most fond of? Describe the custom and explain why you are fond of it.
Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and explain why he/she was so influential to you.
Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why you would like to holiday there.
What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.
What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like it so much.
Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.

Integrated Speaking Question 3 and Conversation Question 5

This speaking template will help you in the Speaking Section TOEFL iBT especially Question number 3 and 5:
(Two students / A man and a woman)

…………………….. are discussing an announcement on Campus that one of them has seen.
…………………….. are discussing a problem that one of them has ….


The …….. is upset because (he/she) ….
The …….. offers two suggestions.
The first option is to ………………..
Second option is to …………………
I prefer the (first/second) option because the man / woman …………
I would advise ……………………

 

Integrated Speaking Question 4 and Lecture Question 6

This speaking template will help you in the Speaking Section TOEFL iBT especially Question number 4 and 6:

Both (the reading passage and the lecture) discuss the (topic / subject of / issue)

The reading passage (examines / explains) the concept of …………………. And defines the (meaning / origin) of …………………………

The lecture, on the other hand, (disagrees with the reading passage) (focuses / concentrate) on different aspect of …………
The lecture discusses …………….
The ………………… ( argues / believes / claims / contends /declares / mentions / states ) that ………………………
The (lecture) (argues / warns) against …..
(casts doubt) on ……
(challenges) the notions that ……
The ………………. (agrees / disagrees) with ……..

Useful Transitional Expressions for TOEFL iBT Speaking & Writing

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To achieve high score in your iBT Speaking & Writing it has to be well organized and well developed. It can be done if your ideas flow nicely and are well-connected. To connect your ideas you can use some transitional expressions (words and phrases). They are as follows:

1) To add:
also, and, and then, as well, besides, beyond that, equally important, finally, first (second, third, last, and so on), following this further, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, indeed, in fact, last, lastly, likewise, moreover, not only ..., but also, not to mention, or, then, too, what is more
2) To compare:
also, as well, both (neither), in the same way, likewise, similarly
3) To contrast:
although, be that as it may, but, even though, however, in contrast, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, whereas, yet
4) To concede (a point):
certainly, granted that, of course, no doubt, to be sure
5) To emphasize:
above all, absolutely, always, as a matter of fact, besides, certainly, definitely, emphatically, even more, extremely, forever, in any case, in any event, indeed, in fact, more importantly, naturally, never, obviously, surprisingly, that is, undeniably, undoubtedly, unquestionably, without a doubt, without reservation
6) To illustrate:
especially, for example, an example, for instance, in this case, in another case, in this situation, including, namely, notably, on this occasion, particularly, in particular, specifically, take the case of, to demonstrate, to illustrate, as an illustration
7) To show a cause and effect relationship:
accordingly, as, as a result, because, because of, being that, consequently, as a consequence, due to (the fact that), for, for the simple reason that, for this reason, hence, inasmuch as, in that, in view of (the fact that)
8) To clarify:
I mean, in other words, in this case, that is to say, to put it another way, under certain circumstances, up to a point
9) To show a signal of time relationship:
after, after a while, afterward, as soon as, as first, at last, at the same time, before, before long, before this, currently, during, eventually, finally, first of all (first, second, third, etc), formerly, immediately, in the end, in the meantime, in the future, later, meanwhile, next, now, recently, soon, suddenly, then
10) To summarize:
finally, in brief, in other words, lastly, on the whole, to sum up

Note: My suggestion is "Use it properly and do not use the same transitional words repeatedly". For example, when you want to give illustration or sample, if you have used transitional expression "for example" in the first paragraph, then it is better to use other transition words such as: "for instances", "such as" or "as an illustration", and other words" in the following sentences or paragraphs.