TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions With Sample Answers - Mock Test #1

TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions With Answers – Mock Test 1

by Schule Study Time | Apr 29, 2025 | TOEFL Speaking Questions

Preparing for the TOEFL Speaking section? This full TOEFL Speaking practice test is designed to help you practise under real exam conditions. It includes all four tasks with high-scoring sample answers, clear instructions, and realistic timing, so you can build confidence before test day. Be sure to record your answers and review your performance to identify areas for improvement.

TASK 1 – INDEPENDENT SPEAKING TASK

For this task, you will be asked a question about a familiar topic.

Your timings for this question are as follows

Preparation Time: 15 seconds
Response Time: 45 seconds

Task 1 Question:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It is better to live in a big city than in a small town.

Use reasons and examples to support your answer.

Task 1 High-Scoring Sample Response:

You can download a high-scoring sample response for this question here for FREE

Task 1 – High-Scoring Sample Response Download

TASK 2 – CAMPUS SITUATION QUESTION

For this task, you will read a short passage about a situation on campus and then listen to a conversation. You will asked a question based on what you have read and heard.

Your timings for this question are as follows:

Preparation Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds

TASK 2 QUESTION:

First, read the article from the campus newspaper. You have 50 seconds to read the article:

Reading Passage (Campus Newspaper Article — Only Positive Benefits)

Campus Newspaper Article: Proposed Expansion of Study Abroad Programs

The university is planning to expand its study abroad programs beginning next year. Under the new plan, students will have access to more destinations, including countries in Asia, Africa, and South America. According to the proposal, expanding the program will give students greater international experience, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, and prepare them for careers in a global economy. University officials also believe that offering more diverse study abroad options will make the school more attractive to prospective students and strengthen its international reputation.

Listening Conversation:

Now listen to 2 students discussing the article. The full conversation transcript can be found below:

Listening Transcript:

Click to view conversation transcript.

Man: Did you read the article about expanding study abroad programs?

Woman: Yeah, and honestly, I don’t think it’s such a great idea.

Man: Really? Why not?

Woman: Well, first, study abroad is already expensive. Adding more locations might raise the costs even more, making it harder for a lot of students to participate.

Man: Yeah, true. I hadn’t thought about that.

Woman: Also, some of the current programs already have problems. I’ve heard complaints about bad housing and confusing course schedules. Instead of adding new places, they should focus on improving the programs we already have.

Man: You make some valid points…I understand what you mean…maybe we should send a letter to the newspaper with your concerns.

Click to hide conversation transcript.

Question:

The woman expresses her opinion about the proposal to expand study abroad programs. State her opinion and explain how it relates to the ideas in the article.

Task 2 High Scoring Response:

You can download a high-scoring sample response for this question here for FREE

Task 2 – High-Scoring Sample Response Download

Task 3: Academic Reading and Lecture Transcript

For this question, you will read a passage about an academic concept or topic, and then you will listen to an excerpt of a lecture about that same concept or topic.

Your timings for this question are as follows:

Preparation Time: 30 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds

Task 3 Question:

You have 45 seconds to read this passage.

Reading Passage – Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat fragmentation happens when a large natural environment is broken into smaller, isolated sections. This often occurs because of human activities, like building roads, cities, or farms. Fragmentation can harm wildlife by making it harder for animals to find food, mates, or shelter. Smaller, separated habitats may not support healthy populations, leading to a decline in species. Scientists study habitat fragmentation to understand how it affects ecosystems and to find ways to protect animals by connecting habitats through wildlife corridors or protected areas.

Listening:

Now listen to part of a lecture from an ecology course. The full lecture transcript can be found below:

Lecture Transcript:

Click to view full lecture transcript.

“A good example of habitat fragmentation is what happened to a forest near my hometown. A highway was built right through the middle of the forest, dividing it into two smaller parts. Before the road, animals like deer and foxes could easily move across the entire forest to find food and mates.

But after the highway was built, many animals became trapped on one side. Some couldn’t safely cross the busy road, and their populations started to decline.

Eventually, the local government created a wildlife overpass—a special bridge covered with plants and trees. This allowed animals to cross safely and connect with others on the opposite side. The animal populations began to recover once they had access to the full habitat again. This shows how habitat fragmentation can harm wildlife and how connecting areas can help fix the problem.”

Click to hide full lecture transcript.

Question:

Explain how the example of the forest and the highway discussed in the lecture supports the concept of habitat fragmentation described in the reading passage.

Task 3 High-Scoring Answer:

You can download a high-scoring sample response for this question here for FREE

Task 3 – High-Scoring Sample Response Download

Task 4: Academic Lecture Question

For this question, you will listen to an excerpt of a lecture on an academic topic.

Your timings for this question are as follows:

Preparation Time: 20 seconds
Response Time: 60 seconds

TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Question:

Now listen to part of a lecture from a psychology class. The full lecture transcript can be found below:

Lecture Transcript:

Click to view the full lecture transcript.

“When training animals, one common method is called positive reinforcement. This means rewarding a behaviour to encourage it to happen again.

A good example is dog training. When a dog sits on command, the trainer immediately gives it a treat. The dog learns that sitting leads to something positive, so it’s more likely to sit when asked in the future.

Another example is training dolphins. Trainers use a whistle to signal when a dolphin performs the correct behaviour, like jumping through a hoop. Right after the whistle, the dolphin receives a fish. Over time, the dolphin associates the whistle with doing the right thing and getting a reward.

Both examples show how animals can learn new behaviours by connecting their actions to positive outcomes.”

Click to hide the full lecture transcript.

Question:

Using points and examples from the lecture, explain how positive reinforcement is used in animal training.

Task 4 High-Scoring Answer:

You can download a high-scoring sample response for this question here for FREE

Task 4 – High-Scoring Sample Response Download

Keep Practising with These TOEFL Speaking Practice Resources

Looking for more ways to improve your TOEFL Speaking skills? Check out these free resources on Schule Study Time:

TOEFL Speaking Task 1 Guide
Understand the three types of Task 1 questions and practise using sentence starters and examples.
TOEFL Speaking Task 2 Guide
Get comfortable summarising conversations and campus announcements under time pressure.
TOEFL Speaking Task 3 Guide
Learn how to combine information from a reading and a lecture with high-scoring response tips.
TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Guide
Practice summarising academic lectures with clear templates and examples.
ETS Scoring Rubric
If you are interested in learning how your speaking responses are scored, then have a look at the official TOEFL Speaking Scoring Rubric from ETS.

TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions With Answers – Mock Test 1

TASK 1 – INDEPENDENT SPEAKING TASK

Task 1 Question:

Task 1 High-Scoring Sample Response:

TASK 2 – CAMPUS SITUATION QUESTION

TASK 2 QUESTION:

Reading Passage (Campus Newspaper Article — Only Positive Benefits)

Listening Conversation:

Listening Transcript:

Question:

Task 2 High Scoring Response:

Task 3: Academic Reading and Lecture Transcript

Task 3 Question:

Reading Passage – Habitat Fragmentation

Listening:

Lecture Transcript:

Question:

Task 3 High-Scoring Answer:

Task 4: Academic Lecture Question

TOEFL Speaking Task 4 Question:

Lecture Transcript:

Question:

Task 4 High-Scoring Answer:

Keep Practising with These TOEFL Speaking Practice Resources

More TOEFL Speaking Practice Questions:

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