TOEFL Speaking Topics

Whenever a student decides to study abroad, there are a lot of things they need to keep
in mind while preparing to get admission into their dream university. Of all the entrance
exams, preparing for the language proficiency tests can be quite intimidating,
especially TOEFL or Test Of English as a Foreign Language. Talking about the TOEFL
syllabus, there is one such challenging section that stands out from all the other
sections of the exam which is the English-Speaking section.

It comprises around 4 tasks wherein the candidates have to speak on some special
TOEFL speaking topics and record their responses on a microphone. If you are all set to
take the TOEFL exam and want to ace the speaking section of the TOEFL exam, then
this blog contains some of the most popular and expected TOEFL speaking topics that
can help you take your preparations to the next level.

In the recent changes introduced in the TOEFL ibt exam. It is the Speaking section that
has undergone no significant changes. This section still has 4 tasks that have to be
completed within a duration of 16 minutes.

THIS BLOG INCLUDES:

1. Overview
2. Types of TOEFL Speaking Topics
3. List of Popular TOEFL Speaking Topic Questions
4. TOEFL Speaking Topics with Answers
5. TOEFL Speaking Topics
1. TOEFL Speaking Topics: Three-Choice Question Type
2. TOEFL Speaking Topics: Agree or Disagree Question Type
3. TOEFL Speaking Topics: Description or Explanation
6. Tips and Tricks to Ace TOEFL Speaking Section
7. Best Books for TOEFL Preparation
8. FAQs

Overview
Before we are headed to the TOEFL speaking topics, let us first clarify our concepts
about what TOEFL speaking section is really about. The speaking section of TOEFL is
approximately 16 minutes long wherein the candidate has to perform 4 tasks based on
expressing an opinion on a familiar topic. The score of the speaking section of TOEFL is
based on the candidate’s ability to read, listen, use good grammar, manage time, take
notes, pronounce the word correctly and many other minute factors of assessment.

The speaking section is divided into 2 main categories: Independent Tasks (Task 1)
and Integrated Tasks (Tasks 2 to 4). Independent Tasks normally involve how well a
candidate can speak and express their ideas, thoughts and opinions clearly. Whereas,
the Integrated Tasks include the integration of reading/listening along with speaking.
Answering integrated questions depends largely on how well a candidate can find logic
or ideas in a given text or lecture.
Types of TOEFL Speaking Topics
Here are the different types of TOEFL speaking topics that you must know about:

• Choose From One Option

• Choose From Two Options
• Explain an Opinion on a Campus Issue
• Explain a Lecture Topic
• Explain a Campus Life Problem
• Explain a Lecture

List of Popular TOEFL Speaking Topic Questions

If you are looking to kickstart your preparation for TOEFL, it is important that you are
well aware of all the topics that you going to face during the test scenario. Here are the
top 30 popular TOEFL speaking topics for you to help you get a rough idea of the types
of questions in the examination.

• Describe some significant features of a restaurant or cafe that you like.

• Would you work in a profession where you are required to work in a group?
• Describe any one of the best moments of your life.
• Childhood is the happiest time in one’s life. Do you agree?
• Describe any of the work experiences you have had before.
• Describe a place in your city that you often like to visit.
• Talk about an important national holiday in your country.
• What subject was your favourite in school?
• What TV programs do you like watching? Entertainment or educational?
• Which of the smartphone functions are most useful to the students? (1) recording
lectures (2) listening to
• Describe a moment in your life where you experienced success. Also, talk about why
was it a success for you.
• Who is the closest family member? Describe them and explain why you feel close to
them.
• “It is never too late to get a degree.” Do you agree with this statement?
• Specify your favourite tourist attraction in your city or country.
• You are going to choose a roommate for you, which of the following qualities would you
look for in an ideal roommate? (1) Friendliness (2) Cleanliness (3) Quietness
• Do you agree that male and female students should have separate residence halls?
• Some people prefer buying a used book while some people prefer buying new books.
Which one would you prefer?
• Which mode would you like to prepare for your final project? (1) presentation (2)
creating a video (3) writing a paper.
• Do you agree that students should spend more time learning outside the classroom than
learning inside the classroom?
• What do you like to read in your free time? (1) Newspaper (2) magazine (3) book
• If you are going to purchase an expensive product, will you borrow the money to buy it
save the money and then purchase the item?
• Which is that one event from your life you would like to revisit once? Describe what was
so special in that.
• Describe your favourite recreational activity and talk about why you love it.
• Who is the most intelligent person you know in your life? Describe them and explain why
you think they are intelligent.
• Talk about your family and describe what sort of activities you all enjoy doing together
and why.
• Which study aid do you rely the most on?
• Talk about a teacher or guide who had the most positive influence on your life.
 • Is it better to reward employees with various job perks and other gifts rather than simply
paying them more?
• Your friend from another country is coming to visit you. Which tourist attraction would
you take them to?
• Recall one such difficulty that you overcame in your life. Describe your experience.

TOEFL Speaking Topics with Answers

Q. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement that children should help
their parents and do household chores when they are old enough?

I believe that it is of great benefit that children should help their parents with household
chores after a certain age. It is ideal because children can learn valuable skills as it
comes in handy in later periods of life. During my later years of school, I was
responsible for making breakfast for me and my brother before going to school. As a
result, when I went out of the state for college it was really easy for me to manage my
own meals throughout the day, unlike my other friends. Also, doing home chores
together is an ideal opportunity through which parents and children can bond together.

Q. Some people like to watch news programs on television every day, while others
prefer watching them only now and then. What is your preference?

I for sure prefer to watch the news only on an occasional basis because of two major
reasons. Firstly, spending time watching the news makes me feel anxious sometimes.
As it is difficult for me to digest news about disasters. An extra dose of news,
sometimes depresses me, affecting my daily functionality. Secondly, I also believe that
it is a waste of time. If I spend 1 hour of my day watching a news broadcast, then, I will
surely miss out on some important things of my day.

Q. These days using extreme methods suggests surgery to change your physical
appearance has become common. People generally do it because they want to look
more attractive. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your answer with details and
examples.

I think it is a great idea to get your body altered as per your choices. I can support my
argument with two reasons such as- having your body as per your choice can boost
your self-confidence. Generally, people are hesitant about one or the other physical
aspect of the personality, but through plastic surgery, we can easily overcome it leading
to a better and more content life. Apart from this, plastic surgeries give one the privilege
to undo the changes made if they are unhappy with their results. I myself have recently
corrected the shape of my nose through plastic surgery as per my choice.

TOEFL Speaking Topics

Now that we are familiar with a list of TOEFL Speaking topics, let us now take into
consideration some category-wise topics-

TOEFL Speaking Topics: Three-Choice Question Type

• Which of the following choices do you think has the greatest impact on environmental
protection? (1) Governmental regulations (2) Environmental awareness groups (3)
Individual effort.
 • There is going to be a TV show that relates to students. Which show would you like to
watch? (1) Interview school leaders (2) Students’ debate on political and social topics
(3) Comedy about school life.
• Three kinds of activities will be offered on a special day organized by the International
Student Office. Which one do you prefer? (1) International food fair (2) International
music festival (3) International film festival.
• Which one would you like to choose for your final project? (1) giving a presentation (2)
writing a paper (3) creating a video.

TOEFL Speaking Topics: Agree or Disagree Question Type

• Do you agree or disagree that it is important for young people to learn some domestic
skills like cooking, sewing and taking care of children?
• Do you agree or disagree with the statement that experienced doctors are better than
young doctors?
• Do you agree or disagree that students should have a job while they are studying in
school? Use details and examples to support your explanation.
• Some people think that with the development of technology and the Internet, libraries
will disappear, while others think libraries are always necessary. Which opinion do you
agree?

TOEFL Speaking Topics: Description or Explanation

• If the police stop a driver who is driving drunk (after drinking alcohol), do you think that
the person’s driver’s license should be taken away? Support your answer.
• Do you think that parents should be allowed to educate their children at home, or should
they be required to send children to school outside the home? Support your answer.
• Do you think it is important for parents to teach their kids to learn how to manage
money? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
• Should schools engage in character education to instil morals and values in children?

Tips and Tricks to Ace TOEFL Speaking Section

Now that you know the topics for the TOEFL Speaking section, let’s quickly impart you
with some important tips that can help you ace the exam.

• Stay Focused: When you are attempting the speaking section, you might get distracted
by the noises of everyone speaking around you. Therefore, while you are preparing for
the test, practice this section in a rather noisy room than a silent one.
• Relax and be Confident: Panicking can thwart your performance in the TOEFL speaking
section and can block your mind from getting new ideas and opinions. Therefore, before
taking the exam, take a few deep breaths and try relaxing for a few seconds.
• Stay away from Plagiarism: There are umpteen templates available on the internet, yet
you do not need to cram the answers for any of the TOEFL speaking topics. If your
answer is found plagiarized by the graders, your candidature can be disqualified.
• Take Notes: Taking brief notes can help the candidate in recalling everything about the
main ideas behind the TOEFL lectures.
• Make Things Up: In case you have spoken about everything and there is still time left,
just make things on an imaginary basis. This section only assesses the speaking skills
of the candidates and not the facts and figures. Just keep on discussing even if an
incident did not happen.
‫‪FAQs‬‬
‫?‪Q1: How many times can I take the TOEFL exam‬‬

‫‪There is no restriction on the TOEFL exam. A person can take the exam as many times‬‬
‫‪as they want but in a gap of 12 days.‬‬

‫?‪Q2: Can I register for the TOEFL exam more than once‬‬

‫‪Yes, you can register for the TOEFL exam more than once. But make sure that you can‬‬
‫‪apply for the exam once in a gap of 12 days.‬‬

‫?‪Q3: What is the deadline to register to get a preferred test date‬‬

‫‪A person can register for the TOEFL exam at least 4 days prior to the set date of the‬‬
‫‪examination. It is essential for candidates to make sure that they are applying before‬‬
‫‪that.‬‬

‫?‪Q4: When should I register for the TOEFL exam‬‬

‫‪Ideally, you should register for the exam 3-4 months prior to your desired test date. With‬‬
‫‪this gap, you will also have a chance to re-appear for a better score.‬‬

‫?‪Q5: What is the cost of the TOEFL iBT exam‬‬

‫‪The cost of the TOEFL iBT test varies from one country to another. In India, it is US$ 180‬‬
‫‪(INR 14,000).‬‬

‫قائمة بأسئلة موضوع التحدث الشائعة في اختبار‪TOEFL‬‬

‫إذا كنت تتطلع لبدء التحضير الختبار‪ ، TOEFL‬فمن المهم أن تكون على دراية جيدة بجميع المواضيع التي ستواجهها أثناء‬
‫سيناريو االختبار‪ .‬فيما يلي أهم ‪ 30‬موضوعًا شائ ًعا للتحدث في اختبار ‪ TOEFL‬لمساعدتك في الحصول على فكرة تقريبية عن‬
‫أنواع األسئلة في االختبار‪.‬‬

‫‪ .1‬صف بعض الميزات المهمة للمطعم أو المقهى الذي تفضله‪.‬‬

‫‪ .2‬هل ستعمل في مهنة حيث يطلب منك العمل ضمن مجموعة؟‬
‫‪ .3‬وصف أي واحدة من أفضل لحظات حياتك‪.‬‬
‫‪ .4‬الطفولة هي أسعد وقت في حياة اإلنسان‪ .‬هل توافق؟‬
‫‪ .5‬قم بوصف أي من تجارب العمل التي مررت بها من قبل‪.‬‬
‫‪ .6‬صف مكانًا في مدينتك تحب زيارته ً‬
‫كثيرا‪.‬‬
‫‪ .7‬تحدث عن عطلة وطنية مهمة في بلدك‪.‬‬
‫‪ .8‬ما هي المادة التي كانت المفضلة لديك في المدرسة؟‬
‫‪ .9‬ما هي البرامج التلفزيونية التي تحب مشاهدتها؟ ترفيهية أم تعليمية؟‬
‫‪ .10‬ما هي وظائف الهاتف الذكي األكثر فائدة للطالب؟ (‪ )1‬تسجيل المحاضرات (‪ )2‬االستماع إليها‬
‫‪ .11‬صف لحظة في حياتك شهدت فيها النجاح‪ .‬تحدث أيضًا عن سبب نجاحه بالنسبة لك‪.‬‬
‫‪ .12‬من هو أقرب أفراد األسرة؟ صفهم واشرح سبب شعورك بالقرب منهم‪.‬‬
‫‪" .13‬لم يفت األوان بعد للحصول على درجة علمية‪ ".‬هل تتفق مع هذا البيان؟‬
‫‪ .14‬حدد مكان الجذب السياحي المفضل لديك في مدينتك أو بلدك‪.‬‬
‫‪ .15‬سوف تختار شري ًكا لك في السكن‪ ،‬أي من الصفات التالية ستبحث عنها في شريك السكن المثالي؟ (‪ )1‬الود (‪)2‬‬
‫النظافة (‪ )3‬الهدوء‬
 ‫ هل توافق على ضرورة أن يكون للطالب والطالبات قاعات سكنية منفصلة؟‬.16
‫ اي واحده تفضل؟‬.‫ يفضل بعض األشخاص شراء كتاب مستعمل بينما يفضل البعض اآلخر شراء كتب جديدة‬.17
‫) كتابة ورقة‬3( ‫) إنشاء الفيديو‬2( ‫) العرض التقديمي‬1( ‫ ما هو الوضع الذي ترغب في التحضير لمشروعك النهائي؟‬.18
.‫بحثية‬
‫ هل توافق على أنه يجب على الطالب قضاء وقت أطول في التعلم خارج الفصل الدراسي مقارنة بالتعلم داخل الفصل‬.19
‫الدراسي؟‬
‫) كتاب‬3( ‫) مجلة‬2( ‫) جريدة‬1( ‫ ماذا تحب أن تقرأ في وقت فراغك؟‬.20
‫ فهل ستقترض المال لشرائه وتوفر المال ثم تشتري السلعة؟‬،‫ إذا كنت ستشتري منت ًجا باهظ الثمن‬.21
.‫ ما هو الحدث الوحيد من حياتك الذي ترغب في زيارته مرة أخرى؟ وصف ما هو خاص جدا في ذلك‬.22
.‫ قم بوصف نشاطك الترفيهي المفضل وتحدث عن سبب حبك له‬.23
.‫ من هو أذكى شخص تعرفه في حياتك؟ صفهم واشرح لماذا تعتقد أنهم أذكياء‬.24
.‫ تحدث عن عائلتك ووصف نوع األنشطة التي تستمتعون جمي ًعا بالقيام بها م ًعا ولماذا‬.25
‫ ما هي المساعدات الدراسية التي تعتمد عليها أكثر؟‬.26
.‫ تحدث عن المعلم أو المرشد الذي كان له التأثير األكثر إيجابية على حياتك‬.27
‫ هل من األفضل مكافأة الموظفين بامتيازات وظيفية مختلفة وهدايا أخرى بدالً من مجرد دفع المزيد لهم؟‬.28
‫ ما هو المعلم السياحي الذي ستأخذهم إليه؟‬.‫ صديقك من بلد آخر يأتي لزيارتك‬.29
.‫ صف تجربتك‬.‫ تذكر إحدى هذه الصعوبات التي تغلبت عليها في حياتك‬.30

General TOEFL Sample Speaking Questions

1. Till now, who is the best teacher you have come across and why?
2. Tell us your dream vacation spot and describe why you want to visit that place.
3. According to you, what is an ideal way of spending a holiday?
4. What are the five best qualities that you have that your family or friends should be proud
of?
5. Describe three career options that are appealing to you and why?
6. Often people like to travel with their families and friends whereas some are solo
travellers. Which kind of a traveller are you and why?
7. Were you brought up in an urban area or a rural area? If urban then, will you be
comfortable living in rural areas for the rest of your life or vice-versa? Elaborate upon
why and why not.
8. Some people believe that school students should only focus on their studies and not
waste their time on sports. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
9. Do you believe in saving the money one earns or spending it on your present desires?
10. Students should opt for streams like Science or Commerce rather than Arts is a
common notion. Do you agree or disagree with it? Support your answer with some
examples.

Popular TOEFL Speaking Questions 2023-2024

1. What changes have you felt after the Covid-19 lockdown is over?
2. Describe the most impressive moment in your life.
3. Do you prefer a profession that requires you to work in a group?
4. Which study method do you prefer, online courses or traditional classrooms?
5. How did you spend your free time during the pandemic? For example, reading, drawing,
baking, etc.
 6. Some people think life in modern times is better than in older times, what is your
opinion?
7. Tell us about one of your favourite songs or one of your favourite movies.
8. Describe your favourite place, for example, a seashore park in your city where you often
visit.
9. What is the most important gift you have and describe why it is important.
10. If your friends from another country are going to visit your country, where would you
suggest they should go?

Choice-Based Sample Questions for TOEFL

Often students come across questions based on a situation and containing 2-3 options
to ponder upon. Here are some likely TOEFL sample speaking questions:

1. While choosing your roommate abroad which is the quality you will look for the most out
of- Quietness, Cleanliness, Friendliness?
2. If the university is renovating the dormitory, tell us one thing you will recommend them
to incorporate out of- Gym, Cafe, Personalized Study room.
3. As a task for your assignment which one of the following will you choose? A review of
the novel you read recently, Read out your favourite poem, Act out a scene from the play
4. Elaborate upon whether you will choose A written paper test, Presentation, or Creating a
video as your assessment.
5. Electronic Books, Smartphones, or Online classes which out of these is the best
technological inventions for students.

TOEFL Sample Questions: Agree or Disagree

The test-takers will be asked questions in which they will be needed to explain their
agreement or disagreement in reference to a particular question. Following are some
TOEFL sample speaking questions for this topic:

1. Do you agree that experienced doctors are better than young ones?
2. Do you agree or disagree that the youth should learn more about domestic chores along
with their studies?
3. Indian students aspiring to study abroad must be fluent in a foreign language other than
English. Do you agree or disagree?
4. Male and female students should have separate living halls. Do you agree or disagree?
5. Elaborate upon your agreement or disagreement on the fact that celebrities should not
hide their personal life issues from the media.

Preference Type Questions

1. What are your views on using brand-new books rather than using old books?
2. Will you choose to study for a few hours and have a full night’s sleep or study for the
entire duration comprising of your sleep?
3. Do you prefer calling someone directly or just texting? Why?
4. Some students like to watch educational programs on TV and some prefer
entertainment programs. Which one will you prefer and why?
5. Some students prefer to switch off their phones while studying and some use it for the
same. Which one do you prefer to choose and why?

TOEFL Sample Essays

How to Crack TOEFL in 3 Months?
Tips and Tricks for TOEFL Speaking Section
Here are a few tips to ace the TOEFL Speaking Section.

• Practice makes you perfect. Speaking requires a lot of practice to master the
pronunciations and become fluent.
• Relax and stay confident. This helps in focusing on what you’re speaking and
concentrating better.
• Use your imagination. If you have time left after answering, use your imagination to
elaborate on the answer by creating hypothetical situations and framing them correctly.

IELTS vs TOEFL TOEFL Sample Essays

TOEFL Exam Changes in the Writing Section
The TOEFL exam section is now only 1 hour 56 minutes long in duration. Hence, the
exam sections underwent several developments to incorporate such a change, except
for the Speaking Section, which remained the same. The writing section of the exam
received some changes as well. Here are the changes that were made.

• The duration of the writing section is reduced to 29 minutes.

• The sections still contain 2 tasks. One is an integrated task but the other independent
writing task has been transformed into a writing for academic discussions.
• The new task is also a single writing task for which the candidates are given a lecture
excerpt from a professor accompanied by some opinions by other students.
• The candidates have to write their own opinion and give supporting arguments for the
same.
• The task will be evaluated for the candidate’s ability to understand the classroom
environment and ability to understand along with other parameters.
• Other factors such as allotted scores will remain the same.

TOEFL Writing Task 1- TOEFL Integrated Writing Task

The first TOEFL Writing task is Integrated Writing. This task expects you to use your
reading, writing and listening skills. In this, you first read a short passage for three
minutes, then you listen to an audio clip of the speaker discussing the same passage.
Now you get 20 minutes to respond to the question with reference from these two
sources.

During your answer, you can read the passage again but cannot listen to the clip again.
The examiners mark this section from 0-5 and they judge you not only on your writing
skills but also on your reading and listening skills.

TOEFL Writing Samples- Task 1

The following Sample is from the official website of TOEFL iBT:

Were Dinosaurs Endotherms?

Reading Passage:
Endotherms are animals such as modern birds and mammals that keep their body
temperatures constant. For instance, humans are endotherms and maintain an internal
temperature of 37°C, no matter whether the environment is warm or cold. Because
dinosaurs were reptiles, and modern reptiles are not endotherms, it was long assumed
that dinosaurs were not endotherms. However, dinosaurs differ in many ways from
modern reptiles, and there is now considerable evidence that dinosaurs were, in fact,
endotherms. Polar dinosaurs One reason for believing that dinosaurs were endotherms
is that dinosaur fossils have been discovered in polar regions. Only animals that can
maintain a temperature well above that of the surrounding environment could be active
in such cold climates. Leg position and movement There is a connection between
endothermy and the position and movement of the legs. The physiology of endothermy
allows sustained physical activity, such as running. But running is efficient only if an
animal’s legs are positioned underneath its body, not at the body’s side, as they are for
crocodiles and many lizards. The legs of all modern endotherms are underneath the
body, and so were the legs of dinosaurs. This strongly suggests that dinosaurs were
endotherms. Haversian canals There is also a connection between endothermy and
bone structure. The bones of endotherms usually include structures called Haversian
canals. These canals house nerves and blood vessels that allow the living animal to
grow quickly, and rapid body growth is a characteristic of endothermy. The presence of
Haversian canals in bone is a strong indicator that the animal is an endotherm, and
fossilized bones of dinosaurs are usually dense with Haversian canals.

Listening:
[Narrator] Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.

[Professor] Many scientists have problems with the arguments you read in the passage.
They don’t think those arguments prove that dinosaurs were endotherms. Take the
polar dinosaur argument. When dinosaurs lived, even the polar regions where dinosaur
fossils have been found were much warmer than today—warm enough during part of
the year for animals that were not endotherms to live. And during the months when the
polar regions were cold, the so-called polar dinosaurs could have migrated to warmer
areas or hibernated as many modern reptiles do. So the presence of dinosaur fossils in
polar regions doesn’t prove the dinosaurs were endotherms. Well, what about the fact
that dinosaurs had their legs placed under their bodies, not out to the side, like a
crocodile’s? That doesn’t necessarily mean dinosaurs were high-energy endotherms
built for running. There’s another explanation for having legs under the body: this body
structure supports more weight. So with legs under their bodies, dinosaurs could grow
to a very large size. Being largely had advantages for dinosaurs, so we don’t need the
idea of endothermy and running to explain why dinosaurs evolved to have their legs
under their bodies. OK, so how about bone structure? Many dinosaur bones do have
Haversian canals, that’s true, but dinosaur bones also have growth rings. Growth rings
are a thickening of the bone that indicates periods of time when the dinosaurs weren’t
rapidly growing. These growth rings are evidence that dinosaurs stopped growing or
grew more slowly during cooler periods. This pattern of periodic growth—you know,
rapid growth followed by no growth or slow growth and then rapid growth again—is
characteristic of animals that are not endotherms. Animals that maintain a constant
body temperature year-round, as true endotherms do, grow rapidly even when the
environment becomes cool.

Prompt: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they
challenge the specific points made in the reading passage.
Life on Mars
Reading Passage:
For years, scientists have been trying to discover whether life exists on Mars. Most have
concluded that the Martian environment today is too harsh to support living organisms.
However, three recent discoveries lend support to the idea that there may very well be
life on Mars after all. First, large amounts of methane have been detected in the Martian
atmosphere. This suggests the presence of living methanogens, tiny organisms that
release methane into the atmosphere as a by-product of their life processes.
Methanogens get their energy from hydrogen in rocks and do not need oxygen or
sunlight to live, so they can survive in harsh environments like Mars. Since methane can
remain in Mars’ atmosphere only for a few centuries after it’s created, these
methanogens must be present and producing methane today.

Second, the existence of life on Mars is also strongly supported by a meteorite

discovered in Antarctica in 1996. The particular chemical composition of this meteorite
indicates that it is a rock from the surface of Mars. The meteorite also contains
chemically pure and flawless crystals of the compound magnetite. Such magnetite
crystals are produced in nature only by bacteria. Third, observations of hydrogen on
Mars made in 2001 by NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft suggest the presence of liquid
water there that could support organisms. The spacecraft detected the hydrogen in the
top layer of Martian soil. This hydrogen is just what one would expect if there were
liquid water under the surface. A subterranean reservoir of liquid water is an extremely
suitable environment for microscopic life.

Listening:
[Narrator] Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.

[Professor] Mars is a very unfriendly place for life. The evidence that has been put
forward as supporting there being life on Mars is actually very ambiguous. The facts as
we know them can easily be accounted for without supposing life on Mars. First,
methanogens are not necessarily the source of methane. Methane can be produced by
non-biological processes like volcanic eruptions. The same experiments that detected
the atmospheric methane also indicated recent volcano activity. Moreover, unlike
methanogens, volcanoes have actually been found on Mars. So since no methanogens
have been found yet, it’s more likely that volcanoes are the source of Mars’s methane.
Second, while the magnetite crystals found in the meteorite from Mars were probably
made by bacteria, there is no indication that the bacteria themselves originated on
Mars. The meteorite arrived on Earth about 13,000 years ago, which means it has had
thousands of years to become exposed to bacteria on Earth. So it could have been
bacteria on Earth that formed the crystals we now observe. Indeed, recent research
performed on the meteorite found that, in fact, it has become contaminated by Earth
bacteria. Since the sample has been contaminated, the magnetite crystals on the
meteorite cannot be used as evidence of life on Mars. Third, what about the supposed
existence of liquid water near enough to the surface of Mars to support life? The recent
investigations of Mars detected hydrogen; they didn’t detect liquid water per se. It’s
actually much more likely that if there’s any water close to the Martian surface, it’s
frozen; in other words, it’s ice, not liquid water. And that’s not a great environment for
life.

Prompt: Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast
doubt on the specific points made in the reading passage.
TOEFL Writing Task 2- TOEFL Writing on Academic Discussion
The second task of writing for an academic discussion is the independent writing task.
In this, you will be asked a question on a particular topic or issue. You will get around 10
minutes to write your views on the topic and explain your opinion. You must give
reasons for your opinion with logical arguments.

TOEFL Sample Essay Type

Here is a type of Questions that can be asked in the Independent Writing Task:

• Motion For or Against a Topic

• Explaining both sides of a topic
• Choosing your stance from different options

TOEFL Sample Essay List

• What are your observations on the effects of widespread use of the internet?
• Movies and television tend to create certain notions of a perfect lifestyle/human being.
How would you elucidate that?
• Do you agree or disagree with the idea that young people can teach older people?
• What do you think is the impact of the place in which a person spends his/her
childhood?
• Parents are the best teachers. What’s your take on that?
• Do you believe that technology is helping people connect on a deeper level?
• What do you think brings out better solutions? A group or an individual?
• If you could change one thing about your family what would it be and why?
• At some point or other, you’ll have a co-worker in your life. What measures will you take
to bring out the best in both of you?
• If your school announced that students with low GPAs will be kicked out of the school.
What will you do in response to the situation?
• What’s your take on the compulsion for traditional schooling? What do you think will
happen if we start studying whatever we want by ourselves?

TOEFL Writing Tips

The writing section is an integral part of language proficiency assessments. Thus, it
becomes important to work on your writing skills as well as vocabulary and grammar
before appearing for the exam. Here are the best TOEFL preparation tips for the writing
section which will surely help you gain your desired score:

• You must wisely utilize your time and keep in mind that you only have 20 minutes to
draft a 250-word essay.
• Take precise notes of the audio passage which will help you while writing the essay.
• Do not construct long and complex sentences but adhere to a simpler and concise style
of writing.
• While writing the essay where you are asked to present your views on one side of an
argument, do not dwell on both sides. Stick to one opinion and elaborate on the same.
• Conclude each body paragraph with a precise sentence.
• Using transitional words will help you connect better with the situation.
 .‫ كلمة‬250 ‫ دقيقة فقط لصياغة مقالة مكونة من‬20 ‫•يجب عليك استغالل وقتك بحكمة وتذكر أنه لديك‬

.‫•قم بتدوين مالحظات دقيقة عن المقطع الصوتي الذي سيساعدك أثناء كتابة المقال‬

.‫•ال تقم ببناء جمل طويلة ومعقدة ولكن التزم بأسلوب كتابة أبسط وموجز‬

‫ التزم برأي واحد‬.‫ ال تخوض في كال الجانبين‬،‫•أثناء كتابة المقال حيث يُطلب منك تقديم وجهات نظرك حول جانب واحد من الحجة‬
.‫وشرحه بالتفصيل‬

.‫•اختتم كل فقرة من فقرات النص بجملة محددة‬

.‫•سيساعدك استخدام الكلمات االنتقالية على التواصل بشكل أفضل مع الموقف‬

TOEFL Sample Test

FAQs

How do I write a good TOEFL essay?

There are a few things to keep in mind as you write the body paragraphs:
Use a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences.
Emphasize the examples. …
Avoid very short sentences (less than seven words) and very long sentences (more than
60 words).
Don’t start sentences with coordinating conjunctions.

How do I start a TOEFL essay?

The introduction is the most important paragraph of your TOEFL essay.

The first paragraph of the essay.
Usually 3 to 5 sentences long.
Introduces the essay topic.
Clearly gives your opinion.
Has a strong thesis statement.

Is 28 in TOEFL writing good?

You can use percentiles to determine what a “good” TOEFL Writing score is. You might
define “good” as anything that’s above average, or the 50th percentile. Using that
definition, any scaled Writing score higher than 22 would be a good score.

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