TOEFL Speaking Topics for Independent and Integrated Task

TOEFL speaking topics have two major sections. One is the independent speaking topic which consists of two tasks. The other is the integrated speaking topic which consists of four tasks. There are various kinds of questions that come under TOEFL independent speaking topics. In the independent section, candidates need to draw their own ideas, opinions and perspectives while responding. Meanwhile, the integrated section is slightly complicated. This will test more than one skill of the student. The candidates should go through the TOEFL speaking topics with answers to be familiar with this test. The students can also go through some TOEFL preparation tips to excel in this exam. The TOEFL speaking section will be conducted for a duration of 20 minutes. The candidates can understand the TOEFL speaking section thoroughly by looking through this article.

TOEFL Speaking Topics for Independent Task 

The independent speaking topics for TOEFL include two major tasks. Candidates will have to shell out their own perspectives, opinions, and ideologies while responding in these sections. There are also many TOEFL preparation books that can aid candidates with these tasks. The information on the two tasks are provided below.

Task 1: Choosing One Option

The first task in the independent speaking topic will require the students to give an answer for a possible situation. This question will have many possible answers. The candidates must understand the situation and choose the appropriate one to speak about it. They must back up and support why they chose this as the answer.

Task 2: Choosing One From Two Options

This is similar to the first tasks, but only two options will be given to the candidates. The candidates have to choose an option which they think is the right answer. Then they need to justify why they think this is the ideal answer to the given situation.

There are various types of questions that would be asked in the TOEFL independent speaking topic. Candidates can use the information provided below to know about them.

Three Choices Question Type

This kind of question will have three choices. The candidates will have to choose one option as the answer and explain why they chose that. Candidates can use relevant details and examples to explain their answer. This kind of question was introduced in the recent trends. Candidates must be practiced with this particular question because this is being asked frequently in the exams. Some TOEFL practice speaking questions of this type are given below.

• Which of the following qualities will you value the most when selecting a roommate abroad? Quietness or Cleanliness or Friendliness?
• Which of the following will you choose to complete an assignment for a presentation? Acting out a scene of a play or Giving review for a novel you read or Reading a poem?
• Which of the following do you consider as the best technological invention for the students? E-Books or Smartphones or Online classes?

Agree or Disagree Question Type

In this kind of question an argument sentence will be provided to the candidates. They have to explain whether they agree or disagree with it. The candidates will have to provide their opinions and reasons on why they agree or disagree with it. The answer should be framed in a way that the first sentence must have the words agree or disagree. Some examples of these TOEFL speaking questions are given below.

• Do you agree or disagree that Video games have a positive impact on children? Give reasons and examples to support your stance.
• Do you agree or disagree that Co-workers make the best friends? Give details and examples to explain your opinion.
• Do you agree or disagree that students should bring their cellphones to school? Give details and examples to support your explanation.

Preference Question Type

This kind of TOEFL speaking question will give the candidates two choices. The candidates will have to pick one from the given choices. The candidates then will have to explain why they chose this particular option. Necessary backup and evidence will aid the candidates to support their preference. The answer should be framed in a way that the first sentence must have the word prefer or its other verb forms. The questions from this task are presented with a few examples below.

• Would you prefer to work at one job your entire life or to switch jobs every five years? Explain your response with details and examples.
• Some people prefer to read physical books made from paper, while others prefer to read electronic books on a digital device. Which do you prefer and why?
• Do you prefer calling some directly or just texting? Why?

Description or Explanation Question Type

This kind of question will require the candidates to describe or explain a given topic. Normally the candidates would be asked to describe a certain person. Apart from that, they would be asked to explain certain scenarios or developments about the world. In some cases the candidates would even be asked to explain their perspective on TOEFL speaking topics. Some examples of the questions from this task are provided below.

• Will bicycles be widely used in the future or would other transportation take its place?
• What is a crucial benefit that an employer can provide to make sure that employees are healthy and happy?
• Should schools encourage character education and develop the morals and values of students?

Advantage or Disadvantage Question Type

This kind of question will give a statement. The candidates must explain both the advantages and disadvantages of it. Necessary information and examples can increase the impact advantages and disadvantages of a particular scenario or plot. Some examples of these TOEFL speaking questions are given below.

• The school intends to create a new menu for the cafeteria in order to provide healthier, lower-calorie foods. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
• Young children must spend more time on sports. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.
• Universities will have to allow their dormitories to have television. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

If / Imaginary Question Type

The candidates would be given a hypothetical imaginary situation. The candidates will have to imagine themselves as being in the specific situation or scenario given. Then they have to explain what they would do in that scenario. The candidates can either choose from the given options or create their own answers. The TOEFL speaking sample questions that come under this kind are given below.

• If you were given a small amount of money, what would you do? Spend it or save it? Explain your answer.
• If you would invent something new, what would that be? Explain your answer.
• Imagine that you have received some land that you can do anything with, what would you do? Explain your answer.

TOEFL Speaking Topics of Integrated Task

The independent speaking topics for TOEFL includes the next four major tasks. The TOEFL speaking questions with answers for the integrated topic not only deals with speaking alone. It also includes listening and reading skills. The candidates will have to read certain passages or listen to certain audio files to complete these tasks. Each of the four tasks have their own specifications. The tasks included here will be based on things that happen in a classroom or the campus. Students can also take up TOEFL Coaching to learn and strengthen their skills for these tasks. The tasks are detailed below for the candidates to comprehend them.

Task 3: Explaining an Opinion on a Campus Issue

Candidates would be given an article or a clip to read that contains certain news. Then there would be an audio file where two people would discuss this news and disagree with each other. The candidates must support and explain one of the two people’s opinions. The candidates should be listening to the audio and reading the clip carefully to complete this task. The candidates have to note that for this task, they should explain the opinion of others rather than their own.

Task 4: Explaining a Lecture Topic

This is similar to the previous task except that instead of news, a lecture will be given. The reading part will have the concept or lesson from a textbook. Meanwhile the audio file will be of a professor explaining the lecture and the students asking questions or answering them. Candidates will have to explain what they read and listen.

Task 5: Explaining a Campus Life Problem

This task only involves the listening skill. This is also similar to the third task that involves an issue on the campus. The candidates will have to listen to an audio file where two people speak about possible solutions for dealing with the issue. The candidates will have to summarize the problem and describe which is the best solution with reasons.

Task 6: Explaining a Lecture

This task is similar to the fourth task and involves only the listening part. The audio file will be of a professor explaining the difficulty level of a class of first year students in a university. There will be no interaction between the students and the professor. The question will require the candidates to summarize a specific part.