iBT TOEFL Writing and Speaking Tasks
Self Study

1. Overview of iBT TOEFL Test
   The new iBT TOEFL test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.  All sections are taken on the same day and the entire test is approximately four hours long.  For a brief comparison of the earlier versions (the PBT TOEFL and the CBT TOEFL), and the new iBT TOEFL, please use the following link to download TOEFL iBT AT A Glance.


2. Practice Hints for Speaking Prompts & Writing Section
   Two of the test sections, the Speaking and Writing sections, contain tasks that have something in common: a question or statement is posed and the test taker is asked to give an opinion supported by reasons or examples.  Whether the question or statement occurs in the Speaking or the Writing section, the response formula is roughly as follows:

   Question or Statement:
   1. Your opinion
   2. Reason or example 1
   3. Reason or example 2
   4. Reason or example 3
   5. Conclusion

3. As a Speaking Prompt
   There are two independent speaking prompts, wherein the test taker is asked to give a personal opinion on a topic, supported by reasons or examples. The test taker is given 15 seconds to prepare his or her response by jotting down a brief outline. The response lasts one minute and is recorded and graded on a 1-4 scale.


4. As a Writing Task
   There are two independent writing tasks, wherein the test taker is asked to give a personal opinion on a topic, supported by reasons or examples.  The test taker is given 30 minutes to prepare his or her response by jotting down a brief outline and writing a response of about 300 words (about one double-spaced typed page).
   There is also the integrated TOEFL task wherein the student must listen to a 3 minute lecture, then read a brief passage on the same topic. The student must summarize them and state whether the speaker adds to or casts doubt on the reading.
   These writing tasks are graded on a 1-5 scale.


5. Topics
   The following are examples of typical questions or statements posed either for the independent Speaking or Writing tasks. 
   Practice these tasks by following the  above instructions for each type of task.  Make sure to time yourself.

Section A: Easier Prompts

1. Your favorite pet
2. Your dressing style
3. What do you do in your free time? (Your favorite hobby)
4. How do you learn English?
5. Which sport do you like best?
6. Which dish do you like best?
7. Your favorite or the most important subject at school
8. Your plans for the future
   
9. Your best scholastic achievement
   
10. What kind of music do you like best?
    
11. What do you expect of your parents?
    
12. If you had a wish, what would you wish?
    
13. What one thing would you change about your university or school? Why?
    
14. Your best friend
    
15. The person you admire most
    
16. Your most unforgettable day
    
17. What do you think about the government of your country?
    
18. Your idea of a happy life
    
19. A type of book you enjoy reading
    
20. Your ideal mate
    
21. Your favorite TV show
    
22. The movie you like best
    
23. A place you would like to visit
    
24. The strangest dream you have had
    
25. What would you do if you suddenly had a lot of money?
    
26. Where would you live if you could not live in your own country?
    
27. Your ideal holiday resort
    
28. Your ambition
    
29. Your most influential person/teacher, and explain why you feel this person is a positive role model.
    
30. Where will you be professionally in 10/15/20 years time?
    
31. What quality do you like best in a friend?
    
32. What do you treasure most in life?
    
33. What are the qualities of a good citizen?
    
34. Your favorite time of the year?
    
35. Your favorite color?
    
36. What are the qualities of a good teacher?
    
37. What are the qualities of a good student?
    
38. What are the qualities of a good parent?
    
39. If you could change one thing in your country, what would you change?
    
40. Which country’s people are the most attractive?  Why?
    
41. Describe a job that you’ve had, and explain why it was important.
    
42. Describe a person you admire and explain why you admire him or her.
    
43. If you could have any job in the world, which job would you choose?
    
44. Describe a book that you have read and explain why it was important to you.
    
45. Describe the house or place that you live in now.
    
46. If you had an entire month to do whatever you would like to do, what would it be? Include details and examples to support your selection
    
47. What are the characteristics of a good neighbor?
    
48. Which person has helped you the most to get where you are today, and how has he or she helped you?
    
49. What does your dream house look like?
    
50. What person who is alive today would you most like to meet?
    
51. Why are you preparing for the TOEFL test?
    
52. At what age should a person be allowed to drive?
    
53. What is the best excuse to give your teacher when you have not done your homework?
    
54. What is your favorite day of the year?
    
55. What change would you like the government of your country to make?

Section B: More Difficult Prompts

1. If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.


2. What are some important qualities of a good school teacher? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.


3. Many people say that the Internet is the most important invention ever. Do you agree or disagree with this and if not, what do you believe to be more important? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.


4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People pay too much attention to the less important things in life and fail to see the larger issues. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.


5. Which do you feel is more important in your life: security or freedom and independence? Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.


6. A job should mean a job for life. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the help of technology, life is easier today than in the past. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? A problem shared is a problem solved. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


9. Some music is very inspirational. Other music seems boring and meaningless. Which type of music do you listen to and why do you think some music forms are much more popular than others? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


10. If you could travel back in time or into the future, which would you choose and what exact period of time would you like to experience? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.


11. People attend college or university for many different reasons (for example, new experiences, career preparation, increased knowledge).
    Why do you think people attend college or university? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


12. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


13. Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. Has this changed or improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


14. It has been said, "Not everything that is learned is contained in books." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?


15. A company has announced that it wishes to build a big factory near your community. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose the factory? Explain your position.


16. If you could change one important thing about your hometown, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.


17. Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.


18. "When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success." Do you agree or disagree with the quotation above? Use specific reasons and examples to explain your position.


19. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount of money to their students’ sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.


20. Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


21. Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


22. Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes. Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.


23. What are some important qualities of a good supervisor (boss)? Use specific details and examples to explain why these qualities are important.


24. Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details.


25. It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to answer the question.


26. In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes and effects of this. Use specific reasons and details to develop your answer.


27. We all work or will work in our jobs with many different kinds of people. In your opinion, what are some important characteristics of a co-worker (someone you work closely with)? Use reasons and specific examples to explain why these characteristics are important.


28. In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students. Do you think this is a good idea? Support your opinion by using specific reasons and details.


29. A person you know is planning to move to your town or city. What do you think this person would like and dislike about living in your town or city? Why? Use specific reasons and details to develop your answer.


30. It has recently been announced that a new movie theater may be built in your neighborhood. Do you support or oppose this plan? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.


31. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People should sometimes do things that they do not enjoy doing. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


32. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Television, newspapers, magazines, and other media pay too much attention to the personal lives of famous people such as public figures and celebrities. Use specific reasons and details to explain your opinion.


33. Some people believe that the earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity makes earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.


34. Some say that cloning could be useful, while others say that it is against the laws of nature and will eventually harm us. Which opinion do agree with?  Give  examples and  reasons for your answer.

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