Are you looking for high-quality TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests to prepare for your exam? In this guide, you'll get question types, strategies, model responses, and 90 brand-new prompts to boost your speaking performance. Plus, learn how you can get personal, expert feedback to improve faster.

What is the TOEFL Independent Speaking Task?

The TOEFL Independent Speaking question (Question 1) asks you to express your opinion about a familiar topic. It's your chance to show how clearly and effectively you can communicate in English using personal reasons and real-life examples. There are three common types of Independent Speaking questions:

1. Agree or Disagree
2. Preference (Choose between two options)
3. Hypothetical Situation

Let’s break down each type with strategies, a model response, and 30 sample prompts to practice.

Type 1: Agree or Disagree

Strategy:

• Clearly state your opinion in the first sentence.
• Use one strong reason to support your opinion.
• Give a specific, real-life example to make your answer memorable.
• Use transition words to help your answer flow.

Sample Question: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Students should be required to complete assignments over the weekend.” Model Response (150 words): I disagree with the idea that students should be required to complete assignments over the weekend. One main reason is that weekends give students time to rest and recharge. For example, last semester, I was taking five classes, and during the week I was extremely busy with classes and homework. But over the weekend, I took time to visit my grandparents, go hiking with friends, and catch up on sleep. This made me feel refreshed and ready to learn on Monday. If I had been overloaded with assignments, I would’ve started the new week exhausted. In my opinion, having a break from academics improves mental health and prevents burnout, which is essential for long-term success. Therefore, I believe weekends should be reserved for relaxation and personal growth rather than academic work. 30 Practice Prompts – Agree or Disagree:

1. All students should wear uniforms.
2. Watching movies is better than reading books.
3. Students should work part-time while attending school.
4. People learn more from failure than success.
5. Online learning is more effective than in-person classes.
6. High schools should require community service.
7. It's better to live in a big city than a small town.
8. Parents are the best teachers.
9. Traveling is more educational than studying in a classroom.
10. Children should start learning a foreign language in elementary school.
11. Teachers should not give homework over holidays.
12. Students should evaluate their professors.
13. It's better to study multiple subjects at once.
14. Cell phones should be banned in classrooms.
15. Grades motivate students to study harder.
16. Social media does more harm than good.
17. Universities should offer more online courses.
18. Technology makes people less creative.
19. A healthy diet is more important than regular exercise.
20. Students should be allowed to grade their peers.
21. Studying history is as important as studying science.
22. People should spend more time outdoors.
23. Everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.
24. Video games help develop problem-solving skills.
25. Students should be required to take art classes.
26. Group work helps students learn better.
27. Gap years help students mature.
28. Standardized tests are a fair way to measure ability.
29. All students should participate in sports.
30. Money is the key to happiness.

TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests--Type 2: Preference Questions

Strategy:

• Choose one option and explain why it is better for you.
• Give one clear reason to support your choice.
• Add a personal, real-world example to show how this applies to your life.

Sample Question: “Some people prefer studying in the morning, while others prefer studying late at night. Which do you prefer and why?” Model Response (150 words): I prefer studying in the morning because my mind is fresh and focused after a good night’s sleep. For instance, last month when I was preparing for my TOEFL exam, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. every day to review vocabulary and complete practice tests. I noticed that I could concentrate better and finish tasks more efficiently compared to studying late at night, when I felt tired and distracted. Morning study sessions helped me stay consistent with my schedule and boosted my confidence. Also, mornings are generally quieter, so there are fewer distractions. This made it easier for me to retain information and stay motivated. So, for me, morning study is the most effective. 30 Practice Prompts – Preference:

1. Study alone or study with friends?
2. Online classes or in-person classes?
3. Living on campus or off campus?
4. Taking notes on paper or on a laptop?
5. Working while studying or not?
6. Learning by reading or by listening?
7. Spending money or saving money?
8. Eating at home or dining out?
9. Living in the countryside or in the city?
10. Using public transportation or driving your own car?
11. Studying in the library or at home?
12. Doing one job or multiple part-time jobs?
13. Traveling during summer or winter?
14. Studying science or studying literature?
15. Renting an apartment or staying with parents?
16. Attending a small college or a large university?
17. Reading e-books or printed books?
18. Learning a language online or in a classroom?
19. Taking a gap year or going to college immediately?
20. Spending free time alone or with others?
21. Watching TV shows or movies?
22. Listening to music or podcasts?
23. Taking handwritten notes or typing?
24. Playing sports or watching sports?
25. Having one close friend or many acquaintances?
26. Using a computer or a tablet?
27. Cooking meals or ordering food?
28. Having a pet or not?
29. Joining clubs or focusing on studies?
30. Living in a dorm or renting an apartment?

Type 3: Hypothetical Situations

Strategy:

• Imagine the situation as real and answer directly.
• Give one reason and support it with a specific personal or realistic example.
• Use conditional language ("If I were…", "I would…") to show grammar control.

Sample Question: “A university is considering limiting internet access in dormitories to reduce distractions. Would you support this decision? Why or why not?” Model Response (150 words): I would not support limiting internet access in dormitories because students need the internet for academic purposes. For example, when I was working on a group project last semester, we used online tools like Google Docs and Zoom to collaborate. If the internet had been restricted, we couldn’t have completed the project efficiently. Also, many courses have online readings and video lectures that students need to access at any time. Limiting the internet would create unnecessary obstacles and frustration. I understand the concern about distractions, but instead of restricting access, the university should offer workshops on time management and self-discipline. That way, students can learn to stay focused without feeling controlled. Therefore, I would oppose such a rule. 30 Practice Prompts – Hypothetical:

1. Your university may ban social media—do you agree?
2. If you could take a class from any professor, who would it be?
3. What would you do if your internet stopped working during finals week?
4. Your school is planning to remove the cafeteria—support or oppose?
5. Imagine getting a scholarship to study abroad. Would you go?
6. Your university might switch to a four-day week. Is it a good idea?
7. If you were given $10,000 to start a project, what would you do?
8. A professor offers optional weekend classes. Would you attend?
9. Your school wants to ban personal laptops. Agree or disagree?
10. You could live with a roommate or alone for one year—what would you choose?
11. Your college is removing grades. Support or oppose?
12. If you had to choose a major today, what would it be?
13. Imagine winning a summer internship—what kind would you choose?
14. Your professor allows open-note exams. Would you prefer that?
15. If you could change one school policy, what would it be?
16. You must join a club—academic or recreational?
17. You can attend one extra seminar per week. Would you?
18. If you missed an important exam, what would you do?
19. Your school may allow pets in dorms. Would you support it?
20. You can take one class pass/fail—what would it be?
21. You’re asked to mentor a younger student. Would you do it?
22. If your university canceled spring break, how would you feel?
23. You’re offered free gym access—would you use it regularly?
24. You get to design a new course—what topic would you choose?
25. A professor offers video lectures instead of live classes. Support or not?
26. You can skip one semester for travel—would you take it?
27. Your school might allow AI writing tools. Agree or disagree?
28. You can only study one subject next year. Which?
29. Your campus goes entirely paperless. Is that good?
30. You’re invited to a competitive national speech contest—would you join?

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This expert guidance can make the difference between a 22 and a 26+ on your Speaking score. Start practicing, submit your responses, and get targeted support that helps you reach your TOEFL goals faster. Conclusion Use these TOEFL Independent Speaking Practice Tests to practice regularly, build confidence, and increase your score. Combine practice with expert feedback to take your preparation to the next level. You’ve got this—and I’m here to help!