TOEFL independent speaking questions and answers. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22) 23) 24) 25) 26) 27) 28) 29) 30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40) 41) 42) 43) 44) 45) 46) 47) 48) What are the characteristics of a good teacher? Would you prefer to take a vacation in the mountains or at the ocean? What are the characteristics of a good neighbor? Where would you like to be professionally in 10 years? What is your favorite holiday? Which person has helped you most to get where you are today, and how has he or she helped you? If you suddenly got $10 million, what would you spend it on? What is your favorite food? What are the characteristics of a good parent? If you could live anywhere, where would you live? What person who is alive today would you most like to meet? If you could have any job in the world, what it would be? At what age should a person be allowed to drive? What is the best excuse to give your teacher when you have not done the homework? What is your favorite day of the year? What change would you like your government to make? Do you like to try new kinds of food or eat the same kind of food all the time? Do you prefer to be in a large or a small class? Would you prefer to go out to dinner or stay and cook a meal? Do you think it is better to marry before or after the age of thirty? Do you prefer to take essay exams or multiple-choice exams? Would you prefer to take a trip by plane or by trip? Would you like to live in a big city or a small town? Do you think it is better to study alone or study with friends? Do you prefer to play sports or watch sports? Would you prefer to go to the opera or to a football game? Do you make decisions quickly or take your time making them? Do you think children should always obey their parents, or are there times when it is not necessary for children to obey? If your teacher makes a mistake, is it better to correct the teacher or ignore the mistake? Is it better to take chances in life or play it safe? Is it better to have a career that pays a lot of money but keeps you away from your family or a career that does not pay so much but allows you time with your family? Which person who is living today do you admire most? Is it better to learn about the news from newspapers or from television? If you were the leader of your country, what would you do? Do you think it is better to get up early in the morning or sleep in until later? Which place in your hometown would you like to take visitors to see? What are characteristics of a good friend? If you won a million dollars, would you save most of it or spend most of it? What do you dislike most about studying English? Would you prefer to go to a big party or a small gathering with friends? What would be your dream job? Would you prefer to write a paper by yourself or with a group? What is your favorite movie? Do you think it is better to tell the truth and hurt someone’s feelings or tell a little lie to keep from hurting the person? People attend college or university for many different reasons. Why do you think people attend college or university? How do movies or television influence people’ behavior? 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? Universities should give the same amount of money to their student’s sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Agree or disagree? 49) 50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57) Why do you think people visit museums? Some people prefer to eat at restaurants. Other people prefer to eat at home. Which do you prefer? What are the characteristics of a good partner? At what age should a person be allowed to drive? Describe an ideal marriage partner. What are the characteristics of a good husband or wife? Explain how birthdays are celebrated in your country. Which do you prefer? Taking a test or writing a paper? Who is your favorite teacher? What is your favorite gift/class/book/movie/sport/music/vacation place/possession/toy/object/leisure activity/animal/event/holiday/city/game? 58) Which type of climate do you prefer? Warm climate all the year or living in a place where the seasons change? 59) Which type of school do you think is better? A coeducational school or a school for women only or men only? 60) If you were asked to choose one place in your country to take a tourist, which one would you choose? 61) What are the characteristics of a good son or daughter? 62) The best way to succeed is to set goals and work hard to achieve them or a good luck? Which one is true? 63) Travel with a group or travel independently? Which one would you choose? 64) What new skill would you like to learn? 65) What famous person would you like to meet? 66) Describe a place where you go for rest and relaxation. 67) What even in your life made you very happy? 68) What important lesson you learnt from a family member? 69) What are the characteristics of a good speaker? 70) Which one is better for students? Writing papers or giving oral presentations? 71) Which do you prefer? Take one long vacation or take several short vacations? 72) Which type of part do you prefer? Large parties or small parties? 73) Which musical experience do you prefer? Going to concerts to hear live music or listening to recorded music? 74) Some schools require students to wear uniforms. Others allow s to wear clothing of their own choice. Which is better? 75) Which is better? Get up in the morning and go to bed early at night or get up late and stay up until late at night? 76) Describe a person that you admire. 77) What foreign country would you like to visit? 78) Which system is better? Teachers decide what classes s must take or schools allow s to select their own classes? 79) What kind of class do you prefer, student oriented class or teacher oriented one? 80) Describe the characteristics that make a person successful. 81) Describe one thing you would like to improve about your hometown. 82) Young children should be given a lot of homework. Agree or disagree? 83) All the effects of technology have been positive. Agree or disagree? 84) Some students like to take classes in the morning. Others prefer having classes late in the day. Which is better? 85) Some people plan every detail of their vacation in advance. Others leave most details open to chance. Which is better? 86) What place in your country do you recommend that other people visit? 87) Which do you prefer? Eating meals with others or alone? 88) Describe a place that you consider to be beautiful. 89) Some people relax by staying at home. Others relax by going out. Which type of relaxation is better? 90) Describe an occasion when you were surprised. Why did you feel surprised? 91) Which study method is better? Studying alone or studying with other students? 92) Which time of day is better for exercising? Early in the morning or in the afternoon or evening? 93) What is the most interesting class you have ever taken? 94) Which do you prefer? Reading classic works of literature or watching film versions of the same stories? 95) Which is better? One long examination at the end of a course or several shorter tests throughout the course? 96) Describe your idea of perfect job? 97) Which do you prefer? Taking vacation in the city or in the countryside? 98) Which method is better to keep in touch with friends and family? By letter or email or by telephone? 99) Which is better to get news? From radio or TV or read the newspaper? 100) Which is better? Driving own car or public transportation? 101) Describe a person who has influenced you in an important way? 102) Which is better? Studying for a long period of hours or dividing study time into many shorter sessions? 103) Which do you prefer? Having a few favorite foods that you eat most time or trying new dishes and styles of cooking? 104) A new restaurant may be built in your neighbor. Do you support or oppose this plan? 105) Which one would you like to buy? A piece of jewelry or a ticket to a concert. 106) Which one do you agree with? University s should be required to attend classes or going to classes should be optional. 107) What are the characteristics of a good supervisor (boss)? 108) Sometimes it is better not to tell the truth. Agree or disagree? 109) Why are groups or organizations important to people? 110) Why do some students study abroad? 111) People do many different things to stay healthy. What do you do for good health? 112) Why are movies so popular all over the world? 113) How is your generation different from your parents’ generation? 114) People remember special gifts or presents that they have received. Why? 115) Describe your most rewarding experience. What made it so rewarding? 116) Do you think s should be required to take physical education courses, or should they only focus on academic subjects? 117) What is the best advice you ever received? Explain how it helped you. 118) Which would you prefer to live in a house or an apartment? 119) If you were going on vacation to a foreign country, would you prefer to go with a tour group or on your own? 120) Have your family’s expectation help been helpful, or have they been a problem? 121) Everyone has situations that cause them anxiety. What situation do you find the most stressful? 122) Describe your favorite game or sport, and explain why you enjoy it. 123) If you could purchase one expensive item right now, what would it be and why? 124) What is your favorite childhood memory? 125) Which one do you prefer? To have many friends or to have a few close friends? 126) I it better to take courses in many different fields or to take many courses in the same field? 127) Is it better to make detailed plans for a vacation or travel without a definite plan? 128) Do you think it is better to be an only child or to have brothers and sisters? 129) If you received some money, would you go on vacation or to buy a car? 130) Some schools require all s to wear school uniforms. Others permit s to decide what to wear. Which policy is better? 131) People are never satisfied with what they have, they always want more. Agree or disagree? 132) Do you prefer to spend your free time outdoors or indoors? 133) A gift can contribute to a child’s development. What gift would you give to help a child develop? 134) Choose one natural resource that is disappearing and explain why it needs to be saved? 135) D o you prefer to make decisions quickly or after careful thought? 136) Which method of transportation do you prefer to travel? 137) You have the opportunity to study something you have never studied before. Explain what subject you would choose. 138) Having a lot of money is very important. Agree or disagree? 139) Discuss how you generation is different from the generations that preceded it. 140) Some people think it’s better to live with a host family when studying abroad, while others prefer to get their own apartments. Which would you prefer and why? 141) Describe the places that you would take visitors to your hometown to see. 142) Some people prefer to study a little in many subjects, while others would prefer to study a single subject in depth. Which do you prefer, and why? 143) Explain what you do to relieve stress and why you do it. 144) Some people prefer to live in places with moderate temperatures, while others prefer to live in places where the weather changes considerably in different seasons. Which is better? 145) Describe where you like to go to relax and why. 146) 1) There are a number of characteristics of a good teacher. First of all, I would like to state that a good teacher is someone who is a creative. If a teacher is creative, he is able to motivate students by using creative and inspirational methods of teaching. In this case, he is different in his approach and that makes him stand out from others. As a result, students enjoy his classes. Furthermore, a good teacher has a sense of humor. A great sense of humor reduces barriers and lightens the atmosphere especially during heavy periods. It also gains him more respect. 2) 3) There are a couple of characteristics of a good neighbor. First of all, I’d like to state that a good neighbor should be helpful. A good neighbor should be willing to help others. Emergency situations may happen anytime and we may encounter difficulties that cannot be resolved by ourselves. At this time, the quickest help we can get is probably from our neighbor. Furthermore, a good neighbor should have good habits. A neighbor with bad habits will affect our daily life. We are most likely influenced by bad neighbors. 4) I would like to start my own business. First of all, I would like to state that I will get a master degree in accounting and finance. I will enhance my knowledge in this field. Accordingly, I will be able to start and supervise my business. Furthermore, I will work in big companies while planning my business. I will gain a lot of experience and that will help me to organize my future business. I will do my best to succeed. 5) My favorite holiday is Novruz, the national Azerbaijan holiday. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I’d like to state that this holiday is the most important annual celebration in my country. During this holiday people try to clean and redecorate their houses. They give various presents to each other. They have a great time. Furthermore, on this holiday I visit my relatives especially my grandmother and grandfather and spend all my day with them. That makes them very happy. As a result, I get happy too. 6) My father has helped me the most. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that, he gave me a good education. When I prepared to enter university, he convinced me that I can do anything that I really want. He paid all my preparation expenses. Furthermore, when I encountered difficulties, he assisted me to overcome all barriers. He taught me what is good and what is bad. With the aid of him, I did a great success in my life. 7) If I got $10 million dollars, I would do a couple of things. First of all, I would take a vacation in the mountains. I am a kind of person who is always in search of excitement. A mountain is the most appropriate place to taste the real thrill. That is why I would spend some amount of my money on this purpose. Furthermore, with the aid of this amount of money I would buy a beautiful house for my mother. She did her best for me. When I encounter difficulties, she assists me to overcome all the barriers. For the same reasons, if I got $10 million dollars, I would do these two things. 8) D 9) D 10) D 11) D 12) D 13) D 14) D 15) D 16) D 17) D 18) D 19) D 20) D 21) D 22) D 23) D 24) D 25) 26) 27) 28) 29) 30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40) 41) 42) 43) 44) 45) 46) 47) 48) 49) 50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) D D D D D D D D D D D d d d d d S S S There are a number of reasons that people attend college or universities. First of all, I would like to state that some people attend in order to prepare for a career. They learn about a particular subject in depth. They gain specific knowledge that is very important in the current job market. Furthermore, some attend for personal fulfillment. They may feel a sense of accomplishment by learning new things. They just prefer to enhance their knowledge and appreciate the importance of learning. There are a number of ways that movies and televisions influence people’s behavior. First of all, I’d like to state that television may lead to violence. Children may not be able to understand right from wrong and they can think that violence is OK. Children see terrible things on TV and sometimes act them out. Furthermore, advertisements on TV compel people to buy things that they may not need. For instance, some people buy camping equipment and never go camping. I, personally, prefer to live in a small town. There are a number of ways. First of all, I’d like to state that small towns are friendlier than big cities. People care about each other and talk with one another. People tend to be more relaxed in small towns. That is why I really appreciate this type of environment. Furthermore, small towns are much safer. People usually know each other’s personal lives. They are aware of a lot of things. That is why criminal incidents are very rare. I disagree with this statement. From my perspective, libraries should receive more money. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I‘d like to state that all students come to the university to learn. Libraries help students to improve their employment. Furthermore, all students can use library resources. They can use library resources to do various researches. They can use computers and they can write essays by using library books. There are a number of reasons that people visit museums. First of all, I’d like to state that people can see interesting things. There are a great number of things that are impossible to see anywhere else. For instance, people can see the relics of dinosaurs and they can also see famous paintings. Furthermore, people can learn about other cultures. In historical museums, people can learn about people from other generations. They can also learn how others live and work. I prefer to eat at home. There are a number of reasons. First of all I’d like to state that eating at home is cheaper. The cost of groceries is much cheaper than the cost of restaurant meals. Transportation and parking expenses also cost a lot of money. That is why I really appreciate eating at home. Furthermore, eating at home is more nutritious. When I eat at home I choose the best ingredients to cook with. Of course, I do not use rotten food, but I do not know if the restaurant uses. F F F F F F 57) F 58) F 59) F 60) F 61) F 62) F 63) F 64) F 65) F 66) F 67) F 68) F 69) F 70) F 71) F 72) F 73) F 74) F 75) F 76) F 77) F 78) F 79) F 80) F 81) F 82) F 83) F 84) F 85) F 86) F 87) F 88) F 89) F 90) F 91) F 92) F 93) F 94) Ff 95) F 96) F 97) F 98) F 99) F 100) F 101) F 102) F 103) I support this plan. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that a new restaurant will provide more jobs. There is a high unemployment rate in my neighborhood. And most of people depend on government assistance for money. This will eliminate some problems to great extent. Furthermore, we will have more options for places to eat. We have already only two restaurants in town. A new one will increase competition among them. Accordingly, prices will decrease and we will take advantage of this opportunity. 104) I would spend my money on jewelry. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that jewelry lasts longer. I can use and enjoy it year after year; however, a concert lasts only a few hours. That is why I really appreciate spending my money on jewelry. Furthermore, I can sell it when I need some amount of money. Emergency situations can happen anytime and by selling my jewelry I can solve my problems. 105) From my perspective, students should be required to go to classes. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that when they don’t go to classes, they miss a lot. They don’t completely take advantage of professors. They miss special instructions or information about specific projects. That is why I really appreciate that students should be required to go to classes. Furthermore, when they don’t go to classes, they don’t interact and work with other students. They don’t know their classmates and cannot become friends with them. 106) There are a number of characteristics of a good boss. First of all, I would like to state that a good boss is someone who trusts employees. A good boss should give you a task and should trust that you can do the job. A good boss should never try to exaggerate your small mistakes. That is why I really appreciate this characteristic. Furthermore, a good boss should give you encouragement. When employees hear that they are doing a good job, they are motivated to do their best in order to accomplish the given tasks. 107) I absolutely agree with this statement. There are a number of reasons. First of all I’d like to state that if you tell the truth all the time you can hurt your friends’ feelings. For instance, if you do not like your friend’s haircut or new shirt, it is better not to tell the truth in order to maintain the relationship. Furthermore, if you always tell the truth, you could get into trouble. For example, if you tell your both that you do not like him or her, you will be fired immediately. 108) There are a number of reasons that groups or organizations are important to people. First of all, I would like to state that people like the friendlier atmosphere in groups or organizations. People meet new people with similar interests and become friends with each other. Consequently, they develop long-term relationships. Furthermore, when people get retired they get bored and try to do something. Therefore, they join groups or organizations in order to deal with various activities. 109) There are a number of reasons that some students study abroad. First of all, I’d like to state that studying abroad is very prestigious. A college degree from a university from another country may be very prestigious for students. That is why they prefer to study abroad. Furthermore, some people study abroad in order to get scholarships. With the aid of various scholarships, they get a bachelor or master degree for free. Or people pay less money for their educations with the help of various scholarships. 110) There are a number of things that I do to stay health. First of all, I would like to state that I try to eat well for a good health. I try not to eat junk food like McDonalds. I eat from all the food groups such as fruits, vegetables bread and meat. Furthermore, I do a lot of exercise in order to stay health. I go swimming every weekend with my friends. I also try walk for 30 minutes three times a week and these exercises really help me to stay health. 111) There are a number of reasons that movies are very popular. First of all, I would like to state that movies provide entertainment. When people get bored they watch movies and they have a great fun. Accordingly, movies help people to stay in a good mood. Furthermore, movies can be found anywhere. People are somehow used to watching movies. Movies have turned to the necessary ingredient of people’s life. That is why whenever it is possible, they want to watch movies and that is why movies are so popular among people. 112) There are a number of ways that my generation is different from my parents’ generation. First of all, I would like to state that the first difference is related to the dress. My parents dressed more conservatively such as they wear shirts, ties and long dresses. However, in my generation, people wear anything. Furthermore, our values are also different. My parents value things like eating dinner together, going to the movie together. In my generation, people value things such as computers, cars, big houses, and nice yards. 113) There are a number of reasons that people remember special gifts that they receive. First of all I would like to state that people remember the gift because of the special person who gave it to them. For instance, my favorite professor gave me a special book when I graduated from the college and because of my professor that I always remember that book. Furthermore, people remember gifts that have special meaning. For example, I received a beautiful car that I had wanted for many years and also could not afford. That is why I always remember it. 114) My most rewarding experience was when I went camping with my friends. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that during the trip I had to prepare my own meals. I had never done that before. I felt proud of myself for being self-reliant. Furthermore, I also had to gather firewood. My friends were depending on me to find wood and I did a great job and found a lot of woods. That taught me responsibility. 115) From my perspective, students should be required to take physical education courses. There are a number of reasons. First of all. I would like to state that students today don’t get enough exercise. They are so busy after class. Physical courses would be so beneficial for students and they would be much healthier. Furthermore, in physical education classes, students often play team sports and they learn to cooperate with each other. Accordingly, they make a lot of friends. 116) The best advice I received was to study English. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that it was so beneficial. Learning English helped me prepare for university. I scored maximum from the English language. That is why I really appreciate that this is the best advice I ever received. Furthermore, that helped me socially in my life. For instance, since I was studying English, I joined various English-speaking clubs and made a lot of new friends. 117) I would prefer to live in a house. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that it is bigger. I would do a lot of things in a big house. For instance, I would play various games with my friends and have a great fun. That is why I really appreciate living in a house. Furthermore, many apartment buildings don’t allow keeping pets. However, I want a dog. If I lived in an apartment, I probably couldn’t have a dog. 118) F 119) My family’s expectations have helped me a lot. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that my family expected me to be a good student and for the sake of them I did my best to be at the top of the class. Accordingly, it helped me to enter the university. Furthermore, my family expected me to be generous to others. As a result I learnt to give to other people. So I made a lot of friends. 120) The most stressful situation for me is taking exams. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that I never seem to be able to complete exams within the given time limit. In exams I get more and more nervous and cannot focus on questions. Furthermore, I worry a great deal about the answers. For instance, I feel pressure that if I fail an exam, I will not be able to do anything in life. 121) My favorite sport is soccer. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that I love soccer because it is a fast game. I always feel excited while dealing with this activity. I regard that I was born to play soccer. That is why I really appreciate this game. Furthermore, soccer is straightforward to play. You just need a field, a ball and some friends to get a match. And then you can easily have a game of soccer. 122) I would by a brand-new not-book. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that it is very useful. I could use it to play computer games. I could also use it to do various tasks. That is why I really appreciate a brand-new computer. Furthermore, I would buy a not-book because it is portable. I could carry it with me wherever I go. It is small and light and would fit my bag. 123) My favorite childhood memory is when I went to the beach for the first time. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that I had never seen the ocean before. My impression was that it was very vast and amazing. I had a great time. Furthermore, it was also first time that I went fishing with my father. My father taught me how to fish that day and since then I have been spending all my spare time on the beach by trying to catch a great number of fish. 124) I prefer to have a few close friends. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that I can spend more time with a few close friends and get to know them much better. Accordingly, I can develop lifelong friendships with them. Furthermore, having a lot of friends can cause problems. For instance, when I have a lot of friends, they always get into arguments into each other. 125) From my perspective, it is better to take many different courses at university. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that it is an opportunity to gain a lot of knowledge. I can learn about now things. I can enrich my outlook with the aid of this way. Furthermore, I can meet people who have different interests. I can make a lot of friends and I can develop lifelong relationships with them. 126) From my perspective, it is better to make detailed plans for vacation. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that it lets me to spend most of my time to rest. For instance, I had a detailed plan when I went to Paris, so I did not waste time figuring out directions. That is why I really appreciate to have a detailed plan for vacation. Furthermore, with a detailed plan, I know in advance what amount of money I will spend on my vacation and while I am on vacation, I don’t experience any financial problems. 127) From my perspective, it is better it is better to have brothers and sisters. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that without siblings I will be alone. For instance, my brother and I are very close friends and we enjoy doing things together. I cannot imagine my life without my brother. Furthermore, siblings always help each other. For example, I can count on my elder sister. When I have problems, my brother always gives me advice and tries his bets to solve my problems. 128) I would take a vacation. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that a car will last only 8-10 years. It is not permanent. However, the memories of a vacation will last a lifetime. That is why I really appreciate going on a vacation. Furthermore, a car will cost me much more than I assume. There are a lot of expenses of a cur such as maintenance expenses, parking expenses, fuel expenses. In contrast, the cost of a vacation will not increase after I have finished my vacation. 129) From my perspective, school uniforms should be required. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that uniforms give students equality. All students do not have the same financial resources and cannot afford expensive clothes. In same uniforms poor students feel better. That is why I really appreciate wearing school uniforms. Furthermore, uniforms give identity. According to the uniform, you can easily determine who is from your school and who is not. 130) I agree with this statement. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that people always want better lifestyle. They often want a bigger house, they want a comfortable life. That is why I really appreciate that people are never satisfied with what they have. Furthermore, people never seem to be truly happy in their jobs. Even though they make a lot of money, they want more and more money in their jobs. They want to work less and make more. 131) I prefer to spend my free time outdoors. There are a number of reasons. First of all I would like to state that I enjoy almost all outdoor activities and very few indoor activities. That is why I really appreciate spending my spare time outdoors. Furthermore, I like outdoor atmosphere. I enjoy both weather and the warm weather. I like to see nature. I like to experience the sunshine as well as rain and snow. 132) I would give a book to a child. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that a book can teach lessons. With the aid of books, children learn how to get along with others, how to be a good friends and how not to hurt others. Furthermore, with the aid of books children can learn about others. Many stories are about the issues from other countries, so children learn customs and cultures of other countries. 133) From my perspective, forests need to be saved. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that forests are resource for people. Forests provide building materials for people and also, forests provide fuel for people. That is why I really appreciate that forests need to be saved. Furthermore, forests provide beauty. Forests are beautiful to look at and walk through. It is really relaxing to look at the colorful flowers in forests. 134) From my perspective, making decisions quickly are much better. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that if you always take a long time to make decisions, you may lose an opportunity to do something. That is why I really appreciate to make decision quickly. Furthermore, if you make your decision after careful thought, you may put yourself in danger. For instance, driving requires that you make quick decisions to avoid accidents. 135) I prefer to use my own car. There are a number of reasons. First of all, I would like to state that my car is quicker. Other types of transportations work according to schedule. When I use my own car, I can travel on my schedule. That is why I really appreciate my own car. Furthermore, my car is more convenient. I my car, I can listen to music or sing a song. However on a bus or a train it is impossible to do these activities. 136) ‘