🎤 TOEFL Speaking Cheat Sheet

Master all 4 speaking tasks with proven strategies and response templates

4 Speaking Tasks
16 Minutes Total
0-4 Score Per Task
45-60 Seconds to Speak

📊 Quick Task Overview

Task Type Prep Time Response Time Skills Tested
Task 1 Independent 15 seconds 45 seconds Opinion + Support
Task 2 Integrated (Campus) 30 seconds 60 seconds Read + Listen + Speak
Task 3 Integrated (Academic) 30 seconds 60 seconds Read + Listen + Speak
Task 4 Integrated (Lecture) 20 seconds 60 seconds Listen + Speak

🌟 Universal Speaking Success Rules

✅ Always Do:

  • Speak at steady pace - don't rush!
  • Use your full time (silence = lost points)
  • Take quick notes during prep time
  • Start strong with clear opening
  • Use transition words (First, Second, Finally)

❌ Never Do:

  • Stop speaking before time ends
  • Repeat same words constantly
  • Apologize ("Sorry, my English is bad")
  • Memorize and recite templates
  • Go completely silent for 3+ seconds

Independent Speaking

⏱️ 15s prep / 45s speak

📚 What to Expect

You'll be asked for your personal opinion on familiar topics like study habits, leisure activities, or everyday choices. No reading or listening - just you expressing your preference with reasons and examples.

💡 The 45-Second Formula:

10 sec: State your opinion clearly
25 sec: Give 2 reasons with quick examples
10 sec: Restate your position
Don't worry if you don't finish! Better to have solid reasons than rush through 3 weak ones.

🎯 High-Scoring Response Template

OPENING (8-10 seconds)

"I [prefer/think/believe] [your choice] for two main reasons."
OR
"In my opinion, [statement]. I feel this way for a couple of reasons."

REASON 1 (12-15 seconds)

"First, [reason]. For example, [quick personal example or general scenario]."

REASON 2 (12-15 seconds)

"Second, [reason]. For instance, [another quick example]."

CLOSING (5-8 seconds)

"So that's why I [restate your preference/opinion]."

1 15-Second Prep Time Strategy

  • 0-3 sec: Choose your position (pick the side you can support easier)
  • 3-8 sec: Write "R1:" and quick note for first reason
  • 8-13 sec: Write "R2:" and quick note for second reason
  • 13-15 sec: Think of opening sentence while waiting for beep
💡 Note-Taking Hack:

Just write keywords, not sentences! Example notes: "R1: less stress" / "R2: save time, ex: morning routine" That's all you need to stay on track during your 45 seconds.

📋 Common Question Patterns

Preference:

"Do you prefer to study alone or in a group?"

Agreement:

"Do you agree that technology makes life easier?"

Choice:

"Which is better: planned vacation or spontaneous trip?"

Advice:

"What advice would you give a new student?"

⚠️ Top 5 Mistakes That Kill Your Score

1. Stopping at 30 seconds: Use ALL 45 seconds - even if you repeat yourself a bit!

2. Too many "um" and "uh": Slow down instead of filling silence with fillers

3. No examples: Saying "it's convenient" isn't enough - give a quick example!

4. Changing your answer: Stick with your first choice, don't flip-flop mid-response

5. Memorized templates: Graders can tell - sound natural, not robotic

🔗 Natural Transitions & Phrases

Opening:

• I definitely prefer...
• In my opinion...
• I think... for two reasons

Sequencing:

• First/First of all...
• Second/Another reason...
• Also/Additionally...

Examples:

• For example...
• For instance...
• In my experience...

Campus Situation

⏱️ 30s prep / 60s speak

📚 What to Expect

Step 1: Read a campus announcement (45-50 seconds)
Step 2: Listen to two students discussing it (60-90 seconds)
Step 3: Summarize one student's opinion and reasons (60 seconds)

💡 The Reporting Rule:

You're a REPORTER, not a debater! Just accurately report what the student said - don't add your opinion. Focus 80% of your time on the reasons, not just repeating the announcement.

🎯 60-Second Response Formula

OPENING (10 seconds)

"The university plans to [brief summary of announcement]. The [man/woman] [agrees/disagrees] with this change."

REASON 1 (20-22 seconds)

"[He/She] thinks that [first reason]. [He/She] explains that [specific detail or example from conversation]."

REASON 2 (20-22 seconds)

"Also, [he/she] mentions that [second reason]. [He/She] says [specific detail or example from conversation]."

CLOSING (5-8 seconds)

"So that's why [he/she] [supports/opposes] the university's decision."

1 Smart Note-Taking During Conversation

  • While reading: Just understand main change - you DON'T need detailed notes (you can't look at them during speaking!)
  • While listening: Focus ONLY on the opinionated student (usually speaks more)
  • Write: "+/-" (agree/disagree), then "R1:" [keyword], "R2:" [keyword]
  • Get details: Jot down specific examples they mention (numbers, names, situations)
💡 The "Other Student" Trick:

One student usually just asks questions like "Why?" or "Really?" - ignore them! Focus 100% on the student who's explaining their opinion with reasons and examples.

⚠️ Top 3 Mistakes:

1. Spending 30 seconds on the announcement: Brief summary (5-10 sec) then jump to reasons!

2. Saying "The student thinks...": Say "The man/woman" - be specific about gender

3. Vague reasons: Don't say "it's better" - give the SPECIFIC reason they mentioned!

Academic Concept

⏱️ 30s prep / 60s speak

📚 What to Expect

Step 1: Read about a general academic concept (45-50 seconds)
Step 2: Listen to professor explain a specific example (90-120 seconds)
Step 3: Explain how the example illustrates the concept (60 seconds)

💡 The Connection Rule:

Your job is to CONNECT the dots: "Here's the general concept (from reading) and here's how this specific example (from lecture) shows that concept in action." Spend 70% of time on the example details!

🎯 60-Second Response Formula

OPENING (10-12 seconds)

"[Concept name] is when [brief definition from reading]. The professor explains this concept with [one/two] example(s)."

EXAMPLE DETAILS (40-45 seconds)

"In the lecture, the professor describes [specific example]. [Tell the story: what happened, who was involved, what was the result]. This demonstrates [concept] because [explain the connection]."

CLOSING (5 seconds)

"So that's how the example illustrates [concept name]."

1 Note-Taking Strategy

  • While reading: Write concept name + 5-word definition (that's enough!)
  • While listening: Focus on WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHY of the example
  • Write details: Names, numbers, actions, results - be specific!
  • Note connection: Jot down how example relates to concept
💡 The Story-Telling Hack:

Treat the example like telling a mini-story. Start with the setup, explain what happened, describe the result. Then connect it to the concept. This structure naturally fills 60 seconds!

⚠️ Top 3 Mistakes:

1. Too much time on concept: 10 seconds max for definition, then dive into the example!

2. Vague example summary: "The professor mentioned a study" isn't enough - what was the study?

3. Missing the connection: Don't forget to explain HOW the example shows the concept!

Academic Lecture

⏱️ 20s prep / 60s speak

📚 What to Expect

Listen only: No reading! Professor explains 2 main points about a topic (2-3 minutes)
Your job: Summarize the main topic and both supporting points with details (60 seconds)

💡 The Balance Rule:

Split your 60 seconds: 10 sec intro + 23 sec point 1 + 23 sec point 2 + 4 sec closing. Give EQUAL attention to both points - don't spend 40 seconds on point 1!

🎯 60-Second Response Formula

OPENING (8-10 seconds)

"The professor discusses [main topic]. [He/She] explains two [types/ways/methods/reasons]."

POINT 1 (23-25 seconds)

"First, [he/she] talks about [first main point]. The professor explains that [details]. For example, [specific example from lecture]."

POINT 2 (23-25 seconds)

"Second, [he/she] describes [second main point]. According to the lecture, [details]. [He/She] gives the example of [specific example from lecture]."

CLOSING (3-5 seconds)

"So those are the two main [types/ways/methods] the professor discussed."

1 Killer Note-Taking System

  • Draw a T-chart: One side for Point 1, other side for Point 2
  • Listen for "First" or "One way": That signals Point 1 - write everything they say!
  • Listen for "Second" or "Another": That's Point 2 - take detailed notes
  • Get examples: Specific examples are gold - names, places, numbers, situations
💡 The Signal Words Hack:

Professors use clear signals: "There are two types..." / "I'll discuss two methods..." / "Let me explain two reasons..." Write down the exact framework they give you, then fill in the details!

📋 Common Lecture Patterns

Classification:

"Two types of X are..."

Methods/Ways:

"Animals communicate in two ways..."

Causes/Effects:

"There are two reasons why X happens..."

Problems/Solutions:

"Two challenges organisms face are..."

⚠️ Top 3 Mistakes:

1. Unbalanced time: Spending 45 seconds on Point 1 and rushing Point 2 = lower score!

2. No specific examples: "The professor talked about animals" - which animals? what did they do?

3. Missing the main topic: Don't forget to say what the lecture is about in your intro!

📊 What Graders Score (All Tasks)

🎯

Delivery

Clear pronunciation, natural pace, minimal hesitation

📝

Language Use

Grammar, vocabulary variety, sentence complexity

💡

Topic Development

Complete ideas, logical organization, relevant details

💯 Score 4 Requirements:

Delivery:

• Clear & fluent speech
• Minor pronunciation issues OK
• Steady pace maintained

Language:

• Good grammar control
• Varied vocabulary
• Some complex sentences

Topic:

• All points addressed
• Logical progression
• Sufficient detail

🎓 Final Pro Tips for Test Day

⏰ Time Management:

  • Use 100% of prep time - every second counts
  • Keep talking until the timer stops
  • If you finish early, repeat main point
  • Better to say "That's all" than go silent

🎤 Delivery Tips:

  • Speak clearly but don't slow down too much
  • Pause briefly between ideas (not mid-sentence)
  • If you make a mistake, keep going!
  • Sound confident even if you're nervous

📝 Note-Taking:

  • Write big and legible - you'll be stressed!
  • Use abbreviations (univ = university)
  • Draw arrows to show connections
  • Leave space between notes for each point

🚫 Avoid These:

  • Don't restart your answer mid-response
  • Don't speak in a monotone robot voice
  • Don't add made-up information
  • Don't give up if task seems hard!

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