TOEFL Speaking Part 1 Practice Questions

There are 6 question types for TOEFL Independent Speaking Task 1:

1. Agree or Disagree
2. Preference
3. If / Imaginary
4. Three Choices
5. Description or Explanation
6. Advantage and Disadvantage

When self-practicing you should:

You should open Google Chrome....then open Google Docs....activate the VOICE TYPING
(Speech-to-Text feature) in Google Docs. Set a timer and give a response. The VOICE
TYPING (speech to text) feature in Google docs will produce a written text of what you
say as you speak. Voice Typing allows you to see your grammar, vocabulary, and
pronunciation in a real time tested situation which will give a good approximation of what
you can do on the exam. DO NOT READ YOUR/A SCRIPT.
TRY TO RESPOND JUST USING YOUR OUTLINE. Google Voice Typing is a great
preparation tool for the speaking section. RECORD YOURSELF WHEN USING GOOGLE
VOICE-TYPING!!

Note: Ask yourself the following questions after each practice:

Note: There are Sample Answers on the Last Pages of this document.
TOEFL Speaking Topics 1 - 12: Three Choices Question Type
Your degree requires that you should choose a history course. Which of the following
courses would you prefer? (1) Art history (2) Twentieth-century world history (3) Science
history

You will need to accomplish an assignment for a presentation. Which one will you choose? (1)
Act out a scene from a play (with a partner) (2) Explain your review of a novel you recently read
(3) Read a selection of poem.

1. If you are going to choose a roommate, which of the following qualities is the most
important to you: (1) Cleanness (2) Friendliness (3) Quietness.
2. Which of the following functions of smart phones most beneficial to students? (1) taking
photos (2) listening to the music (3) recording lectures
3. Three kinds of activities will be offered on a special day organized by the International
Student office. Which one do you prefer? (1) International food fair (2) International music
festival (3) International film festival.
4. The university decides to remodel the dormitory and add a new space to it. Which space do
you recommend to add to your dormitory? (1) Café (2) Study room (3) Game room.
5. The university wants to provide students with more types of entertainment and three choices
provided below. Which do you prefer and why. (1) A theater performance by the student
actors (2) A concert provided by professional musician (3) A lecture from a professor.
6. There is going to be a TV show that relates to students. Which show would you like to
watch? (1) Interview school leaders (2) Students’ debate on political and social topics (3)
Comedy about school life.
7. Which of the following technological developments has made the greatest impact on
students’ lives? (1) Electronic books (2) Online classes (3) Smart phones
8. If you are going to choose a position in the school community during summer vacation,
which one will you choose? (1) Library desk front/ receptionist (2) Technician (3) Paint a
wall in the community.
9. Which of the following choices do you think has the greatest impact on environmental
protection? (1) Governmental regulations (2) Environmental awareness groups (3)
Individual effort.
10. Which one would you like to choose for your final project? (1) giving a presentation (2)
writing a paper (3) creating a video.

13. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that female and male university students should
have separate residence halls?
14. Do you agree or disagree that it is important for young people to learn some domestic skills
like cooking, sewing and taking care of children?
15. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? If you want to succeed in business,
being outgoing and friendly is very important.
16. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The government should forbid
violence and bad language in TV programs. Use specific reasons and examples in your
answer.
17. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that experienced doctors are better than young
doctors?
18. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: it is never too late to get a degree in
university.
19. Do you agree or disagree that it is important for children to learn to draw or paint?
20. Do you agree or disagree that a celebrity should set a good example for young people? Use
details and examples to support your explanation.
21. Some people believe that we should not discuss the private activities of popular people, like
movie stars and singers. Do you agree or disagree with this view?
22. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? With the popularity of the
technology that focuses on entertainment, people read fewer books than before.
23. Some people think that with the development of technology and the Internet, libraries will
disappear, while others think libraries are always necessary. Which opinion do you agree?
24. Some people believe old people should not take risks and participate in adventurous events
as the young people. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
25. Do you agree or disagree that students should have a job while they are studying in school?
Use details and examples to support your explanation.

TOEFL Speaking Topics 26 - 36: Preference Question Type

26. Some universities expect the students to choose a major field of study when they enter the
school; while other universities wait until the second or the third year before students
deciding to choose a major field of study. Which do you prefer? Why or why not?
27. Which one do you prefer? To buy the newly-released e-product as soon as possible or to
wait for a while and then decide whether you want to buy it or not.
28. Some people prefer to buy new books while some people would like to buy used books,
what is your opinion?
29. If you are to choose between 2 apartments to live in next semester, one apartment is near the
campus but slightly expensive, the other is a little far from the campus but cheaper, which
one do you prefer and why?
30. You have been very busy and unable to prepare for the exam tomorrow. You can either stay
up late to study and sleepless or just study less and get full night’s sleep. Which will you
choose?
31. Some people prefer sending messages while others prefer making phone calls directly.
Which one do you prefer?
32. Some people prefer to give their opinions immediately. Others prefer to wait and listen to
others’ opinions before giving their own. Which one do you think is better?
33. Some people prefer to finish the assignment a long time before the due date while others
prefer finishing assignments right before the due date. Which one do you prefer?
34. Some people prefer to watch entertainment programs on television. Others prefer to watch
educational programs. Which do you prefer?
35. Some people prefer to buy new books while some people would like to buy used books,
what is your opinion?
36. Some students think it is good to choose the future career before entering the university.
Others think it is good to take a few university classes before choosing the future career.
Which one do you prefer?
 TOEFL Speaking Topics 37 - 43: Description or Explanation Question Type

37. Should schools engage in character education to instill morals and values in children?
38. Some people think that those children who do not want to keep learning a musical
instrument course should be required to keep learning the course; While others think that
those children should be allowed to make decisions by themselves. What is your opinion
and why? Use examples and details in your explanation.
39. If the police stop a driver who is driving drunk (after drinking alcohol), do you think that the
person’s driver’s license should be taken away? Support your answer.
40. Many people think that students study course materials more effectively by taking exams,
while others think that students learn more effectively through doing other activities like
completing projects, which one do you think is more effective?
41. Do you think it is important for parents to teach their kids to learn how to manage money?
Use reasons and specific examples to support your opinion.
42. Nowadays people use extreme methods, like surgery to change their appearance. They do
this because they are trying to become more attractive. Do you think this is a good idea?
43. Do you think that parents should be allowed to educate their children at home, or should
they be required to send children to school outside the home? Support your answer.

TOEFL Speaking Topics 44 - 45: Advantage or Disadvantage Question Type

44. Many students are asked to evaluate their professors at the end of the semester. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of this?
45. Your university is planning to allow students to watch TV in their dormitories. What is your
opinion and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV in
dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.

More Part 1 Question Examples

1. Imagine that you have just begun studying at a new university. Which of the following do you
think would be the best way for you to learn about the new campus?
1. a second-year student gives you a personal tour of the whole campus
2. you are given a detailed map of the campus designed by the student services department
3. you join a group tour of the campus together with all the other new students

2. You are required by your school to join a club. Which type of club would you choose?
1. academic
2. sports
3. volunteer

3. During your senior year of college, you must volunteer at the school library. Would you rather:
1. stack books
2. read to children
3. help with Internet searches

4. You have been asked to choose between two apartments to live in next semester: one apartment
is near the campus but slightly expensive, and the other is a little far from campus but cheaper.
Which one would you prefer and why?
5. People learn in different ways. Some people learn by doing, other people learn by reading, and
others learn by listening to people. Which of these methods of learning is best for you?
6. More educators these days are using technology in the classroom. In fact, many teachers now
record their lectures, upload them on a website, and ask students to watch them before their
lesson. During class, students report on the lectures and discuss them together. Would you prefer
to have a traditional style class or one where the lectures are pre-recorded?
7. School administrators at an elementary school have recently decided to increase the amount of
hours spent teaching kids about robotics, computer programming, and other elements of science
and technology. However, they were forced to reduce the amount of hours spent on teaching art
and music. Do you agree or disagree with this new policy?
8. Many people think that students learn course materials more effectively by taking exams, while
others think that students learn more effectively by doing other activities, like completing
projects. Which one do you think is more effective?
9. Some teachers prefer announcing their quizzes in advance, while others prefer to give surprise
quizzes. Talk about the advantages and disadvantages of surprise quizzes.
10. Do you think scientists should be given the freedom to test and experiment however they please,
or should they be limited in what they can study?
11. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Technology has had a negative effect on
relationships between friends and family.
12. Some people believe that robots will someday completely replace human beings at work while
others disagree. What do you think? Give reasons and examples to support your stance.
13. Do you agree or disagree: People who spend more than an hour a day on social media are less
happy than those who spend less time on social media.
14. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People must love their jobs to be happy.
15. Would you prefer to work at one job your entire life or to switch jobs every five years?
16. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Teenagers should work while they go to
school so they can learn how to be more responsible.
17. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Working for a large company is better
than working for a small company.
18. Which of the following companies would you prefer to work for? A company that offers you
challenging and interesting projects but very few vacation days or a company that offers you a
job with boring work each day but long vacations each year?
19. If you were assigned a project to complete in school, how would you prefer to work?
1. alone
2. with classmates
3. with a tutor

20. Which of the following technological developments has had the greatest impact on students’
lives?
1. digital books
2. online classes
3. Smartphones

More Part 1 Question Examples

1: Describe a place you have never been to but would like to go someday.

2: If your friends from another country are going to visit your country, where would you
suggest them to go?

3: What are the significant features of a cafe or restaurant you like

4: Do you think we should preserve the old building in the city?

5: Describe a place, for example, a seashore park in your city where you often visit.

6: Describe an important gift you have, tell us why it is important.

7: Have you had any work experiences before? Describe any of your jobs.

8: Describe the most impressive moment in your life.

9: How do you acquire knowledge? Give us some examples.

10: Do you prefer to choose a profession that requires you to work in a group?

11: Is there any invention that has changed your life most recently?

12: Which study method do you prefer, online courses or traditional classroom?

13: Describe a painting you have seen before. Why do you like it or dislike it?

14: What kind of friends do you like? Tell the main reason.

15: What do you like to read in your free time? For example, magazines, newspapers, or
books.

16: Do you like to live with roommates or live alone?

17: Someone focuses on one job throughout life; others like to change from one position to
another. Which one do you think is better? Why?

18: Some people think life in modern times is easier than our grandparents, do you agree
with it?

19: Do you agree that childhood is the happiest time in life?

20: How do you think about university education? Some people think it's important, and
some don't.

21: Describe one of your favorite songs or one of your favorite movies.

TOEFL Speaking Practice Topics for Task 1

1. Some people prefer work that allows them move around outdoors. Others feel it is more
pleasant to work in an office. Which do you prefer, and why?
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
Snakes should never be kept as pets.
3. Some people feel they perform better when they have to finish by a strict time. Others feel
they do better work if they do not have time pressure. Which best describes you? Explain why.
4. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
Parents should buy for their children any books that the children choose to read.
5. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
Students should spend more time learning outside of classrooms than within classrooms.
6. In some areas, summer days are longer, so there is more daylight in the evening and early
morning, but winter days are shorter. In other areas, summer and winter days are similar lengths
throughout the year. Which do you prefer, and why?
7. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
Movies that are longer than three hours should be made shorter by removing less
important scenes.
8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
Parents who do not regularly exercise should start in order to be good role models for their
children.
9. Some people prefer to respond to emails, phone calls, and other messages they receive
immediately. Others take more time to respond. Which do you do, and why?
10. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use details and examples to explain
your answer.
It’s better to reward employees with gifts and job perks, such as gym memberships or
English classes, than it is to simply pay more.

More Part 1 Sample Questions (These are from the old separated Question 1 and Question
2 on the pre-August 2020 exam. These questions are still relevant and applicable to the
current personal opinion question)

1. Describe a class you have taken in school and explain why the class was important to
you. Include details and examples to support your explanation.
2. Describe a particular TV show that you think is excellent. Include specific details and
examples in your answer.
3. Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was
important?
4. Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and
explain why it was helpful to you.
5. Describe your favourite teacher and explain why he or she inspired you. Include details
and examples.
6. Do you agree or disagree that a celebrity should set a good example for young people?
7. Do you agree or disagree that a higher education means a better career?
8. Do you agree or disagree that businesses should hire employees for their entire life?
9. Do you agree or disagree that daily homework is necessary for students?
10. Do you agree or disagree that grades encourage students to learn?
11. Do you agree or disagree that life is about relaxing instead of hurrying?
12. Do you agree or disagree that luck has nothing to do with success?
13. Do you agree or disagree that people should always tell the truth?
14. Do you agree or disagree that students learn better with the help of technology?
15. Do you agree or disagree that students should bring a cellphone to school?
16. Do you agree or disagree that students should have a job while they are studying in
school?
17. Do you agree or disagree that universities should give the same amount of money to their
students' sports activities as they give to their university libraries?
18. Do you agree or disagree that young people have nothing to teach older people?
19. Do you agree or disagree. Watching sports programs on television is a waste of time.
20. Do you agree smoking should be prohibited in public places?
21. Do you agree that cars should be allowed to enter into the campus?
22. Do you agree that television has destroyed communication among friends and family?
23. Do you like to spend time alone or spend time with your friends?
24. Do you prefer finding information by reading books or searching the internet?
25. Do you prefer going to a live performance or watching it on TV?
26. Do you prefer indoor activities or outdoor activities?
27. Do you prefer long-term trips or short-term trips?
28. Do you prefer to be a team leader or a team member?
29. Do you prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants?
30. Do you prefer to go someplace you have never been before or someplace you have been
before?
31. Do you prefer to have a long vacation each year or have several short vacations
throughout the year?
32. Do you prefer to learn about the news in a newspaper or on television?
33. Do you prefer to learn on your own or learn with a teacher?
34. Do you prefer to live in a traditional house or in a more modern apartment?
35. Do you prefer to live in places that have the same weather or live in areas where the
weather changes several times a year?
36. Do you prefer to watch a movie or read a book?
37. Do you prefer to work in a team or work alone?
38. Do you prefer to work in the office or work at home?
39. Do you prefer traveling alone or traveling with a companion?
40. Do you think bicycles will still be widely used in the future or replaced by other means of
transportation?
41. Do you think that people will read fewer books in the future than today? Give details and
examples to support your response.
42. Does technology make our lives simpler or more complex? Give details and examples to
support your response.
43. If you could visit any place in the world for just 24 hours, where would you choose to
go? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
44. If you had a small amount of money, would you spend it right away or save it?
45. If you have money, would you prefer to buy a house or a business?
46. If you were given an empty piece of land, would you rather use it to build a garden or a
playground for children?
47. Is it important to interact with other people in a good manner? Give details and
explanations to support your response.
48. List one recommendation for the school you have recently attended.
49. Name a famous or influential figure that has inspired you. Describe this person and say
why he/she has been inspirational to you.
50. Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire
him/her.
51. Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit.
52. Describe this place and explain why you would recommend it.
53. School is planning to change the cafeteria’s menu with aims of offering healthier, low-
calorie foods. Describe the advantage and disadvantage.
54. Some people believe that attending class in university should be required, while others
believe that it should be optional. Which point of view do you agree with?
55. Some people think the internet provides people with a lot of information, while others
think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with?
56. Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say
why it was difficult to overcome.
57. Talk about a person in your life who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain
why you found him/her inspirational.
58. Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience
and say why it was a positive one.
59. Talk about a situation that enabled you to realize you had a certain strength or weakness
that you did not know about before and how you dealt with this new finding.
60. Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and
explain why he/she was so influential to you.
61. Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it
was a success for you.
62. Talk about an event from the past that you would like to relive.
63. Describe the original event and say why you would like to relive it.
64. Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say
why it was embarrassing.
65. Talk about an important national holiday in your home country.
66. Describe it and explain why it is important.
67. Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to.
68. Describe it and say why it was interesting.
69. Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together.
70. Describe it and explain why you all enjoy it.
71. Talk about your country’s national anthem or flag. Describe it, then say, where it is used
and where it can be found today? Include details and examples to support your response.
72. Tell me about a time when you used a resource to help you do something better than
before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.
73. The school is planning to build a coffee shop in the campus library.
74. Describe the advantages and disadvantages.
75. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it
is relaxing and peaceful for you.
76. What custom from your home country are you most fond of?
77. Describe the custom and explain why you are fond of it.
78. What do you think your life will look like after retirement? Use reasons and details to
support your response.
79. What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.
80. What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
81. What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your
favorite place to go.
82. What is your favorite recreational activity? Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.
83. What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like it
so much.
84. What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.
85. What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your
favorite means of transportation.
86. What is your favourite book? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
87. What is your favourite form of transportation for getting around?
88. Describe it and explain why it is your favourite means of transportation.
89. What is your favourite free time activity? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
90. What is your favourite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favourite.
91. What is your favourite movie or movie genre? Use reasons and details to support your
answer.
92. What is your favourite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your
favourite place to go.
93. What is your favourite recreational activity? Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.
94. What is your favourite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like
it so much.
95. What is your favourite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favourite.
96. What is your favourite style of music? Use reasons and details to support your answer.
97. What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it
is your happiest memory.
98. What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.
99. What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping
you to study.
100. What was your favourite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this
subject was your favourite one.
101. What would you suggest to somebody if he was planning to come to your country
to study abroad? Give details and examples to support your response.
102. When communicating with your friends and families, you can use different
methods: letters, e-mails, and/or telephone calls. Which method do you think is better and
why?
103. When going on a trip, do you prefer to drive or take a train?
104. When going to a restaurant, do you prefer to meet your friends at home or at the
restaurant?
105. When going to a restaurant, do you prefer to meet your friends at home or at the
restaurant?
106. When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience
and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.
107. When people move to another country, some prefer to follow the customs of their
new country, while others prefer to keep their own customs. Which one do you prefer?
108. Where do you most like to go eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it
most.
109. Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and
explain why it is fun.
110. Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a
good place for you to study.
111. Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why
you would like to holiday there.
112. Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you
would like to live there.
113. Which of the following do you think is the best way to get to know a new school,
joining a one-day campus tour, spending a weekend on the campus play field or auditing
lectures?
114. Which person are you most likely to go to with a personal problem? Describe this
person and say why you would go to him/her in particular.
115. Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is
memorable to you.
116. Which type of movie do you prefer watching, a serious movie or a comedy
movie? Which do you prefer?
117. Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)?
118. Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.
119. Who has been your favourite teacher so far in your life? Use reasons and details
to support your answer.
120. Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain
why he/she is important.
121. Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why
you think he/she is intelligent.
122. Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best
friend.
123. Who would you like to go on a trip abroad with? Describe this person and say
why he/she would be a good travel companion for you?
124. Whom do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this
person and say why you feel close to him/her.
125. Would you prefer to have a higher-paying job with longer hours or lower-paying
job with shorter hours?
126. Would you prefer to take a part-time course or have a part-time job during your
summer vacation?
 127. Would you rather be self-employed or working for someone else?
128. Would you rather have the university assign a student to their room or would you
rather choose your own roommate?
129. Your university is planning to allow students to watch TV in their dormitories.
What is your opinion and why? What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching
TV in dormitories? Include reasons and examples to support your response.

More Speaking Question Ideas to Practice On (These are not exactly the TOEFL questions,
but present similar ideas that you can practice answering)

1. What is the most useful book for you? Why?

2. Is TV positive or negative to modern society? Give your choice.

3. Describe the most important decision that you made in your life.

4. Do you think high school should teach music and art as other basic science?

5. After school, how do you spend your time usually?

6. Should mobile phones be forbidden in some places?

7. Describe a celebration or moment that impressed you very much.

8. Which one acts more influence on you, newspaper, TV, or teachers?

9. Describe social or political celebration events in your culture.

10. Should the government pay bills for museums and theatres? Explain your argument.

11. Where is your favorite place in your city? Why?

12. Where do you like to visit with friends?

13. Do you prefer having meals at home?

14. What park is your favorite one?

15. Big city or small town, which do you prefer to go to college?

16. Magazine, novel, poem, which do you prefer to read?

17. Do you like living alone or with a roommate?

18. Which is a common choice for your party: restaurant, café, or home?

19. Computers have improved our lives while others think computers have caused problems.

20. Talk about a teacher.

21. Do you prefer to work at an office or at home?

22. Talk about someone you respect.

23. Should a university be open to all students?

24. Should parents lead their children to watch TV? Or the children should choose by
themselves.

25. What is the most efficient transportation in your country?

26. What is the most important invention of the last 100 years?

27. Should college students be successful in careers easier than ones without a college
education? Why?

28. Talk about the characteristics of friends.

29. Someone suggests school to cut the recycling. Try to comment on it.

30. Do you want to be a leader? Or to be a follower?

31. Which one do you think is better to help do research: internet or academic books?

32. In general, where do people get information? From TV, newspaper, and other media, or
family and friends?

33. What is your ideal job?

34. Do you prefer to take an extended vacation or several short vacations in a year?

35. What are the characteristics of a good parent?

36. Do you prefer to study alone on assignment from class or to study in a group?

37. What is your goal in the future?

38. Describe a challenging experience.

39. Do we should choose a major for job hunting or just for our interests?

40. What sort of movies do you like? Comedy, drama, or others?

41. What will you do to relax?

42. Is it essential for students to attend class regularly or study by oneself?

43. Describe an enjoyable event in your childhood

44. Describe one of your schools?

45. Should schools add Sport courses for generic students?

46. What do you miss most when you are away from home?

47. Some people believe that we should give a hand in severe cases without hesitation; others
argue that you should ensure not to cause new troubles.

48. Describe a unique opportunity given to you.

49. Talk about a good leader.

50. Should people always tell the truth?

51. Describe an object which is very important to you

52. Do you agree that we can judge a person by the appearance at first glance?

53. What is your choice: a job or career?

54. If you have a lot of money, how do you spend?

55. What should students do in their vacations?

56. Describe a happy event in childhood, explain why it is memorable.

57. Communicate with your family and friends by letter, e-mail, or by telephone. What is your
option?

58. Your favorite time of a year.

59. Some people want to have a relaxed and unhurried life, do you agree with it?

60. What is your favorite room?

61. In a journey, some used to get destination directly, and some enjoy the procedure to reach the
goal. How about your opinion?

62. When you get a restaurant or café, about what features do you care?

63. In city development, do we keep old buildings? Or replace them with a new building?

64. Do you prefer to get advice from family and friends, or learning through personal
experience?

65. Do you agree or disagree: Students should wear uniform in school?

66. Compare online courses with traditional courses.

67. Talk about a subject that will lead to a better job.

68. Some think the college experience is essential, and some think not important. What is your
opinion?

69. Describe a letter or poem that is important to you.

70. Forest, desert, where do you like to live?

71. Experience of asking help from others. How do others help you?

72. High salary job or top personal satisfying career, which is your choice?

73. A student should do a part-time job or summer intern, do you agree?

74. What skill do you want to learn?

75. Is it a good idea to have a one-year break before college study?

76. Talk about some good news about yourself.

77. Should first-year students live alone or with seniors in the same building?

78. Students will learn more when they have discussions. Do you agree with it?

79. Do you agree or disagree: The most important lesson can't be learned in class.

80. Should university education be free?

 Sample Answers:

1. Describe a place you have never been to but like to go someday.

I would prefer to go to a seashore town someday. When I was a child, the sea I watched on TV
gave me a nice memory, since then I have a desire to go to the seashore some day. I consider the
life near the seashore is comfortable, for the sky there is blue and always full of sunshine,
seabirds are singing and the ocean breeze is blowing. I’m willing to swim in the sea or just lie on
the beach for a rest, which I could never enjoy in metropolis. Moreover, I could taste sea food
such as lobsters and crabs. Therefore, if I can go to a seashore town someday, it must be a
wonderful memory in my life.

2. If your friends from other country are going to visit your country, where do you suggest
them to go?
I would like them to go to a seashore town in my country. I believe they can’t find seashore as
wonderful as the seashore I want them to go. The life near the seashore is comfortable, for the
sky there is blue and always full of sunshine, seabirds are singing and the ocean breeze is
blowing. They can swim in the sea and lie on the beach for a rest, which they could never enjoy
in their country. Moreover, they could taste sea food that only produce in that seashore such as
local lobsters, crabs and fish. So if they can go to a seashore town someday, it must be a good
memory in their life.

3. Features of cafe or restaurant you like

Well, I prefer a cafe or a restaurant that is quiet and clean. First of all, a quiet place is good for
me to enjoy a comfortable meal and I won’t be bothered by a noisy surrounding. And I am able
to have a conversation or a talk with friends if it is quiet near by, that we won’t have to shout to
each other. Second, a clean place to eat could make me have a good appetite and I could eat
more when the tables and plates are clean. I consider a clean restaurant can be also excellent in
making food. So in conclusion, I like a restaurant or a cafe has the features of clean and quiet.

4. Keep or not the old building in the city?

I’ hold the opinion that we should keep most of the old buildings in the city.

I admit that some of the old buildings are a bit dilapidated right now. But the issue is bigger than
that. If we destroy the old buildings, we will be destroying an important piece of the history. The
buildings many experienced many events and famous celebrities might live in it. They are the
memory of the things in the past. And it wouldn’t be all that difficult to fix them up either.
However, there are some old buildings which have less value could be torn down for the city
development.
5. Describe a place you often go to.
The place I usually go to is a seashore park in my city. When I was a child,

my parents always bring me there and I had a lot of enjoyments. Then I grew up, but I still
consider it a wonderful place. The life near the seashore is really comfortable, for the sky there is
blue and always full of sunshine, seabirds are singing and the ocean breeze is blowing. I swam in
the sea and lie on the beach for a rest. Moreover, I tasted sea food such as lobsters, crabs, and
fish there. The moment I have at sea shore is really impressive, and because of this, I would like
to go there.

6. Describe a room or other area.

Well, one of my important places is my room. First of all, I have a lot of enjoyment in my room.
I enjoy using the computer in my room. I have a lot of fun playing computer games and chat
online with my e-pals. I also read magazines and other publics and sometimes cut down the
pictures on them to the wall, these make my room a place full of enjoyment. Second, I study and
read books. These make me more knowledgeable and experienced. So you see, I obtain
enjoyment and gain ability in my room. Basing on these factors I say that I enjoy the time spend
in my room and I like it so much.

7. Important gift, why important?

An important gift I have ever received is a Nike basketball from my parents on my 16 years old
birthday. The gift is important to me because I really like playing basketball and I never have a
high-quality basketball before. So after I receive this gift, I always bring it to sports stadiums and
play with teammates. It has a high quality that we have played it for such long time and not only
I and also my friends obtained a lot of enjoyment. Furthermore, it is important because I get to
know that my parents are always thinking of what I like to do, and this really makes me moved
and I gain a lot of power to study better and repay them.

8. Describe one of your challenging experiences.

One of my challenging experiences is to prepare for the TOEFL test. I am a high school student
and I find TOEFL test is lot more difficult than the text in my school, so it is really a challenge
for me. Some times I try to recite a hundred words in a day. Sometimes I read long articles and
just don’t know what they are talking about. However, when facing with these difficulties, I
never give up. What I have done is to keep reciting words and read more articles in order to have
a better understanding of them. After a month, I find that I have improved my ability in English,
and I am more confident now facing TOEFL test.

9. Describe any of your work

I took a group of pictures that has shown the huge change in my city Beijing. Our city is going to
hold the 2008 Olympic Games and because of this, the city is changing big day by day.
Therefore, I use my camera and took a group of pictures, the group has 8 pictures, I called them
“8 aspects of Beijing change”, I took pictures in parks, in sport stadiums, in my community and
other places, through the 8 aspect to show the huge change of Beijing, and show our harmonious
daily life. I always show them to my teachers and friends, and I am really proud of this work.

10. Describe the most impressive moment in your life

The most impressive moment in my life is my going to a seashore town before. When I was a
child, the sea I watched on TV gave me a nice memory, since then I have a desire to go to the
seashore some day. I went there after few years, the life near the seashore is really comfortable,
for the sky there is blue and always full of sunshine, seabirds are singing and the ocean breeze is
blowing. I swam in the sea and lie on the beach for a rest, which I could never enjoy in big cities.
Moreover, I tasted sea food such as lobsters, crabs and fish there. So I consider the moment I
have at sea shore is really impressive.

11. Describe Your Ways to Acquire Knowledge.

Sample Answer 1:

I am willing to get information though the internet. First, I think getting news from the internet is
an easy way, what we need to do is just move the mouse, which means we don’t need to go out
to buy the newspaper. Second, internet can provide us news faster, when an event take place
somewhere in the world, the news webs could provide the news quickly, which unlike
newspapers, they have to print out and then sell to us. Third, using internet to get the information
is also benefit to our environment, because it doesn’t need papers and ink, so fewer trees with by
cut down and fewer rivers will be polluted.

Sample Answer 2:

I consider getting information through the internet is the best way to learn more knowledge. First
of all, I think getting news from the internet is easy, what we need to do is just move the mouse
and type the letters, which means we don’t need to go out. This makes me very efficient in
getting information. Second, the internet can provide us a large amount of information, for there
are so many websites and they don’t need to worry about paper use, so they will write many
things, and I can obtain much knowledge. Therefore, using the internet I can learn more
knowledge.

12. Do you prefer to only visit the destination or enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way?
Well, I prefer also enjoying the view on our way. First of all, I think my purpose to travel is to
enjoy the beautiful scenery, whatever at the destination or on the way, so we should also spend
time of the scenery on the way if they are beautiful and worth to see. Second, we could make our
trip full of surprise, because we can’t predict whether there is beautiful scenery on the way, and
if we find some place wonderful on our way, it must be a huge surprise to me, and it must be
better than only go to the destination. All in all, I prefer also enjoying the view on our way.
13. Choose profession that need you study independently or profession require you to work
as a group?
I prefer choosing a profession that requires me to work as a group. First of all, I believe work as
a group can give birth to excellent idea and solutions because more people are thinking on a
project, more people are doing on the project, this can make a project work out better and
advance. Second, I believe working as a group can make us more efficient, and we can solve the
problem faster and easier. More over, we can solve more problems. So based on these factors I
draw a conclusion that a profession which needs working as a group is better.

14.Would you choose passion over money?

Well, as for me, I would like to choose a major by interest. First of all, we may have more
knowledge on the major we are interested in, and this makes us easier to learn the major and we
can have a better understanding. Second, choose a major we interested in will let us gain more
power to study and work on it, we are more willing to spend time on it, and we can increase our
ability more and faster. This is a benefit to our study career as well as working career. And it will
lead us to an enjoyable life. So…

15. What kind of invention changed your life most recently?

I believe that the invention changed my life most is internet. First of all, I am able to read a lot of
information on the internet, this help me to know more about our world and things happened,
which makes us always keep in touch with the outside world. Second, I can use internet to search
for what I want, and this would help me solve the problems and find the solutions quickly. Third,
internet provides enjoyment, through the internet I’m able to chat with relatives or even
strangers, and I could play internet games. So I believe the internet is making the biggest
changed the way I live.

16. Which of the following study method do you prefer?(online courses or traditional
classroom)
For me, I am willing to take online courses instead of being in traditional classroom. First of all,
if we study online then we won’t have to go to school, this is really convenient especially when it
is raining or snowing outside. What is more, if we study online, the pressure of public traffic
given by student will be lower, other citizens will spend less time on road, thus the city will be
more efficient. Third, online courses won’t be limit by teachers which means teacher in other
cities are able to teach us, and we can enjoy a high quality of education.

17. Describe a painting you have seen before. Why do you like it or dislike it?
I have seen a painting that has shown the athletes training in a basketball gymnasium. Our city is
going to hold the Olympic Games in August and because of this, the athletes are training hard in
order to compete in the Olympic Games. The painting is actually showing the daily exercise of
the basketball athletes. It shows a scene in the national basketball training center, the players are
having a match. Through the painting I have seen Yaoming, a player I prefer most, the painting
drew him vividly and it is even like a true Yaoming, so I really like the painting.
18. What kind of friends do you like?
I think character friends should have is humor. Because humorous friends bring us good mood
and harmonious atmospheres so we can have a good condition to study. Then we might give
birth to great ideas and solutions. I think a friend should also be outgoing. Because outgoing
friends can communicate with me in a better way, through this I can become more outgoing, and
I am able to increase my ability to communicate with others. This is really important when we
work. I don’t think a friend should have characteristics as I do because our different characters
make us be able to learn from each other, and gain our ability.

19. What do you like to read in your free time?

I would like to read magazines during my leisure time. First of all, magazines have high quality
printed paper; the pictures on the paper are vivid, I enjoy looking these pictures. I even cut down
some of them I like and put them in my book. It is so amazing. Second, the magazines always
provide beautiful posters to their readers, I received two posters, one is Yaoming’s picture and
the other one is Jordan’s. I like poster very much so I like the magazines very much. Also, the
information provided in the magazines is interesting and comprehensive; I can know a lot of
things though it. So I like reading magazines.

20. Do you like to live with roommates or live alone?

Well, for me, I would like to live with roommates. First of all, we are able to help each other
both on the study and our daily life, so we will have fewer difficulties, and through this, we gain
our relationship, so we can have more good friends. Also, my roommates can always
communicate with me, through this I can become more outgoing, and I am able to increase my
ability to communicate with others. This is really important when we work. And my roommates
could have different characteristics, because of our different characters, we are able to learn from
each other, and gain our ability.

21 Someone focuses on one job throughout his life; others like to change from one job to
the other. Which one do you think is better, why?
I consider people should change their job in a different age. First of all, changing the job through
life will make us more experienced and knowledgeable for we are able to study things in
different aspects and communicate with people in different fields. Basing on this I consider
people should sometimes change their job. Second, changing the job will make us less tired. For
instance, when we are young, we could work like a sells manager; it brings a lot of income but
also needs much energy. So when we are old, we may not work in a perfect condition, then we
could change a job.

22. Is Life easier or harder than our grandparents’?

I deeply agree that our life is easier than our grandparents’. First of all, we are able to enjoy the
convenience brought by the internet. We can use the internet to learn knowledge, get a variety of
information from outside world. What is more, we can enjoy many online entertainments such as
chat and internet game. These are the things our grandparents can’t-do in their period. Second,
we are able to travel to foreign countries easier via airplanes or even private cars. Unlike our
grandparents, it’s a lot more difficult for them to travel abroad since the personal vehicles were
not highly developed in their period. So basing on this I say that our life is easier than our
grandparents’.

23. Do you agree that childhood is the happiest (or precious) time in life?
Yes, I deeply agree that childhood is the happiest time in life. First, childhood provides no
pressure which we have to face after grown up. When I was a child, I had little pressure as I have
now. For instance, I rarely worried about exams when I was a kid, but now exams really give me
a lot of pressure. Second, a child often has much time to develop his or her own hobbies. For
example, I possessed more time to develop my own interests, such as painting and singing.
However, I hardly have time to do what I want to do now. So in conclusion, I think childhood is
the happiest time in life.

24. Is the university education really important or not?

As far as I am concerned, the university education is really significant for a person. First of all,
the knowledge we learn in U is the most difficult through our study career, so it is vital for us to
increase our ability in thinking, talking and studying. These abilities are quite essential for us
when we work. Second, U education is the advanced form of education, it needs us to
communicate, to corporate, these are the things we can’t learn deeply in primary school and high
school. So if we don’t join the U education, we will lose opportunities to develop, I consider this
is really a huge regret.

25. Describe one of your favorite song or one of your favorite movie.
One of the songs I like is “we are the champion”. I like it because I won a running competition
after I listened to it. But this is not the only reason. I like it because I always feel energetic after
listening, and I can do better on playing basketball or other sports events. Also, I like the lyric; it
tells me never give up. When I am frustrate and upset, I will listen to the song, then I feel a
strong emotion in my body, and I won’t be upset anymore. The song really helps me to be
positive, so l like it.