• TOEFL

Types of Questions in TOEFL Speaking Task 1

6570 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Aug 05,2023 12:37 PM IST

TOEFL Speaking Section contains six types of tasks. Read more to know about the type of questions that come in TOEFL Speaking Task 1 and how to score high in the same.

TOEFL is one of the popular English proficiency exams students give to study abroad. The exam is divided into four sections: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. In the Speaking section, there are four types of tasks that need to be finished in 17 minutes. This blog provides detailed information regarding different types of TOEFL speaking questions and methods to score high in the same.

Types of TOEFL Speaking Topics

The TOEFL Speaking Section is divided into 2 types of tasks. One is the independent speaking topic which has two tasks. Another is the integrated topic which has four tasks. There are, in total, six types of speaking tasks.

Independent Speaking Topic

The independent speaking topics of the TOEFL exam include 2 tasks as follows:

• Choosing one option: In this question, the student will be provided with one situation and its possible answers. The candidate has to choose the correct answer and prove it by giving valid statements.

• Choosing one from two options: In this question candidate will be required to choose one option out of the two given options. Again just like the previous question, they need to justify why did they choose that option and how it is correct.

Types of Questions in Independent Speaking Task 1

Following are the types of questions that candidates can prepare for in the Independent Speaking Task 1:

Three Choices Question Type

In this question, the candidate will be provided with three options. The candidate has to choose the right option and justify it by giving relevant examples. Some examples of TOEFL Speaking Questions are as follows:

• Which of the following qualities will you look for when selecting a life partner? Honesty or Intelligence or maturity?

• Which mode of transport will you choose to go to the office? Private Vehicle, Public Vehicle or cab service?

Agree or disagree questions

In this type, an argument will be provided to the students. As the name suggests, they have to either agree or disagree with the same by giving valid reasons and opinions. The first sentence of the answer must have the words agree or disagree.

Some examples of TOEFL Speaking Questions are as follows:

• Do you agree or disagree that students should start working just after graduation? Give reasons and examples to support your statement.

• Do you agree or disagree that work from home should be given to all employees? Give reasons and examples to support your statement.

Preference Question Type

In this question, candidates will be provided with two choices where they have to choose one choice, explaining the reason behind selecting the option. The student must use the word prefer in the first sentence of the answer. Following are the examples of this question.

• Do you prefer to be a night owl or an early bird? Which do you prefer and why?

• Do you prefer buying things online or offline? Why?

• Do you prefer walking or cycling? Why?

Description or Explanation Question Type

In this question, candidate will be provided with a topic, and their task will be to explain it. Other than that, they will also be provided with situations on the general topics of the world, while in other cases, they can even be asked to explain the TOEFL Speaking Topics. Following are the examples of this question.

• Will AI disrupt humans or will it help in our daily life?

• Will Brick and mortar survive or will it get exhausted in upcoming years?

• Should students be encouraged to explore new careers or follow the traditional ones?

Advantage or Disadvantage Question Type

In this question, candidates will be provided with a statement and they have to explain the advantages and disadvantages of it. The candidate must use relevant examples and information to get a good weightage for the answer. Some examples of this question are given below.

• The school students use mobile to study. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

• Everyone in your city will become vegan in the next two weeks. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this.

Imaginary Question Type

As the name suggests in this question, the candidate will be given a hypothetical situation. Then the candidates have to tell what they will do in that situation by choosing one of the options or they can even create their own answers. Some examples of this question are given below.

• If you were given an amount of 10 crores rupees. Will you invest or spend it? Explain your answer.

• If one day you got the power to fly. What would you do? Explain your answer.

Also read: How to prepare for a TOEFL exam?

How to score high in TOEFL Speaking Section:

Following are some tips the students can follow to ace in the TOEFL Speaking Section:

• Relax and calm: Remember not to panic as it will create problems in thinking of new ideas and opinions. Before taking the exam take deep breaths and try to be calm.

• No plagiarism allowed: Another important thing to remember is that one should not cram the answers from the internet. If found doing so the candidate can be disqualified.

• Imagination is power: If students are still left with time at the end of an exam, they should try to make just imaginary answers because this is their speaking skills test, not a fact check. Therefore, they can come up with anything of their own.

• Focus: The student should practice the speaking section in a noisy environment which will help them to focus when they will be giving the actual test because real test surroundings will disturb them.

• Practice: One of the most important tips for students to ace the TOEFL Speaking Section is to practice as much as possible. The applicant can join the TOEFL Speaking group or even record their voice.

Conclusion

If you are also preparing for the TOEFL Exam, you must know its format and how to attempt it. This blog explained different TOEFL speaking questions and tips to succeed in the same. For more information, the student can connect with Canamprep and get their queries resolved.

Also read: TOEFL exam pattern

FAQ

What are the different types of tasks in TOEFL Speaking Task 1?

Three Choices Question Type, Agree or disagree questions and Preference Question Type are some of the questions that come in TOEFL Speaking Task 1.

How to score high in TOEFL Speaking Task 1?

One can ace TOEFL Speaking Task 1 by practicing more, being calm in the exam and focusing on questions.

What is the duration of the TOEFL Speaking Section?

The TOEFL Speaking Section lasts for about 17 minutes.

What is the first task of TOEFL Speaking Task 1?

The first task of TOEFL Speaking Task 1 is choosing one option.

Is TOEFL Speaking difficult to attempt?

The TOEFL Speaking Section can be challenging for many students. However, with thorough practice test takers can get the desired score.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Southern Utah University

Utah, USA • 154 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 20000-21000 / year

Shorelight Group - Bridgewater College

Virginia, USA • 29 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 16000-16500 / year

Buckinghamshire New University - Aylesbury Campus

England, UK • 1 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 14000-20000 / year

Munich Business School - University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria, Germany • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 12360-12360 / year

Navitas Group - Edith Cowan College - Joondalup Campus

Western Australia, Australia • 107 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 30500-35000 / year

Full Sail University

Florida, USA • 44 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 18000-25000 / year

Oxford Brookes University - Harcourt Hill Campus

England, UK • 33 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 14000-17000 / year

Northeastern University - Silicon Valley Campus

California, USA • 4 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Canadian Universities & Colleges Admissions Fair & Workshop - Virtual

Study in Canada

11:00AM

Virtual Event

Canadian Universities & Colleges Admissions Fair & Workshop - Virtual

Study in Canada

11:00AM

Virtual Event

Study Abroad Application Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, France

New Delhi • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

ACT vs. SAT: Which One to Choose?

Many colleges and universities require students to submit scores from the SAT or ACT- both recognized standardized exams as part of the admission proc...

Updated on • Apr 12,2025 05:40 PM IST • Study Abroad

Five Types of IELTS Essays

Love giving opinions? Welcome to IELTS writing task 2. In this task, you get different types of essays, one of which is an opinion essay. There are fi...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 05:53 PM IST • IELTS

Backlog Certificate: A Complete Guide

What is a backlog?In an academic context, a "backlog" refers to a course or subject that a student did not pass on their first attempt during their re...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 01:47 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Apr 09,2025 05:37 PM IST • PTE

Master's in Computer Science in the USA

Silicon Valley in the United States of America has been the global mecca of technology and invention. Every significant technological advancement has ...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 05:59 PM IST • USA

MBA is one of the most sought-after courses worldwide and consistently tops the list of preferred study abroad courses for Indian students. Now, wheth...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 04:47 PM IST • Study Abroad

Describe Your Hometown IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic

The IELTS Speaking part 1 topic ‘Describe your Hometown’ is one of the most often asked and easiest topics to answer in an IELTS test. In this top...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 05:50 PM IST • IELTS

How to Get a Job in USA in 2025

USA is not just a great destination for studying abroad, but also for pursuing a full-time job. That’s why the internet is filled with queries like ...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 03:19 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Apr 01,2025 05:31 PM IST • Study Abroad

Student Life in Ireland in 2025

“World-Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes”. The tagline highlights the ideal balance of a high-quality education and a tremendous, hospitable cu...

Updated on • Mar 29,2025 05:50 PM IST • Ireland

Top Public Universities in Germany

It’s a notion that studying abroad is expensive, but there is one country that is breaking this notion. Germany, also known as the land of ideas, of...

Updated on • Mar 26,2025 04:33 PM IST • Germany

Top Universities for Masters in Ireland in 2025

Learning never stops. Humans learn till their last breath. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you might be considering pursuing a master’s d...

Updated on • Mar 25,2025 04:36 PM IST • Ireland

Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students in 2025

Once a poor island nation, Singapore now has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Also known as Lion City, Singapore is becoming an in...

Updated on • Mar 22,2025 11:57 AM IST • Singapore

PTE vs IELTS : Know the Difference and Which is Easier?

An English proficiency test is required to study in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and others. PTE and IELTS are th...

Updated on • Mar 21,2025 03:38 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Score for Germany 2025

Germany is an emerging study-abroad destination for international students seeking affordable, high-quality education. Its other benefits include a wi...

Updated on • Mar 20,2025 10:19 AM IST • Germany

IELTS Score for Ireland 2025

Ireland is one of the top study-abroad destinations targeted by international students. The country is ranked 2nd in the Global Peace Index 2024, has ...

Updated on • Mar 12,2025 11:20 AM IST • Ireland

Master's in Robotics in USA

Technology keeps improving daily and leads to new inventions. One such invention is robotics, which is making human life easier. The USA, being a top ...

Updated on • Mar 11,2025 01:18 PM IST • USA

Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2025

Looking for the best countries to study abroad in 2025? Studying abroad can be an endeavour for Indian students to upgrade their skill set towards bet...

Updated on • Mar 08,2025 01:24 PM IST • Study Abroad

Nursing Courses in UK

Do you want to pursue a nursing course in the United Kingdom? The UK has been at the forefront of professional nursing ever since it has been consider...

Updated on • Mar 05,2025 12:19 PM IST • UK

Fastest Growing Job Sectors in Germany in 2025

Thousands of job opportunities in Germany are waiting for Indians. Fill them before someone else grabs these. But how? Do you know which sector these ...

Updated on • Feb 28,2025 04:04 PM IST • Germany

Types of Questions in TOEFL Speaking Task 1

Table of Contents

Types of TOEFL Speaking Topics

Independent Speaking Topic

Types of Questions in Independent Speaking Task 1

Three Choices Question Type

Agree or disagree questions

Some examples of TOEFL Speaking Questions are as follows:

Preference Question Type

Description or Explanation Question Type

Advantage or Disadvantage Question Type

Imaginary Question Type

How to score high in TOEFL Speaking Section:

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams