CrAzY Conversation topics to help you practice for the TOEFL

When I used to tutor folks for the TOEFL, they often wanted to learn "short-cuts" or formats to cheat their way to a better score. I used to say that the best way to do well on the TOEFL was to improve one's English. I still feel that way.

To that end, here are a number of sometimes crazy conversation topics so that you have things to talk about while preparing for the TOEFL speaking section. Ideally, you should get a native speaker to ask you these questions and to correct your grammar mistakes.

If a friend told you that she was pregnant with her boyfriend’s child, but she didn’t want to keep it and she wasn’t going to tell him about the abortion, what advice would you give?

Let’s say you were a close friend of the guy. Would you tell him?

If you could read another person’s mind, would you prefer to read the mind of a person who hated or liked you?

Doctors can determine the sex of a baby. Do you think that prospective parents have a right to decide the sex of their baby?

You have two choices of places where you can search for a boyfriend/girlfriend, a church or a singles bar. Which would you choose?

If your boyfriend left you, would you be more angry if it was a gay man he left you for or another woman?

Are you a hunter or a gatherer?

What kind of tree would you want to be?

Would you prefer to be invisible or to fly?

An elephant was given to you as a gift…how would you use it?

Should we really have to wear a seatbelt?

Do you wanna play offense or defense?

Why are manhole covers round?

How lucky are you?

Intelligent life in the universe?

Go to Mars?

Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?

Which actress/actor should play you?

Last gift you gave?

Funny thing that happened to you lately.

You are the only survivor of an airplane crash…what do you do?

You have 2,000 new email messages and only have time to answer 300. How would you do this?

Too many accessories or too few?

Which magical power do you want?

What kitchen appliance would you be?

What kind of car would you be?

Qualities you least and most like in your friend?

6 months with nothing to do. What do you do?

What special meal would you prepare for a friend of a friend?

You work at a bank. Would you lend money to your parents?

Be right or be liked?

You win the lottery. Do you still want to work?

If you were offered a new job in Canada, would you take it? Why/why not? 3 reasons

A friend has bought you a voucher to receive several free dancing classes. You can choose from 1) ballroom dancing  2)  modern nightclub/techno music dancing  or 3) traditional Chinese dancing. Which type of dancing would you choose?

When did you get your ears pierced? Why did you want them pierced? How do you feel about men with pierced ears?

Have you ever tried Facebook? Which Chinese app is most like Facebook? If you could, would you use Facebook?

What do you like the most about Tik Tok?

Would you enjoy gambling in Macao? How much would you be willing to lose? Have you tried gambling? How do you feel about the lottery?

Tiger Woods got into a lot of trouble a few years ago because his wife sneaked a peek at his cell phone messages. Would you ever sneak a peek at a partner’s cell phone messages?

Do you think that fingerprints and retina scans are better than ID cards?

China seemed like a very safe country to me. In the USA lots of people get thrown in jail…what type of criminals go to jail in China?

Tell me a few things about kangaroos.

English is the current world language. Is it a good choice for world language? Why or why not? 3 reasons.

Would you prefer reading a magazine about your favorite hobby or topic or reading about it online?

In the USA there are many manicure and pedicure shops. Does China have these shops as well? Do Chinese women care about decorating their nails very much?

What do you think of the 16/8 diet? You can eat as much as you want between 8 hours of every day but must not eat during 16 consecutive hours.

A possible format for the TOEFL independent essay

I was thinking that if you have to write an essay based on two choices, the following might be a good format to help you save time.

Write one or two reasons for the choice you are going to reject. Then state your choice with no reasons. The reasons will come in the next two paragraphs. 

So let's say the question is: There is a wilderness area with endangered species that can be developed economically to provide more food for a city's population. Should this area be preserved or turned into farm land? 

Personally, I would argue that the area should be preserved, but let's say you disagree with my point of view. Here is a possible intro and guide to writing an essay to support this type of argument.

Sample:

Introduction: The preservation of endangered species is felt by some to be a moral imperative; it is asserted that we have no right to eliminate species from the face of the earth. It has also been asserted that the elimination of species can adversely affect ecosystems. Yet, when there is a conflict between preserving endangered species and developing land for economic reasons, I feel that wilderness areas should be sacrificed.

Reason 1: The human population continues to grow and we must provide for this growth. Explanation/example.

Reason 2: It is possible to preserve endangered species or relocate endangered species while pursuing economic development. Explanation/example.

Conclusion: In an ideal world we would be able to preserve wilderness areas and pursue economic development. At times, however, there is a conflict in regard to this issue. In this case, I would have to argue that the welfare of human beings trumps that of endangered species.

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By the way, "to trump" is a verb and has nothing to do with the current president of the US. "to trump" something means to take precedence over something else, to be more important than something else. This verb has existed in the English language since the 1500s.


Here's a song that I like. It has nothing to do with the TOEFL. Please enjoy it.

Pieces of advice for the TOEFL speaking questions

For questions # 1 and #2

1) Your reasons should be as short as possible and not longer than a sentence. 

i.e. I go swimming in the summer because it is good for my health. Then: example. 

I also swim because it is a good social opportunity. Then: example.

Describe a common drink that you drink.

I drink tea because it is good for my health./ It is cheap. / It is stimulating. / It is a social custom in my country. (Short reasons)

2) Make sure your example is different from your reason. Some students just repeat their reason in different words. This does NOT work. You lose points by doing this. An example is different from a reason.

3) By the 25 second mark you should be switching to your second reason.

4) Keep your examples realistic and DETAILED.

For question #3

1) Identify what the reading passage is from: an announcement, a flyer, an email message sent by the professor, a letter to the school newspaper etc..

In this announcement from the university we learn that... 

In this letter to the school newspaper a student proposes that...

2) Be aware that something will be created, changed or eliminated according to the reading. You can use these verbs in your answer: In this memo from the Provost's Office we learn that the university is changing its policy concerning ____________. Now students will have to _____________.

3) When you talk about the reading, talk about what is happening and why. Do not talk about the reading for more than 15 or 20 seconds. You can talk about the reading in two or three short sentences.

4) Catch important verbs and key words in the dialogue that you can use in your answer

5) You can transition from speaking about the reading to speaking about the dialogue by saying: In the dialogue the male/female student agrees/disagrees with this __________________. First he/she says....

For question #4

1) Be able to define the topic of the reading in your own simple words. Use subject + verb + object if you can.

"In this academic reading passage we learn that ________ is a __________"

The professor gives 2 examples of this.

2) "When" is useful in defining a term. i.e. Mutualism is when two organisms help each other.

3) Listen for useful verbs and keywords in the lecture that you can use in your answer.

For question # 5

1) Identify which piece of advice sucks the least. Neither piece of advice is going to be a good piece of advice - they want you to think and so they give you two less than desirable pieces of advice. If one piece of advice is impossible, recognize that. Please, use common sense - one piece of advice is often impossible or really bad. Do NOT choose the worst piece of advice.

2) Learn how to use recommend and suggest properly http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-use-recommend-or-suggest.html

3) Do not say 'advices' - pieces of advice. Advice is uncountable.

4) State the problem + 2 pieces of advice + I think the student should....+ Further I would not recommend that....... Please study this: http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2016/03/how-to-answer-toefl-speaking-question-5.html

For question #6

1) Determine the purpose of the professor's lecture PRECISELY. The purpose of this professor's lecture is to teach us two ways that plant/insect mutualism occurs. Don't say, This lecture is about mutualism. This shows that a student is lazy and sloppy.

2) The professor will give two examples of his topic. In each example there will be an explanation and after each explanation the professor will probably also give an example of the explanation. Get the explanation and the example and use them both in your answer.

Common Mistakes on the Integrated Writing Section

Here is an example of common mistakes that students make on the integrated writing portion of the TOEFL exam.  Please study this carefully. This is an essay from one of my students with my corrections.

The reading passage provided 3 ways to protect frog populations from decline and the lecturer criticized the practicality of those three proposals.
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The student's essay with corrections:

The reading and lecture are both about protecting the frog population from extinction. 

NO!!!!!!! This first sentence is not true. The reading proposes three initiatives to stop the frog population from declining and the lecturer addresses whether each of these initiatives will be possible or practical. 

To say that both the reading and lecture are about ‘protecting the frog population from extinction', therefore, does NOT cover what is really happening. You have to be PRECISE on this exam. If you are sloppy or imprecise, you will NOT score high.

The author of the reading proposes three methods to deal with the declining population of frogs. The lecturer casts doubt on the methods mentioned by the author and believes that none of them will work. 

This STILL isn't good enough.  The lecturer does not say these methods won't work. She says these methods are, generally, impractical. These methods, in fact, DO WORK.

My suggestion for an intro: 

Protecting frogs and their habitats is essential for us since frogs help to eliminate harmful insects from human environments. Yet, just how to protect frogs is debatable. For example, in the reading passage we get three proposals as to how we can preserve frog populations. The practicality of these proposals is impugned, however, in the lecture.

First of all, the author points out that pesticides have a great impact on the declining population of frogs. It is mentioned that pesticides affect the nervous systems of frogs and lead to their deaths. It is also claimed by the author that if harmful pesticides are banned in the areas close to frogs the population of frogs can be protected from being harmed. The lecturer casts doubt on this claim. 

No she doesn’t!!!!!! She does NOT cast doubt on this claim. She does NOT say that pesticides do not kill frogs. She admits that pesticides DO kill frogs BUT she says it isn’t practical to stop using them. If they are not used, farmers will lose money. 

She thinks that prohibiting farmers from using pesticides would result in economical disadvantages. That is, if farmers do not use pesticides the amount of their crops will drop and they will not remain successful in a competitive market.

Secondly, the author suggests that anti-fungal treatment on a large scale should be used to deal with fungal infections in frogs. The author mentions that a fungus contributes to a declining frog population by dehydrating them. The lecturer rebuts this argument. 

No she doesn’t!!!!!!!! The argument is sound – if you use the anti-fungal treatment, you will cure the frogs. The problem is that this solution is also impractical to the lecturer. 

She argues that it is not practical to use such a treatment on such a large scale. Instead, the treatment would have to be given to one frog at a time, and this is absurd. She elaborates on this by mentioning that even if treatment is applied to the frogs, the offspring will not be affected; therefore the problem will still exist. 

Finally, the author states that we can protect frogs from extinction by protecting their habitats from specific human threats like excessive water usage. The article establishes that wetlands and water areas are the main habitats of frogs and they lay their eggs there so these areas must be protected from overuse by people.

The lecturer, on the other hand, posits that the draining of wetlands is not caused by people but it is a consequence of global warming. She puts forth the idea that we cannot slow down the declining population of frogs by protecting their habitats from human development but only by combating global warming.

Yes, the final two paragraphs hit the nail on the head and ring the bell. They are right on target. That's how to write for this test.

Assessing TOEFL text books for the speaking section: which are good and which suck

All of these test preparation books for the TOEFL exam are super expensive. Therefore, I'm going to provide my personal assessment as to which of these books are really useful so that you can study for the speaking section more efficiently and inexpensively.

Try to get your TOEFL books from ebay or amazon - I have most of the TOEFL books which have been published and got them at huge discounts (or students whom I helped to pass the exam gave them to me).

THE BEST BOOK FOR THE TOEFL SPEAKING EXAM

Hackers Actual Test Speaking contains 12 practice speaking tests and 1 warm-up speaking test. For the most part, all 6 questions follow the actual format of the real TOEFL exam (with just a few exceptions). This company did a great job for students trying to pass the speaking section. Kudos to Hackers. You made my job as a TOEFL teacher much easier with this great test prep book - some of my students have scored in the high 20s and even reached 30 with the help of this book.

This book gives you 5 complete speaking tests which were actually administered in the past. With Hackers and this book, you'll have 18 practice speaking tests.

This book provides 2 complete speaking tests and about 150 independent writing topics, which can be used as TOEFL speaking questions for question number 1 or 2. The independent writing topic seems to follow the format of TOEFL speaking question 1 or 2. So if you buy Hackers, the previous book and this book you'll now have 20 complete speaking tests and over 150 number 1 or 2 questions to work with.

This book has numerous TOEFL speaking questions but questions 4 and 6 in this book do not always follow the format of the actual TOEFL exam. It would be an ok book for questions 1,2,3,5 - but be careful because it seems that sometimes the number 5 questions can deviate from the format a bit. Interestingly, if you have a good tutor (like me :P) he/she can play around with the scripts that this book provides so that the material can be made to fit the actual test format. For example:

Again, 1,2,3,5 often seem ok, but 4 and 6 don't always follow the actual test format.

Yet again, 1,2,3,5 are mostly OK, but questions 4 and 6 regularly seem to deviate from the actual test's format.

I hope this helps!  Drop me a line at djg51qu@gmail.com if you have any questions or want to recommend a good text for the TOEFL speaking section.

TOEFL speaking question #3 - sample

This sample is based on a situation which happened at an all-women's college in New York:

Notice from the Office of College Security Concerning Dorm Building Safety

As you may have read in the news, there have been two violent assaults against college-age women in our neighborhood within the past three weeks. In coordination with the Office of the Dean, the Office of Security is instituting the following changes within the dormitory system to ensure maximum security for all students of this college.

As has been the case, entry to the dorms will be allowed only if a student has a proper school ID. Visitors are welcome, but they must also show a valid form of ID (State ID or Driver's License or other University ID). The new policy will, however, involve visitors to the dorms. A visitor must now be met at the security desk by the person being visited. The time the person arrives and the time the person leaves will be recorded. Male visitors to our all-female campus must be escorted by a registered student or member of our community at all times. Again, male visitors must not be allowed to move about any of the dorm facilities unless they are escorted by someone from the college community. Unescorted male visitors may be removed from the premises by security and students responsible for these unescorted visitors can be disciplined with a fine or other measures.

We hope these new measures will help ensure maximum safety at our campus. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Dialogue:

Meagan: Kelly, someone told me you got fined by the college. What happened?

Kelly: My boyfriend came over to visit. We were hanging out in my dorm room and, basically, at one point he left my room to go to the bathroom.

Meagan: But didn't you read the notice from Security? Guys can't walk about the dorms freely any more.

Kelly: Oh come on. He walked down the hallway to go to the bathroom. I am supposed to escort my boyfriend to the bathroom and stand outside waiting for him? How absurd is that? That is totally messed up. 

Meagan: I can see your point, I'm just wondering where the school needs to draw the line.

Kelly: Well they need to draw the line at what's reasonable and what isn't. They aren't doing that now. The bathroom is literally 10 yards from my room. Security acted as if he was a terrorist when they saw him walking back to my room. They grabbed him by the arm and took him to my room to see whether I knew him, then they wrote me out a ticket right there and then for $100. Why be so damn ridiculous? This was no big deal.

Meagan: Yeah, I have to admit it seems a bit excessive to bust a guy for going to the john. (explanation: 'going to the john' means going to the bathroom).

Kelly: Also, these frigging security guards have too damn much power now. They act like damn fascists. Yesterday I went down to meet my boyfriend at the security desk and the guard said, "Oh you're seeing him again tonight, huh?" I was so pissed off! This new system robs us of our privacy and allows these damn guards to act like our moral superiors.

Meagan: I agree. I'm glad I live off campus and don't have to put up with this crap. 

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How does Kelly feel about the new security regulations at the dorms?

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Sample Answer:

Due to a couple violent assaults against college-age women in the neighborhood. a college has changed its security policy for its all-female dorms. Basically, male guests must have a valid ID and must be escorted at all times in the dorms.

Kelly has just had a terrible experience because of this policy and is dead set against it. First of all, she doesn't think that the policy has a clear-cut line as to what is reasonable and unreasonable behavior. Her boyfriend was stopped and humiliated by security just because he went to the bathroom, which was only about 10 yards from Kelly's room. She feels it is ridiculous to punish her for something so minor.

Secondly, Kelly feels that this new policy is too invasive and takes away a student's right to privacy. Basically these security guards seem to be making inappropriate and rude comments to students based on who their visitors are and how frequently they come. Therefore they seem to be making moral judgments based on their belief, perhaps, that the students are having sexual relations with the guys they bring into the dorm. 

Clearly, the administration's desire to provide absolute security for its students seems to have some personal freedom glitches.

TOEFL Speaking Question #3 - Sample

A Notice from the Dean's Office:

The Office of the Dean wishes to announce that our university will now participate in Safe Space programs. A "Safe Space" is a place on campus where communities of agreement may meet without worrying about people of other opinions creating conflict or arguments. We are experimenting with these safe spaces since this seems to have become a trend on contemporary US campuses and the university administration has been approached by various student populations who wish for this program to exist. 

The point of a "Safe Space" is to ensure that like-minded individuals, or individuals of similar identities and experiences can come together in a space where self-respect and dignity are protected. If a Safe Space is violated, this will be considered a violation of the student code of conduct and severe disciplinary measures, including expulsion from school may result. 

To apply for a Safe Space for your group, please fill out a proposal form which can be obtained from the Dean's Office and submit it by December 1st for the opportunity to have a Safe Space by the January term. 

Now listen to a dialogue between two students as they discuss this Notice:

Barry: Can they do this? I don't think they can do this. 

Angela: Do what?

Barry: Did you read the Notice from the Dean? They want to create Safe Spaces on campus where you can't argue about things. Everybody who goes to the space has to have the same opinion ahead of time on the issue or topic or be from the same identity group or share the same experience. So if I create a group called "Polish guys who like cats" and some Russian guy who likes dogs shows up, I can have him thrown out of my Safe Space and get him into a lot of trouble.

Angela: Well, that's going to suck. What's the point of that?

Barry: I don't know, it sounds kind of stupid to me. But legally can they do this? Don't we have a right to disagree with people and to express that?

Angela: This is a private university, so the U.S. Constitution doesn't apply here. You are protected from the government taking your right to speak freely away, unfortunately, this university can definitely stop you from exercising your freedoms and rights. You basically lose all your rights when you agree to be admitted here.

Barry: It's stupid. What's the point of going to a university if you are not going to learn how to argue with civility or express opinions freely? We supposedly have a free country and my university doesn't seem to want to prepare me for it. Nuts.

Angela: I'm with you there. Such a nutty idea. Safe Spaces. Nuts.

Barry: Furthermore, these spaces aren't even necessary. Let's say that I have my Polish guys who like cats group and a Russian dog lover shows up and deliberately causes trouble. He doesn't just express an opinion, but he tries to cause conflict and trouble. We already have the right to call Security and get the guy thrown out. 

Angela: Yep, I hear you loud and clear. It's a really tragically stupid idea and probably people will wake up and realize this sooner or later.

What is Barry's attitude toward the Dean's Notice concerning Safe Spaces?

For the reading passage, it might be a good idea to simply talk about what is happening and why. ***So when you read, just read for what is happening and why.*** For this answer we also want to explain what a Safe Space is.

In this announcement from the Dean's Office, we learn that Safe Spaces on campus will be created. This is being done because it is a new trend around the US and various student groups have requested it.In a Safe Space, students who agree with each other or are like each other will not be bothered by people who are different from themselves or who hold different opinions.

Now transition into the listening section.

However, Barry, in the dialogue, strongly objects to this new program.

Now explain why he is upset.

First of all, he is upset because he feels students need to be able to argue well and to discuss important issues with civility. He believes that an important function of a US university is to provide this experience. Safe Spaces are not preparing students for a democratically free society in which people have to argue about issues.

Secondly, he believes that these spaces are totally unnecessary. As he points out, if someone deliberately disrupts a student meeting, that person can be removed by Security. So every student group is already protected and safe from uncivil conflict. 

Do you need a conclusion? Probably not (based on what I've seen elsewhere), but here's a quick one anyway:

Obviously the university is trying this program as an experiment but both students express strong concerns that this program might be counter to legitimate educational purposes and restrictive of a type of freedom of speech which should be occurring on all US college campuses.

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Do you like the Blues Brothers?

Funny video:

Should you take notes in your native language or in English?

Today I had an interesting discussion with one of my TOEFL students.  He told me that he takes his notes, for the speaking section, in his native language.  He feels that when he has to read back from these notes he can better understand what he wrote - after he writes something in English he sometimes can't read his handwriting and he no longer remembers what he wrote.

What do you think of this approach?  I have always advised my students to write in English.  He feels that translating back from his native language to English is actually more comfortable for him.  I disagree.  People are always looking for 'tricks' or 'short-cuts' to 'pass' the TOEFL exam.  Fixing your English and speaking more fluently is always the best way to score high on this test.

If you have an opinion, feel free to comment or drop me a line at my e-mail above.  Thank you!

Recent speaking question types from the July 2013 test in Manhattan

Someone informed me that TOEFL seems to have changed it's format for Type 1 and Type 2 speaking questions.

He stated that the first question for the Type 1 question provided 3 choices.  i.e. If you were to do volunteer work, which type of work would you choose: 1) Talk to elderly people to make sure they are not lonely. 2) Visit patients in a hospital. Or, 3) (the person could not remember the third choice)

For the second question the person was asked whether he would like to work at a job in which he worked alone, or with a small group of people.

If this information is true, TOEFL does not always provide a 'descriptive' question followed by a 'choice' question.  Therefore you should be aware of that...

Latest TOEFL Speaking Questions (1, 2) from June 2013

Someone informed me that on the latest TOEFL exam in NY City, last weekend, the first two speaking questions were:

1)  If you want to learn about a different country, should you take a university course or should you travel to the country?

2)  If someone donates money to a not-for-profit organization in your neighborhood, and you can either build a garden or a playground, which would you prefer?

I'm a little confused, though, because both of these questions seem to be 'either/or' questions.  Usually one question asks for a type of 'description' while the other asks an 'either/or' question.

Maybe the person was a little confused.  If we want to change the first question to a descriptive question, we can ask:  What do you think the best way to learn about another country might be?  Support your answer with reasons and examples.  My sample answer below would still work for this question.

Sample answers:

1)  Many people feel that it is essential for a person to travel in order to broaden his/her horizons and to develop a more open mind.  Yet, I feel that if I really want to learn about another culture, a university class, taught by an experienced instructor, would be better than traveling, for two reasons.

First, the instructor can give me an overview of the entire culture.  For example, he can provide me with the history, the artistic trends, the politics and the current economic situation of the country.

Second of all, based on his experiences, he can give me insights into the people and culture of that country based on many, many trips and experiences with natives. Let's say I want to learn about Indonesia.  I can't even speak the language.  So if I travel to Indonesia, I will not be able to speak to many natives (unless they can speak English) and I might not really learn much beyond what I can see.

So although some people might say that it is silly or foolish to suggest that studying a country is better than traveling to the country, I disagree.  I want to benefit from the years of study of an expert and gain his/her valuable insights.  Then I can go and see whether what I learned is accurate.

2)  If someone were kind enough to donate money to an organization in my neighborhood for either a garden or a playground, I would prefer that a playground be built for a couple reasons.

First, I feel that it's essential for children to play outdoors in a safe environment.  For example, there is an obesity problem in America.  Children are not getting enough exercise.  If a park were built, children could get some needed exercise every day.

Second of all, children need to socialize with other children to develop important social skills.  If we build a park, this will be a perfect opportunity for the neighborhood's children to get to know each other, develop relationships and learn how to play and cooperate with each other.

Although I would really love a garden as a place where I could relax and enjoy nature, I think our children have needs which are more important than mine.  The park will help them exercise and socialize.

How to use "although" in your conclusion...

I recommend that students use the word "although" as the beginning of their conclusion for speaking topics 1 and 2.  However, using 'although' is kind of tricky.

Basically when you use 'although' you want to introduce a counter-argument or arguments and then briefly reiterate the two reasons you previously mentioned.

Remember, the best format for topic 1 and 2 questions involves:

Intro
Reason 1
Example 1
Reason 2
Example 2
Conclusion (using 'although')

So lets say the topic is "What is your favorite web site?"

I would pick www.craigslist.org   This is a very popular American website through which people can buy things, express their opinions and place their own ads.

My intro would be simple:

Craigslist is one of the most popular websites in the USA. People use it for a variety of reasons.  I like it for 2 basic reasons.

Reason 1:  First, I can post tutoring ads on craigslist.

Example 1:  In fact, the tutoring section is free and I have been able to work with some amazing students from over 35 countries, just through my craigslist ads there alone.  I think I have helped a lot of people.

Reason 2:  Secondly, craigslist has almost everything a person might want!

Example 2: For example, you can find a place to live, you can buy a car, you can meet people for dates and there is even a section where you can post your opinion about current events.

OK, now here's where we'll use 'although.'  We want to think of one or two negative things about craigslist.  For example, people have been scammed (cheated) using this site and, unfortunately, a couple people were murdered because they met strangers through this site.  We want to mention those things, but indicate that, overall, the site is still very helpful if a person takes precautions to be safe.

So our conclusion can be:

Although it's true that craigslist has some problems, for instance the site has been used to scam people out of money and some people have been harmed using it, it can still be useful if a person takes the proper precautions.  By placing ads and using the site to find necessary things, it has really made my life easier.

Sample Speaking Answers to Topics 1 and 2 on the TOEFL

Yesterday a student told me that on a recent TOEFL the first two speaking questions were: 

1) Do you prefer to listen to lectures or do you prefer to self-study?  
2) Which place would be more difficult to work in: a hospital, an office or a police station?

Here are sample answers to these topics using the method I developed:

Intro
Reason #1
Example #1
Reason #2
Example #2
Conclusion (beginning with "Although")

1. Self-study or lecture?

I would prefer self-study for two basic reasons. First, active learning is more effective than passive learning. For example, when I sit in a classroom and listen to lectures, I have a hard time remembering things. But when I am motivated to learn, I remember almost everything. Second, with self-study I can move at my own pace. I tend to learn quickly and lectures bore me. I've noticed that I tend to learn faster and cover more material when I study by myself. Although I understand that the professor is an expert and that I would be wise to attend and listen to lectures which are offered, I still feel that I need to learn actively and can learn faster by doing this.

2.  More difficult: hospital, office or police station?

Of these three locations, I would say working at a hospital would be most difficult for two basic reasons. First, when we see people suffer, we are affected by this. For example, even if I did not know a patient well, just seeing him/her in pain would make me feel a great amount of empathy and sadness. At a hospital this might be my daily experience.  Second, doctors, nurses and administrators all seem to work extra long hours. For example, my roommate is a nurse and she regularly works 12 hour long shifts.  So, even though (or although) office workers and police officers work overtime and face challenges, I do not think these challenges match seeing people suffering  and dying on a daily basis coupled with the constant overtime.

50 Practice Speaking Topic 1 and 2 Questions (To Use with Your Tutor Or Language Exchange Partner)

Here are some (sometimes strange) TOEFL speaking questions for type 1 and type 2 questions.  I hope practicing with these will help you. (It's good to answer strange questions because you never know what will be asked on the test...)

For low-cost TOEFL speaking and writing help, please e-mail me at djg51qu@gmail.com (free initial meeting over the internet).


1)  Should a person shower the night before work or in the morning?
2)  When a man takes a woman to dinner, should he pay or should they go "dutch"? (Each pays for him/herself.)
3)  Do you prefer reading e-books or real books?
4)  Describe something you do during your favorite season.
5)  Which is better to lose weight: dieting or exercising?
6)  Which is better for a history class: online or classroom learning?
7)  Which is the best month for a holiday?
8)  What is good advice for a person who is having trouble falling asleep?
9)  Now that you are in America, should you keep your foreign name or adopt an American name?
10) When you are in a Chinese restaurant, do you use chopsticks or a fork? Why?
11)  Which is better for you, texting someone or calling him/her?
12)  Some people think there should be a tax on soda to encourage people to stop drinking it.  Agree or disagree?
13)  Do you agree:  You should always give a waitress a tip even if her service is bad?
14)  In an airport do you prefer to go through the body scanner or to be "frisked"? (The security guard runs his/her hands over your body.)
15) What's the worst place to take a tourist in your current city?
16)  What's the most stupid holiday you can think of?
17)  What was the most important time in your life?
18)  If you were in Spain and someone gave you tickets to a bullfight, would you go?
19)  Do you think it is important to use capital letters in e-mail messages or is it OK to just use small letters?
20)  Should cell phones be prohibited in schools?
21)  Should bullying be a crime?
22)  Should you give money to people begging in the street or on the subway?
23)  Should we have shorter work weeks and longer hours (i.e. 4 days at 10 hours each day)?
24)  Would you prefer to go to an art museum or a movie?
25)  If you were convicted of a murder, would you prefer the death sentence or life in prison?
26)  Is it better to save your money or to spend it as soon as you get it?
27)  Do you prefer the white meat of a chicken or the dark meat?
28)  Should people be of the same religion when they get married?
29)  Is it better to wake up early in the morning or later in the day?
30)  Do you believe pet animals should be cloned?
31)  Should parents be allowed to choose the sex of their child ahead of time?
32)  Should marijuana be legalized?
33)  Do you think zoos are generally good or bad?
34)  In Mexico there are "pink" taxis, only for women driven by women.  Is this good or bad?
35)  Should really fat (obese) people have to pay more for their plane tickets because they use up more fuel?
36)  An airline had a somewhat abstract painting by Picasso of a nude woman on a wall at an airport and some people complained that it should be taken down.  What do you think?
37)  Describe the worst teacher you ever had.
38)  Describe your morning routine.
39)  Are you more like your mother or father in personality?
40)  Describe the last fashionable piece of clothing you bought.
41)  Is it good or bad that English is becoming the world language?
42) Are tourists generally good or bad for a city?
43) What should you do if your roommate is very noisy and keeps you up at night?
44) What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a smart phone?
45) What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of studying literature as a major in college?
46) What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning English in the USA?
47) What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending a US graduate program?
48) What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing volunteer work?
49) What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a dog?
50)  What are the advantages and disadvantages of just having one very close friend?

OK, there are 50 good and sometimes weird TOEFL questions!!!!!!  Good luck!!!!!

More questions:
http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2016/07/6-thoughtful-1-and-2-speaking-questions.html

More questions:
http://danstoefl.blogspot.com/2016/07/more-challenging-topic-1-and-2-toefl.html

Please look at other links in this blog - there are many good pieces of advice and examples of how to do well on the speaking section. :)

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http://www.amazon.com/Sucks-Youll-Wanna-Anyway-ebook/dp/B004TSPAQS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301236827&sr=8-1


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