• TOEFL

Types of Questions in TOEFL Speaking Task 1

7302 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.

Global University Systems (GUS) - University of Europe for Applied Sciences - Dubai Campus

Dubai, UAE • 26 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AED 12700-53500 / year

Southern Cross University - Gold Coast Campus

Queensland, Australia • 52 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 29000-37000 / year

Red River College Polytechnic - Steinbach Campus

Manitoba, Canada • 8 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 8500-17500 / year

Navitas Group - Edith Cowan College - Joondalup Campus

Western Australia, Australia • 108 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 30500-35000 / year

Florida Institute of Technology - Melbourne Main Campus

Florida, USA • 103 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 43000-46000 / year

Okanagan College - Revelstoke Centre

British Columbia, Canada • 1 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 18000-18500 / year

Shorelight Group - American University

District of Columbia, USA • 74 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 35000-55000 / year

University of Greenwich - Greenwich Campus

England, UK • 194 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 15000-16000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

University Visits - Mount Saint Vincent University

Study in Canada • University Visit

Chennai • 02:00PM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Northern College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Ahmedabad • 12:30PM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Selkirk College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Mohali • 01:30PM

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.

Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Australia

One of the most asked questions by our Indian students is about the part-time jobs for international students in Australia. Indeed, a part-time job pl...

Updated on • Jul 15,2025 11:45 AM IST • Australia

STEM MBA in USA

STEM MBA may be an odd-sounding combination of courses, but it is fulfilling if pursued. The perfect blend of science and commerce adds to this progra...

Updated on • Jul 12,2025 04:02 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in India

Indian parents expect their children to follow a set pattern of going to school, getting into a college and finally pursuing a job. But what are the h...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 11:32 AM IST • Education

CPT vs OPT: Meaning, Difference, and How to Apply

The USA has always been a popular study destination among international students for its wide variety of courses and post-study work opportuniti...

Updated on • Jul 11,2025 10:40 AM IST • USA

Masters in Computer Science in UK: Top Colleges, Eligibility, Scholarships

The UK is an excellent choice to study a Masters in Computer Science. It is a home to world-renowned institutions offering a high standard of educatio...

Updated on • Jul 10,2025 11:29 AM IST • study in the UK

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 • Jul 08,2025 01:40 PM IST • Study Abroad

MBA in Australia for Indian Students: Best Universities, Requirements, Scholarship, Courses, Jobs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) has always been a popular postgraduate degree for Indian students to pursue in order to gain advanced sk...

Updated on • Jul 08,2025 01:35 PM IST • Australia

Canada vs Australia: Which Country is Better for Indian Students in 2025?

Human life is filled with making choices every day. In 10th grade, we choose between arts and commerce, after 12th grade, the college, but those were ...

Updated on • Jul 07,2025 12:46 PM IST • Education

France vs Germany: Which Is Better for International Students?

In 2024, many vintage study destinations, including the Big 4, saw a drop in international enrolment, and this trend continues till this year. This le...

Updated on • Jun 30,2025 05:15 PM IST • Education

Top 10 Agricultural Universities in USA

Agriculture or farming is not merely the growing of crops or taking care of animals, but it’s the largest contributor (27%) to global employment. It...

Updated on • Jun 27,2025 05:25 PM IST • USA

Most In-Demand Future Careers in 2025

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Technology, climate change, aging populations, and space exploration are creating jobs we’ve never s...

Updated on • Jun 26,2025 04:41 PM IST • Education

How Much Do Nurses Make in the U.S.?

Do you also think, “How much is the salary of a nurse in the USA?”. If yes, then you are not alone. Being one of the noblest professions in the wo...

Updated on • Jun 23,2025 03:59 PM IST • USA

Study MBBS in the USA

There are innumerable professions, but a career in MBBS is respected and admired more than any other line of work. Many of us harbour a drea...

Updated on • Jun 21,2025 02:00 PM IST • USA

MBA in UK: Universities, Eligibility, Types, and Career Opportunities

Master of Business Administration from UK is a prestigious academic degree, especially when gained from the UK. Business schools in the UK are well kn...

Updated on • Jun 19,2025 04:09 PM IST • UK • study in the UK

Scholarships in France for Indian Students

Are you planning to study in France but are scared of the expensive tuition fees? But now there is no need to fear because you can take advantage of F...

Updated on • May 29,2025 05:22 PM IST • France

Intakes in Dubai for Indian Students

World-class universities, a multicultural environment and tax-free earnings are some of the benefits that attract Indian students to Dubai. However, i...

Updated on • May 27,2025 03:34 PM IST • Study in Dubai

France Student Visa 2025 – Requirements, Fees, Checklist & Application Process

Imagine this: Today is the day you will sit for your dream job interview. You practised all possible questions, wore formal attire, and collected all ...

Updated on • May 23,2025 03:36 PM IST • France

MBA in France for Indian Students in 2025

MBA is one of the most sought-after master’s programs worldwide. France is increasingly becoming popular as an overseas education destination. The r...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:35 PM IST • France

PTE Accepted Universities in Australia

In recent years, PTE has emerged as one of the alternatives to IELTS to study abroad. Many top study-abroad destinations like USA, UK and New Zealand ...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:31 PM IST • PTE

PTE Accepting Universities In USA

PTE stands among the most popular English language proficiency exams accepted by various institutions worldwide. Students applying to study in the USA...

Updated on • May 22,2025 05:24 PM IST • USA

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