Practice Test #9

F O R T H E T O E F L®
S P E A K I N G S E C T I O N

9
Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®​   
Speaking Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

1
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

 
 
 
 
The TOEFL Speaking Section:  
Directions 
 
 
The following Speaking section of the test will last between 20-30 minutes. To complete it, you will 
need a recording device that you can play back to listen to your responses. You should also have a pen 
and a piece of paper ready to take notes. 
 
During the test, you will answer four speaking questions. One of the questions asks about familiar topics. 
Three questions ask about short conversations, lectures, and reading passages.  
 

When you see the audio icon it means that there is an audio passage you must listen to. ​Please 
click the icon ​to get redirected to the audio file​.  
 
The time you will have to prepare your response and to speak is printed below each question. You should 
answer all of the questions as completely as possible in the time allowed.  
 
If you would like to read and listen to a sample response to the question you are answering, you can refer 
to the answer key.  
 
When you are ready, turn the page to see the directions for the first speaking task.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 1 
 
Directions​: You will now be asked a question about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you 
will have 15 seconds to plan your response and 45 seconds to speak.  
 
 
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." 
 
Provide details and examples to explain your opinion. 
 
 
Preparation Time​: 15 seconds  
Response Time​: 45 seconds 
 
 
   

3
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 2 
 
Directions​: You will now read a short passage and then listen to a conversation on the same topic. 
You will then be asked a question about the passages. After you hear the question, you will have 30 
seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.  
 
You have 45 seconds to read the passage below. You may begin reading now.  
 
More Flexible Meal Plans 
 
As of right now, the school offers only one meal plan to students, which permits them to 
eat at the cafeteria once per day for the entire school year. The problem with this is that 
there are students who are busy with part-time jobs away from campus and don’t have 
time to eat at the cafeteria on a daily basis. Since these students still want to eat at the 
cafeteria occasionally I believe it would be best if the school started to sell meal plans that 
provide a specific number of meals which students can eat whenever they want. Not only 
will this be more convenient, but it will also increase the cafeteria’s income as a greater 
number of students will consider taking advantage of its services.  
 
Sincerely,  
Johnny B. Goode  
 
 
Now, listen to a conversation about the same topic 
 
 
Now answer the question.  
 
The man expresses his opinion on cafeteria meal plans. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives for 
holding that opinion.  
 
 
Preparation Time​: 30 seconds  
Response Time​: 60 seconds 
 
   

4
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 3 
 
Directions​: You will now read a short passage and then listen to a lecture on the same topic. You will 
then be asked a question about the passages. After you hear the question, you will have 30 seconds to 
prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.  
 
You have 45 seconds to read the passage below. You may begin reading now.  
 
Types of Leadership 
 
Every day we come across leaders in school, business, and life, and each has their own 
unique approach to managing others. The way people use their power and authority 
differs from person to person, but there are some recurring patterns. In business theory, 
there are two main types of leaders: instrumental and expressive. Instrumental leaders are 
very demanding individuals. Leaders of this type expect their employees to be professional 
and focused on work rather than on relationships with their colleagues. In contrast, 
expressive leaders are concerned about employee well-being. They believe strong 
relationships and a positive work environment improve a group’s overall productivity.  
 
 
Now listen to a lecture about this topic in a behavioral psychology class 
 
 
Now answer the question.  
 
Using the examples from the lecture, describe two types of leadership. 
 
 
Preparation Time​: 30 seconds  
Response Time​: 60 seconds 
 
 
   

5
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

 
Speaking Task 4 
 
Directions​: You will now listen to part of a lecture. You will then be asked a question about it. After 
you hear the question, you will have 20 seconds to prepare your response and 60 seconds to speak.  
 
 
Now listen to part of a lecture in a psychology class 
 
 
Now answer the question.  
 
Using points and examples from the talk, describe the two theories that explain why humans sleep.  
 
 
Preparation Time​: 20 seconds  
Response Time​: 60 seconds 
 
   

6
 
 
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 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®​ ​ Speaking Section 
Answer Key 
   

8
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL®
​ ​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 1: Sample Answer 

 
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." 
 
Provide details and examples to explain your opinion. 

As a matter of fact, I do agree that teenagers should work in order to learn more about personal 
responsibility. For example, when I was in high school, I worked as a custodian at another school in our 
district. In the summer, I worked from 7 am to 3 pm five days a week with a bunch of blue-collar 
middle-aged men who had worked hard their entire lives. Not only did I have to lift heavy objects and work 
with complicated machinery, but I also spent time with rugged men who encouraged me to focus on my 
studies and get a college degree. That’s why I think working as a student is a great way to learn about the 
value of both hard work and a good education.  

  

   

9
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 2: Sample Answer 

 

According to the letter, the school’s meal plan is too strict and should be more flexible. The man in 
the conversation completely agrees with this proposal. Even though he’s not a big fan of the cafeteria’s 
food, he likes to go there to hang out sometimes. He’s not on the school meal plan right now, but if they 
had a flexible 50-meal plan, for example, he would take advantage of it. On top of that, he believes adding 
this option will satisfy everyone. Students can still go to the cafeteria once in a while for the occasional 
meal, and the school can earn a bit more revenue with the increase in school lunch purchases. The prices 
wouldn’t change, only the number of options. This basically sums up why the man likes the idea of 
changing the school’s meal plan. 

  

   

10
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 2: Transcript 

 
Man​:​ Hey Lisa, did you read Johnny's letter in the school paper?  
 
Woman​:​ Yeah, I'm just finishing it now, actually. I can't believe he finally complained about it.  
 
Man​:​ Yeah, and I think it's great. Almost everyone I talk to agrees that the cafeteria should be more flexible when 
it comes to meal plans. I mean, I'm not crazy about the cafeteria food, but I like to go there to meet up 
with friends and hang out. I'd buy a 50-meal plan, for example, but I would never get the yearly meal plan.  
 
Woman​:​ Yes, I guess you have a point, but, won't this make the meals more expensive? I am on the school's 
meal plan right now and the one thing I love about it is the price. It's so cheap.  
 
Man​:​ I don't see why a new meal plan structure would affect the price of the current system. It's basically just 
adding more options. Even though I might have to pay more per meal for my plan, it fits my schedule 
better. This type of structure is going to make everyone happy, both the students who don't plan on eating 
at the cafeteria every day, and the school, which can make a bit more money from the variety of options. 
And even students like you who are already on the meal plan won't be affected by this change 
 
Woman​:​ I guess you're right. Maybe Johnny will get what he wants after all.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

11
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 3: Sample Answer 

 

This is a fascinating topic. According to the author, there are two main types of leaders: instrumental 
and expressive. The lecturer provides two excellent, and personal examples of each type to further 
illustrate this idea. First, she talks about her old boss Bill who was a typical instrumental leader. Bill was 
very professional and kept the staff focused on their work and customers of course. Some employees 
didn’t like Bill because they thought he was too strict though. In contrast, the lecturer now works under 
Professor Green, and she is an expressive type of leader. She is respectful of the staff and holds weekly 
meetings for them to communicate about their problems. The professor seems to prefer expressive 
leadership because everyone feels more like a part of the team. So, there you have it, those are the two 
types of leadership discussed in the passages.  

   

12
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 3: Transcript 

 
“​Okay, so, you may have never heard of the terms instrumental and expressive before when it comes to 
leadership, but I bet you could think of a couple of people who fit these descriptions.  
 
Now, I used to have a part-time job working as a waiter at a restaurant. I had a boss named Bill who was a 
typical instrumental leader. Not only was he good at managing his business, but he also had extensive 
experience as a waiter. He had high standards in the way we treated customers and he expected all of us to do 
the same. The waiters were almost completely forbidden to speak with one another while at work, even when we 
didn't have any customers. He felt that if we focused on our tasks and the customers, not on each other, we 
wouldn't get distracted or become lazy. He did have a successful restaurant, but there were certainly other 
approaches he could have taken that weren't so strict. 
 
You know, my boss right now is Professor Green, the head of my department. She really knows how to treat the 
university staff with respect. While there are rules we have to follow and deadlines we must meet, she hardly ever 
pressures us. She treats us like adults and we, the teaching staff, all do our jobs to the best of our abilities 
because we don't want to disappoint or upset her. She holds weekly staff meetings, so we can communicate 
about problems in class and even holds parties at her home once a month. We all feel like part of an open and 
honest team, and that would not be possible without her expressive type of leadership.​”  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
   

13
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 4: Sample Answer 

 

So, the professor is talking about sleep, and more specifically, he is describing two main theories 
about why we sleep. One idea is that we need to sleep in order to restore the resources we use 
throughout the day. Similar to a hibernating bear, people need sleep to restore their energy. The common 
thought is that eight hours is needed for people to function at their best. But there is another theory that 
says people sleep because of evolution. Our eyes were never adapted to being active at night. So, the idea 
is that long ago, finding a safe place for shelter at night time was a way to avoid predators and stay alive. 
After continuing this practice, over time, sleeping became something of a biological response to our 
environment. These are the two theories the professor uses to explain why humans sleep. 

  

. 

   

14
 
 
 Practice Test #9 
For the TOEFL​®​ Speaking Section 
 
 

Speaking Task 4: Transcript 

 

“​We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping. Given that the average life expectancy for most of us 
falls between 73 and 79 years old, we can expect to spend approximately 25 years of our lives sleeping. 
Surprisingly, the reason why we humans sleep is still mostly a mystery, but there are a few theories that attempt 
to explain the function of sleep.  

One popular hypothesis argues that sleep is essential in order for us humans to restore the resources we use 
throughout the day. The same way that bears hibernate in the winter when resources are scarce, perhaps people 
sleep at night to reduce the amount of energy they use. It has recently become fashionable to argue that people 
need to sleep at least eight hours a night in order to function at their optimal physical and mental capacity. I'm 
sure all of you have felt pretty sluggish after a late night with just a few hours of sleep, so this theory makes 
sense, intuitively. 

However, there are others who are not convinced by this simplistic explanation of why we sleep and have 
proposed other explanations.  

Another popular theory proposes that sleep is an adaptive response to predatory risk. In other words, our great 
ancestors were more likely to be hunted and killed at night by other animals, so a desire to sleep in a safe, 
comfortable area was an evolutionary mechanism that helped shield us from harm. As I'm sure you are all 
aware, there are more risks at night time since visibility is so low. We haven't adapted our senses in the same 
way other creatures have to survive throughout the night. Accordingly, it makes sense to believe that sleep is a 
biological response to our environmental conditions, but, just like the theory involving energy conservation, there 
are some who disagree.​”  

 
 
 

15
 
 
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