TOEFL interview: extended practice: learn

In this lesson you will

Recognise how the four interview questions move from personal experience to wider issues
Start every answer immediately with a direct response, with no preparation time
Fill 45 seconds with one well-developed point instead of several thin ones
Keep four answers on one topic fresh, with a new example each time

Before you start

Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.

→Imagine a researcher asks you, “How do you usually get to work or class?” What could you say for 45 seconds without stopping?

How the task works

In Take an Interview, a recorded interviewer asks you four questions on one topic, often as part of an imaginary research study (Thanks for taking part in our study about…). There is no preparation time: you start speaking when the question ends, and you have 45 seconds for each answer.

The questions follow a path. Early questions are about your own experience; later questions ask for your opinion on wider issues. You practised giving one supported opinion in Giving and supporting opinions. This lesson is about handling the whole set of four: changing your answer style as the questions change, and keeping going for four answers in a row.

A typical path through the four questions
Question	Usually asks about	Example (topic: public libraries)	A good answer shape
1	Your experience or habits	How often do you use a library, and what do you use it for?	Direct answer → details of your habit → why
2	A preference or a specific experience	Tell me about a time a library was useful to you.	What happened → one or two details → what you learned or felt
3	Your opinion on a wider issue	Some people say libraries are less important now that information is online. What do you think?	Opinion → reason → example from society or your life → short conclusion
4	A policy, the future or pros and cons	Should cities spend more money on libraries or on other services?	Position → main reason → the other side → conclusion

Five habits for 45 seconds with no preparation

First sentence = direct answer. Echoing a few words of the question is natural and gives you a second or two to think: How often? Probably once a week…
One point, well developed. At a natural pace of 130–150 words a minute, 45 seconds is roughly 100 words: enough for one reason with a specific example, or two short reasons.
Zoom out in questions 3 and 4. Move from I to people, students or cities: For a lot of students… / In my city… / In general…. A personal example is still useful, but the point is about society.
A new example every time. You can refer back briefly (As I said, I study at home…), but bring fresh material to each answer, or the four answers start to sound the same.
Land the ending. Aim to finish your last sentence at about 40 seconds. A clear final line sounds more controlled than being cut off in the middle of an idea.

The interview topic: getting around

Interviewer: Thanks for taking part in our research project on transport in cities. I'm going to ask you four questions.

Audio

Model: a complete interview (four answers of about 45 seconds)

In the exam you usually hear it once.

Try the questions first.

How a strong speaker does it

Question 1 (habit): Mostly by bus, to be honest. The answer comes in the first three words, then details (distance, time, what the speaker does on the bus) and a reason (parking… is expensive).
Question 2 (experience): a mini-story in past tenses, with a problem (the train was cancelled), a solution (I found a bus) and a lesson (Since then, I always plan a backup route).
Question 3 (wider issue): the speaker zooms out (In a lot of cities, cyclists…). The sister's near misses support a general point, and the conclusion is about cities, not about the speaker.
Question 4 (policy): a nuanced position (not free for everyone, but much cheaper), a reason, the other side (Having said that, I'd make it free for some groups) and a clear conclusion.
Four answers, four different kinds of support: a habit, a story, a family example, and an argument about money. Nothing is repeated.
Length: each answer is about 100 words, which fits 45 seconds at a natural pace.

Your interview: food and eating habits

Interviewer: Thanks for taking part in our research project on food and eating habits. I'm going to ask you four questions.

Answer the four questions in a row, without stopping between them and without reading the model answers until you have finished all four. Each answer has no preparation time and 45 seconds to speak.

Speaking task

Question 1: your habits

Start speaking straight away. Give a direct answer, then details and a reason.

Interviewer: First, can you tell me what kinds of meals you usually make for yourself during the week?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 2: a specific experience

Tell a short story in past tenses: set the scene, say what happened and why it was memorable.

Interviewer: Tell me about a meal you remember sharing with other people. What made it memorable?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 3: a wider issue

Zoom out from your own life to people in general. Give a clear explanation, an example and a short conclusion.

Interviewer: Many young adults now order takeaway food or use delivery apps instead of cooking. Why do you think this is happening?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 4: a policy question

Take a clear position, give your main reason, mention the other side and conclude.

Interviewer: Finally, some people think governments should put a special tax on unhealthy food and drinks, such as sugary soft drinks, to improve public health. Do you agree?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Save words to review them later with flashcards.

door to door
from the place where you start directly to your destination
“The airport shuttle takes you door to door.”
backup (plan / route)
a second option you can use if the first one fails
“I always have a backup route for important journeys.”
near miss
a situation in which an accident almost happens
“I had a near miss with a taxi on my bike this morning.”
switch (from / to)
to change from one thing to another
“Many drivers have switched to electric cars.”
fare
the money you pay to travel on a bus, train or plane
“Bus fares went up again this year.”
on a low income
earning very little money
“Families on low incomes need more support.”
convenience
the quality of being easy, quick and useful
“Many people pay extra for convenience.”
tempting
attractive, and making you want to do or have something
“Ordering pizza is very tempting after a long day.”
portion
an amount of food for one person
“I froze four portions of soup.”
public health
the health of the population as a whole
“Clean water is essential for public health.”
come to mind
to be the first thing you think of
“When I think of my childhood, the beach comes to mind.”

Key points

Take an Interview: four questions on one topic, no preparation time, 45 seconds for each answer.
The questions move from your own experience to opinions on wider issues: zoom out as they do.
Answer directly in your first sentence; echoing the question buys a second or two.
45 seconds is about 100 words: one point, developed with a specific example.
Use a fresh example in every answer and finish with a clear final sentence.

Check your answers in the practice exercises to record a score.

Up next · Speaking B2 Intermediate

Problem sounds and stress in long words

Go to lesson

In this lesson you will

Recognise how the four interview questions move from personal experience to wider issues
Start every answer immediately with a direct response, with no preparation time
Fill 45 seconds with one well-developed point instead of several thin ones
Keep four answers on one topic fresh, with a new example each time

Before you start

Think about these questions, or answer them aloud.

→Imagine a researcher asks you, “How do you usually get to work or class?” What could you say for 45 seconds without stopping?

How the task works

A typical path through the four questions
Question	Usually asks about	Example (topic: public libraries)	A good answer shape
1	Your experience or habits	How often do you use a library, and what do you use it for?	Direct answer → details of your habit → why
2	A preference or a specific experience	Tell me about a time a library was useful to you.	What happened → one or two details → what you learned or felt
3	Your opinion on a wider issue	Some people say libraries are less important now that information is online. What do you think?	Opinion → reason → example from society or your life → short conclusion
4	A policy, the future or pros and cons	Should cities spend more money on libraries or on other services?	Position → main reason → the other side → conclusion

Five habits for 45 seconds with no preparation

First sentence = direct answer. Echoing a few words of the question is natural and gives you a second or two to think: How often? Probably once a week…
One point, well developed. At a natural pace of 130–150 words a minute, 45 seconds is roughly 100 words: enough for one reason with a specific example, or two short reasons.
Zoom out in questions 3 and 4. Move from I to people, students or cities: For a lot of students… / In my city… / In general…. A personal example is still useful, but the point is about society.
A new example every time. You can refer back briefly (As I said, I study at home…), but bring fresh material to each answer, or the four answers start to sound the same.
Land the ending. Aim to finish your last sentence at about 40 seconds. A clear final line sounds more controlled than being cut off in the middle of an idea.

The interview topic: getting around

Interviewer: Thanks for taking part in our research project on transport in cities. I'm going to ask you four questions.

Audio

Model: a complete interview (four answers of about 45 seconds)

In the exam you usually hear it once.

Try the questions first.

How a strong speaker does it

Question 1 (habit): Mostly by bus, to be honest. The answer comes in the first three words, then details (distance, time, what the speaker does on the bus) and a reason (parking… is expensive).
Question 2 (experience): a mini-story in past tenses, with a problem (the train was cancelled), a solution (I found a bus) and a lesson (Since then, I always plan a backup route).
Question 3 (wider issue): the speaker zooms out (In a lot of cities, cyclists…). The sister's near misses support a general point, and the conclusion is about cities, not about the speaker.
Question 4 (policy): a nuanced position (not free for everyone, but much cheaper), a reason, the other side (Having said that, I'd make it free for some groups) and a clear conclusion.
Four answers, four different kinds of support: a habit, a story, a family example, and an argument about money. Nothing is repeated.
Length: each answer is about 100 words, which fits 45 seconds at a natural pace.

Your interview: food and eating habits

Interviewer: Thanks for taking part in our research project on food and eating habits. I'm going to ask you four questions.

Speaking task

Question 1: your habits

Start speaking straight away. Give a direct answer, then details and a reason.

Interviewer: First, can you tell me what kinds of meals you usually make for yourself during the week?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 2: a specific experience

Tell a short story in past tenses: set the scene, say what happened and why it was memorable.

Interviewer: Tell me about a meal you remember sharing with other people. What made it memorable?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 3: a wider issue

Zoom out from your own life to people in general. Give a clear explanation, an example and a short conclusion.

Interviewer: Many young adults now order takeaway food or use delivery apps instead of cooking. Why do you think this is happening?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Speaking task

Question 4: a policy question

Take a clear position, give your main reason, mention the other side and conclude.

Interviewer: Finally, some people think governments should put a special tax on unhealthy food and drinks, such as sugary soft drinks, to improve public health. Do you agree?

No preparation time · 0:45 speaking

Save words to review them later with flashcards.

door to door
from the place where you start directly to your destination
“The airport shuttle takes you door to door.”
backup (plan / route)
a second option you can use if the first one fails
“I always have a backup route for important journeys.”
near miss
a situation in which an accident almost happens
“I had a near miss with a taxi on my bike this morning.”
switch (from / to)
to change from one thing to another
“Many drivers have switched to electric cars.”
fare
the money you pay to travel on a bus, train or plane
“Bus fares went up again this year.”
on a low income
earning very little money
“Families on low incomes need more support.”
convenience
the quality of being easy, quick and useful
“Many people pay extra for convenience.”
tempting
attractive, and making you want to do or have something
“Ordering pizza is very tempting after a long day.”
portion
an amount of food for one person
“I froze four portions of soup.”
public health
the health of the population as a whole
“Clean water is essential for public health.”
come to mind
to be the first thing you think of
“When I think of my childhood, the beach comes to mind.”

Key points

Take an Interview: four questions on one topic, no preparation time, 45 seconds for each answer.
The questions move from your own experience to opinions on wider issues: zoom out as they do.
Answer directly in your first sentence; echoing the question buys a second or two.
45 seconds is about 100 words: one point, developed with a specific example.
Use a fresh example in every answer and finish with a clear final sentence.

Check your answers in the practice exercises to record a score.

Up next · Speaking B2 Intermediate

Problem sounds and stress in long words

Go to lesson

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

How the task works

Five habits for 45 seconds with no preparation

Quick check: know the task

The interview topic: getting around

How a strong speaker does it

Your interview: food and eating habits

Question 1: your habits

Question 2: a specific experience

Question 3: a wider issue

Question 4: a policy question

Key points

Warm-up

In this lesson you will

Before you start

How the task works

Five habits for 45 seconds with no preparation

Quick check: know the task

The interview topic: getting around

How a strong speaker does it

Your interview: food and eating habits

Question 1: your habits

Question 2: a specific experience

Question 3: a wider issue

Question 4: a policy question

Key points