TOEFL iBT Speaking Independent Topic List (Open Choice Question 1 on the test)

1. Who would you like to go on a trip abroad with? Describe this person and say why he/she would be a good travel companion for you.

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

I think the person I'd most like to travel overseas with would have to be my wife.

(Uh) my wife and I have been married for about 6 years, and we have (uh) a family, with two young children.

And (uh) the main - probably the first main reason I would choose her is, I think she'd really appreciate the chance to travel overseas; (uh) she's had limited travel experience, (uh) for example, she's only been really to Australia and Thailand, outside her home country of Korea - so, I think she'd really appreciate the wider experience.

(Um) and the second reason is I think it'd be great for our relationship. (Um) we've been so weighed down with so many responsibilities, and (uh) I think it'd be a chance to get some great new memories and experiences together.

~ Jason

2. What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

(Uh) a place I really like to visit on weekends is the local English language book shop.

(Uh) It's only about 5 minutes walk from where I live, (uh) and it's a huge shop with a - a very impressive selection of English language books.

(Um) The main reason I like going there, actually, is (uh) I like to take my son there and buy him new books. For example, even just last weekend I was there and I bought him some new children's books - picture books - (uh) which he really loves to read and we really love to read together.

And the second reason is, (um) I'm a very avid reader myself, and there's a (uh) good selection of books for adults there; and (um) I like to pick up new novels every couple of weeks, and - and read them, and that's very important to me, as - as a hobby and a passion.

~ Jason

3. What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it is your happiest memory.  

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

My happiest childhood memory is absolutely the time when I got my first bicycle.

(Uh) I was five years old at the time, and (uh) I got this as a present from Santa Claus at Christmas.

(Uh) the main reason I recall this as being such a happy experience was the fantastic anticipation on Christmas Eve, wondering if I was going to get a (uh) bicycle, and (um) I really remember that feeling of (uh) - not being able to go to sleep, wondering if it was going to be there the next morning.

And, the second reason is I recall this wonderful feeling of (um) independence and freedom; once I had my bicycle I could ride it down to the local park, I could ride it out on the street, and I felt really free.

~ Jason

4. What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.  

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

My most important possession -- without a doubt -- is my (uh) laptop computer.

(Uh) I have a very small, (uh) very light, compact laptop computer, and I've had it for three or four years now, and it's really indispensible to me.

(Uh) one of the main reasons is that (uh) I use it so much for my work. (Uh) for example, I do a lot of work using the Internet, and I also do a lot of writing. And (um) both of these things -- you know -- are (uh) really facilitated through my computer.

And, the second main reason is (um) I'm often on the move: I move around to different places. For example, I work at a university that is a bit distant, and I also attend many conferences. So I need a portable, lightweight computer like this one.

~ Jason

5. Talk about a person who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain why you found him/her inspirational.   

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

A person who has really inspired me is J. K. Rowling.

She's the author of the internationally acclaimed and very successful Harry Potter series.

(Uh) one of the main reasons I'm (uh) very inspired by her is (uh) I'm a budding writer myself -- I'm very interested in fantasy fiction -- and, you know, she's shown that it is possible to be successful as a writer in this genre, even in an age where children are increasingly infatuated with things like video games and digital products.

And the second reason is that (um), as I understand it, she wrote the series under co-, you know, with considerable hardships. (Uh) she was a single mother, she didn't have a lot of income, and she still forged ahead and (uh) achieved her dream - and that really inspires me.

~ Jason

6. Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it most.   

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

When it comes to eating out, a restaurant I really like to go to is called the "Outback Steakhouse."

[Uh] It's a [uh] theme-based restaurant, with [uh] Australian-style cuisine.

And [uh] the main reason I really like to go there is [uh] -- of course -- the food! [Uh] I really love steak, and I really love the [uh] Australian beer. I am Australian, so I really miss those foods. I live abroad, and it's a chance for me to [um] -- you know -- experience the sort of food I used to eat when I was living back home.

And the other reason is [uh] it's a great place for families. [Uh] my wife and my son really enjoy going there as well; [uh] it has a good atmosphere for families; [uh] there's plenty of room; and [uh] we really enjoy the experience of being there -- as a family.

~ Jason

7. Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and explain why it is important.    

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

An important national holiday in my country is Boxing Day.

This is a public holiday that immediately follows Christmas Day, [uh] and occurs on December 26 - every year.

[Uh] It's an important holiday [um] because it's very much for families -- [um] it's one of the -- you know -- rare times during the year that families can get together and really enjoy each other's company.

[Um] I also think it's an important holiday because [um] it's probably the one day over the Christmas period that [um] the whole family gets to relax. [Um] You know, people have been very busy on Christmas Day, cooking and doing many things, but on Boxing Day, everybody gets to relax, and that's why it is such an important holiday.

~ Jason

8. What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.     

Listen to my example response to this question here

Example response transcript:

My favorite book is a fantasy novel called "The Hobbit."

It was written by a man named J. R. Tolkien, and it's basically a fantasy adventure story -- that takes place [eh] in a fantasy land with lots of magical creatures.

[Uh] The main reason I really like this book [um] is that, as a child, it really awoke my imagination. [Uh] For example, there's lots of magical creatures like dwarves and elves and dragons in the book -- and that was [uh] really fascinating to me as a child, and really [uh] awoke my passion for reading.

[Uh] And the second main reason is that -- you know -- I still enjoy reading the book now. [Um] The characterization is really entertaining; [uh] the narrative style is very warm, and very approachable; and -- you know -- I still enjoy reading it as an adult.

~ Jason

Thank you for creating and sharing this excellent, practical collection of speaking exercises! Fantastic!

-eric18

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately, not long after I started this I got a wisdom tooth removed, and I've been struggling to find the time to enter more submissions and transcripts. I'll get there eventually...

If I recall correctly, you're actually a TOEFL teacher as well? I'm wondering if we ought to start a new forum category for TOEFL teachers to share ideas and experiences... What do you think?

Best wishes,

~ Jason