TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #02

Listen to each question and give a spoken response. Aim to speak for 20–30 seconds per answer.

Score 100 — Perfect

I remember a time when my family celebrated Chuseok last month at my grandmother’s house in Busan. It’s actually our biggest tradition, but this year felt different because my brother finally flew back from abroad. We spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, and honestly, we meticulously prepared dozens of songpyeon, which are these rice cakes, together. It wasn’t just about the food; it was about the laughter and catching up after so much time apart. I think what made the moment so memorable was seeing my grandmother’s face light up when we all sat down for dinner. It was such a profound sense of happiness to have everyone under one roof again. Because of this, it reminded me that these traditions are really the glue that holds our family together, no matter how busy life gets.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when my family got together for Chuseok, which is the Korean Thanksgiving, just last month. We actually met at my grandmother’s house and spent the whole day preparing special food like songpyeon, those rice cakes. It was pretty busy because there were so many relatives there, and we were all cooking and talking in the kitchen together. What made it so memorable was that my cousin, who lives abroad, finally came back home to visit us. It was such a surprise and it felt really special to have everyone in one place. We just spent the night sharing stories and laughing, and it was a really heartwarming experience for me.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my experience, I usually prefer keeping our family traditions pretty consistent, especially during Chuseok. My family has this long-standing ritual where we make songpyeon, which are rice cakes, together in the kitchen. It’s actually quite a pivotal moment for us because it’s the one time of year everyone puts their phones away to just talk. Some people think traditions are boring, but I’d say they’re essential for staying connected. For instance, last year, my cousin tried to suggest we just order food instead of cooking, but the whole family felt that would be a mistake. We really value that time spent working together. As a result, I feel like these yearly habits have profoundly strengthened our bond. So, while I’m open to trying new things, I’ll always choose our traditional holiday routine.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

In my experience, I usually prefer to keep our family traditions pretty simple. We don’t really have strict rules for holidays, and I like it that way because it feels less stressful for everyone. For example, during Chuseok, we mostly just get together for a nice meal and talk about our lives. We don’t spend the whole day doing formal ceremonies or things like that. I think this approach is better because it gives us more time to just relax and enjoy being together. It’s not that I don’t like traditions, but I just prefer to keep things low-key and easy so we can actually enjoy our time off.

109 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I feel that keeping old family traditions alive is actually more important. For me, these traditions are the glue that holds everyone together. I mean, they provide a sense of stability, especially in a world that changes so fast. For instance, every Chuseok, my family makes songpyeon together at my grandmother’s house in Busan. It’s a tradition we’ve kept for years, and it’s honestly the highlight of my year. It’s not just about the food; it’s about feeling connected to my roots. This practice has **profoundly** shaped my sense of identity and belonging. While creating new traditions is fun, I think the old ones are just more meaningful because they’ve been passed down through generations. So, yeah, I’d say holding onto those past customs is **pivotal** for living a happy, grounded life.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I feel that keeping old family traditions is really important. For me, it’s all about staying connected to my roots. Like, every Chuseok, my family gathers together to make songpyeon, which is a traditional rice cake. We’ve done this for as long as I can remember, and it’s just a great way to bond with my relatives. It makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger than just myself. Sure, creating new traditions is also fine, but I think the old ones are special because they show us where we came from. So, I’d choose to keep our family customs alive because they bring us so much happiness and stability every single year.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe it is important for schools and workplaces to offer more flexible time off. Honestly, I think it’s a necessity because it allows people to honor their heritage without feeling stressed about work or grades. You know, when companies are rigid, people often miss out on pivotal family moments. For instance, last year my cousin couldn’t attend our family’s traditional Chuseok dinner because her office didn’t allow personal leave during the week. She was really upset, and it just felt unfair. If employers were more accommodating, I think employees would actually be more loyal and motivated. It’s about balance, right? When we respect someone’s cultural background, it fosters a much more inclusive environment. So, overall, I’d say that providing this kind of flexibility is a profound way to support both personal happiness and professional success.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe it is important for schools and workplaces to offer more flexible time off. You know, everyone has different cultural or family traditions, and it’s hard to celebrate them if you have to follow a strict schedule. For example, my family has a special holiday where we all gather for a big dinner, but sometimes that falls on a school day. If I had more flexibility, I wouldn’t have to miss those important moments. It just makes people feel happier and more balanced when they can attend these things. So, I think having that extra time off is really helpful for students and employees to stay connected with their families and cultures.

113 words