TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #03

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 gathered for my grandmother’s eightieth birthday. It was a really big deal because, for the first time in years, all my cousins flew in from different cities to surprise her. We decided to host a traditional Korean dinner at our house, and honestly, the kitchen was pure chaos! My mom and I were running around trying to prepare the food, and we almost burned the main dish. But, you know, it turned out to be a **pivotal** moment for us. We were all laughing so hard that the stress just disappeared. It **resonated** with me because it wasn’t about the fancy food or the gifts; it was just about being together. That day is super meaningful to me because it reminds me that family time is really the most important thing.

138 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when my family celebrated Chuseok, which is the Korean Thanksgiving, at my grandmother’s house. It was a really busy day because we all helped prepare a big feast. We made many kinds of traditional food like songpyeon, those rice cakes. It was kind of tiring, but I loved it because everyone was together in one place. We also sat outside in the evening and looked at the full moon. That memory is meaningful to me because my family is usually so busy with work or school, so we don’t get to spend much time together. It was just a very happy and peaceful day for us.

110 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I prefer keeping things small and quiet during the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, big parties are fun, but I find them kind of exhausting. For instance, my family used to host these massive gatherings every Thanksgiving, and honestly, it was just so chaotic. You couldn’t even have a real conversation with anyone because it was so loud. So, a few years ago, we decided to shift our approach. Now, we just have a cozy dinner with only my parents and my sister. It’s a much more intimate experience, and I think it allows us to connect on a deeper level. The atmosphere is just so much more relaxed without all the pressure. Because of this, I feel like I actually cherish the time we spend together way more.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I prefer spending holidays with just my immediate family. I mean, we don’t really do the big, loud parties with all our relatives. We usually just stay home and have a nice dinner together. It’s pretty quiet, but I really enjoy it because it’s much more relaxing. When you have a huge group, it gets kind of stressful and loud, you know? So, I prefer to just sit with my parents and my sister and talk about our lives. It’s a great way to catch up and bond without any pressure. I think it’s just a better way to spend the holidays, honestly. It’s simple, but it makes me really happy.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that preserving old family traditions is actually essential for keeping everyone connected. You know, in our fast-paced world, it’s easy to drift apart, but traditions provide a sense of stability. For instance, every Chuseok, my family gathers at my grandmother’s house in Busan to prepare a special meal together. We’ve done this for over twenty years, and honestly, the experience is profoundly meaningful because it reminds us of our roots. It’s not just about the food; it’s about sharing stories and bonding across generations. While creating new experiences is fine, I think these rituals are the glue that holds us together. They offer a sense of belonging that you just can’t find elsewhere. So, I’m convinced that keeping these customs alive is a pivotal part of a happy family life.

134 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that keeping old family traditions is important because it really helps us stay close. For example, my family always gathers for dinner every Sunday night to eat my grandmother’s special recipe. We have done this for years and years. It’s a time where we just sit, talk, and catch up on our lives. If we stopped doing this, I think we would lose that special connection. Even though our lives are pretty busy now, these traditions keep us together. So, I don’t really think we need to replace them with new things. I just feel like these old habits are the best way to keep our family bond strong.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think that it would be a fantastic idea for schools and companies to be more flexible during major holidays. Honestly, it’s just so hard to travel when everyone is trying to leave at the same time. For instance, last Chuseok, I spent over eight hours stuck in traffic just trying to get to my grandmother’s house in Busan. It was incredibly stressful. If schools or offices allowed us to work or study remotely for a few days, people could travel off-peak, which would **profoundly** reduce that kind of chaos. Not only that, but it would allow families to spend more quality time together without the usual time pressure. It’s a **pivotal** shift that would really improve our well-being, so I definitely believe this policy would be a great benefit to society as a whole.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

I think that it would be a really good idea for workplaces and schools to be more flexible during major holidays. You know, like giving people longer breaks or letting them work from home. I feel this way because holidays are usually the only time when families can actually get together. If someone has to travel a long way to see their relatives, a short break just isn’t enough time, right? So, if companies allowed more flexibility, people wouldn’t be so stressed about rushing back to work. It would make everyone a lot happier and less exhausted, because they could really enjoy their time with family and things like that. It just makes a lot of sense to me.

119 words