TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #06

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 I went shopping for a birthday gift for my best friend, Min-ji. She’s a huge fan of coffee, so I decided to find her a high-quality ceramic mug. I actually went to this small, independent shop downtown that sells handmade pottery. What I loved most about the experience was how the owner told me the history behind each piece. It was so much better than just clicking a button on a website. Because of this, I felt like I was giving her something truly unique rather than just a generic item. It was such a **pivotal** moment for me because it made me realize I prefer supporting local businesses. Overall, it was an **exhilarating** experience to find the perfect gift while supporting a local artist.

130 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I went shopping for a birthday gift for my best friend. I went to a big mall downtown because I wanted to find something really nice. I spent a long time looking at different stores, but I finally found a beautiful leather bag that I knew she would love. What I enjoyed most was just walking around the mall by myself and taking my time to choose the perfect thing. It felt kind of relaxing to not be in a rush. I also liked wrapping the gift later because I knew she would be happy when she opened it. It was a really simple but fun day for me.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I prefer shopping online because it’s just so much more convenient for my busy schedule. I mean, I’m a college student, so I don’t really have the luxury of spending hours walking around a mall. I’d say my preference is driven by the fact that I can compare prices across different websites in seconds. For instance, last month I was looking for a new winter jacket, and I found a great deal on Amazon after checking just a few sites. It was a pretty **pivotal** moment for me because I saved a lot of money. Not only that, but the selection online is way better than what you find in local shops. Honestly, having everything delivered right to my doorstep is just **profoundly** better than dealing with crowds. So yeah, online shopping is definitely my go-to.

139 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I prefer shopping online because it is just way more convenient for me. I’m a really busy student, so I don’t have much time to walk around big malls or wait in long lines. With online shopping, I can just sit on my bed and buy whatever I need in like five minutes. Also, I can easily compare prices between different websites, which helps me save a lot of money. Sometimes I do worry about the sizes not fitting right, but usually the return process is pretty simple. So yeah, I just think online shopping is the best way to get things done without wasting my time.

110 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I feel that physical stores are definitely here to stay, even though online shopping is super convenient. I mean, while it’s great to click a button and have stuff delivered, there’s something about the in-person experience that’s just irreplaceable. For instance, last month I went to a local bookstore called ‘The Book Nook’ downtown. I spent hours just browsing the shelves and feeling the pages of different novels, which is a tactile experience you just can’t get on a screen. This sensory engagement is profoundly important to me because it helps me make better choices. Not only that, but stores provide a social space that online platforms simply lack. As a result, I believe physical shops will always be necessary, as they offer a unique human connection that online shopping will never truly replicate.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I feel that physical stores will always be necessary. I mean, even though online shopping is super convenient, it’s just not the same as being there in person. For example, I really like to go to clothes stores because I need to try things on before I buy them. If I order online, the size is often wrong and then I have to deal with returning it, which is a total hassle. Also, going to the mall with my friends is a fun social activity. It’s not just about buying stuff, it’s about hanging out and grabbing food. So, I don’t think physical shops are going to disappear anytime soon because people still like that experience.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think this is a bit of a complicated issue, but I’d say no, I don’t support higher taxes on online shopping. Honestly, for many people, online shopping is just a necessity. For instance, I live in a small town where the local shops close by 6:00 PM, and they don’t carry the specific textbooks I need for my classes. If the government adds extra taxes, it would disproportionately affect students and low-income families who rely on those competitive online prices to save money. I mean, instead of punishing online shoppers, it would be more effective to provide incentives for local stores to improve their own services. If local shops offered better hours or unique experiences, they would naturally become more compelling to the community. So, I don’t think taxing online purchases is the right way to support local business.

140 words

Score 80 — Good

I think this is a really complicated issue, but honestly, I don’t think higher taxes on online shopping are the right answer. See, I love buying things online because it’s so convenient, especially when I’m busy with school. If the government makes online shopping more expensive, it would just hurt regular people who are trying to save money, right? Also, local businesses have other ways to compete. They can offer better service or unique items that you can’t find on big websites. So, instead of taxing online stores, I think the government should just help small shops grow their own online presence. That seems like a much better way to support them, you know?

114 words