TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #12

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 hiking at Bukhansan Mountain last spring. The view from the peak was absolutely breathtaking, so I just had to take a picture of the sunset hitting the granite cliffs. It was honestly such an exhilarating experience that I felt like I needed to share it immediately. I posted it on my Instagram right away because I wanted my friends to see how beautiful nature can be, even close to the city. I mean, sharing that photo wasn’t just about showing off; it was really about capturing a fleeting, perfect moment to look back on later. As a result, I got so many nice comments from people who were inspired to go hiking themselves. It felt good to connect with others through that visual memory.

131 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I went to a really nice cafe with my best friend last month. We ordered this huge, fancy cake that looked so beautiful, so I took a picture of it before we started eating. I decided to share it on my social media account because the presentation was just perfect. I wanted my friends to see how pretty it was, and also, I thought it would be a fun memory for us to look back on later. It was just a simple moment, but I really liked how the colors looked in the photo. So, I posted it online because I wanted to show my friends the great time we were having together.

118 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I’m actually someone who prefers to keep my photos private. I rarely post on social media, maybe just once or twice a month, and I think it’s because I value staying present in the moment. For instance, last summer I went on a trip to Jeju Island with my best friend, Min-ji. While everyone else at the cafe was busy trying to get the perfect shot for their feed, I just put my phone away and enjoyed the ocean view. I find it inherently more rewarding to experience things fully rather than worrying about how they look online. Because of this, I’ve become quite selective with my sharing. It’s not that I dislike social media, but I’d rather keep those memories for myself, which feels much more meaningful in the long run.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I actually prefer to keep my photos private. I rarely post anything on social media because I like to just enjoy the moment instead of worrying about how it looks online. For example, if I go to a nice cafe with my friends, I take a few pictures for my own memory, but I don’t feel the need to share them with everyone. I think I have this tendency because I’m a pretty private person. I mean, I don’t really want people to know exactly where I am or what I’m doing all the time. So, for me, it’s just better to keep my photos to myself and my close friends.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that taking photos actually helps me appreciate moments more rather than distracting me. I know some people think it ruins the experience, but for me, it’s the opposite. When I’m at an event, like my sister’s graduation ceremony last month, having my camera in my hand forces me to look for the best details. It makes me more observant and, in a way, more present. I was meticulously framing shots of her walking across the stage, and because of that, I noticed her genuine smile and how proud she looked in a way I might have missed otherwise. It’s not just about the photo; it’s about capturing a memory that might otherwise fade. So, I’d say photography is a compelling way to preserve those precious feelings, and I’m definitely glad I take them.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that taking photos actually helps me appreciate moments more. Some people say it’s a distraction, but for me, it’s the opposite. When I’m at an event, like a friend’s birthday party, I’m always looking for a nice shot. This makes me pay way more attention to the details, like the decorations or the happy expressions on people’s faces. If I didn’t have my camera, I might just walk through the event without really noticing those small things. Also, looking at the photos later helps me remember the day clearly, because my memory is not that great. So, taking pictures is a good way to keep those memories and enjoy the event more.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be a fantastic idea to have phone-free zones in places like museums. Honestly, it’s become a bit of a problem lately. For instance, last month I went to the National Museum to see a special exhibition, and I could barely see the paintings because everyone was busy trying to snap the perfect selfie. It was honestly quite distracting. I think when people are constantly worried about sharing their lives on social media, they inadvertently lose their ability to actually appreciate the art right in front of them. If these venues banned phones, visitors would be forced to be more mindful and present. It would create a much more peaceful atmosphere for everyone. So yeah, I’m wholeheartedly in favor of these zones because they really help us reconnect with the real world.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be a really good idea to have phone-free zones in places like museums or concert halls. You know, when I go to a concert, it’s honestly super annoying when everyone in front of me is holding their phones up to record the whole show. It blocks my view and it’s just distracting. If people weren’t allowed to use their phones, they would actually focus on the music and enjoy the moment instead of trying to get a perfect post for social media. So yeah, banning phones would make the experience much better for everyone because we could all just be there in the moment, you know, instead of looking at our screens.

116 words