TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #16

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 surprised me for my sixteenth birthday, and honestly, it was such an exhilarating experience. I was expecting a really low-key day, maybe just a dinner at home, because I hadn’t made any big plans. But when I walked into our living room, all my closest friends were hiding behind the sofa! They had meticulously decorated the entire place with balloons and streamers. It was such a total shock, I mean, I was completely caught off guard. We spent the whole night eating pizza and playing games until late. That birthday really stands out to me because it was the first time I felt like my friends went out of their way to make me feel special. Because of this, it remains one of my favorite memories.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I turned ten years old. My parents threw a surprise party for me at a local park, and it was really fun. All my friends from school were there, and we just played games and ate a big chocolate cake together. It stands out in my memory because it was the first time my friends and I had a party outside like that. Um, we ran around for hours and just had a great time playing tag and things like that. It was a simple day, but I remember feeling so happy because everyone I liked was there. It’s definitely a birthday I still think about sometimes.

112 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I prefer having an intimate gathering with just a few close friends rather than a big party. I think it’s just more meaningful that way. For instance, on my last birthday, I only invited three of my best friends over to my place for a homemade dinner. We spent the whole evening just talking and laughing, and it was such an exhilarating experience compared to the stress of hosting a huge crowd. I mean, with a small group, you can actually have a real conversation, right? It’s not just about the noise or the music. Because of this, I feel much more relaxed and genuinely connected to the people I care about. So, for me, celebrating with just a few close friends is definitely the best way to enjoy my special day.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I prefer having small, intimate gatherings for my birthday. I mean, I’m not really into big parties with lots of people because it can be kind of overwhelming for me. I just like to invite maybe three or four of my closest friends to a nice restaurant. We order some good food, talk for a long time, and just relax. It’s much better because I can actually have a real conversation with everyone there. If there were too many people, I wouldn’t be able to talk to everyone, and that’s just not fun for me. So yeah, I’d say a quiet dinner is the perfect way for me to celebrate.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I believe that birthday celebrations don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful at all. I actually think simple gatherings are much better. You know, it’s really about the people you’re with, not how much money you spend. For instance, last year for my birthday, my best friend didn’t throw some huge, fancy party. Instead, she just invited me over to her place and we cooked a simple pasta dinner together. It was such a **pivotal** moment for me because we had the chance to really talk and catch up without any distractions. I felt so appreciated because she put in the effort to be there with me. Honestly, I think that kind of connection is **profoundly** more important than any expensive gift. So yeah, simple celebrations definitely win for me.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I believe that simple birthday celebrations are much better than expensive ones. I mean, spending a lot of money doesn’t really guarantee that you’ll have a good time. For me, the most important part of a birthday is just being with the people I love. For example, last year my friends just came over to my house and we ordered some pizza and watched movies together. It was really fun and relaxing, and it felt very special because we were all just hanging out and talking. I think that’s way more meaningful than going to a fancy, expensive party because you can actually focus on your friends and have a good time.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think that it is a really great idea for companies to celebrate birthdays, actually. I mean, it’s not necessarily about giving everyone the day off, which might be disruptive, but a small celebration can be quite impactful. When I was working as an intern at a marketing firm in Seoul last summer, my manager organized a quick lunch for me on my birthday. It was just a simple pizza party, but it made me feel so appreciated and connected to my team. Because of this, my morale was boosted and I felt much more motivated to work hard. I think these small gestures are a **pivotal** way to build a positive culture, and they show employees that they are valued as people, not just workers. So, yes, I wholeheartedly support workplaces doing this.

134 words

Score 80 — Good

I think that it is a really nice idea for companies to celebrate birthdays. I mean, it doesn’t have to be a full day off or anything, but a small party in the office would be great. You know, working all day can be kind of tiring, so having a short break to eat some cake with coworkers would really boost everyone’s mood. It helps people feel like they are part of a team, and it makes the workplace feel more friendly. If the company takes a moment to recognize your birthday, it just shows they care about you as a person, not just as an employee. So yeah, I think it’s a good thing.

115 words