TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #27

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 was volunteering at a local animal shelter back home. There was this one dog, a golden retriever named Max, who was actually quite shy and wouldn’t come out of his kennel. It was pretty heartbreaking to watch because he just sat in the corner, looking so sad. I decided to sit on the floor nearby and just read a book aloud to him, hoping he’d feel safe. After about an hour, he finally crept over and rested his head on my lap. That moment was honestly exhilarating for me. Because of this, I felt a deep sense of connection, and it was a pivotal experience that taught me how much patience animals really need. I’ll never forget how rewarding it felt to gain his trust that day.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I was looking after my friend’s cat while she was away for the weekend. I had never really spent much time with pets before, so I was a little nervous about it. The cat was actually super friendly, and he would follow me around the apartment constantly. One evening, I was sitting on the couch and he just jumped up and fell asleep right next to me. It made me feel really calm because it was so quiet and peaceful. I realized then that having a pet is actually a nice way to relax after a long day. It was a really sweet experience, and I enjoyed it a lot.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I’m definitely the type of person who loves being around animals. I actually grew up with a golden retriever named Max, and that experience was just so formative for me. Because of this, I’ve always felt a profound connection to pets; they just have this way of making everything feel a bit brighter. For instance, whenever I’m feeling stressed after a long day of classes, just petting a dog can be so soothing. It’s almost like all my worries just melt away. Not only that, but I think animals are inherently therapeutic because they don’t judge you at all. As a result, I find myself constantly stopping to say hello to neighborhood dogs on my way home. So yeah, I’d say my positive upbringing really shaped my preference for staying close to animals.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I don’t really spend much time with animals. Actually, I’m not a big pet person at all. I think it’s because I grew up in a very small apartment in the city, so my family never had a dog or a cat. We just didn’t have the space for things like that. Because I’m not used to being around them, I feel a bit nervous when I see a big dog on the street. I usually just walk past them and keep my distance. It’s not that I dislike animals, I just prefer to keep my home quiet and clean, so I’m much more comfortable without them around.

112 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that keeping pets is a wonderful way to improve your mental health. I mean, even though there’s a lot of work involved, the emotional bond you build is just so rewarding. For instance, I adopted a rescue dog named Max about two years ago, and he has made a profound difference in my daily life. Before I got him, I was often stressed after work, but now, just taking him for a walk in the park helps me clear my head. It’s like his presence is inherently calming, you know? Not only that, but he gives me a reason to get outside and stay active. So, while I agree that pet ownership is a big commitment, the happiness and companionship they provide are just disproportionate to the effort, making it totally worth it in the end.

140 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that keeping pets is a great way to improve your happiness. I mean, I have a dog at home, and he really changes my mood after a long, stressful day. When I come home from school and he greets me at the door, I just feel so much better. It’s like all my stress from the day just goes away. Of course, taking care of a pet is a lot of work, like feeding them and walking them every single day, but I think the love you get back is worth it. So, I definitely think the benefits are much better than the responsibilities, because my dog is basically my best friend.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be a great idea to allow more animals in public spaces, honestly. I mean, for many people, pets are like family, so being able to bring them along makes life much more enjoyable. For instance, my local coffee shop in Seoul recently started letting dogs inside, and it has been such a positive change. It creates this really friendly, warm atmosphere that just makes everyone feel more relaxed. I think it’s **profoundly** beneficial for our mental health to have our pets nearby during the day. Of course, owners should be responsible and keep their pets well-behaved, but I don’t think we need stricter rules. If we just promote good pet etiquette, I think our city spaces would become **inherently** more welcoming and vibrant for everyone.

129 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be great if cities allowed more pets in public spaces, like parks or maybe even some restaurants. Honestly, I love animals, so it makes me happy to see dogs around when I’m out and about. It’s nice because it makes the city feel more friendly and open. I know some people worry about allergies or messes, but I think as long as owners are responsible and keep their pets on a leash, it should be fine. It’s just better for everyone’s mood to have pets around, you know? So, I definitely think society should encourage this instead of making things stricter. It would just make going out much more fun for everyone.

116 words