TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Hard (for score 100+) #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 was about ten, sitting in my middle school cafeteria in Seoul, and I noticed a huge disparity in how my classmates were eating. Some kids had these fancy, imported lunch boxes, while others just had the basic school meal. It was the first time I realized that wealth isn’t just a number; it’s this systemic issue that shapes people’s daily lives. Seeing that disproportionate access to resources really shifted my perspective. I mean, it made me stop viewing money as just a reward for hard work and instead see it as a tool that, if distributed unfairly, can create a pretty uneven playing field. Because of this, I’ve become a huge advocate for progressive taxation, as I believe it’s a necessary mechanism to bridge those gaps and foster social mobility.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I was in middle school, and our class took a field trip to a part of the city I’d never really seen before. It was pretty shocking because the houses were in such bad shape compared to my own neighborhood. I remember asking my teacher why some people had so much and others had so little, and she explained that it’s often about the opportunities people have. That experience changed how I think about money because I realized it isn’t just about hard work. It made me understand that there’s a disproportionate amount of wealth in some places, and it really made me feel like the system is kind of unfair.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I actually find myself gravitating toward news about wealth inequality quite a bit. I mean, it’s not just about numbers; I think it’s because I grew up in a neighborhood in Seoul where the gap between the affluent and the struggling was just so stark. For instance, I remember seeing kids living in tiny basement apartments right next to high-rise luxury condos. Because of this, I’ve always felt that systemic issues—like how progressive taxation might help—are really worth paying attention to. I don’t just focus on my own finances because I’m convinced that a healthy society needs to address these disproportionate advantages. It’s definitely a bit of a heavy topic, but I think staying informed is crucial, so I prefer to look at the bigger picture rather than just my own personal goals.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I actually spend a fair amount of time reading about wealth gaps because I think it’s important to understand how society works. I mean, I see news stories about how the rich are getting richer and it makes me wonder about the future. I guess I have this tendency because my parents always told me that being aware of economic issues is good for my own career planning. So, I look at these trends to see where the economy is heading, and it helps me make better decisions for my own money. It’s just something I do regularly because I want to be informed about the world and my own financial goals, too.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that a progressive tax system is the most equitable way to address wealth gaps. I mean, it’s fundamentally about fairness, right? When you have individuals earning millions, it’s only logical that they contribute a disproportionate share to public goods like infrastructure and education. For instance, in my home country, South Korea, we’ve seen how these tax revenues can be channeled into essential social safety nets. It’s not just about taking money; it’s about creating a more stable, cohesive society. Without this model, I feel like the divide between the rich and the poor would become even more systemic and harder to fix. So, while some might argue it discourages investment, I’d say it’s actually a vital mechanism to ensure that everyone has at least a baseline opportunity to succeed.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that progressive taxation is the right way to go because it’s just a fair approach. I mean, people who make a lot of money can afford to pay more, and that helps the government fund important public services like schools and hospitals. If we didn’t have this kind of system, the gap between the rich and poor would probably get even bigger, and that wouldn’t be good for society. I know some people disagree, but it makes sense to me that those with higher incomes contribute more to help everyone else. It’s really just about making sure that the burden is shared in a way that is actually manageable for everyone.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be a step in the right direction, honestly. While some argue that high taxes stifle innovation, I believe the current disparity is just unsustainable. You know, when a tiny fraction of the population holds such a disproportionate amount of global assets, it creates systemic instability. For instance, look at the Nordic model; countries like Norway have high inheritance taxes, yet they still maintain incredibly robust economies and high standards of living. It’s not just about leveling the playing field; it’s about funding public infrastructure that everyone relies on. I mean, if we don’t address this concentration of capital, social mobility pretty much grinds to a halt. So yeah, I’d say prioritizing a more equitable society is worth the potential trade-off in growth because it fosters long-term stability for everyone.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be a good idea for governments to tax the wealthy more, because the gap between the rich and poor is just getting too big. Um, it feels like when some people have so much money and others have nothing, it creates a lot of problems in our society. So, even if it hurts economic growth a little bit, I think it’s more important to make things fair for everyone. Like, if the government takes more from luxury goods or big inheritances, they could use that money for schools or hospitals. It’s really just about making sure that everyone has a fair chance, and that’s why I think these policies are necessary.

115 words