TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Hard (for score 100+) #08

Listen to each question and give a spoken response. Aim to speak for 20–30 seconds per answer.

Score 100 — Perfect

I vividly remember when I first stumbled upon a documentary about CRISPR technology while I was scrolling through YouTube back in high school. It was this really intense feature on gene editing that showcased how scientists could essentially ‘cut and paste’ DNA sequences to cure hereditary diseases. Honestly, I was initially pretty mesmerized by the potential to eliminate suffering, but then the segment shifted to the prospect of ‘designer babies.’ That part felt incredibly unsettling to me—like we were crossing a line we couldn’t uncross. It kind of forced me to confront the, you know, the nuanced ethical dilemma of playing God. As a result, my perspective shifted from pure scientific wonder to being deeply cautious. It’s clear that while the technology is profound, we need to be careful about those bioethical boundaries.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I vividly remember when I first read about CRISPR in a science magazine back in high school. It was talking about how scientists could basically edit DNA to fix diseases, and honestly, I was just amazed. At first, I thought it was a great thing because it could help sick people, you know, live better lives. But then I started reading about the controversy of designer babies and things like that. It made me feel a bit uneasy, like we were messing with nature in a way we shouldn’t. So, my initial excitement turned into this mix of wonder and worry because I realized how powerful and maybe even dangerous that kind of technology could be.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Regarding these scientific developments, I actually make a conscious effort to stay updated, mostly through podcasts like ‘Science Vs.’ I’ve always felt that being informed is better than being oblivious, even if some of the topics are a bit daunting. I mean, genetic engineering is such a pivotal field that it’s going to shape our future in profound ways, right? For instance, I remember listening to an episode about CRISPR technology a few months ago; it was honestly fascinating but also kind of unsettling. Because of this, I don’t just bury my head in the sand. I think my proactive approach comes from a desire to understand the ethical nuances rather than just fearing the unknown. Ultimately, staying engaged helps me form my own perspective instead of just feeling anxious about the rapid pace of change.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

Regarding these scientific developments, I usually try to keep up with the news online, but I don’t go too deep into the technical side. I think it’s important to know what’s happening, so I check some tech websites or watch videos when something big comes up. I prefer this way because reading heavy scientific journals is just too hard for me, and honestly, it makes me feel a bit stressed out. I guess I just want to stay informed about the basics without getting overwhelmed by all the details. I think it’s good to have a balance, so I stay updated on the main things but I don’t let it worry me too much.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my opinion, I believe the medical benefits of genetic engineering definitely outweigh the ethical risks, especially when we’re talking about eradicating life-altering conditions. I mean, think about something like Huntington’s disease; it’s a devastating, hereditary condition that ruins families. If we have the technology to intervene at a molecular level to prevent that kind of suffering, it feels almost immoral not to use it. Now, I understand why people are cautious about the ‘designer baby’ slippery slope, but I think that’s a policy issue, not a scientific one. We can establish robust regulations to prevent misuse while still pursuing life-saving breakthroughs. It’s profoundly important that we don’t let hypothetical fears stop us from addressing real, systemic human suffering. Ultimately, I think the potential to alleviate such immense pain makes the ethical trade-off worth it.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

In my opinion, I believe that the medical benefits of genetic engineering definitely outweigh the ethical risks. I mean, it’s just really important to think about the people who are suffering from painful hereditary diseases right now. If we have the technology to stop these illnesses before a child is even born, then we really should use it, because it could save so many families from so much heartbreak. I know some people are worried about treating human life like a product, but I think that’s a secondary concern compared to actually helping someone live a healthy life. So, for me, using science to improve human health is just the right thing to do.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that governments should avoid a total, blanket ban on human germline editing, even though it’s a really delicate issue. See, I understand why people are wary—I mean, once you start modifying the human genome, the potential for unintended consequences is huge. But, think about conditions like Huntington’s disease; it’s a devastating, hereditary illness that destroys lives. If we have the technology to prevent that kind of suffering, I think it’s inherently unethical to withhold it. Instead of a global prohibition, we should focus on establishing a nuanced, international regulatory framework. We need to meticulously vet these procedures to ensure they’re used only for therapeutic purposes, not for cosmetic enhancement. By doing that, we can balance scientific progress with safety, rather than just shutting the door on a pivotal medical breakthrough.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that governments should probably be really careful with this, but I don’t think they should have a total ban. I mean, it’s a super complex issue because we’re talking about changing human DNA forever. But think about families who have really bad diseases that they pass down to their kids. If we have the technology to stop those birth defects, it seems kind of wrong to just say no to it because we’re scared of the future. So, instead of a global ban, I think we need clear rules and oversight to make sure it’s safe. We shouldn’t just stop everything because it’s new, but we definitely need to be really smart about how we use it.

119 words