TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Hard (for score 100+) #20

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 watched the live feed of the Perseverance rover landing on Mars back in 2021. I was sitting in my living room, honestly, just glued to the screen, waiting for those dreaded seven minutes of terror. When the signal finally confirmed the touchdown, I felt this overwhelming sense of awe. It was, I mean, it was just profound to realize that we had successfully navigated a complex landing millions of miles away. It made me feel like humanity’s potential for discovery is essentially limitless. Because of this, I’ve become a huge advocate for public space funding; I think it’s a necessary investment in our future. Seeing that grainy image from the surface really resonated with me, and it cemented my belief that exploring the cosmos is inherently worth every penny.

134 words

Score 80 — Good

I vividly remember when I watched the live stream of the Perseverance rover landing on Mars a few years ago. I was sitting at my desk, and I felt so nervous because the landing process is really complicated. When the team finally announced that it touched down safely, I felt so happy and relieved. It was amazing to see those first pictures from the surface of the planet. I thought about how much hard work went into that mission. It made me realize that space exploration is really important because we can learn so much about our own world by looking at other planets. It was just a really exciting moment for me.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I tend to be a bit of a space enthusiast, so I actively keep up with astronomical news through a few podcasts I follow. Actually, I find it pretty exhilarating to hear about the latest developments, like when the James Webb Space Telescope released those first deep-field images back in 2022. It was just mind-blowing to see that level of detail. I think I’ve developed this habit because, honestly, I feel like space exploration is inherently linked to our future as a species. It’s not just about cool rockets; it’s about understanding our origins. Because of this, I make a point to check my feed every morning. It’s definitely a priority for me, and I honestly think staying informed this way helps me appreciate the scientific progress happening right now.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I tend to follow space news pretty casually. I don’t really search for articles every day, but I do see updates on my social media feeds from time to time. If a big mission happens, like a rocket launch or a new telescope photo, I’ll definitely click on the link to see what’s going on. I think I have this habit because I’m busy with my own studies, so I don’t have much time to dive deep into science topics. It’s just easier for me to let the news come to me through my phone instead of actively looking for it, and that works fine for me.

110 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I am of the opinion that we need to prioritize fixing issues here on Earth before pouring massive resources into space. Don’t get me wrong, space exploration is fascinating, but the current challenges we face, like the climate crisis, are just too urgent to ignore. For instance, look at the recent wildfires in California; they are a stark reminder that our planet is in a fragile state. I feel that shifting those billions of dollars toward renewable energy or poverty alleviation would have a more profound impact on the quality of life for millions right now. It’s not that I’m against scientific advancement, but I think the allocation of public funds is currently disproportionate. Ultimately, we have to secure our own home planet first before we can realistically dream about inhabiting others.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I am of the opinion that governments should prioritize solving problems here on Earth instead of spending so much money on space exploration. Um, I mean, it’s just hard to justify the huge costs of space missions when we have so many people living in poverty. Like, there are people who don’t have enough food or clean water, and that’s a really big issue. So, I think it’s better to use that money to help those people and also to work on climate change, because that’s affecting all of us right now. Space exploration is interesting, but I think fixing our own planet should be the main goal for everyone.

111 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that it is actually a smart move to let private firms lead the way, even if profit is their main driver. You know, look at SpaceX—they’ve fundamentally shifted the paradigm by making reusable rockets a reality, which has slashed the cost of launching payloads into orbit. It’s a pretty compelling argument for privatization because governments are often bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent budgets. I mean, when profit is on the line, these companies are incentivized to innovate much faster than any state agency could. That being said, I think governments should still provide some financial support, but only for missions that serve a clear public good, like climate monitoring. By acting as a strategic partner rather than the sole operator, the government can foster progress while keeping those firms accountable to the public interest.

138 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that it is actually better for private companies to lead space exploration, even if they are just focused on making money. I mean, private firms are usually much faster and more efficient than governments because they don’t have to deal with as much bureaucracy. So, I think governments should definitely provide financial support to these companies. It’s like, by giving them funding, the government can encourage innovation and help them reach goals much quicker than if they tried to do it all by themselves. It helps the whole industry grow, and honestly, that’s better for everyone in the long run, even if the companies are doing it for profit, you know?

113 words