TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #04

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 would get together every Chuseok to make songpyeon, which are these little rice cakes. My grandmother, her name was Sun-ja, would sit us all down in the kitchen and we’d spend hours stuffing them with honey and sesame seeds. It was honestly such a chaotic mess because us kids were terrible at shaping them properly, so they always ended up looking pretty lopsided. Looking back, that experience was **pivotal** for me. I mean, it wasn’t just about the food; it was about slowing down and actually connecting with my relatives. Even now, whenever I catch the scent of pine needles, it **vividly** brings back those memories of laughter in her kitchen. That tradition really shaped my understanding of family, and it’s still the reason I value those simple gatherings so much today.

139 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when my family would get together for the Chuseok holiday every single year. We always went to my grandparents’ house in the countryside. My mom and my aunts would spend all day in the kitchen making these traditional rice cakes. I mean, it was a lot of work, but I loved helping them shape the dough. We would just sit there, talk, and laugh for hours. It’s really significant to me because it brings back such warm feelings of being together. Now that I’m older and busier, I don’t get to see my relatives as often as I used to, so I really miss those simple, happy days.

112 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I usually prefer to mix things up a bit rather than keeping our family traditions exactly the same every single year. I think it’s important to respect the past, but I also love trying new things. For instance, every Chuseok, my family always makes traditional songpyeon, which is a must, but recently, we’ve started adding a twist by hosting a spontaneous potluck dinner with our neighbors. This has **profoundly** changed the atmosphere; it feels much more lively and inclusive than just staying inside with only family. I’d say this approach is better because it keeps everyone excited and engaged. It’s not just about repeating old habits, but about creating new memories together. So, I think adding a little variety makes our holiday traditions feel fresh and truly **exhilarating** every year.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I usually prefer to keep our family traditions exactly the same every single year. For example, every New Year’s, my family gathers at my grandmother’s house to eat a traditional rice cake soup. We’ve been doing this since I was a little kid, and honestly, I really love it. It feels like a very important part of our family identity. If we changed the menu or the location, it just wouldn’t feel like the holiday anymore, you know? So, I think keeping things consistent helps us feel connected to our roots and brings everyone together in a way that feels comfortable and special every time.

108 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I prefer to keep holiday celebrations simple and low-cost. To me, the best part of any holiday is actually the connection you have with your family, not the expensive stuff. For instance, my family has this tradition on Chuseok where we just cook a few traditional dishes together at home. We don’t spend a lot of money on fancy gifts, but the experience is profoundly meaningful because we get to catch up and talk for hours. I find that when you focus on elaborate parties or big gifts, the pressure to make things perfect can feel a bit overwhelming. It distracts from the real reason we’re gathered. So, I’d say that keeping things simple helps us cherish our time together, and that’s why I’ll always choose a quiet gathering over a grand, costly celebration.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I prefer to keep holiday celebrations simple and low-cost. I mean, for me, the best part of any holiday is just spending time with my family and friends. When you spend a lot of money on big parties or expensive gifts, it can be really stressful, and you end up worrying about the budget instead of actually enjoying the moment. For example, during Chuseok, my family just cooks some simple food together at home and we talk about our lives. It is much more meaningful than a fancy party. So, I think simple gatherings are better because they help us connect with each other, and that is what really matters during the holidays.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be a fantastic idea for companies and schools to offer floating holidays. Honestly, the standard national schedule doesn’t always align with everyone’s personal background, so having that flexibility is just common sense. For instance, my friend Min-su, who works at a tech firm in Seoul, really struggled to visit his family during specific lunar festivals because they weren’t official company holidays. If he had those extra days, he could have celebrated without the stress of using his limited vacation time. Allowing people to pick their own days is a **pivotal** step toward making environments more inclusive. It makes employees feel valued and, quite frankly, it **profoundly** boosts morale. So, I’m convinced that giving people the freedom to honor what’s meaningful to them is the right way to go.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be a great idea for schools and workplaces to offer more floating holidays. I mean, people come from all kinds of different backgrounds, right? So, having just the standard national holidays doesn’t really work for everyone. If students or employees could choose their own days off, they could celebrate the traditions that are actually important to them. I think it would make people feel much more respected and happy at work or school. It’s not just about getting extra time off; it’s about feeling included. It would be a simple change, but it would really help everyone feel like their personal culture is valued by the organization. Yeah, I think it’s a good plan.

118 words