TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Easy (for score 80+) #29

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 best friend came back from studying abroad, so we decided to meet at this cozy Italian place downtown called ‘Luigi’s.’ It was such a special occasion because we hadn’t seen each other in over two years. I remember ordering their signature seafood pasta, which was honestly incredible. But what made the night truly memorable wasn’t just the food; it was the atmosphere. The restaurant was tucked away in a quiet corner, and the lighting was kind of dim and warm, which made it perfect for catching up. Because of this, we ended up talking for hours without even noticing the time. It was a profoundly relaxing evening. I mean, having that kind of meaningful conversation over a great meal is rare, so the whole experience really resonated with me. I’ll definitely treasure that memory for a long time.

144 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I went to this small Italian restaurant for my best friend’s birthday last month. It was a really nice place downtown. We ordered a big pizza and some pasta with creamy sauce to share. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. But the reason it was so memorable wasn’t just the food. It was actually the atmosphere because the restaurant was decorated with these warm, twinkling lights, and it felt super cozy. We sat there for hours just talking and laughing about old times. It was such a relaxing night, and I think that’s why I still remember it so clearly. It was just a perfect celebration for her.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I usually prefer sticking to the same familiar restaurants. I’m definitely a creature of habit. For me, going to a place where I know the menu and the staff is just so much more relaxing. For instance, there’s this small Italian spot near my apartment called ‘Luigi’s’ that I’ve been visiting every Friday for years. I don’t even have to look at the menu anymore; the owner, Mr. Kim, just knows exactly what I want. It’s a **profoundly** comforting experience because I don’t have to worry about a bad meal. Trying new places can be fun, but it’s often a gamble, right? I’d much rather have a **compelling** reason to return to a place that makes me feel at home. So yeah, I’ll take consistency over variety any day.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I usually prefer to visit the same familiar restaurants. I know it might sound a bit boring, but I really enjoy going back to my favorite places. I mean, there is this small Italian spot near my apartment that I go to every single week. Because I go there so often, I know the staff pretty well and they always remember my order, which is nice. I just don’t like the stress of trying a new place and not knowing if the food will be good or not. So, for me, sticking to places I already know is much better because it’s comfortable and I know I’ll have a good meal every time.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I prefer to cook at home, even though dining out is definitely fun. I’d say it’s mostly because I find the process of preparing a meal to be incredibly therapeutic after a long, stressful day at work. For instance, just last Friday, I made a big batch of spicy kimchi jjigae for my friends. We spent the whole evening chatting in my kitchen, and it felt so much more intimate than being in a loud, crowded restaurant. I mean, cooking allows me to be more mindful about exactly what goes into my food, which is a huge plus for my health. It’s also way easier on my wallet, which is a significant advantage for a student like me. So, while restaurants are okay, I wholeheartedly believe that home-cooked meals are the best way to unwind.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I prefer to cook at home because it is much better for my budget and my health. You know, eating out all the time is really expensive, and the food in restaurants usually has way too much salt or oil. So, I like to go to the grocery store on weekends and buy fresh vegetables and meat to cook my own meals. It’s also a nice way to relax after a long day of work. I put on some music and just focus on the cooking, which is kind of like a hobby for me. It’s definitely cheaper and healthier than going out, so I’m pretty happy with my routine.

111 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think that it is definitely a good idea for local governments to support small, independent restaurants. You know, these places are the heart of a neighborhood, and they offer something unique that you just can’t find at a giant chain. For instance, there’s this tiny Italian spot in my hometown called ‘Mama’s Kitchen’ that serves these incredible, authentic recipes passed down for generations. Sadly, they struggle to compete with the massive marketing budgets of international fast-food brands. If the government provided tax breaks or small grants, it would allow these local gems to thrive rather than being pushed out. Not only that, but it preserves the local culture and character of our cities. It’s a compelling way to ensure that small business owners can actually survive in a tough market. So yeah, I’m wholeheartedly in favor of that kind of support.

142 words

Score 80 — Good

I think that it is a really good idea for local governments to support small, independent restaurants. Um, these local places are important because they give a city its own unique character, right? When we have big fast-food chains everywhere, every street starts to look the same. But small restaurants offer special food that you can’t find anywhere else. Also, these businesses really help the local economy because the money stays in the community instead of going to a huge international company. So, I think it’s important to help them survive because they make our neighborhoods much more interesting and keep the local culture alive, you know? It’s just better for everyone.

112 words