TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Hard (for score 100+) #02

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 volunteering at a community center in Seoul and met this exchange student named Elena from Brazil. Honestly, at first, I was a bit hesitant because I wasn’t sure if we’d really connect, but we ended up working on a mural project together. It was such a **pivotal** moment for me because we spent hours debating how to represent our different values through art. Through those conversations, I realized that belonging isn’t about everyone sharing the same background; it’s actually about the willingness to embrace diverse perspectives. It was **profoundly** eye-opening to see how our unique stories could actually strengthen our collective identity. Because of this, I now believe that a community is at its best when it’s inclusive, proving that connection transcends cultural borders.

131 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I worked on a group project with an exchange student from Brazil. At first, I was a little nervous because we had different communication styles, but we ended up spending so much time together in the library. We talked about our lives and our families, and I realized that we actually shared a lot of the same values even though we came from different places. It was a really cool experience because it taught me that a community isn’t just about sharing the same background. It’s more about how people connect and support each other. So yeah, it made me feel like I could belong anywhere as long as I’m open to others.

118 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my own experience, I’ve always leaned towards the idea that embracing diversity actually fortifies a nation’s identity rather than diluting it. I mean, look at my time living in Toronto; it’s such a vibrant mosaic where people from all over the world contribute to the local culture. It’s not just about coexistence, right? It’s about how these different backgrounds create a more resilient and innovative society. I think the fear that traditional customs will vanish is a bit misplaced because culture isn’t a static thing; it’s inherently fluid. When you welcome new perspectives, you’re not losing your roots, but rather, you’re gaining a more nuanced understanding of the world. Because of this, I tend to argue that a nation’s strength lies in its capacity to evolve, which is why I’m such a proponent of an inclusive approach to immigration.

140 words

Score 80 — Good

In my own experience, I usually think that embracing diversity is actually the best way for a country to move forward. Like, when I talk about this with my friends, I always say that a nation shouldn’t just stick to the past because things are always changing. If you only focus on old traditions, you might miss out on new ideas and different perspectives. So, I feel like bringing in new cultures makes a country stronger and more interesting. It’s not about losing your identity, but more about growing it. I guess I feel this way because I’ve seen how much more vibrant communities become when they are open to new people and their traditions.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I tend to believe that shared values and legal principles are far more critical for a healthy society. You know, while traditions and language are lovely, they can sometimes be quite exclusionary. I mean, look at a place like Canada. It’s inherently a multicultural society, right? People from all over the world move there with different languages and backgrounds, yet the country remains incredibly stable because everyone is committed to the same core principles, like democracy and the rule of law. It’s this shared commitment that creates a cohesive society rather than just, you know, speaking the same language. I think relying solely on cultural markers is actually a bit outdated in our globalized world. As a result, prioritizing civic values is the most effective way to foster unity and ensure long-term stability in any diverse nation.

138 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I tend to believe that shared values and legal principles are way more important for a healthy society. You know, traditions and language are nice, but they can actually be pretty exclusionary. If a country is built on legal principles, like equality or justice, then anyone can join and belong, regardless of where they were born. It’s like, when you have a set of rules that everyone agrees to follow, it creates a really strong foundation for people from different backgrounds to live together. So, I think it’s much more sustainable for a modern, diverse society to focus on those values instead of just cultural things like that.

109 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that such policies are actually quite reasonable, honestly. I mean, when people move to a new country, there’s this inherent need for social cohesion, right? If immigrants understand the history and norms of their new home, it makes the transition so much smoother. For instance, I have a cousin who moved to Canada last year, and he had to take this mandatory civics course. At first, he thought it was a bit much, but he told me it helped him grasp the country’s values, which, in turn, helped him feel like he really belonged. It’s not about erasing their original identity; it’s about providing a framework for participation. Because of this, these programs are a pivotal step toward fostering a more inclusive society. So yeah, I’d say these requirements are fundamentally a good thing.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that such policies are actually a pretty good idea, honestly. I mean, if someone wants to become a citizen, they should probably understand the country they’re joining, right? So, having classes about national history or social norms helps them settle in much faster. It makes it easier for them to connect with their neighbors and avoid misunderstandings in daily life. I think it’s just a practical way to help people feel like they really belong. It’s not about changing who they are, but just giving them the tools to fit in better. So yeah, I’m in favor of it because it helps everyone get along and feel more comfortable in the community.

114 words