TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #01

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 had to decide between driving my car or taking the subway to a concert at the Olympic Park. I actually chose the subway, mostly because parking in that area is notoriously difficult, especially during big events. I mean, I didn’t want to spend an hour circling the block just to find a spot. As a result, I avoided all that stress and just read a book during the ride, which was honestly pretty relaxing. Comparing the two, driving is definitely more convenient if you’re carrying a lot of stuff, but public transit is inherently more reliable when the traffic is heavy. I felt really smart for choosing the train, especially when I saw the massive traffic jam on my way home. It was definitely the right call for me.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I had to choose between driving my car or taking the subway to a concert downtown. I decided to take the subway because, well, parking in the city is always such a nightmare. It was actually a pretty smart move. I didn’t have to worry about traffic jams or finding a parking spot, so I just relaxed and listened to music on my phone during the ride. It was a lot more convenient than driving. I mean, I saved a lot of money on gas and parking fees too. Overall, I felt really good about my choice because I arrived at the concert on time and didn’t feel stressed out at all.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I actually prefer taking the subway to get around instead of driving my own car. I mean, I live in downtown Seoul, and honestly, the traffic there is just incredibly stressful, especially during rush hour. Because of this, I find that driving is more of a burden than a source of independence. For instance, last month I tried driving to work for a week, but I spent nearly an hour just sitting in gridlock every single morning. It was so draining! Taking the subway is a much more nuanced approach for me. I can just put on my headphones, read a book, or catch up on emails while someone else handles the commute. It’s profoundly more relaxing, and it allows me to start my day feeling refreshed rather than frustrated.

134 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I usually prefer taking the subway to get around the city. Honestly, I think driving a car is just too stressful because of the heavy traffic and finding a place to park. When I’m on the train, I can just sit back, relax, and listen to some music or read a book while I commute. It’s also way cheaper than paying for gas and insurance all the time. So, even though having a car gives you more independence, I definitely prefer public transportation because it’s much more convenient for my daily errands and saves me from a lot of frustration, you know?

106 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly prefer relying on public transportation over owning a private car. I mean, for me, it’s just way more practical. When I was living in Seoul last year, I used the subway every single day to get to my internship. It was honestly so much faster than sitting in that terrible rush-hour traffic on the highway. See, the biggest advantage is that I can use my travel time to read or check emails, which makes my commute feel productive rather than stressful. Driving a car seems to be inherently more draining because you have to deal with parking and gas prices, which are just a constant headache. So, while some people value the independence of a car, I find that the efficiency of public transit is profoundly better for my daily quality of life.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly prefer relying on public transportation because it makes my daily life much easier. You know, owning a private car is actually a huge headache for me. I mean, I don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot or dealing with heavy traffic during rush hour. It’s just so convenient to jump on the subway and read a book or check my emails while I commute. Plus, it’s way cheaper since I don’t have to pay for gas or expensive insurance. So, overall, I think public transit is the better choice for my lifestyle because it saves me a lot of money and stress every single day.

110 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that such policies are absolutely necessary for modern cities. Honestly, our current reliance on cars is just not sustainable. When I lived in Seoul near Gangnam station, the traffic was consistently gridlocked, which made commuting a total nightmare. Because of this, I think charging higher parking fees is a **pivotal** step to shift people toward subways and buses. It’s not just about reducing traffic; it’s about making the air cleaner for everyone. For instance, if a city creates more pedestrian-only zones, it creates a more vibrant, community-focused atmosphere. I mean, it’s kind of a difficult transition at first, but once people see how much faster public transit is, they adapt pretty quickly. So, I wholeheartedly support these restrictions because they are essential for creating a more efficient and livable urban environment.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that such policies are actually a really good idea for cities today. Um, if the government makes parking more expensive or creates car-free zones, it forces people to think about other ways to get around. You know, driving in the city is often super stressful because of the traffic, and it also causes a lot of pollution. So, if we have better public transportation, like more buses or subways, people would definitely use them instead of their own cars. It just makes the city a much nicer place to live because there would be less noise and less congestion on the streets. I think it’s a necessary step to make our cities better for everyone.

117 words