TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #02

Listen to each question and give a spoken response. Aim to speak for 20–30 seconds per answer.

Score 100 — Perfect

I clearly recall a time when I had to finish a major group marketing project entirely from home. Honestly, it was a bit challenging at first because we were all used to being in the office together. We had to rely on video calls for everything, which was kind of exhausting, but it actually turned out to be quite productive. Because of this, we were forced to be more meticulous with our digital planning, and we ended up finishing the report two days ahead of schedule. Working remotely meant I wasn’t distracted by office noise, so I could focus deeply on the data. It was a really nuanced experience; while I missed the spontaneous office banter, the quiet environment made my output much better. Overall, I think remote work is inherently better for tasks requiring intense concentration.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

I clearly recall a time when I had to finish a big project from my home office instead of going into my company building. It was an individual assignment, so I had to write a long report by myself. Honestly, working from home was great because it was so quiet and I didn’t have any coworkers stopping by my desk to chat. I felt much more focused, and I finished everything two hours early. In the office, I usually get distracted by all the noise and things like that, so my productivity is lower there. But at home, I just felt really comfortable and I was able to get all my work done quickly.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I tend to be way more productive when I’m working alone in a quiet space. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I like my coworkers, but office environments can be pretty distracting with all the chatter. For instance, last month I was trying to finish a big project for my marketing class, and I just couldn’t focus at all because of the constant noise in the library. As a result, I decided to head home and finish it in my room. It was actually a pivotal moment for me because I realized how much faster I work when it’s just me and my laptop. I guess I’m just someone who needs silence to really dive into my tasks. So yeah, I’d say working independently is definitely my preferred way to get things done.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I tend to prefer working by myself in a quiet space because I get distracted really easily. Like, when I’m in an office with other people, there’s always someone talking or maybe a phone ringing, and it’s hard for me to stay focused on my tasks. So, when I work alone at home, it’s much easier for me to finish my work quickly. I also feel like I can manage my time better when I don’t have coworkers coming over to chat, you know? It’s just a lot more peaceful for me. I guess I’m just the type of person who needs total silence to actually get things done, and that’s why I prefer working remotely.

119 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I am of the opinion that office work is actually superior for building relationships, at least in the long run. When I was working as an intern at a marketing firm in Seoul last summer, I noticed how much more connected everyone felt just by being in the same room. I mean, we’d grab lunch together or have these spontaneous brainstorming sessions by the coffee machine, which really helped us bond. Remote work is convenient, sure, but it can feel pretty isolating. You lose those nuanced, face-to-face interactions that happen naturally throughout the day. Because of this, I think it’s inherently harder to build a strong company culture through a screen. So, while remote options are great for flexibility, I’d say the office is still essential for fostering a truly collaborative team environment.

134 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I am of the opinion that working in an office is better for building relationships. I mean, when you’re physically there with your coworkers, it’s just much easier to chat and bond. If you’re working remotely, you’re pretty much just staring at a screen all day, so it’s hard to really connect with people on a personal level. Like, grabbing coffee or just talking in the hallway helps you get to know everyone better. I think that kind of face-to-face interaction is really important for company culture. Remote work is fine for getting tasks done, but it definitely lacks that human connection, you know? So, I definitely prefer the office.

111 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that companies should definitely offer remote work options whenever it’s feasible. Honestly, the flexibility is just a game-changer for most people. I mean, think about my cousin, Min-su; he works as a software developer in Seoul, and before his company switched to a hybrid model, he spent three hours every single day just commuting on the subway. Because of this, he was always exhausted and had zero time for his family. Once he started working from home three days a week, his productivity actually skyrocketed. It’s a pretty compelling argument for why autonomy is so important. Not only that, but it allows people to lead a more balanced life without sacrificing their output. So yeah, I wholeheartedly support policies that let employees choose their location, as it’s clearly a win-win for everyone involved.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that companies should definitely offer remote work options to their employees. I mean, it’s just so much easier to manage your personal life when you don’t have to spend hours commuting every single day. For example, my brother works from home, and he says he’s way more productive because he can just focus on his tasks without all the office noise and distractions. Plus, it gives people more flexibility to handle things like family appointments or chores during the day. So, yeah, I think companies should really let people choose where they work because it makes for a much happier and more balanced life for everyone, you know?

110 words