TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #03

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 prepare for my final economics exam entirely from home. Honestly, it was a bit of a struggle at first because I’m someone who really thrives on the energy of a library. The most challenging part was definitely the lack of structure; I mean, I found myself getting distracted by chores or just scrolling through my phone. But, I decided to set a strict schedule, like waking up at seven every morning, which was actually quite pivotal for my progress. By creating that boundary, I found it much easier to focus. It was rewarding because I realized I could be self-disciplined without someone hovering over me. So, while I missed the social aspect of campus, the experience was profoundly beneficial for building my personal study habits.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I had to study for my final exams from home. It was actually a bit difficult because I usually prefer going to the library. At home, I found it really challenging to stay focused because my family was always around and making noise. I mean, it was hard to concentrate when my brother was watching TV or my mom was cooking in the kitchen. But, the most rewarding part was being able to take breaks whenever I wanted. I could just grab a snack or relax for a few minutes in my own room, so it was pretty comfortable. Overall, it was a mixed experience for me.

112 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily routine, I prefer working from home, mostly because I find it easier to concentrate when I’m in my own space. Actually, I’ve found that my productivity is profoundly higher when I don’t have to deal with the constant noise of an office. For instance, last semester, I was prepping for my final exams, and I realized that being at my desk in my bedroom allowed me to focus for hours without any interruptions. In contrast, when I’m at the library or a shared workspace, I’m often distracted by people chatting or just the general buzz around me. It’s not that I don’t like people, but the quiet environment at home helps me stay on track. So, I’d say I definitely value that personal control over my surroundings to get things done effectively.

135 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily routine, I prefer working from a traditional office instead of staying at home. I think I’m just more productive when I’m around other people. At home, it’s really easy for me to get distracted by chores or things like that, you know? But when I go to an office, the environment is strictly for work. I also like the social energy there because I can talk to my coworkers whenever I need a break. It’s nice to have a clear boundary between my office and my house. So, yeah, I feel much more focused and motivated when I’m in a professional space with my team.

108 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I believe that remote work is generally superior, although I definitely see the value in office culture. For me, it really comes down to the flexibility you get. I mean, last year when I was working a temporary internship at a tech firm, I had a two-hour commute every single day. It was honestly exhausting, and I felt like I had zero personal time. Once they switched us to a remote setup, it was a total game-changer. I was able to reclaim those hours for exercise and cooking, which made my productivity skyrocket. While some argue that in-person collaboration is pivotal for growth, I think that digital tools like Slack or Zoom allow for pretty much the same level of teamwork. So, overall, I’d say the work-life balance remote work provides is just far more beneficial for my well-being.

140 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I believe that remote work is actually better for most people. I mean, the biggest reason is definitely the work-life balance. When I work from home, I don’t have to spend hours commuting in traffic, so I have way more time for my family and hobbies. It’s just so much more convenient, you know? Of course, some people might say that being in an office is better for teamwork, but I think we have plenty of digital tools to stay connected these days. Honestly, I’m just way more productive when I can control my own environment. So yeah, I definitely prefer working remotely because it makes my daily life a lot less stressful and more flexible.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think this policy is actually a pretty smart move. I mean, while remote work is great, I’ve found that being in the office at least a few days a week is essential for building real connections. For instance, back when I was working as an intern at a tech firm in Seoul, I struggled to finish my projects because I couldn’t just turn to my supervisor for quick feedback. Once we shifted to a hybrid model, I felt like the collaboration became so much more fluid. It’s not just about the work, though; it’s about the culture. Having that face-to-face time creates a sense of belonging that is inherently difficult to replicate through a screen. So, I’d say a mandatory hybrid policy strikes the right balance between flexibility and team cohesion.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

I think this policy is actually a pretty good idea, honestly. Working from home is nice because you save time on your commute, but it can get kind of lonely, you know? If people go into the office for just a few days, they can actually talk to their coworkers and build better relationships. It’s hard to collaborate when you’re just staring at a screen all day. So, having that face-to-face time is really important for team spirit. I mean, it’s just better for everyone to have a mix of both environments. It keeps things balanced, and it helps people feel more connected to their company or school, so I’m definitely in favor of it.

115 words