TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #07

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 buy a new laptop for my final university project. I actually decided to head to a physical store instead of just ordering it online. I mean, I really wanted to see the screen quality and test the keyboard because I knew I’d be typing for hours, right? So, I went to a local electronics shop, and being able to touch the device was pivotal for my decision. I was worried about the size, but the salesperson let me compare two different models side-by-side. As a result, I felt much more confident in my purchase. Honestly, I think the experience was far better than browsing a website. Getting that hands-on experience really paid off, and I’m still super happy with the laptop I chose.

131 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I bought a new laptop for my university classes. I actually decided to go to a physical store instead of buying it online. I did this because I really wanted to see the screen and test the keyboard before spending so much money. It’s pretty hard to tell if a laptop is comfortable just by looking at pictures online, you know? So, I went to the shop and tried a few different models. I ended up feeling really confident about my choice because I could touch everything myself. It was a great decision, and I’m still using that laptop today for all my schoolwork and things like that.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I usually prefer shopping online, honestly. I mean, I’m just a really busy person, so the efficiency of clicking a few buttons and having items arrive at my doorstep is incredibly appealing. I’d say my habit really solidified last winter when I had to buy a heavy winter coat. Instead of driving to the mall and dealing with all the crowds, I just compared prices on three different sites and found a great deal in minutes. It was so much more convenient than walking around for hours. Not only that, but online reviews provide a nuanced perspective that you just don’t get in a store. Because of this, I’ve become a loyal online shopper. It’s just fundamentally better for my lifestyle, and I really value that extra time I save.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I usually prefer shopping online because it’s just a lot more convenient for me. I’m a really busy student, so I don’t have much time to drive to the mall and walk around looking for stuff. I just open my laptop, search for exactly what I need, and buy it in like two minutes. It’s great because it saves me so much time. I think I developed this habit because I started buying all my textbooks online a few years ago, and I realized how easy it was. Now, I pretty much buy everything like clothes and electronics from home. It’s just way faster and less stressful than going to a crowded store.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I tend to prefer in-store shopping, even though online platforms are obviously more convenient. I mean, for me, the experience of being in a physical store is just inherently better. Like, last weekend, I went to a local bookstore in Myeong-dong to pick out a gift for my friend. I spent an hour browsing the shelves, and honestly, being able to flip through the pages and smell the books was such a refreshing change from just clicking buttons on a screen. You see, online sites have a lot of variety, but they lack that sensory, tactile quality. I find that I’m much more satisfied with my purchases when I can actually see the product in person. So, while online shopping is efficient, I think the tangible experience of shopping in stores is worth the extra effort.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I tend to prefer shopping in stores because I really like to see the items in person. Online shopping is convenient, sure, but sometimes I feel like it’s hard to tell if the clothes or products are actually good quality. When I go to a mall, I can touch the fabric and try things on, so I don’t have to worry about returning them later. It’s also just more fun to go out with my friends and grab a coffee while we look around. Online sites are fast, but for me, the experience of being in a real store is just much better.

104 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that we should definitely protect local physical shops through tax breaks because they are the heart of our community. While online shopping is convenient, I think it’s inherently impersonal. You know, for instance, there’s this small independent bookstore in my neighborhood called ‘The Paper Trail.’ I go there every Saturday, and the owner knows my taste in books so well; she always recommends things I end up loving. If that shop were replaced by a massive distribution center, we’d lose that human connection. It’s not just about buying products, right? It’s about the unique character of our streets. Protecting these businesses is pivotal for maintaining a vibrant local culture. So, I’d say it’s worth the tax investment to ensure our neighborhoods don’t just become rows of identical delivery boxes.

131 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that we should protect local shops because they are really important for our neighborhoods. I mean, online shopping is convenient, but it doesn’t give you that same feeling of community, right? When you go to a local store, you can actually talk to the owner and see the products in person. If all the small businesses disappear, our streets might just become empty or full of big warehouses. So, I think it’s a good idea to give them some help with taxes. It keeps the area lively and unique. Without these shops, our cities would just be pretty boring and lose their special character, you know? It’s just better to keep things local.

115 words