TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #08

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 needed to buy a birthday present for my best friend, Sarah. Honestly, I decided to go to a physical department store because I wanted to see the quality of the items in person. It was actually a pretty good decision, although it was kind of crowded. I spent about an hour wandering around the aisles, and it was quite an exhilarating experience to finally find the perfect leather bag. If I had just ordered it online, I’m not sure I would have felt as confident about the texture and the size. Because of this, I was really happy with my choice. It was a more personal experience than just clicking a button, and it made the whole gift-giving process feel much more meaningful in the end.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I needed to buy a birthday gift for my best friend last month. I decided to order it online because it was just way more convenient for me. I was looking for a specific leather bag, so I searched a few websites and found one that looked perfect. Honestly, the experience was pretty good because I didn’t have to deal with the crowds at the mall. It arrived at my house in only two days, and the quality was great. I was happy with that choice because it saved me a lot of time. Shopping online is just easier for me when I’m busy, so I’ll probably do that again.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I usually prefer shopping online because it’s honestly just so much more efficient for my schedule. I mean, I’m a busy student, so I don’t really have the time to wander around a mall for hours. For instance, last week I needed a new pair of running shoes, and instead of driving to the store, I just pulled up an app, compared a few prices, and had them ordered in under five minutes. It’s incredibly convenient. While some people might miss the social aspect of browsing in person, I think the sheer variety you find online is pretty compelling. I can find exactly what I need without any hassle. As a result, I’ve become a huge fan of digital shopping, as it fits my lifestyle perfectly and saves me so much energy.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I usually prefer shopping online because it’s just so much more convenient for me. Like, I’m a busy student, so I don’t really have the time to drive to the mall and walk around for hours. When I shop online, I can just find what I need in a few minutes, which is great. Also, I don’t have to deal with crowds or long lines at the checkout, and that’s a big plus for me. Sometimes, I do go to a store if I need to try on clothes, but most of the time, I just order things from my phone because it’s fast and easy, and that works best for my schedule.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I tend to prefer online shopping, though I admit that in-store shopping has its perks. For me, the convenience of browsing from my couch is just unbeatable. I mean, I’m a pretty busy student, so spending hours at a mall is often just not feasible. Last month, I needed a new winter coat, and instead of driving all the way to the mall, I just compared prices on three different sites in like ten minutes. It was actually a pivotal moment for me because I realized how much time I was saving. Not only that, but online reviews provide such a nuanced perspective from other buyers that you just don’t get from a store clerk. So, while I see the value in touching products, the efficiency of online shopping definitely outweighs the in-store experience for me.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I tend to prefer online shopping because it’s just so much more convenient for my busy schedule. I mean, I don’t have to spend time driving to the mall or waiting in long lines, which is great. I can just browse through hundreds of items while I’m sitting on my couch at home. Of course, sometimes it’s hard to tell if clothes will fit, but I think the time I save is definitely worth it. I also love that I can easily compare prices between different websites to find the best deal. So, for me, the speed and ease of shopping online really outweigh the experience of going to a physical store.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I believe that society should definitely step in to protect small physical shops, even if online retailers are cheaper. Honestly, local businesses are kind of the heartbeat of a neighborhood. For instance, there’s this small bookstore in my hometown called ‘The Paper Trail’ that I’ve been going to since I was a kid. The owner knows my taste in books, and that kind of personalized, human connection is something you just can’t get from an algorithm. If we only let the market decide, we’d lose those community hubs that provide a sense of belonging. It’s not just about the convenience of low prices; it’s about preserving the character of our cities. So, providing tax incentives is a pivotal way to ensure these shops thrive. I think we have a collective responsibility to keep these spaces alive for future generations.

139 words

Score 80 — Good

I believe that society should definitely protect physical retail stores. Well, even though online shopping is super convenient and often cheaper, I think local shops are actually important for our community. You know, when you walk into a small store, you can talk to the owner and see the products in person, which is a much better experience. If all these shops go out of business because of big online companies, our streets will just become empty and boring. So, I think it’s worth it for the government to give them tax breaks because these shops bring people together and keep our neighborhoods feeling like a real community. Things like that really matter, you know?

115 words