TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #10

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 my friends really wanted me to join them on a weekend hiking trip to Bukhansan Mountain. Honestly, I was feeling pretty exhausted from my exams, so I actually wanted to just stay home and rest. But, because everyone else was going, I felt this intense pressure to conform, you know? I didn’t want to be the odd one out, so I ended up agreeing to go. Looking back, I think their influence was quite profound, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone. Even though I was reluctant at first, the fresh air actually helped me recharge, which was a nice surprise. So, while I usually prefer making my own decisions, I guess sometimes peer pressure can have a positive, albeit unintended, effect on my social life.

133 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when my friends really wanted to go to this new seafood restaurant downtown for dinner. Honestly, I’m not a fan of seafood at all, but everyone else was so excited about it that I just went along with their plan. I mean, I didn’t want to be the one to ruin the mood, so I just kept quiet and acted like I was fine with it. It was actually kind of frustrating because I ended up just eating bread and salad while they enjoyed their meal. Looking back, I think I should have just been honest with them, but I guess I felt like it was easier to just follow the crowd.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my case, I usually prefer to stand my ground, even if it makes things a little awkward. I mean, I’m not trying to be difficult, but I believe it’s important to stay true to my own values. For instance, back in college, my friends were dead set on spending our entire vacation budget on a fancy club in Seoul, but I really wanted to go hiking in the mountains instead. I ended up voicing my opinion, and it turned out they were actually relieved because a few others felt the same way. I think my tendency to be assertive is just a result of my upbringing; my parents always taught me that authentic self-expression is pivotal. So, while I don’t want to cause conflict, I’ve learned that compromise shouldn’t always come at the expense of my own happiness.

139 words

Score 80 — Good

In my case, I usually try to compromise when my friends want to do something different than me. Like, if my group wants to go to a loud club but I just want to relax, I’ll often just go along with them anyway. I do this because I really don’t like conflict, and I guess I just value keeping the peace more than my own personal preference. It’s not that I don’t have my own opinions, but I find it stressful when I’m the only one disagreeing. So, I just go with the flow because it’s easier for everyone, and honestly, I usually end up having a good time anyway.

110 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I firmly believe that staying true to your individual values is much more important than just fitting in. While some people think adjusting is a necessary social skill, I feel that constantly changing your views to please others can be pretty exhausting and, honestly, a bit superficial. For instance, back in college, my friends were all planning to take a specific finance course just because it was popular, but I knew my heart was really set on graphic design. It was definitely a pivotal moment for me because I had to choose between social comfort and my own career goals. I stuck with the design class, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Because of this, I’ve learned that being authentic is far more rewarding than just following the crowd.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I firmly believe that staying true to your own values is way more important than just fitting in with a group. I mean, if you always change your mind just to please others, you kind of lose your own identity, right? For example, back in high school, my friends all wanted to skip class to go to the mall, but I knew I had an important exam coming up. It was tough because I didn’t want to be the odd one out, but I decided to stay and study instead. I think that being authentic is better than just following the crowd because it helps you build real confidence, and that’s a really important life skill.

117 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be a fantastic idea for schools and companies to offer those kinds of workshops. Honestly, the pressure to just follow the crowd is everywhere, and it can be pretty stifling for someone’s creativity. For instance, back when I was a sophomore in college, I remember being in a group project where everyone just agreed with a bad idea because they didn’t want to cause friction. I stayed quiet too, and we ended up failing that assignment. If we had been trained in assertiveness, I think we would’ve felt more comfortable speaking up. It’s really about giving people the tools to think critically rather than just conforming. Not only that, but these skills are inherently valuable in the long run. So yeah, I’m wholeheartedly in favor of implementing these programs to help people make their own choices.

140 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be a really good idea for schools and workplaces to offer those kinds of workshops. I mean, it’s pretty easy to just follow what everyone else is doing, especially when you’re under a lot of stress. If people had training on how to be more assertive, they would probably feel much more comfortable saying no when they disagree with a group. Also, learning critical thinking is super helpful because it helps you look at the facts instead of just following the crowd. It’s hard to make independent choices sometimes, so having that extra support would definitely make a big difference for everyone. I think it’s a great way to help people build confidence.

117 words