TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #21

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 decided to bake a birthday cake for my best friend, Sarah, even though I’m honestly not much of a baker. I wanted to do something special, so I tried to make a three-layer chocolate cake from scratch. The process was actually pretty intense; I spent hours in the kitchen, and I was worried the layers might collapse. But as I started decorating it, I felt this sense of creative flow that I hadn’t expected. It was such a **nuanced** experience, balancing the flavors and the frosting design. When I finally finished, I felt incredibly proud, not just because it looked good, but because I had **meticulously** crafted something with my own hands. It really showed me how much joy there is in making things for others.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I decided to paint a portrait of my mom for her birthday. I’m not really an artist, so I was pretty nervous about it. I spent a whole weekend working on the canvas, and I really tried to capture her smile. It was actually kind of difficult because getting the colors right takes a lot of time. But when I finally finished, I felt so proud of myself because it looked better than I expected. The whole process was really soothing, and it was a great way to express my feelings. My mom loved it, which made me feel even better, so I think I’ll definitely try to make more art in the future.

119 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I tend to practice art myself rather than just observing it, because I find that creating things is a much better way to de-stress. I mean, after a long day of classes, I often sit down with my watercolor set for about thirty minutes. It’s actually quite **exhilarating** to just focus on mixing colors and painting simple landscapes. I find that watching professional art online is nice, but it doesn’t give me the same sense of accomplishment as making something with my own hands. It’s like, when I’m painting, my mind just goes quiet. I’ve noticed that this hands-on approach is **profoundly** effective at helping me reset after a busy schedule. So, for me, being the creator is definitely more rewarding than just being a spectator.

130 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I tend to practice art by sketching in a small notebook instead of just looking at professional art. I prefer this because it helps me relax after a long day at school. When I draw, I can focus on my own ideas and just forget about my stress for a while. I think it is more fun to make things myself because it feels personal, whereas just looking at a painting in a gallery is nice but it doesn’t give me the same feeling of accomplishment. So, I guess I really like being hands-on, and it’s a great way for me to express my feelings through simple drawings and things like that.

116 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that everyone should dedicate time to artistic hobbies, regardless of whether they have natural talent or not. I mean, creativity isn’t just about being a professional artist; it’s really about finding a healthy outlet for stress. For instance, last semester, I started taking a basic watercolor class every Tuesday evening. At first, I felt pretty discouraged because my paintings looked kind of messy, but I soon realized the process was incredibly therapeutic. It allowed me to disconnect from my heavy workload and just focus on the colors. Unlike just watching TV, which feels passive, painting is a **profoundly** engaging way to reset my mind. Because of this, I think it’s **inherently** valuable for mental health, and everyone deserves that kind of balance in their daily lives.

130 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that everyone should spend time on artistic hobbies, even if they aren’t naturally talented. I mean, it’s not really about being a professional artist, right? It’s more about the process. When I paint or just sketch in my notebook after a long day of classes, it helps me relax and clear my head. It’s like a break from all the stress. Some people think you need to be gifted to enjoy art, but I think that’s wrong because doing something creative is just a great way to express yourself. So, yeah, I feel like making art is a healthy habit for everyone, and it really helps me feel better.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be beneficial because, honestly, we all get stuck in these rigid, repetitive routines. For instance, at my last internship, everyone was just constantly staring at spreadsheets, and the energy in the office was pretty low. I mean, it was just draining. If we had taken even an hour a week for something like a design workshop, I think it would have profoundly shifted our perspective. It’s not just about making art; it’s about breaking that mental block. While some might argue that these sessions are a waste of time, I’d say they actually provide a necessary outlet for innovation. By stepping away from tasks and doing something creative, we return with a much more nuanced approach to problem-solving. So yeah, I’m fully in favor of integrating those sessions to boost morale and keep people inspired.

139 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be beneficial because, well, people get really stressed out at work and school. If we had mandatory creative sessions like painting or music, it would help everyone relax and take a break from their busy schedules. I mean, when you’re just focusing on work all day, your brain gets tired, so doing something artistic is a good way to recharge. It’s kind of like a reset button for your mind. Some people might say it’s a waste of time, but I think it actually makes people more productive in the long run. It’s definitely better than just sitting at a desk all day doing the same things over and over again.

115 words