TOEFL 2026 Speaking Practice — Level Medium (for score 90+) #26

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 choose between a huge career opportunity and my best friend’s wedding. It was about two years ago, and my company offered me a lead role on a project in Singapore. It was a massive deal, right? But the kickoff meeting was scheduled for the exact same weekend as my friend’s wedding in Seoul. I was honestly torn, but I eventually decided to skip the trip to stay for the wedding. Looking back, I think it was a pivotal moment for me because I realized that career goals are important, but they’re not everything. I mean, work will always be there, but those personal milestones are irreplaceable. So, even though I missed out on that specific project, I feel like I made the right choice by prioritizing my relationships.

136 words

Score 80 — Good

I remember a time when I had to choose between a big promotion and my sister’s wedding. It was a really tough situation because I had been working on this project for months, and my boss really wanted me to stay late to finish it. But, it was my sister’s big day, so I decided to go to the wedding instead of staying at the office. Honestly, I felt a little nervous about how my boss would react, but I also felt happy that I was there for my family. In the end, it was the right choice because I didn’t miss such a special moment, and my work actually turned out fine later on.

115 words

Score 100 — Perfect

In my daily life, I’m definitely the type of person who needs to completely disconnect once I leave the office. I mean, I’ve realized that if I’m constantly checking emails at home, I never actually recharge, which has a **profoundly** negative impact on my productivity the next day. For instance, last month I tried staying connected to get a head start on a big project, but I ended up feeling so burnt out that I couldn’t focus at all on Tuesday morning. Because of this, I now have a strict rule: no work notifications after 7:00 p.m. It’s a **nuanced** approach, but it allows me to be fully present with my family. Ultimately, I think separating my professional and personal life is the only way to stay motivated in the long run.

132 words

Score 80 — Good

In my daily life, I usually prefer to disconnect from work once I leave the office. I mean, I try to turn off my email notifications and stop checking messages because I really value my personal time. If I keep working after hours, I feel like I never get a chance to relax or reset for the next day. So, I just think it’s better to focus on my hobbies, like cooking or going for a walk, so I can recharge. It’s definitely a contrast to some of my friends who stay connected all night to get ahead. But for me, I think stepping away is the best way to stay productive and happy.

114 words

Score 100 — Perfect

Personally, I strongly believe that maintaining a strict work-life balance is essential for long-term success, even early on. I mean, while some might argue that you need to sacrifice everything to climb the corporate ladder, I think that approach is inherently flawed because it leads to burnout. For instance, my older brother, Min-jun, worked eighty hours a week at a top law firm in Seoul for two years. He was super productive at first, but eventually, he became so exhausted that his performance actually plummeted. As a result, he had to take a long break to recover his health. I think it’s much better to pace yourself. By setting boundaries, you stay energized and creative, which is far more sustainable in the long run. So, yeah, I’m convinced that balance is the key to a lasting career.

137 words

Score 80 — Good

Personally, I strongly believe that maintaining a strict balance is essential for long-term success. I mean, if you only focus on work early on, you’ll probably get burned out really quickly. Like, my cousin started a new job last year and he worked, like, twelve hours every single day. He was super productive at first, but then he got exhausted and just couldn’t keep it up. So, I think it’s way better to have hobbies and spend time with family because that keeps you motivated. If you don’t take breaks, you’ll eventually lose your passion for your career. Balancing everything is just a much healthier way to live and stay successful over time.

113 words

Score 100 — Perfect

I think it would be incredibly beneficial for companies to implement those kinds of policies. Honestly, in today’s hyper-connected world, the pressure to be ‘always on’ is just overwhelming. I mean, my older brother works at a tech firm in Seoul, and he’s constantly checking his inbox until midnight, which is pretty much burning him out. If there were a strict policy prohibiting after-hours emails, it would force a necessary boundary. Not only that, but mandating vacation days is a pivotal step for mental health. While some might argue this limits professional ambition, I’d say it’s actually counterintuitive; employees are far more productive when they’re well-rested. So, by formalizing these rules, companies can cultivate a healthier culture where people can actually sustain their careers in the long run.

128 words

Score 80 — Good

I think it would be a really good idea for companies to have policies like that. I mean, nowadays, it’s pretty hard to disconnect from work because of our phones and things like that. If a company stops sending emails after work, employees can actually relax at home and spend time with their families. I know some people think they need to work all the time to get ahead, but I feel like being rested is more important for doing a good job. So, yeah, I think these policies are necessary because they help people stay healthy and avoid getting burned out, which makes them better workers in the long run.

111 words