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Question 1 in TOEFL Speaking

Learn about Question 1 tasks in TOEFL speaking with an overview, recommended approach and practice questions.

by Tim Martyn

Table of contents

Overview
Example question
Recommended approach
Scoring criteria
Practice questions

Overview

Question 1 is an independent speaking task.

Here are some key points about Question 1:

You’ll be shown two actions, situations or opinions.
You’ll be asked to say which action/situation is preferable or which opinion is more valid. You could also be asked whether you agree with a statement, which is effectively also a choice between two positions (i.e. agree/disagree).
You’ll have to give reasons, explanations, details and/or examples to support your opinion.
There are no right or wrong answers.
Topics are familiar and of general interest. This means you don’t need any specialist knowledge to talk about them.
You’ll have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak.

Example question

Here’s an example Question 1 task.

You can try this question in the practice section.

You will now give your opinion about a familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak.

Some people enjoy traveling alone. Others like traveling with friends or family. Which option would you prefer and why?

Recommended approach

Here’s my recommended approach for answering Question 1 tasks.

Step 1 > Read/listen to the question

The question will be read to you and also appear on the screen. While it is being read, quickly choose a side/position. Don’t overthink this – just go with your first reaction to the question. It’s possible to give a more nuanced response (e.g. online is better for some reasons and in person for other reasons), but I’d recommend just choosing one side/position – it’s much easier.

Step 2 > Write down some ideas

Time is very limited, so you won’t have time to make a proper plan. But it’s still useful to write down any words or phrases that will help guide your response. Keep in mind that you only have 15 seconds to prepare.

Notes for the example question might look something like this.

Alone
– more freedom – opport. for reflection – easier to meet others

Step 3 > Speak

Once the preparation time ends and the response time begins, start speaking.

Here are some tips to help you:

Start by clearly stating your opinion.
Use words and phrases that help you express your opinion (e.g. In my opinion, From my point of view, I think, etc.).
There are many possible ways you could support your opinion. Reasons, explanations, details and/or examples are all good things to include.
For some questions, you might find it helpful to contrast your chosen side/position with the opposing view.
It’s fine to include personal experiences/examples in your response.

Scoring criteria

You’ll be given a score from 0 to 4. Here are the criteria your speaking will be scored on.

Criterion	What does this mean?
Delivery	Do you speak clearly and fluently? Do you speak at a natural pace? Do you have good pronunciation and intonation?
Language use	Do you use a range of grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately?
Topic development	Do you fully answered the question? Do you express your ideas clearly? How well do you connect your ideas together?

You can find out more about how Question 1 tasks are scored here.

Practice questions

Now it’s your turn to practise. Try the Question 1 tasks below using the strategy outlined above.

Question 1

Click the button below when you’re ready to start.

Feedback

Click below to listen to a sample response.

I think I’d prefer traveling alone. One of the main reasons is it gives you a lot more freedom. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want, without having to worry about anyone else’s schedule or preferences. It’s also a great opportunity for reflection, I think. I often find I think very clearly when I travel alone. Another thing is that it’s much easier to meet new people because you’re not tied down by a group. You’re open to new experiences and conversations. Of course, traveling with friends or family can be fun, but I just really enjoy traveling alone.

Question 2

Click the button below when you’re ready to start.

Feedback

Click below to listen to a sample response.

In my opinion, a college degree isn’t necessary for success. It may be required in some fields, like law or medicine, but it’s not the only way to achieve success in other fields. For example, many entrepreneurs and successful business owners never went to college, like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg. They built their businesses with creativity and a lot of hard work. These days, there are many other ways to gain skills, like by doing online courses and internships. In fact, fields like tech and design often value experience and a portfolio of work over formal education.

Question 3

Click the button below when you’re ready to start.

Feedback

Click below to listen to a sample response.

I think working for a company is the better option. There’s more stability and less risk. When you work for a company, you don’t have to deal with the stress of managing every aspect of a business. You can focus on your specific role, while others handle the bigger picture. Plus, you often get great benefits like health insurance and paid time off, which makes life a lot easier. You don’t have to worry about the volatility that comes with business ownership either. So, all in all, I think working for a company is a better choice for most people.