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TOEFL Take an Interview (2026): Complete Guide

Updated for the January 2026 TOEFL iBT format · 6 min read

Take an Interview is the second and final task in the new 2026 TOEFL Speaking section (Questions 8–11). You participate in a simulated interview, answering 4 open-ended questions about everyday life topics. You have 45 seconds to respond to each question and there is no preparation time. You can only hear the questions — you cannot read them on screen.

Topics are intentionally ordinary and relatable: smartphone use, exercise habits, reading, travel, study habits, or work preferences. ETS wants everyone to be able to answer regardless of background — you will never get a topic that requires specialist knowledge or unusual personal experience.

The 3 Question Styles

Every question across all 4 prompts falls into one of these three styles. You could receive any combination — even the same style four times.

Style 1: State Your Opinion or Preference

Give your view on something and explain why you hold it.

Example questions:
"Some people believe smartphones clearly make life better. Do you agree? Why or why not?"
"Do you think universities should focus more on academic skills or practical job skills?"
"Is it better to live in a big city or a small town? What's your opinion?"
Style 1 Sample
"Some people believe smartphones clearly make life better in the modern world. Do you agree with that idea? Why or why not?"
✅ High-scoring answer (45 seconds):
Overall, I'd say that smartphones do make life better, even though they can cause distraction. The main reason is that they dramatically increase access to information. For instance, a student at a school with a small library can access the same academic journals and textbooks that someone at a top university uses — just through their phone. That's a remarkable equaliser. There are downsides, of course — I sometimes feel distracted by notifications when I'm trying to focus. But on balance, the benefits clearly outweigh the problems. The key is using your phone intentionally rather than reactively.

Style 2: Describe an Aspect of Your Life

Talk about your current habits, routines, or typical behaviour.

Example questions:
"How do you usually prepare for an important exam or test?"
"Describe your reading habits. What kinds of things do you like to read?"
"How do you typically spend your weekends?"
Style 2 Sample
"Everyone feels differently about phones. How do you usually react to your phone in daily life? Why do you think you react that way?"
✅ High-scoring answer (45 seconds):
To be honest, my phone often makes me feel distracted, and I think I'm somewhat addicted to it. I always carry it around and constantly check for messages or emails — even when I know I should be focusing on something else. Last week, for example, I was trying to study for a test and I kept picking up my phone to check notifications. I'd lose my train of thought and have to start the paragraph over again. I think this happens because the phone gives instant rewards — a message, a like, something new — and my brain is drawn to that. It's something I genuinely want to work on improving.

Style 3: Describe an Event or Time in Your Life

Tell a specific story about something that happened to you in the past.

Example questions:
"Think back to the last time you used your phone for something important. What happened?"
"Describe a trip you took that made a strong impression on you."
"Talk about a time when you had to solve a difficult problem."
Style 3 Sample
"Please think back to the last time you used your phone for something important — such as contacting someone, finding your way, making a payment, or translating. Why did you use it then?"
✅ High-scoring answer (45 seconds):
A few weeks ago I was travelling in a city I'd never visited before — it was actually Paris — and I got completely lost. I couldn't figure out how to get back to my hotel and I started to feel genuinely anxious. Fortunately I had my phone and a data plan, so I opened a map app, entered my hotel's address, and instantly got walking directions with estimated times. It even showed me public transport options. That made me feel immediately relieved. Without my phone, I honestly don't know what I would have done — I would probably have had to ask multiple strangers for help in a language I don't speak well. It was a really valuable experience that made me appreciate having technology available when I need it most.

Full Sample Interview: Smartphone Usage

Here is how all four questions connect in a single interview:

Interview context: "You have agreed to take part in a research study about smartphone usage."

Q1 (Style 3): Last time you used your phone for something important → Story about getting lost in Paris
Q2 (Style 2): How you usually react to your phone in daily life → Describe checking notifications habitually
Q3 (Style 1): Do smartphones make life better? → Opinion with example (equalising access to information)
Q4 (Style 1): Should schools encourage healthier phone habits? → Opinion with reasoning

The PEEL Template — For Any Question

Use this structure to organise every 45-second answer:

P — Point (state your answer/position in the first sentence):
"I think...", "In my view...", "I would say that...", "Overall, I believe..."

E — Example (give a specific, personal example):
"For instance...", "For example...", "A few weeks ago...", "Last year when..."

E — Explanation (connect the example back to your point):
"This shows that...", "This is because...", "As a result...", "That experience taught me..."

L — Link back (brief closing sentence):
"So overall...", "This is why I believe...", "That's the main reason I think..."

How to Start Speaking Immediately (No Prep Time)

Since there is no preparation time, you need a set of opening phrases that buy you 1–2 seconds to gather your thoughts:

Avoid silence. Even a brief pause of 3–4 seconds hurts your Delivery score. These opening phrases give you a structured way to start speaking while your brain catches up.

💡 Strategies for Take an Interview

  • Listen carefully to every word of the question — you cannot read it, so one moment of inattention means you might answer the wrong question
  • Start speaking immediately — use an opening phrase if needed, but never stay silent
  • Speak for the full 45 seconds — keep adding detail, explanation, or qualification. Brief answers are penalised
  • Reference previous answers when relevant: "As I mentioned before..." — this creates coherence across the interview
  • Use specific examples — general statements score lower than concrete personal examples with names, times, and places
  • Practise daily: set a 45-second timer and answer random questions about your life out loud. Fluency is built through repetition
  • Small grammatical mistakes are fine — don't stop to correct yourself mid-sentence. Fluency matters more than perfect grammar

20 Practice Questions by Topic

Practise these out loud, timing yourself to 45 seconds each:

Technology: Describe a time when technology helped you solve a problem.
Technology: Do you think people rely too much on smartphones today?
Study habits: How do you usually prepare for an important exam?
Study habits: Do you prefer studying alone or with others? Why?
Travel: Describe a place you visited that made a strong impression on you.
Travel: Is it better to travel abroad or explore your own country? Why?
Exercise: How do you stay physically active in your daily life?
Exercise: Should schools require students to exercise every day?
Reading: Describe your reading habits. What do you like to read?
Reading: Is reading physical books better than reading on a screen?
Work: Describe a job or task you found especially challenging.
Work: Do you prefer working indoors or outdoors? Why?
Food: Describe a meal that was especially memorable for you.
Food: Is cooking at home better than eating at restaurants?
People: Describe a person who has had a positive influence on you.
People: Do you prefer spending time with a few close friends or many acquaintances?
Nature: Do you enjoy spending time in nature? Why or why not?
Hobbies: Describe an activity or hobby you enjoy in your free time.
Education: Should university education be free for everyone?
Future: Describe something you would like to learn or achieve in the next few years.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You have 45 seconds to respond to each of the 4 questions. There is no preparation time — you must start speaking immediately after hearing the question.
No. You can only hear the questions — they do not appear on screen. This makes listening carefully essential. If you mishear a question, your answer may not match and your score will suffer.
Everyday, relatable topics: technology use, study habits, exercise, reading, travel, work preferences, food, social habits. Topics are intentionally ordinary so that everyone can answer regardless of background.
Keep expanding your answer. Add more detail to your example, explain your reasoning further, mention a counterargument and address it, or connect back to your main point with different words. Practice speaking for 45 seconds without stopping.
Fluency matters more. Don't stop mid-sentence to correct a grammar mistake — it hurts your delivery score more than the original error. Keep speaking naturally and smoothly.