TOEIC Speaking Test
This is the TOEIC Speaking test. This test
includes 11 questions that measure
different aspects of your speaking ability.
The test lasts approximately 20 minutes.
It is to your advantage to say as much as
you can in the time allowed. It is also
important that you speak clearly and that
you answer each question according to the
directions.
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part A - Questions 1-2:
Read a text aloud
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
read aloud the text below.
You will then have 45 seconds to prepare.
Then you will have 45 seconds to read the
text aloud.
(Speak the passage as you will see on the
computer screen.)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation, and stress. Take
a deep breath and try to read at a natural
pace.
Question 1
On Wednesday, October 17, we will
begin installing new Internet connections
in your building. Unfortunately,
computers in most offices will be without
Internet for most of the day. However, by
10 am we expect to finish the new
installations in the main lobby,
conference room, and several workshop
rooms. Please use those locations if you
require Internet access on the day in
question.
Preparation Time = 45 seconds
Response Time = 45 seconds
Question 2
Please pass on my congratulations to the
international marketing team for the great
campaign they initiated this year. I was
extremely impressed with the planning,
application, and follow up procedures
involved. Looking at the sales figures,
there is a strong indication that the
campaign had an immediate impact on our
market penetration and brand image.
Could we ask for a better result?
Preparation Time = 45 seconds
Response Time = 45 seconds
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part B – Question 3:
Describe a picture
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
describe a picture in as much detail as you
can.
You will have 30 seconds to prepare your
response.
You will then have 45 seconds to speak
about the picture.
(In question 3 you need to provide as many
details about the picture as you can in the
time allowed. Describe the basic picture
and then break down the details in a logical
manner.
It's good to start by talking about what you
see in general (basic picture) and then
break down the details in a logical manner
providing more specific information.
Emphasize key words that represent what
is in the picture. Remember to speak clearly
and at a steady pace.)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation, stress, grammar,
vocabulary, and cohesion (your ability to
balance short and complex sentences).
Sample response (transcript):
This is an image of a busy street in an
Asian country. As well as bicycles there
are motor vehicles on this street, so it is
obviously a high traffic area. A few of the
cyclists have bicycles attached to their
baskets. This suggests that bicycles may
be their primary source of transportation.
From the architecture it appears to be a
tourist or shopping district. There are two
tall buildings in the distance, which is
likely where the business district is
located. There seems to be some
confusion about direction of traffic flow.
The cyclists are travelling on both sides
of the centre line and are going in the
same direction. The cars, on the other
hand, are going two different ways.
Preparation Time = 30 seconds.
Response Time = 45 seconds
Preparation Time = 30 seconds
Response Time = 45 seconds
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part C – Question 4-6:
Respond to questions
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
answer three questions. For each question,
begin responding immediately after the
question has finished.
No preparation time is provided.
You will have 15 seconds to respond to
Questions 4 and 5.
You will have 30 seconds to respond to
Question 6.
(The challenge is being able to comprehend
the question immediately, thus being able
to answer it right away. The questions will
be based on familiar topics. For example,
the kinds of questions you might be asked
at a job interview. Your response will be
evaluated for pronunciation, intonation and
stress, grammar, vocabulary, relevance of
content, and completeness of content.)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation, stress, grammar,
vocabulary, cohesion, relevance of content,
completeness of content
Example Scenario (Situation)
Imagine that a North American
marketing firm is doing research in your
country. You have agreed to participate
in a telephone interview about movies.
Question 4
When and where did you last watch a
movie?
Preparation Time = 0 seconds
Response Time = 15 seconds
Question 5
What are your favourite kinds of
movies?
Preparation Time = 0 seconds
Response Time = 15 seconds
Question 6
How important is it to monitor the
movies that children watch and why?
Preparation time = 0 seconds
Response Time = 30 seconds
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part D – Question 7-9:
Respond to questions using information
provided
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
answer three questions based on the
information provided.
You will have 30 seconds to read the
information before the questions begin.
You will have 15 seconds to respond to
Questions 7 and 8
You will have 30 seconds to respond to
Question 9.
(For each question, begin responding
immediately after you hear the
question. The questions are heard only
which will start after a short prompt. For
example, you might be shown a brochure
for a product or service. Then the questions
you will be asked as if you received a
phone call from a potential customer. No
preparation time will be given to you. The
information will remain available on the
screen for all 3 questions. For questions 7
and 8, you will have 15 seconds in order to
reply. You'll have 30 seconds to respond to
question 9. Your response will be evaluated
for pronunciation, intonation and stress,
grammar, vocabulary, relevance of content,
and completeness of content.)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation, stress, grammar,
vocabulary, cohesion, relevance of content,
completeness of content
(Narrator): Hello, I’m calling about a
conference on May 27 I saw advertised in
the newspaper. It’s about starting your own
business. I was hoping you could give me
some information.
Question 7
Could you tell me what time the
conference starts and how long it will last?
Preparation Time = 0 seconds
Response Time = 15 seconds
Question 8
How much does conference attendance
cost?
Preparation Time = 0 seconds
Response Time = 15 seconds
Question 9:
I may not be available for the full day.
Could you give me information about the
activities in the morning, before lunchtime?
Preparation Time = 0
Response Time = 30 seconds
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part E – Question 10:
Propose a solution
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
be presented with a problem and asked to
propose a solution.
You will have 30 seconds to prepare.
You will have 60 seconds to speak.
(For this question you will listen to a
problem and you will have to offer a
solution. In your response, be sure to
- show that you recognize the problem, and
- propose a way of dealing with the
problem)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation, stress, grammar,
vocabulary, cohesion, relevance of content,
and completeness of content.
Question 10
Hello, this is Nancy Polanski. I'm calling from the
airport. One of your taxis dropped me off at the
international departure terminal 20 minutes ago. I
think my passport got left behind in the taxi. I noticed
it was missing when I checked in with the airline. I
can't find it in my purse or my carry-on bag. I've
retraced my route since arriving, and I cannot locate
it. My passport must still be in the taxi. I don't
remember the driver's name. Part of his licence
number is 3562. Can you please find the driver and
ask him to look for it? I can't miss my flight. It's
leaving in an hour. I'll pay for it to be delivered to me.
Please call me as soon as possible. My number is
555-8890. Thank-you.
Preparation time = 30 seconds
Response time = 60 seconds
Speaking Test Directions
Question Task Evaluation Criteria
1-2 Read a text aloud • pronunciation
• intonation and stress
3 Describe a picture all of the above, plus
• grammar
• vocabulary
• cohesion
4-6 Respond to all of the above, plus
questions • relevance of content
• completeness of
content
7-9 Respond to all of the above
questions using
information
provided
10 Propose a solution all of the above
11 Express an all of the above
opinion
Part F – Question 11:
Express an opinion
Directions: In this part of the test, you will
give your opinion about a specific topic. Be
sure to say as much as you can in the time
allowed.
You will have 15 seconds to prepare.
You will have 60 seconds to speak.
(The final speaking task is the only one that
is like one of the TOEFL Speaking
questions. It requires you to give your
opinion about a specific topic. The topic will
be something familiar, something you might
have read or heard about in the news for
example.)
Your response will be evaluated for
pronunciation, intonation and stress,
grammar, vocabulary, relevance of content,
and completeness of content.
Question 11
It has been proposed that a new domestic
airport should be built quite close to where
you live. Do you support or oppose the
idea?
Preparation Time = 15 seconds
Response Time = 60 seconds
