TOEFL Speaking Part 2: Interview about Important Decisions (Difficult)
New TOEFL Speaking Part 2: Interview
The new TOEFL Speaking section consists of two parts: “Listen and Repeat” and “Take an Interview.”
In the second part, you will answer four interview-style questions on a given topic. Each question is short, but the difficulty increases as you move through the section. You have 45 seconds per question, with no preparation time.
Because there is no planning phase, it is important to start speaking immediately and continue until the time ends. Staying silent or stopping too early will damage your score. Also, try to use a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures, and use them accurately. Clear grammar and lexical range have a direct impact on your Speaking score.
Keep the Talk Simple and Concrete
My advice is to base your response on facts or personal experience whenever possible. Talking about abstract ideas is always harder than talking about something you can clearly imagine. Concrete topics give you words more easily and help you keep speaking without hesitation.
Remember that you only have 45 seconds and no preparation time. Given this constraint, the TOEFL is not testing your ability to present unique ideas or engage in deep discussion. Instead, it evaluates how clearly and smoothly you can express yourself in English. Staying concrete allows you to focus on language use rather than struggling to shape complex thoughts under time pressure.
Practice Question
Model Answers
Question 1
Interviewer
Can you recall a situation where you had to make an important decision without having all the necessary information?
Model response:
Yes, I can recall such a situation. When I was choosing which classes to take for the next semester, I didn’t fully understand how difficult some courses would be. I had limited information beyond brief descriptions. For example, I chose a class based mainly on my interest, even though I wasn’t sure about the workload. In the end, it was challenging, but the experience taught me how to adjust and manage uncertainty more calmly.
Explanation
To make your response easier to deliver, remember to stay concrete. If you speak in abstract terms for too long, it becomes difficult to maintain fluency. In general, incorporating personal experience makes any spoken response easier to construct and sustain.
In the model response, the speaker refers to a concrete experience of selecting courses.
For example, I chose a class mainly based on my personal interest, even though I was unsure about the workload. In the end, it turned out to be challenging, but the experience taught me how to adapt and deal with uncertainty more calmly.
Question 2
Interviewer
How did you approach that decision, and why?
Model response:
In that situation, I relied more on intuition than detailed analysis. Since I couldn’t gather enough information, I focused on what felt meaningful to me at the time. For instance, I asked myself whether the class aligned with my long-term goals rather than short-term convenience. This approach helped me feel more confident about my choice. Even though there was some risk involved, trusting my priorities made the decision easier to accept afterward.
Explanation
In TOEFL Speaking, you don’t need to express your real opinion. In fact, it is often more effective to choose an idea that is easy to explain rather than trying to speak honestly about your true view.
Since the test evaluates your English proficiency, not your beliefs or values, selecting a simple and familiar idea allows you to focus on vocabulary, grammar, and fluency. This strategy helps you speak more confidently and maintain your response within the time limit.
Question 3
Interviewer
Do you agree that making decisions under uncertainty can be beneficial? Why or why not?
Model response:
Yes, I agree that making decisions under uncertainty can be beneficial. Such situations force people to reflect on their values and take responsibility for their choices. For example, when I had to decide whether to join a group project without knowing my teammates well, I learned to adapt and communicate more actively. Experiences like this build confidence and problem-solving skills, which are useful even when future decisions feel unclear.
Question 4
Interviewer
Do you think learning how to make decisions with limited information is becoming more important in modern society? Why or why not?
Model response:
I believe this skill is becoming increasingly important in modern society. Although information is widely available, it is often incomplete or overwhelming. For instance, when choosing online courses, I noticed that reviews didn’t always reflect my own learning style. As a result, people still need to make judgments without certainty. Learning how to decide carefully under these conditions helps individuals stay flexible and make thoughtful choices in a complex world.
