TOEFL Speaking Part 2: Interview about Travel Experiences and Lessons
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 describe a memorable travel experience you have had?
Model response:
Yes, I can describe one memorable travel experience. A few years ago, I visited Kyoto with my family during the fall. What made the trip memorable was not only the beautiful scenery, but also the atmosphere of the temples and traditional streets. For example, I still remember walking through a quiet temple garden early in the morning. That moment felt very peaceful and different from my daily life. Because of that experience, the trip stayed in my mind for a long time.
Explanation
Here, you are asked to describe one memorable travel experience. This is a concrete question, so you should focus on a specific trip rather than talking about travel in general.
A memorable trip doesn’t have to be unusual or international. It can be a family trip, a school trip, or even a short visit to another city. What matters is that you explain clearly what happened and why it stayed in your memory.
Keep in mind that concrete questions are usually easier to answer. For this impromptu speaking task, it’s helpful to choose one trip quickly and describe a few clear details, such as where you went, who you went with, and what made the experience special. Specific details make it much easier to keep speaking naturally for the full 45 seconds.
Question 2
Interviewer
Great. People often say that travel helps them learn new things about different cultures or ways of life. What did you learn from that travel experience, and why do you think it was meaningful?
Model response:
From that trip, I learned that traveling can change the way people notice small things. In Kyoto, I was surprised by how much people valued quietness, order, and traditional spaces. For example, even simple activities, like walking through a temple area, felt more meaningful because people were respectful of the environment. That experience made me realize that culture is not only seen in famous places, but also in everyday behavior. That is why the trip felt meaningful to me.
Explanation
Here, you are asked to explain what you learned from the travel experience you mentioned. The focus is no longer just the event itself, but the meaning you took from it.
Learning from travel can take many forms. You may learn something about another culture, about human behavior, or even about yourself. The key is to connect one lesson to one concrete moment from your trip.
For 45-second speaking, don’t try to list many things you learned. It is much easier to choose one main lesson and support it with one example. This keeps your answer organized and helps you continue speaking smoothly without getting lost.
Question 3
Interviewer
OK. Next, I’d like to ask your opinion. Some people believe that traveling is one of the best ways to broaden one’s perspective. Do you agree that travel can help people understand the world better? Why or why not?
Model response:
Yes, I agree that travel can help people understand the world better. Seeing a place directly often teaches people things that books or videos cannot fully show. For example, when I visited Kyoto, I understood the importance of local customs more clearly than I could have through pictures alone. Travel allows people to experience daily life, not just information about a place. Because of that, I think travel can deepen people’s understanding of different cultures and ways of thinking.
Explanation
You are asked to give your opinion about a general idea. This is more abstract than the first two questions, so it’s important to make your answer easy to follow.
You should clearly say whether you agree or disagree at the beginning. Then give one main reason and support it with a short example, preferably from your own experience.
When a question becomes more abstract, many test takers start speaking too generally. That often makes the answer weaker. A much better strategy is to anchor your opinion in one specific experience. Doing so makes your response sound more natural and gives you enough material to speak for the full 45 seconds.
Question 4
Interviewer
Good points. Let me ask you one final question. In recent years, technology allows people to explore cultures through videos and virtual experiences. Do you think these digital experiences can replace real travel in helping people learn about the world? Why or why not?
Model response:
No, I do not think digital experiences can fully replace real travel. They are useful because they make information more accessible, but they cannot recreate the full experience of being in another place. For example, a video can show a famous street or building, but it cannot fully convey the sounds, atmosphere, or small interactions with local people. I think real travel gives people a deeper and more personal understanding. Digital tools are helpful, but they work better as a supplement than a replacement.
Explanation
This is the most abstract question in the set. You are asked to compare digital experiences with real travel and explain your position.
A question like this can feel difficult because it asks about a broad social issue. To make it easier, use a simple structure: state your opinion, explain one reason, and give one concrete comparison or example.
Don’t try to discuss everything about technology and travel. That will make your answer too broad. Instead, focus on one clear contrast, such as information versus direct experience, convenience versus depth, or observation versus personal interaction. A narrow focus will help you speak more smoothly and sound more organized.
