How to Answer Prediction and Forward-Looking Questions in the 2026 TOEFL Speaking Test

When the interviewer asks you to predict or speculate in the 2026 TOEFL Speaking test, they’re not looking for psychic powers. They’re testing how naturally you can talk about the future — with organized, reasoned language and smooth delivery.

Prediction questions usually show up in the later part of the Interview task, when difficulty increases. You’ve already shared personal experiences and opinions, and now you need to stretch your reasoning a little further.

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1. What Prediction Questions Sound Like

Here are a few examples modeled on official 2026-style prompts:

Question Type	Example Question	What It’s Testing
Prediction about Technology	“How do you think advances in technology will change the way people work in the next ten years?”	Ability to discuss future trends logically
Prediction about Behavior	“Do you think commuting will disappear in the future? Why or why not?”	Balanced reasoning, examples, and confident speculation
Prediction about Society	“How might a decline in commuting affect businesses in positive and negative ways?”	Organization, clear examples, and cause–effect explanation

2. Why These Questions Matter

Prediction and forward-looking questions measure reasoned speculation. The rater wants to hear:

How you organize cause and effect.
Whether you can use hedging phrases naturally (like might, could, may).
How fluently you transition from opinion to example.

You’re rewarded for clarity and control, not for being correct about the future.

3. The Core Phrase: “If I had to guess, I’d say…”

Native speakers rarely jump straight into predictions. They hedge — politely, fluently, and naturally. (See my video for a visual explanation with movie clips).
That’s where this phrase shines:

“If I had to guess, I’d say commuting will mostly disappear, especially for office workers.”

It does three things at once:

Buys you a second to think.
Signals a prediction is coming.
Makes your speech sound natural, not memorized.

Try pairing it with other short transitions:

Function	Useful Phrase	Example
Start your prediction	If I had to guess, I’d say…	If I had to guess, I’d say more people will work remotely in the future.
Add balance	On the other hand…	On the other hand, some jobs still require people to be there in person.
Give one example	For instance…	For instance, restaurants and hospitals can’t really go remote.

4. Structure for Prediction Answers

Most prediction answers work well in a simple three-part structure:

Step	What to Do	Example
1. Signal your prediction	Start with a natural hedge	“If I had to guess, I’d say fewer people will commute in the future.”
2. Explain one positive or negative effect	Show cause and effect clearly	“This could help businesses save money on rent and utilities.”
3. Give one concrete example	Keep it realistic and short	“For example, companies like Google already let employees work from home three days a week.”

Keep sentences tight and conversational. You’re not writing an essay — you’re showing that you can think out loud in clear, connected English.

5. Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why It Hurts Your Score	Fix
Giving unrealistic predictions	Sounds memorized or illogical	Stay believable — think “possible,” not “science fiction.”
Skipping examples	Reduces development and coherence	Add one short, specific example to support your point.
Speaking too quickly	Hurts intelligibility and fluency scores	Aim for about 150 words per minute — controlled, not rushed.

6. Sample Answer (Q11-Style)

Question:
How do you think a severe decline in commuting might affect businesses in positive and negative ways? Please give one example of each.

Sample Response:
“If I had to guess, I’d say a big decline in commuting would help businesses save costs but hurt some local economies.
On the positive side, companies could save on rent and electricity since more people would work from home.
On the negative side, shops and cafés near offices might lose customers. For example, fewer workers downtown means fewer people buying lunch every day.”

That’s fluent, organized, and easy to follow — exactly what the 2026 scoring system rewards.

FAQ

Q: Should I use the future tense (will) or modal verbs (might, could)?
Use might or could for predictions. It sounds more natural and less absolute.

Q: Can I say “In my opinion” for prediction questions?
You can, but “If I had to guess” or “I think in the future…” fits better when you’re speculating.

Q: How long should my answer be?
About 20–25 seconds is ideal for each Interview question. That’s roughly 60–70 words.

Q: What’s the biggest goal for these questions?
Clarity. The rater should hear your prediction, your reasoning, and your example — in that order.

Prediction questions in the 2026 TOEFL Speaking test reward thoughtful, fluent reasoning. With a phrase as simple as “If I had to guess, I’d say…”, you sound more like a real speaker — calm, confident, and ready for whatever the interviewer throws at you.