TOEFL Speaking Listen and Repeat: Everything You Need to Know + Practice Questions
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The Listen and Repeat task is one of the most significant additions to the 2026 Enhanced TOEFL Speaking section (beginning Jan 21, 2026).
I've been totally obsessed with it, because in many ways I think it's the perfect task. (Looking for the Interview Task?)
It looks simple—just repeat a sentence, right?—but it reveals a lot about your listening accuracy, pronunciation, fluency, and short-term memory.
So, in this post, I want to show you how the task works, how it's scored, and how to prepare effectively.
Also, I've engineered 10 examples for you (70 practice phrases; please see below).
What Is the Listen and Repeat Task?
The Listen and Repeat task requires test-takers to listen to a sentence once and then repeat it exactly as they heard it. The sentences are drawn from real-life settings and get progressively more complex.
Each test includes 7 spoken sentences, delivered one at a time. You do not see any text. Instead, a location-themed image appears on-screen (like a zoo, campus office, or museum), and a voice reads a sentence out loud. You then repeat it once.
Key Features of the Task
- No text is shown. This is a listening-only activity.
- Each sentence plays once. No replay. No prep time.
- A beep signals your response window. You must respond within 8–12 seconds.
- Sentences increase in difficulty. They grow in length and complexity.
- Speech recognition software automatically scores your spoken response.
What Does It Look Like?
Here is an example of the test screen layout:
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The illustration changes depending on the task setting (e.g., zoo, library). There is no script, subtitles, or preview. The sentence is audio-only.
How Is Listen and Repeat Scored?
ETS uses an AI-powered scoring engine to evaluate your response on a 0 to 5 scale. Your performance is judged on the accuracy, intelligibility, pronunciation, and fluency of your repetition. The table below summarizes how scoring works:
TOEFL Speaking – Listen and Repeat Scoring Table
Source: TOEFL iBT Speaking Scoring Guide
Sample Phrase Sets: TOEFL Speaking Listen and Repeat (2026)
Ready to practice?
Here are 10 unique sets of 7 phrases each, designed for the Listen and Repeat task in the Enhanced TOEFL Speaking section. Each set is based on a realistic public location, with sentences that gradually increase in complexity, length, and grammatical difficulty.
Remember, in the real test (and on My Speaking Score), you'll be shown a helpful image for each phrase you need to repeat.
Set 1: University Dining Hall
Welcome to the student dining hall.
Please return your tray when finished.
Salad, drinks, and desserts are available to your left.
Hot food is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
You can pay with a student card or mobile app.
If you have allergies, check the posted ingredient information before ordering.
Food from the dining hall must not be taken into classrooms or libraries.
Set 2: Museum Front Desk
Welcome to the city museum.
Please keep your ticket visible.
Audio guides are available at the information desk.
Special exhibits are located on the second floor.
You’re free to explore the galleries at your own pace.
If you’d like a guided tour, they begin every hour near the gift shop.
Flash photography is not permitted, and cell phones must be silenced during your visit.
Set 3: College Bookstore
Welcome to the campus bookstore.
Textbooks are in the back section.
You’ll find notebooks and pens along the left wall.
Buybacks happen during finals week every semester.
Digital materials can be purchased using your student login.
If a book is sold out, you can place an order at the counter.
Returns are accepted within seven days if you keep the receipt and original packaging.
Set 4: Airport Security Checkpoint
Welcome to the security screening area.
Please remove your shoes.
Laptops must be placed in separate trays.
Liquids should be in containers under 100 milliliters.
Keep your boarding pass and ID visible at all times.
If you have any metal implants, notify the security officer before scanning.
All carry-on items are subject to inspection and must comply with airline regulations.
Set 5: Train Station Platform
This is platform number four.
The train is running on time.
Tickets must be scanned before you board.
Please stand behind the yellow line for safety.
Announcements for delays will be made over the loudspeaker.
If you are unsure about your train, ask a conductor for help.
Baggage must be stored safely, and aisles should remain clear throughout the trip.
Set 6: Campus Health Center
Welcome to the student health center.
Check in at the front desk.
Bring your student ID and insurance card.
Walk-in appointments are available from 9 to 11 a.m.
You may request a private consultation if needed.
If your symptoms worsen, return for further evaluation or referral.
Medications are dispensed on-site unless a prescription requires a local pharmacy.
Set 7: Public Library Main Hall
Welcome to the city library.
Please speak quietly inside.
The catalog terminals are near the entrance.
Library cards can be issued with a valid ID.
Children’s programs are held in the reading room weekly.
If you need help finding a book, ask a librarian at the help desk.
Food and drink are not allowed unless you’re in the designated café area.
Set 8: Hotel Lobby
Welcome to the Riverstone Hotel.
Check-in starts at 3 p.m.
The elevators are to your right.
Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 a.m. in the lounge.
You’ll need your keycard to access the gym and pool.
If you require additional towels, call housekeeping at extension 3.
Guests are asked to observe quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Set 9: Campus Computer Lab
This is the computer lab.
Log in with your student ID.
No food or drinks are allowed here.
Printing is available using your university account balance.
Use headphones if you’re watching videos or attending Zoom classes.
If a computer is not working, report it to the lab assistant immediately.
Please sign out and shut down your station before leaving the room.
Set 10: Art Gallery Opening
Welcome to the gallery opening.
Coats can be checked at the door.
Light refreshments are available near the sculpture room.
Photography is allowed but without flash.
Feel free to ask the artists questions during the exhibit.
If you’d like to purchase a piece, speak with the gallery coordinator.
Children must remain with an adult and avoid touching the displayed artwork.
How to Practice for Listen and Repeat
- Shadow native speech daily using YouTube clips, movies, or podcasts.
- Record and compare your speech with the original.
- Mimic intonation and rhythm, not just the words.
- Use tools like My Speaking Score or ELSA Speak to receive instant AI feedback on fluency, pronunciation, and word accuracy.
- Practice in environments with distractions to simulate test pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many Listen and Repeat items are on the test?
There are exactly 7 sentences in the Listen and Repeat section of the Enhanced TOEFL Speaking test.
Do I get to see the sentence text?
No. This is a listening-only task. You only hear the sentence once.
Can I replay the audio or listen again?
No. The sentence is played once only. There are no replays or transcripts.
Tip: in My Speaking Score in AI Assist mode you can expose the transcripts and get phoneme and word-level feedback on your pronunciation.
How long do I have to respond?
You have 8–12 seconds after the beep to speak your response, specifically for phrases 1 through 7, you have: 8s, 8s, 10s, 10s, 10s, 12s, 12s
How is my response scored?
Your speech is scored by an AI-based system that evaluates accuracy, pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. The highest score is 5, and the lowest is 0.
Can I get partial credit?
Yes. Even if your response is not perfect, you may still receive a score of 4 or 3 for mostly accurate or intelligible attempts.
What should I focus on: speed or accuracy?
Both matter, but accuracy is the priority. Try to speak naturally and clearly. Do not rush or overthink.
Are all sentences the same difficulty?
No. Sentences are sequenced by difficulty—they get more complex as the task progresses. You'll have the following time to complete each: 8s, 8s, 10s, 10s, 10s, 12s, 12s. If you are speaking naturally, you'll have plenty of time left over, so just wait patiently until the timer ends and the test advances.
Does this task appear on every TOEFL test?
Yes. It is now a core component of the Enhanced TOEFL Speaking section.
Can I improve my score with practice?
Yes. Targeted training using shadowing, mimicry, and repetition drills can significantly improve your fluency, pronunciation, and score consistency.
Final Thoughts
The Listen and Repeat task might seem easy—but it challenges your core speaking and listening skills in a compressed window. It’s brutally efficient. No filler. No fluff. Just: Did you hear it? Can you say it back?
It’s designed to test if you understand English, AND whether you can reproduce it accurately under pressure.
The best performers are those who train with real speech, develop strong rhythm and pronunciation habits, and get objective feedback from AI-based tools like My Speaking Score.
For more sample sets, practice materials, and scoring insights, visit My Speaking Score (the enhanced TOEFL Speaking practice materials are available September 1, 2025).