TOEFL Speaking Interview Task: Everything You Need to Know + Practice Questions
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The TOEFL Speaking section is getting a major update in January 2026 — and one of the biggest additions is the Interview task. (Looking for the Listen and Repeat Task?)
This task is designed to feel like a real conversation, but it’s carefully structured to assess your fluency, coherence, pronunciation, and language control. If you're aiming for a top Speaking score, understanding this task is essential!
At My Speaking Score, we’re pivoting to give you full support for the Interview task ready by October 1, 2025 in both AI Assist and Real Mode — with ETS's new scoring engine and rubric-aligned feedback on all 4 responses.
If you're already familiar with the format, I've created some Sample TOEFL Speaking Interview Questions below, so feel free to scroll down.
What Is the TOEFL Interview Task?
The Interview task simulates a short online interview with a researcher. The idea is that you’ve volunteered for a research study on a common topic like commuting, city life, or daily routines.
You’ll see a pre-recorded video of an interviewer who asks you four questions, one at a time. Each question is delivered in a natural, friendly tone and is followed immediately by a 45-second timer. There is no prep time, no repeats, and no ability to re-record your answers.
This format — originally used in TOEFL Essentials — is now part of the main TOEFL iBT, giving the Speaking section a more modern, real-world feel.
What the Interview Task Looks Like
Here’s a real example from ETS:
Interview Topic: Urban Life
You have agreed to take part in a research study about urban life. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Interviewer: Thank you for speaking with me today. Now, I’d like you to think back to the last time you visited a city in your country—a city that you didn’t live in. Why did you travel to that city? What did you like about that city?
Interviewer: Great. Cities affect people in different ways. Some people find cities dynamic and exciting. Others find that cities are overwhelming and drain them of energy. What kind of reaction do you have to cities? Why do you think you react in this way?
Interviewer: OK. Next, I’d like to ask your opinion. Some people believe that those who live in cities lead more interesting lives. They would argue, for example, that people who live in cities have more access to professional opportunities and interesting leisure activities. Do you agree that people who live in cities lead more interesting lives? Why or why not?
Interviewer: Good points. Let me ask you one final question. For some time now, researchers have been interested in whether green spaces, such as parks, make people who live in cities happier. Do you think that city governments should create more parks in urban areas to promote a general sense of happiness and life satisfaction? Why or why not?
Each question is friendly, open-ended, and carefully designed to give you just enough structure to speak clearly and confidently for 45 seconds. The pre-recorded Interviewer "listens" to you as you respond.
Interview Task Format & Purpose
The Interview task includes four questions, each one designed to test a specific type of thinking and speaking skill. My current model for item writing is based on these assumptions:
How It’s Scored
Each of your four 45-second responses is scored using the the same AI system used by ETS. You’ll receive a 0–5 score for each response (see the scoring rubric), based on a detailed rubric that measures:
- Clarity and fluency
- Grammar and vocabulary range
- Pronunciation and rhythm
- Relevance and development of ideas
At My Speaking Score, we take that even further by giving you:
- A confidence interval for your predicted score
- Rubric-aligned written feedback for each response
- Tips and action steps to help you improve
Sample TOEFL Speaking Interview Questions: TOEFL Speaking Interview Task (2026)
Set 1: Daily Routines
Introduction:
You have volunteered for a research study about daily routines. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Please answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer:
Thank you for joining the study. Let’s start with a personal question. Can you think of a time when your regular daily routine was disrupted, maybe due to travel, illness, or a special event? What happened, and how did it go?
Interviewer:
I see. Some people feel more productive when they follow a strict daily schedule, while others prefer flexibility and doing things whenever they feel like it. What’s your personal preference, and why do you think that approach works better for you?
Interviewer:
Interesting. Many people believe that having a consistent morning routine helps them feel more focused and organized throughout the day. Others say routines don’t really matter as long as you get your tasks done. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Why?
Interviewer:
Good points. Lastly, some researchers believe that in the future, artificial intelligence will design personalized daily routines to help people manage their time better. How do you think this kind of technology might affect people’s lives? Please give one example of a benefit and one example of a drawback.
Set 2: Transportation
Introduction:
You have volunteered for a research study about transportation. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Please answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer:
Thanks for being here. Let’s begin with a personal experience. Can you describe a time when you had an especially good or bad experience with transportation—maybe on a bus, train, or in traffic? What happened, and how did it affect your day?
Interviewer:
Interesting. Some people enjoy commuting because it gives them time to relax or think, while others find it stressful and tiring. How do you usually feel about your daily travel, and why do you think it affects you that way?
Interviewer:
Good to know. Some people believe that cities should invest more in public transportation like buses and subways, while others think improving roads for private cars is more important. Which approach do you support, and what are your reasons?
Interviewer:
OK, let me ask you one final question. Some researchers say that in the near future, self-driving cars will become common. How do you think this change might affect the way people travel? Please give one example of a benefit and one example of a drawback.
Set 3: Entertainment
Introduction:
You have volunteered for a research study about entertainment. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Please answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer:
Thanks for joining the interview. Let’s start with something personal. Can you describe a time when you watched a movie, show, or performance that really stood out to you? What was it, and what made it so memorable?
Interviewer:
Interesting. Some people prefer quiet, relaxing entertainment like reading or listening to music, while others enjoy exciting activities like going to concerts or watching action films. What kind of entertainment do you usually enjoy, and why?
Interviewer:
I see. Some people say that too much entertainment, especially on screens, can reduce creativity or harm social life. Others say it helps people relax and connect with others. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Why?
Interviewer:
Good points. Now, let me ask one last question. Some experts predict that in the future, most entertainment will be interactive, using virtual reality or AI. How might this affect how people spend their free time? Please give one benefit and one drawback.
Set 4: Decision Making
Introduction:
You have volunteered for a research study about decision making. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Please answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer:
Thanks for taking part. To begin, can you talk about a time when you had to make a difficult decision in your daily life—like choosing between two options or solving a problem? What was the situation, and how did you decide?
Interviewer:
I see. Some people like to make decisions quickly and trust their instincts, while others take more time and prefer to think carefully. What is your usual decision-making style, and why do you think that approach suits you?
Interviewer:
Interesting. Many people believe that important decisions should always involve advice from others—like family, friends, or teachers. Others say people should rely on their own judgment. Do you agree or disagree with this view? Why?
Interviewer:
Good points. Let me ask one last question. Some researchers predict that in the future, decision-making apps will guide people on what to do in areas like health, careers, or relationships. How might this affect individuals and society? Please give one benefit and one drawback.
Set 5: School Experiences
Introduction:
You have volunteered for a research study about school experiences. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Please answer the interviewer’s questions.
Interviewer:
Thanks for being here. To start, can you think of a school experience that had a big impact on you—maybe a class project, a teacher, or something that happened with classmates? What was the situation, and what made it important?
Interviewer:
Interesting. Some students enjoy working in groups because they can share ideas, while others prefer working alone to stay focused. What do you usually prefer when doing schoolwork, and why does that style work better for you?
Interviewer:
OK. Some people believe that school should focus more on practical skills like communication and teamwork, while others think academic knowledge is more important. What’s your opinion on this, and what experiences support your view?
Interviewer:
Good points. Now, let me ask one last question. Some educators believe that in the future, students will spend most of their time learning online instead of in classrooms. How might this change affect students? Please give one example of a benefit and one example of a drawback.
What to Expect on My Speaking Score (October 1, 2025)
My dev team is already building the roadmap for the new platform. It's going to have 3 components:
- Test materials
- Scoring and feedback
- Training and progress tracking
We’ll launch full Interview Task support in two modes:
FAQ: The TOEFL Interview Task
Q: Is the interviewer a real person?
A: Sort of. The interviewer is a pre-recorded video of a real person, played back in a way that simulates conversation. During your response, the video loops a nodding animation to make it feel more natural — but it’s not interactive.
Q: Can I prepare my answers before I speak?
A: No. There is no preparation time. Once the interviewer finishes asking the question, the 45-second timer begins immediately.
Q: Can I redo a question or start over?
A: No. Just like the real test, you only get one chance per question.
Q: What kinds of topics should I expect?
A: Everyday life: cities, commuting, technology, habits, decision-making, education, entertainment, and more. You don’t need any special knowledge.
Q: How should I prepare for this task?
A: Practice speaking spontaneously about your preferences, experiences, and opinions. Avoid memorized scripts — instead, focus on developing clear ideas and expressing them naturally.
Q: Where can I practice Interview tasks before test day?
A: Right here on My Speaking Score. Starting October 1, 2025, you can:
- Practice with real Interview-style prompts
- Record your 45-second answers
- Get instant rubric-aligned feedback
- Track your score progress over time
Final Thoughts
The Interview task is designed to feel natural — but it tests real speaking skill under pressure. It challenges you to organize your thoughts quickly, express yourself clearly, and respond with confidence.
At My Speaking Score, we’re fully ready for it. You’ll get authentic tasks, authentic scoring, and feedback that actually helps you improve.
🎯 Whether you're preparing months in advance or a week before test day — we’ve got your Interview practice covered.
See you October 1, 2025!