Speaking: Listen-Speak tasks
Introduzido| English | Significado |
|---|---|
| retell | retell |
| key point | key point |
One line of notes, half an answer
- Your notes say: recycling challenge — 2 boxes — weigh Fri — winner pizza — volunteers sign up Mon.
- Turn that line into sentences and you already have most of a good Listen-Speak answer.
Two Listen-Speak tasks
- Task 3, non-academic: a teacher or students talk about a school-related topic, such as an event, a rule or a plan.
- Task 4, academic: a teacher explains an academic topic. In both tasks you retell 复述 what you heard: you have 45 seconds to prepare and one minute to speak.
In each Listen-Speak task, how long do you have to prepare and to speak?
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45 seconds to prepare, then one minute to record.
Notes while you listen
- You may take notes. Write the key points 要点 in order, using short words, numbers and arrows.
- Names, days, numbers, steps and reasons are worth writing. Full sentences are not.
Listen to Daniel from the student council and take notes.
Notes: recycling challenge, next month · 2 boxes/class (paper, bottles) · weigh every Fri · most → pizza lunch · volunteers: front office by Mon · clean bottles only
In Daniel's talk, when will the council weigh the boxes?
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Every Friday. Monday is the sign-up deadline for volunteers.
Which note is most useful for Daniel's talk?
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Short, with an arrow showing the result; easy to turn into a sentence.
Plan in 45 seconds
- Decide your first sentence: the main point. "Daniel explained a new recycling challenge for next month."
- Then choose the order of 2–4 details. Your notes are already in order, so follow them.
Which opening sentence is best for the Task 3 answer?
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It reports the speaker's main point. The first option is an opinion; the third is a detail.
Speak for one minute
- Start with the main point, then give the details with links: first, also, in addition, because, so.
- Report the speaker (He said that… / The teacher explained…). Do not add your opinion or new facts; the task is to retell.
Report or opinion?
Retell the main points in your own words within one minute
In a Listen-Speak answer you should add your own opinion and extra facts you know.
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Retell what the speaker said; new ideas do not answer the task.
The academic talk
- In Task 4 the teacher explains a process, a cause or a comparison. Organise your answer the same way: steps in order, or cause → result.
Listen to the geography teacher and note the steps.
Notes: forest makes own rain · 1 roots take water · 2 leaves release vapour · 3 warm air rises, cools → clouds · 4 rain falls on forest · cut trees → drier
Answer start: "The teacher explained that a big rainforest helps to make its own rain. First, the trees take up water through their roots…"
Put the steps of the rainforest talk in order.
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The teacher explains a process; your answer should keep the same order.
Use your notes on the rainforest talk. Prepare for 45 seconds, then retell it in one minute.
A strong answer opens with the main point, gives the four steps in order and reports the teacher without adding opinions.
Common mistakes
- Giving your own opinion ("I think recycling is very important") instead of reporting the talk.
- Spending the minute on one detail and never reaching the end of your notes.
- Reading full sentences from long notes and losing your place.
Nobody knows why there was soup in that bottle. You do not need to explain it in your answer.
Recap
- Notes: key points in order, short words, numbers, arrows.
- 45 seconds: choose the opening sentence and the order.
- One minute: main point first, then details with links; report, don't give opinions.
Official sources
- Task timings checked on 15 November 2026 in the TOEFL Junior Test Taker Handbook (ETS, PDF).
- Official samples with scored responses: Non-academic Listen-Speak (ETS) and Academic Listen-Speak (ETS). The recordings here are original.