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TOEFL Speaking

Take an Interview (Art and Music)

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Published: 11 Nov 2026
Level 4 (B1+)   |   Time: 0:00
Accent: American, British
Source: Listen in English

Test #3. Practice the Take an Interview task from the new TOEFL Test (2026).

TOEFL
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TOEFL
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Vocabulary 어휘 Vocabulário Vocabulario Словник

Check the words you already know. Marca las palabras que ya conoces. Marque as palavras que você já conhece. 이미 아는 단어에 체크하세요. Позначте слова, які ви вже знаєте.

  • ☐ ☐ ☐ take part phv. - participate
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ a commute n. - trip to and from work
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ be into exp. - like a lot; be interested in
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ a gallery n. - place that shows art
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ drag (s/o) along phv. - make someone come with you
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ an exhibition n. - public show of art
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ end up phv. - finally do, often without planning
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ for one thing exp. - first reason is
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ panic v. - feel sudden fear; lose control
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ that said exp. - however; but
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ aggressive adj. - loud and forceful
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ memorization n. - learning by heart
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ creativity n. - ability to make new ideas or things
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ confident adj. - sure of yourself
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ a passion n. - something you love doing
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ essential adj. - necessary; very important
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ practical adj. - useful in real life
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ express v. - show (feelings)
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ show up phv. - arrive; come
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ backgrounds n. - people's cultures and life experiences
  • ☐ ☐ ☐ a luxury n. - something nice but not necessary

n. - noun,    v. - verb,    phv. - phrasal verb,    adj. - adjective,    exp. - expression


Take an Interview


Instructions
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You have agreed to take part in a research study about the role of art and music in people's lives. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you four questions.





Questions 1
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Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. I'd like to ask you some questions about art.
How often do you listen to music or spend time enjoying art? What kinds of music or art do you prefer?

  

Sample answer

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Questions 2
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Some people listen to music to relax after a busy day. Do you think music is an effective way to reduce stress? Why or why not?

  

Sample answer

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Questions 3
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Do you think schools should give students more opportunities to study art and music? Why?

  

Sample answer

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Questions 4
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Some people believe that art and music are essential for a healthy society, while others consider them less important than science and technology. What is your opinion?

  

Sample answer

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Vocabulary Review 어휘 검토 Revisão de vocabulário Vocabulario revisión Огляд лексики

Directions: What expressions from the video have the same meaning as the highlighted expressions in the sentences below?

Instrucciones: ¿Qué expresiones del video tienen el mismo significado que las expresiones destacadas en las oraciones siguientes?

Instruções: Quais expressões do vídeo têm o mesmo significado que as expressões destacadas nas frases abaixo?

지시 사항: 아래 문장에서 강조된 표현과 같은 의미를 가진 표현을 영상에서 찾아보세요.

Інструкції: Які вирази з відео мають те саме значення, що й виділені вирази в реченнях нижче?


  1. You have agreed to [ participate ] in a research study about the role of art and music in people's lives.

    [ take part ]



  2. I [ 'm really interested in ] indie rock and jazz, especially older jazz from the 1950s and 60s.

    [ 'm really into ]



  3. Last month, we went to a photography show downtown, and I [ finally, unexpectedly ] spending almost three hours there.

    [ ended up ]



  4. Every evening, I’d put on some calm piano music for about twenty minutes before studying, and it honestly helped me focus and stop [ freaking out ].

    [ panicking ]



  5. [ However ], I think the type of music matters.

    [ That said ]



  6. First, these classes give students a break from tests and [ learning by heart ], and that’s important for their mental health.

    [ memorization ]



  7. In my opinion, art and music are [ necessary ], even if science and technology seem more [ useful ].

    [ essential ] [ practical ]



  8. In my hometown, there’s a free outdoor concert every summer, and around five thousand people [ come, arrive ]: families, students, older people, everyone.

    [ show up ]



  9. Also, art isn’t just a [ nice extra ]; it’s a big part of the economy.

    [ luxury ]



Language Building


1. Expression: That said,

Use That said to admit a point on the other side after giving your opinion. Complete each sentence. Then compare your answer with the sample.


Topic 1 – University Education

Some people believe university students should focus mainly on their academic studies, while others think they should also participate in extracurricular activities. What do you think?


Opinion: I think that university students should focus mainly on academics because that is why they are there.

  1. That said / student / still / need / time / relax / make / friend / or / they / burn / out

    That said, students still need time to relax and make friends, or they will burn out.



  2. That said / participate / club / or / sport / teach / teamwork / leadership / skill

    That said, participating in a club or sport can teach teamwork and leadership skills.




Topic 2 – Online Learning

Some people believe that online learning is just as effective as traditional classroom learning. Do you agree?


Opinion: I think that traditional classroom learning is more effective because students can interact directly with their teachers.

  1. That said / online / course / much / more / convenient / people / who / work / full / time..

    That said online courses are much more convenient for people who work full-time.



  2. That said / student / who / very / self-motivate / can / learn / just / well / online

    That said, students who are very self-motivated can learn just as well online.




Topic 3 – Career Choices

Some people prefer working for large companies, while others would rather work for smaller organizations. Which would you prefer?


Opinion: I think that working for a large company is a better choice because there are usually more opportunities for career advancement.

  1. That said / small / company / often / give / employee / more / responsibility / and / close / team / atmosphere

    That said, smaller companies often give employees more responsibility and a closer team atmosphere.



  2. That said / work / small / office / mean / boss / actual / know / you / your / work

    That said, working in a small office means your boss actually knows you and your work.





2. Expressions: For one thing... For another...

Use For one thing and For another to give two different reasons that support your opinion. Complete each sentence. Then compare your answer with the sample.


Topic 1 – Environment

Some people believe individuals can make a significant difference in protecting the environment, while others think governments and large companies have the greatest responsibility. What is your opinion?


Opinion: I think that individuals can make a real difference because their everyday choices have an impact on the environment.

  1. For one thing, individuals can...

    For one thing, individuals can walk, cycle, or take public transportation instead of driving.



  2. For another, making small changes...

    For another, making small changes, like recycling and using less plastic, encourages friends and family to do the same.




Topic 2 – Health and Lifestyle

Do you think people today lead healthier lives than previous generations?


Opinion: I think that people today have healthier lifestyles because they have access to better medical care and information.

  1. For one thing, modern medicine...

    For one thing, modern medicine can prevent and treat diseases that used to be deadly.



  2. For another, people are...

    For another, people are much more aware of the importance of exercise and a balanced diet.




Topic 3 – Practical Skills

Some people believe learning practical skills is more important than developing academic knowledge. Do you agree?


Opinion: I think that practical skills are more important because they prepare people for everyday challenges.

  1. For one thing, practical skills...

    For one thing, practical skills like cooking, budgeting, and fixing things are used every single day.



  2. For another, employers...

    For another, employers often care more about what you can do than what degree you have.




Script 대본 Roteiro Guion Сценарій

You have agreed to take part in a research study about the role of art and music in people's lives. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you four questions.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today. I'd like to ask you some questions about art.
How often do you listen to music or spend time enjoying art? What kinds of music or art do you prefer?

I listen to music almost every day, probably at least two hours a day, mostly on my commute and while I’m working. I’m really into indie rock and jazz, especially older jazz from the 1950s and 60s. Art is a little less regular for me, but I try to visit a gallery or museum about once a month. My friend Jenna is an art teacher, so she usually drags me along to new exhibitions. Last month, we went to a photography show downtown, and I ended up spending almost three hours there. I didn’t expect to enjoy it that much, but it actually made me want to start taking photos myself.

Some people listen to music to relax after a busy day. Do you think music is an effective way to reduce stress? Why or why not?

Yes, I think music is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress. For one thing, it’s easy. What I mean is you don’t need any special equipment, just a pair of headphones. For another, it changes your mood really quickly. When I was in college, I had five final exams in one week, and I was sleeping maybe four hours a night. Every evening, I’d put on some calm piano music for about twenty minutes before studying, and it honestly helped me focus and stop panicking. That said, I think the type of music matters. Loud or aggressive music might actually make some people more stressed, so you have to find what works for you.

Do you think schools should give students more opportunities to study art and music? Why?

Yes, definitely. Right now, a lot of schools only offer art or music once or twice a week, and that’s just not enough. First, these classes give students a break from tests and memorization, and that’s important for their mental health. Second, they teach skills like creativity and teamwork. For example, my younger brother, Daniel, joined his high school band in tenth grade. Before that, he was pretty shy and didn’t have many friends. But after practicing with thirty other students three times a week, he became much more confident, and now he’s studying music education at university. Without that opportunity, I don’t think he would have found his passion.

Some people believe that art and music are essential for a healthy society, while others consider them less important than science and technology. What is your opinion?

In my opinion, art and music are essential, even if science and technology seem more practical. Science helps us build things and solve problems, but art and music help us understand each other and express our feelings. They also bring communities together. In my hometown, there’s a free outdoor concert every summer, and around five thousand people show up: families, students, older people, everyone. It’s one of the few events where people from completely different backgrounds sit together and enjoy the same thing. Also, art isn’t just a luxury; it’s a big part of the economy. Movies, music, and design create millions of jobs. So I don’t think we should choose one over the other. A healthy society needs both.

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