TOEFL Take an Interview: how to answer four questions in 45 seconds each

Take an Interview replaced the old independent and integrated speaking tasks. It's closer to a real conversation: a researcher or interviewer asks you a series of questions on one topic, and you answer each one in 45 seconds.

How it works

• A short introduction sets the scene, for example "A researcher is asking students how they travel to campus."
• You hear four questions, one at a time.
• You answer each one straight away. There's no preparation time.
• You have 45 seconds for each answer.
• The questions usually move from simple and personal to more general and opinion-based.

A 45-second structure

1. Direct answer (1 sentence, ~5 seconds). "Most days I ride my bike to campus."
2. Reason (1–2 sentences, ~10 seconds). "It's faster than the bus from my suburb, and it's free."
3. Example or detail (2–3 sentences, ~20 seconds). "For example, the bus takes about forty minutes because it stops everywhere, but on my bike it's twenty-five minutes along the river path. It also means I get some exercise before sitting in lectures all day."
4. Close (1 sentence, ~5 seconds). "So unless it's raining heavily, cycling is my first choice."

That's about 90–100 words at a comfortable pace, which fills 45 seconds.

Sample answers

Question 2: "Should universities spend more money on parking for students who drive? Why or why not?"

I don't think so, at least not in a city. Parking takes up a lot of space and money, and it mainly helps the students who can already afford a car. For example, my university is planning a new car park that will cost millions, but the same money could make the shuttle bus run every ten minutes instead of every half hour, which would help far more people. So I'd rather see the money go into public transport and safer bike lanes.

Question 4: "Do you think fewer young people will drive cars in the future?"

In big cities, probably yes. Many of my friends haven't even got a licence, because public transport, ride-sharing and e-scooters cover most of what they need, and owning a car is very expensive. On the other hand, people in regional areas will still need cars, because the distances are long and there are fewer alternatives. So I'd say driving will become less common in cities, but it won't disappear.

Speaking without preparation

• Start with the direct answer. It buys you thinking time while you're already speaking.
• Use your own life. Personal examples are faster to produce than invented ones.
• Use natural fillers sparingly: "That's a good question…", "I'd say…". One is fine; repeated "um" is not.
• If you finish early, add another detail rather than stopping at 25 seconds.

What raters listen for

• Delivery: clear pronunciation, natural pace and few long pauses.
• Language use: a range of vocabulary and grammar, used accurately.
• Topic development: a relevant answer with reasons and details, logically connected.

Mistakes to avoid

• Very short answers. Speaking for 15 seconds limits your score, however good the English.
• Memorised speeches that don't answer the question.
• Speaking very fast to fill time. Clarity matters more than word count.

In the AIL practice tests

AIL TOEFL iBT style practice tests include a four-question interview with recorded questions. Your answers are transcribed and scored by AI for each question, with comments on delivery, language and development.