TOEFL iBT · Speaking · S1
TOEFL iBT Speaking: Listen and Repeat
Listen and Repeat is the first Speaking task on the January 2026 TOEFL iBT. You see one illustrated scene, such as a campus lab or museum, and hear seven related sentences one at a time. After each sentence you repeat it exactly, with a short recording window of about 8–12 seconds. The sentences grow longer as you go.
- Items
- 7 sentences in one scenario
- Audio
- Each sentence heard once; no transcript
- Response time
- About 8–12 seconds per sentence
- Visual
- One scene illustration; the related area is highlighted for each sentence
- Focus
- Accurate repetition, pronunciation, rhythm and intonation
How it works
- 1A single illustration of the setting appears.
- 2The first sentence plays once while the related part of the picture is highlighted.
- 3Recording starts and you repeat the sentence word for word.
- 4The next sentence plays; this continues for all seven.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Scenario: an orientation tour of a campus science lab. You hear: "Safety glasses are kept in the drawer beside the sink." Then repeat the sentence.
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: Safety glasses are kept in the drawer beside the sink.
A strong response keeps every word, including small ones like "are" and "the", and uses natural rhythm: stress falls on glasses, drawer and sink, with the grammar words said lightly.
Tips that work
- Listen for meaning, not a string of sounds. If you understand the sentence, you can rebuild it even when you forget a word.
- Start speaking promptly and at a natural pace; long pauses and slow word-by-word delivery hurt fluency.
- Copy the speaker's stress pattern. Content words carry the beat; articles and prepositions are quick and light.
- Practice with sentences that get longer, 6 words, then 10, then 14, so your working memory is ready for the final items.
Common mistakes
- Dropping small grammar words such as articles and auxiliaries.
- Changing the words to a synonym instead of repeating exactly.
Questions candidates ask
Can I read the sentence in Listen and Repeat?
No. You only hear it once. The picture shows the setting but does not include the sentence text.
How long do I have to repeat each sentence?
The recording window is about 8–12 seconds, depending on the sentence. That is enough for one clear attempt, not for restarting.
Can I practice with feedback?
EnglishHub's exam-style Listen and Repeat practice records your answers and gives AI feedback as an independent practice estimate.
Other TOEFL iBT Speaking tasks
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