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Master the new TOEFL 2026 Speaking Task 2 with a dorm renovation sample, 3 score-band models, exact rubric breakdowns, and 15+ academic vocabulary terms for test day.
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Master the new TOEFL 2026 Speaking Task 2 with a dorm renovation sample, 3 score-band models, exact rubric breakdowns, and 15+ academic vocabulary terms for test day.
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Reading (50 seconds): The university housing office announces that starting next semester, traditional double-occupancy rooms will be renovated into single-occupancy study suites with soundproof partitions, dedicated desks, and upgraded Wi-Fi. The renovation will temporarily relocate 20% of residents to off-campus housing during construction.
Listening (60 seconds): Two students discuss the announcement. Student A supports the change, citing improved focus, fewer roommate conflicts, and faster internet for research. Student B opposes it, arguing that off-campus relocation disrupts study groups, increases commute time, and isolates students from campus life.
Speaking Prompt (Prep: 30s, Speak: 60s): State which student’s position you agree with and explain why, using specific reasons from the conversation.
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ETS uses a 1–6 CEFR-aligned scale for the 2026 TOEFL Speaking section, alongside legacy 0–120 dual-scoring during the transition period. Below are three complete responses calibrated to the new scoring rubrics. Each targets exactly 250–300 words when spoken at a natural academic pace, with clear structural markers.
I strongly agree with the male student who opposes the dorm renovation plan. While I understand the housing office wants to create quieter study spaces, the drawbacks of temporary relocation are too severe for academic success. First, the female speaker points out that moving off-campus breaks apart existing study groups. I have seen this happen before: when students are scattered, they lose the spontaneous peer collaboration that happens in residence halls. Group projects become fragmented, and scheduling becomes nearly impossible. Second, the extended commute wastes valuable hours. If students spend forty minutes each day traveling between campus and temporary housing, that is time subtracted directly from library research, office hours, or rest. The housing bulletin mentions upgraded Wi-Fi and soundproof walls, but those amenities do not replace the academic ecosystem of living near classrooms and lab partners. Finally, the psychological toll of isolation cannot be ignored. First-year students especially rely on hallway conversations and dining hall networking to build support systems. Removing that environment during a critical adjustment period increases stress, not productivity. The university should instead implement a phased renovation schedule that keeps students on campus, perhaps by renovating one wing at a time and using empty summer housing as temporary overflow. This preserves community while still upgrading facilities.
Scoring Breakdown (ETS 2026 Rubric):
I agree with the female student who does not like the renovation idea. The plan sounds nice on paper, but moving students off-campus causes real problems for studying. The first reason is about study groups. She says that when students leave campus, they cannot meet easily for homework. I think this is very true because many assignments require teamwork. If people live far away, they have to schedule video calls, which often have connection issues or time conflicts. Another problem is the commute time. The bulletin says the Wi-Fi will be better, but better internet does not help if you are too tired from traveling. Spending an hour each day on buses or trains takes away energy from reading and writing papers. Also, the housing office mentions soundproof walls, but I believe students can already make quiet spaces with simple rules and headphones. The relocation affects social life too. Students who move away miss out on floor meetings and campus events. They feel disconnected from the university. A better solution would be to keep everyone on campus and just fix the rooms slowly. This way, students keep their friends, save time, and still get the new study spaces eventually. The current plan helps with noise, but it hurts academic performance and community.
Scoring Breakdown (ETS 2026 Rubric):
I agree with the boy who say the renovation is not good. He talks about study groups and travel time. I think he is right because students need to stay near school for homework. If they move far, it is hard to meet friends. Also, the bus takes long time, so they are tired in class. The paper say they will have good internet and quiet walls. But I think quiet is not the biggest problem. Students can just talk less in rooms. The girl in the talk worry about social life too. When people live outside, they feel alone and miss activities. The school should fix rooms one by one. Then no one move away. This is better for grades and happiness. I think the plan is too fast and cause trouble for many people. So I side with the student who want to keep everyone on campus. It is more practical for studying.
Scoring Breakdown (ETS 2026 Rubric):
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| Term | Definition | Example Collocation | |------|------------|---------------------| | Fragmented | Broken into disconnected parts | fragmented study sessions | | Academic ecosystem | The interconnected environment that supports learning | disrupt the academic ecosystem | | Phased renovation | Upgrading facilities in scheduled stages | implement a phased renovation | | Spontaneous peer collaboration | Unplanned academic teamwork among equals | foster spontaneous peer collaboration | | Psychological toll | Mental stress or emotional burden | reduce the psychological toll | | Connection issues | Technical failures in digital communication | frequent connection issues | | Academic performance | Measured success in coursework and exams | decline in academic performance | | Overflow housing | Temporary accommodations used when primary spaces fill | utilize overflow housing during peak semester | | Scheduling conflicts | Overlapping commitments that prevent attendance | resolve scheduling conflicts | | On-campus proximity | Physical closeness to university facilities | maintain on-campus proximity | | Soundproof partitions | Walls designed to block noise transmission | install soundproof partitions | | Commute time | Duration spent traveling between locations | minimize daily commute time | | Research productivity | Efficiency in academic investigation and writing | boost research productivity | | Temporary relocation | Moving to a different place for a limited period | manage temporary relocation logistics | | Floor meetings | Resident gatherings organized by dorm staff | host weekly floor meetings |
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