Full Prompt (Paraphrased for 2026 TOEFL Format)
Reading (Campus Announcement): University Facilities will upgrade all campus Wi-Fi networks by next fall. The administration cites three reasons: faster download speeds for research databases, expanded coverage to outdoor study areas and dormitory courtyards, and enhanced cybersecurity protocols to protect student data. The upgrade will require temporary router installations in library zones during finals week.
Related guides:
Listening (Student Opinion): A male student disagrees with the timing. He argues that finals week router installations will cause loud drilling and network outages, which will disrupt exam prep. He suggests delaying the upgrade until summer break when campuses are empty, ensuring students can study without distractions while still getting the improved network.
Task Prompt: The man expresses his opinion about the university's decision. State his opinion and explain the reasons he gives. Then explain whether you agree or disagree, and why.
---
Model Responses by CEFR Level / TOEFL Score Band
Level 6 (Scaled: 28–30 / Legacy: High Distinction)
The male student strongly opposes the university’s plan to install new Wi-Fi routers during finals week. He argues that the physical installation process will generate excessive noise from drilling and cause frequent network interruptions. Both of these factors will severely disrupt students trying to prepare for exams. Instead, he recommends postponing the entire infrastructure project until the summer vacation period, when lecture halls and libraries are largely vacant. This schedule would allow maintenance crews to work efficiently without interfering with academic deadlines.
I completely agree with this position. Academic performance should always take priority over facility upgrades. When students are under significant pressure to complete research papers and prepare for midterms, any environmental distraction becomes a major liability. Summer installation eliminates that conflict entirely. Furthermore, university administrators frequently overlook student workflow cycles when planning logistical changes. By shifting the timeline, the IT department could actually execute the upgrade faster and with fewer complaints. The benefits of modernized connectivity are undeniable, but timing is everything. Scheduling the transition during a low-traffic period demonstrates institutional respect for student success while still achieving technical objectives.
Word count: 178 (spoken at ~150-165 wpm = ~65-70 sec)
Level 5 (Scaled: 24–27 / Legacy: Strong Competence)
The student disagrees with the administration's choice to upgrade the campus Wi-Fi during finals week. He points out two main issues. First, the installation process involves loud drilling, which will make it impossible for students to concentrate on their studies. Second, the routers will be temporarily disconnected, meaning students will lose internet access exactly when they need it most for research and online submissions. He suggests waiting until the summer break because the campus will be much quieter and students will not be preparing for important tests.
I agree with his reasoning. Finals week is already a highly stressful period for university students. Adding technical problems and construction noise will negatively impact their grades and mental health. Universities should prioritize student comfort during exam periods. If they wait for the summer, the technicians can finish the work without causing academic interference. Additionally, the IT staff would have more flexibility to troubleshoot any network issues without rushing. The upgrade itself is necessary and beneficial, but the proposed schedule is poorly timed. Postponing the project shows better planning and consideration for the student body.
Word count: 182
Level 4 (Scaled: 20–23 / Legacy: Moderate Competence)
The man doesn't like the plan to put in new Wi-Fi during finals. He says the drilling will be too loud and the internet might stop working. Students need the internet to study and write papers for exams. So, he thinks the university should do it in the summer when school is not in session. That way, nobody gets bothered.
I agree with him. Finals are hard enough without construction noise. If the Wi-Fi goes down, students can't access their online textbooks or submit assignments. This could ruin their grades. Also, the workers could probably do a better job in the summer because they won't be in a hurry. The university should have thought about this before announcing the date. Upgrading the network is good, but the timing is wrong. They need to pick a time when students are free and the campus is empty. That makes more sense for everyone involved.
Word count: 148
Level 3 (Scaled: 16–19 / Legacy: Basic Competence)
He says he don't agree with the wifi change. The reading say it will be faster and safer. But he say finals week is bad time. The workers will make noise with drills. And the internet might cut off. He want to do it in summer. Summer is better because no classes.
I think he right. Students study hard in finals. If there is noise, they cannot focus. Also, wifi is important for homework. If it breaks, they get mad. The school should wait. Maybe they don't think about students. But the new wifi is good idea. Just not now. They should change the date. Summer is quiet. Workers can work fast. Students will be happy. So yes, summer is better time for this project.
Word count: 112
---
Scoring Breakdown (2026 TOEFL Speaking Rubrics)
| Criteria | Level 6 (CEFR C1+) | Level 5 (CEFR B2/C1) | Level 4 (CEFR B2) | Level 3 (CEFR B1/B2) | |---|---|---|---|---| | Delivery | Fluent pacing, natural intonation, 0-1 self-corrections, clear articulation | Mostly fluid, minor hesitation on complex phrases, consistent volume | Noticeable pauses, occasional mispronunciation affecting clarity | Frequent stalling, uneven rhythm, pronunciation errors require listener effort | | Language Use | Advanced syntax, precise academic collocations, near-native grammar | Accurate complex sentences, 1-2 minor errors, good range of connectors | Simple/compound dominance, repetitive structures, 3-4 distracting errors | Fragmented syntax, basic vocabulary, frequent grammatical breakdowns | | Topic Development | Seamless integration of reading/listening, logical progression, fully elaborated stance | Clear summary + opinion, adequate support, minor gaps in synthesis | Identifies main points, limited connection between sources, superficial reasoning | Misses key details, disjointed ideas, minimal opinion development |
---
15+ Essential Vocabulary & Collocations
- Infrastructure project – large-scale building/upgrading system (collocation: launch an infrastructure project)
- Network interruptions – temporary loss of connectivity (collocation: experience frequent network interruptions)
- Academic performance – student achievement metrics (collocation: prioritize academic performance)
- Environmental distraction – external factor disrupting focus (collocation: minimize environmental distractions)
- Low-traffic period – time with minimal user activity (collocation: schedule maintenance during a low-traffic period)
- Institutional respect – organizational consideration for stakeholders (collocation: demonstrate institutional respect)
- Technical interference – equipment/work conflict with operations (collocation: prevent technical interference)
- Workflow cycles – recurring patterns of academic tasks (collocation: align with student workflow cycles)
- Logistical changes – adjustments to operational planning (collocation: implement logistical changes)
- Connectivity benefits – advantages of reliable network access (collocation: maximize connectivity benefits)
- Exam prep – preparation for formal assessments (collocation: dedicate time to exam prep)
- Router installations – physical setup of network devices (collocation: oversee router installations)
- Cybersecurity protocols – data protection procedures (collocation: upgrade cybersecurity protocols)
- Vacant study zones – empty academic areas (collocation: access vacant study zones)
- Scheduling conflict – incompatible timelines (collocation: resolve a scheduling conflict)
---
5 Common Mistakes on Campus Facility Prompts
- Summarizing the reading too long – Test-takers waste 15+ seconds restating obvious points. The reading only needs 8-10 seconds.
- Omitting the opinion transition – 68% of Level 3-4 responses fail to clearly signal their own stance. Use: I completely agree/disagree because...
- Inventing reasons – ETS 2026 rubric penalizes unsupported claims. Only use details from the listening passage.
- Rushing the conclusion – Speaking into the final beep with fragmented thoughts drops Delivery scores. Leave 3-5 seconds for a clean sign-off.
- Ignoring the 2026 adaptive context – The 90-minute TOEFL uses tighter time compression. Practice recording exactly at 150-165 wpm to fit 60-second limits without cutting synthesis.
---
How to Score 24+ on Task 2 (2026 Format)
- 0-15s: State the announcement goal + speaker’s stance clearly.
- 15-35s: Deliver 2 listening reasons with precise verbs (argues, claims, warns).
- 35-50s: State your position + 1 concrete justification (academic, logistical, or financial).
- 50-60s: Close with a decisive summary sentence. Never add new points.
Get your own response scored by AI on English AIdol. Upload your 60-second recording and receive a CEFR-aligned breakdown with Delivery, Language Use, and Topic Development metrics in 72 hours.