TOEFL Speaking Interview – Household Chores

Note that on the real test you won’t be able to read the questions.  You will only hear them.

Basically, the interviewer will ask you four questions about the same topic.  You’ll have 45 seconds to answer each one. You must answer as soon as the question is finished. You won’t be given any time to prepare your answers.

Introduction:

You have agreed to take part in a research study about household chores. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.

Question One:

Thanks for meeting with me. Now, please think back to the last time you handled a household task – something like laundry, cleaning, or fixing something around the house. What was it?  Did you enjoy the experience?

 

Sample Answer, Question One:

Well, last week, I had to get rid of a bunch of really old furniture.  It was actually a lot of work because I had to drag it all out of my apartment and then into the elevator, and ultimately I had to leave it on the side of the road so it could be picked up by the trash collectors. Not only that, but I had to make a payment on the city government’s website for the collection, because that’s not free in my country.  I didn’t really enjoy the experience so much because the furniture was so heavy and I ended up with a sore back.  It was also pretty dirty work, and I had to clean all my clothes afterwards.  In the end, I felt totally exhausted.  I guess I just don’t enjoy housework much overall.

 

Question Two:

People respond to chores in different ways. Some find them calming and satisfying; others feel they’re repetitive or stressful. How do you usually feel about doing chores? Why do you think you react that way?

 

Sample Answer, Question Two:

Personally, I don’t really enjoy doing chores.  I find it somewhat annoying and bothersome. They don’t make me feel calm at all.  I suppose that’s because I’m really busy with work and school right now, and I’m always worried about some assignment or project that needs to get finished or submitted.  While it is important to keep my home neat and tidy, I’d much rather be working on my latest essay or research project than vacuuming the floor or doing dishes. For example, last week I had two essays to write for my political science class, but I also had to clean up my house before some guests arrived from my hometown.  It was extremely difficult to do both of those things, and by the time my guests arrived I was too exhausted to enjoy their visit.

 

Question Three:

That’s a good point. Now, when it comes to housework, some people like doing a few small tasks every day instead of saving everything for one big clean-up.  What’s your preference?

 

Sample Answer, Question Three:

To tell you the truth, I like to do a little bit of housework every day, instead of doing a whole bunch all at the same time.  I’m pretty busy with my assignments and part time job, so I can’t devote a whole day to cleaning up my apartment.  However, it is pretty easy to find some time in between pages of an essay I’m working on, or between slides of a presentation I’m creating.  If I just dedicate ten minutes here and there to cleaning up a little, I can keep my apartment looking fairly tidy overall. Once I graduate from university, I might have more free time and will change my habits, but for the time being this system works well for me.

 

Question Four:

One last question. Do you think schools should do more to teach students about basic home skills—like how to cook meals or do simple repairs? Do you think this would make daily life easier? Why or why not?