Speaking: Take an Interview

A person's education, training and past experience.

“My background is in computer science, so I feel comfortable with data analysis.”

“She has a strong background in customer service from her part-time jobs.”

Often used: academic background · a background in · strong background

TOEFL tip: Open a personal-experience answer with "My background is in…" to sound organized within the first five seconds of your 45-second response.

Difficult in an interesting way that tests your ability.

“The internship was challenging, but I learned a lot in six weeks.”

“I prefer challenging projects because they push me to grow.”

Often used: challenging task · intellectually challenging · find it challenging

TOEFL tip: Use "challenging" instead of repeating "hard" or "difficult" — varied word choice raises your Language Use score.

The latest time or date by which something must be finished or handed in.

“The deadline for course registration is Friday at 5 p.m.”

“She missed the deadline and had to pay a late fee.”

Often used: meet the deadline · miss a deadline · extend the deadline

TOEFL tip: In 'Read in Daily Life' notices, scan for 'deadline' when a question asks 'By when must...?' — the answer date is usually in the same sentence.

Giving you a good feeling of satisfaction, even if it is not easy or well paid.

“Tutoring younger students was the most rewarding job I have ever had.”

“Volunteering is rewarding because you can see the difference you make.”

Often used: deeply rewarding · a rewarding experience · rewarding career

TOEFL tip: Pair it with a reason ("rewarding because…") so the adjective is supported by an explanation, which raters credit as development.

A quality or skill that someone is good at.

“My greatest strength is staying calm when plans change suddenly.”

“One strength of the online option is that it saves commuting time.”

Often used: greatest strength · play to your strengths · key strength

TOEFL tip: In comparison prompts, say "The main strength of this option is…" to signal clearly that you are giving an advantage.

To give more details about something already mentioned.

“Could you elaborate on the second stage of the process?”

“Let me elaborate a little before we look at the data.”

Often used: elaborate on · elaborate further · let me elaborate

TOEFL tip: When a student asks the professor to elaborate, the answer that follows is nearly always tested — listen instead of relaxing.

Involving doing something practically yourself rather than only studying it.

“The lab course gave me hands-on experience with real equipment.”

“I learn better through hands-on training than through lectures.”

Often used: hands-on experience · hands-on training · hands-on approach

TOEFL tip: "Hands-on experience" is a high-value collocation for the classic "describe your experience" interview prompt.

To have a friendly, cooperative relationship with someone.

“I get along with almost everyone because I listen before I speak.”

“Even when we disagreed, we got along with each other professionally.”

Often used: get along with colleagues · get along well with · easy to get along with

TOEFL tip: Great for interpersonal-skills prompts, but follow it with a concrete reason so the answer is not just a personality claim.

To accept a job, task or responsibility.

“I took on extra shifts when the store was short-staffed.”

“She is ready to take on more responsibility next semester.”

Often used: take on responsibility · take on a role · take on a project

TOEFL tip: "I took on…" is a fast way to start a past-experience example without wasting prep time on complex grammar.

Used to introduce an example that supports what you just said.

“I work well in teams — for instance, I led a group project last spring.”

“For instance, when our server crashed, I called the technician myself.”

Often used: for instance, when · just for instance

TOEFL tip: Alternate "for instance" with "for example" across your 45 seconds so you never repeat the same transition twice.

Used to restate an idea more simply or clearly.

“I handled scheduling for eight people — in other words, I was basically the coordinator.”

“In other words, the second choice costs less but takes more time.”

Often used: in other words, it means · or in other words

TOEFL tip: Perfect rescue phrase: if a sentence comes out messy, say "in other words" and restate it cleanly instead of stopping.

In addition to what has already been said, and often more importantly.

“The soil is poor; moreover, the growing season is extremely short.”

“Moreover, the technique requires no specialized equipment.”

Often used: moreover, the evidence · moreover, it is · and moreover

TOEFL tip: In Insert Text questions, 'Moreover' must follow a sentence making a similar point, never a contrasting one.

Used to introduce exactly which people or things you mean.

“Only two factors matter here, namely temperature and salinity.”

“One group was excluded, namely those under eighteen.”

Often used: namely the fact that · two reasons, namely · namely because

TOEFL tip: 'Namely' announces a precise list that follows — a strong cue that a multiple-answer detail question is coming.

Used to compare two things by showing how they differ.

“Deciduous trees shed their leaves annually, whereas conifers retain theirs.”

“Whereas the northern colony grew rapidly, the southern one stagnated.”

Often used: whereas in contrast · whereas others · whereas previously

TOEFL tip: Sentence Simplification answers must keep 'whereas' contrasts intact; eliminate options that merge the two contrasted ideas into one.