Task 4 Format and What Examiners Expect
TOEFL Speaking Task 4 is an integrated speaking task: you read a short academic text (45 seconds), listen to a lecture excerpt (~90 seconds) that elaborates on the reading's concept with examples or an extended explanation, then have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. Unlike Task 2 (personal choice) or Task 3 (campus conversation), Task 4 is purely academic — you must summarise the lecturer's points about a concept, not express your own view. The prompt is always: 'Using points and examples from the lecture, explain [the concept].' Scoring targets for 22+ (out of 30) in Speaking: delivery must be mostly clear with natural pacing (not rushed), language use must include precise vocabulary for the topic, and topic development must accurately and completely represent the lecture's main point and at least two supporting examples. A common error is focusing on the reading text rather than the lecture — the reading provides context only; the lecture is the source you must summarise.