Listen and Repeat

What Is Listen and Repeat?

Listen to a sentence and repeat it accurately. This combines speech perception, short-term retention and spoken production. Reproducing the sentence takes priority over adding an explanation or paraphrase.

Detail	Study reference
Exam	TOEFL iBT (2026 format)
Response	Repeat the sentence you hear
Timing	Follow the audio and recording window
Primary skill	Accurate retention and intelligible delivery

How It Is Scored

Practice should assess how accurately and intelligibly you reproduce the sentence, including words, endings and meaningful phrasing. A self-review checklist does not reveal proprietary scoring weights or guarantee a particular Speaking band.

Official Video

Watch the official TOEFL explanation of the updated Speaking section, then apply it to this task using the notes below. This video covers the section as a whole.

Technical Foundations

Thought groups

Retain meaningful chunks rather than separate word sounds. The seminar / has been moved / to the second floor is easier to hold than a disconnected list of words. Preserve the exact wording while grouping it naturally.

Function words and inflections

Articles, auxiliaries, prepositions and plural or tense endings are easy to lose in connected speech. Has been moved is not equivalent to moved; the form carries information even when the content words remain.

Intelligibility

Use clear word stress and complete consonant endings at a sustainable pace. The objective is understandable reproduction, not imitation of a particular accent. Rushing can reduce both accuracy and clarity.

Step-by-Step Approach

Step	Action and purpose
1	Attend to the whole sentence and its meaning while the audio plays.
2	Hold a few meaningful chunks, including small grammatical words.
3	Repeat promptly during the recording window without adding commentary.
4	In practice, compare your recording with the script and identify exact omissions or substitutions.

Worked Examples

These are original teaching examples, not official ETS questions. Suggested practice timings are study targets, not extra test time.

Example 1

Practice script for a partner to read once: The orientation session begins beside the main entrance.

Explanation / model: Repeat the exact sentence. Useful memory groups are The orientation session / begins / beside the main entrance. Check the article the, the singular verb begins and the final word entrance.

Example 2

Practice script: Visitors who arrive after six should use the entrance near the library.

Explanation / model: Keep the relative clause who arrive after six and the instruction should use. Changing after to before reverses the condition. During review, compare words and meaning separately so you notice small but consequential substitutions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Why it fails	Correction
Paraphrasing the message	The task asks for repetition.	Retain the original words.
Dropping small words	Missing auxiliaries can change structure or meaning.	Listen for complete phrase units.
Restarting the entire sentence repeatedly	Restarts consume the available recording time.	Practise one continuous, clear attempt.

Practice Routine

Record ten sentences read once by a partner or text-to-speech tool. Transcribe your own response, compare it with the original and mark omissions, substitutions and unclear endings in separate colors. Begin with short sentences, then add clauses as accuracy improves. Scripts on this page require someone or a tool to read them; they are not audio recordings.

Quick Reference

Check	Reminder
Before answering	Attend to the whole sentence and its meaning while the audio plays.
Before submitting	In practice, compare your recording with the script and identify exact omissions or substitutions.
Review focus	Accurate retention and intelligible delivery

Sources and Format Check

Format checked on 22 October 2026 against ETS TOEFL guidance. Explanations, examples, routines and time allocations within tasks are teaching guidance. Follow the instructions and timer on your test screen.