To listening on Medicine
To reading on Medicine
To writing on Medicine
New TOEFL Speaking_Medicine
2_1. Take an Interview — Health, Medicine, and Healthcare Systems
An interviewer will ask you questions. Answer the questions and be sure to say as much as you can in the time allowed.
No time for preparation will be provided. You will have 45 seconds to answer each question.
You have agreed to take part in a research study about personal health habits, medical treatment, dentistry, healthcare systems, and important breakthroughs in medicine. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.
Show/Hide universal speaking phrases
1. Talking about change and development
- We are seeing more and more people... — Мы наблюдаем, как всё больше людей...
- Things are changing rapidly in terms of... — Всё быстро меняется в плане...
- Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable shift towards... — За последние несколько лет произошёл заметный сдвиг в сторону...
- This trend appears to be gaining momentum. — Эта тенденция, похоже, набирает обороты.
- The situation is evolving rather quickly. — Ситуация развивается довольно быстро.
2. Expressing negative attitudes, skepticism, reservations
- I have serious reservations about... — У меня есть серьёзные сомнения по поводу...
- I'm rather skeptical about... — Я довольно скептически отношусь к...
- I'm not entirely convinced that... — Я не совсем убеждён(а), что...
- I find it difficult to buy into the idea that... — Мне трудно принять идею о том, что...
- There may be more to it than meets the eye. — Всё может быть не так просто, как кажется.
3. Expressing positive attitudes and approval
- I'm strongly in favour of... — Я решительно поддерживаю...
- I can definitely see the benefits of... — Я определённо вижу преимущества...
- This strikes me as a sensible approach. — Это кажется мне разумным подходом.
- I think we are moving in the right direction. — Думаю, мы движемся в правильном направлении.
- Overall, I view this development positively. — В целом я оцениваю это положительно.
4. Hesitation, doubt, controversy
- That's a difficult question to answer. — На этот вопрос трудно ответить.
- I'm somewhat on the fence about this issue. — Я пока не определился(ась) по этому вопросу.
- The jury is still out on this one. — Окончательного ответа пока нет.
- There are valid arguments on both sides. — У обеих сторон есть веские аргументы.
- This is clearly a controversial issue. — Это явно спорный вопрос.
5. Suppositions and speculation
- I suppose that... — Я полагаю, что...
- My guess would be that... — Я бы предположил(а), что...
- It's quite possible that... — Вполне возможно, что...
- For all we know,... — Насколько нам известно,...
- I wouldn't rule out the possibility that... — Я бы не исключал(а) возможности того, что...
6. Advice and recommendations
- If I were in their position, I would... — На их месте я бы...
- One thing I would strongly recommend is... — Я бы настоятельно рекомендовал(а)...
- It's worth considering... — Стоит рассмотреть...
- People would be well advised to... — Людям стоило бы...
- The best course of action would probably be to... — Лучшим вариантом действий, вероятно, было бы...
7. Predictions and forecasts
- It is likely to become more common in the future. — Вероятно, это станет более распространённым в будущем.
- We are likely to see... — Вероятно, мы увидим...
- This trend is expected to continue. — Ожидается, что эта тенденция продолжится.
- Unless something changes, ... will probably... — Если ничего не изменится, ... вероятно...
- It seems only a matter of time before... — Похоже, это лишь вопрос времени, прежде чем...
8. Optimism and hope
- I'm cautiously optimistic about... — Я осторожно оптимистичен(на) по поводу...
- There are reasons to be hopeful. — Есть основания для надежды.
- I believe things are heading in the right direction. — Я считаю, что ситуация развивается в правильном направлении.
- I'm encouraged by the fact that... — Меня воодушевляет тот факт, что...
- The outlook appears fairly promising. — Перспективы выглядят довольно многообещающими.
9. Pessimism, doom, strong criticism
- To be frank, the outlook is rather bleak. — Честно говоря, перспективы довольно мрачные.
- I find this deeply concerning. — Это вызывает у меня серьёзную тревогу.
- We may be heading in the wrong direction. — Возможно, мы движемся не туда.
- The repercussions could be severe. — Последствия могут быть серьёзными.
- This strikes me as reckless and short-sighted. — Это кажется мне безрассудным и недальновидным.
10. Confessions and personal admissions
- To be perfectly honest,... — Если быть совершенно честным,...
- I have to admit that... — Должен(на) признать, что...
- Looking back, I probably should have... — Оглядываясь назад, мне, вероятно, следовало бы...
- In hindsight,... — Оглядываясь назад,...
- I occasionally regret... — Иногда я сожалею о...
11. Irony and mild sarcasm
- Ironically enough,... — По иронии судьбы,...
- Oddly enough,... — Как ни странно,...
- That's easier said than done. — Это легче сказать, чем сделать.
- In theory, that sounds great. In practice, it's another story. — В теории это звучит отлично. На практике всё иначе.
- That may look good on paper, but... — На бумаге это выглядит хорошо, но...
12. Conclusions and restatements
- All things considered,... — Учитывая всё вышесказанное,...
- When all is said and done,... — В конечном счёте,...
- To put it another way,... — Иными словами,...
- In short,... — Короче говоря,...
- So, overall, my view is that... — Итак, в целом моя точка зрения заключается в том, что...
13. Cause and effect
- This is largely because... — Во многом это связано с тем, что...
- As a result,... — В результате...
- This has led to... — Это привело к...
- One consequence of this is... — Одним из последствий является...
14. Comparison and contrast
- On the one hand,... On the other hand,... — С одной стороны... С другой стороны...
- Compared with... — По сравнению с...
- In contrast,... — Напротив,...
- Whereas some people..., others... — В то время как одни..., другие...
15. Expressing certainty and uncertainty
- I'm fairly certain that... — Я вполне уверен(а), что...
- There is little doubt that... — Почти нет сомнений, что...
- As far as I can tell,... — Насколько я могу судить,...
- I can't say for sure, but... — Не могу сказать наверняка, но...
Interviewer: Thank you for speaking with me today. I’m conducting a study about people’s experiences with illness and treatment. I’d like to ask you some questions. [2-second pause] To begin with, can you describe a time when you were seriously ill or had a health problem, and explain how you treated yourself or got medical help?
Active words / expressions (use in your answer):
- to come down with an illness — заболеть
- to seek medical advice — обратиться за медицинской консультацией
- to follow a doctor’s instructions — следовать указаниям врача
- to take prescribed medication — принимать назначенные лекарства
- to recover gradually — постепенно выздоравливать
- to self-medicate — заниматься самолечением
- to be back on one’s feet (idiom) — снова встать на ноги / восстановиться
Grammar / intro patterns based on infinitives, gerunds, and set phrases:
- I remember coming down with ___ when ___. — Я помню, как заболел(а) ___, когда ___.
- Instead of self-medicating, I decided to ___. — Вместо того чтобы заниматься самолечением, я решил(а) ___.
- Following the doctor’s instructions helped me to ___. — Следование указаниям врача помогло мне ___.
Show/Hide high-band model answer (RU)
Я помню, как однажды сильно заболел(а) гриппом, и сначала у меня была высокая температура, слабость и боль в горле.
Вместо того чтобы заниматься самолечением, я решил(а) обратиться за медицинской консультацией и принимать только назначенные лекарства.
Следование указаниям врача помогло мне постепенно выздороветь, и примерно через неделю я снова смог(ла) встать на ноги.
Interviewer: Great. Now I’d like to ask about dental health. What problems can arise with teeth, and how should people solve and prevent them?
Active words / expressions (use in your answer):
- tooth decay — кариес
- gum disease — заболевание дёсен
- to have a filling done — поставить пломбу
- to undergo root canal treatment — пройти лечение корневых каналов
- preventive check-ups — профилактические осмотры
- oral hygiene — гигиена полости рта
- prevention is better than cure (proverb/idiom) — профилактика лучше лечения
Grammar / intro patterns based on infinitives, gerunds, and set phrases:
- The most common problems include ___ and ___. — Самые распространённые проблемы включают ___ и ___.
- Having regular check-ups is essential for ___. — Регулярные осмотры необходимы для ___.
- To prevent serious dental problems, people should ___. — Чтобы предотвратить серьёзные проблемы с зубами, людям следует ___.
Show/Hide high-band model answer (RU)
Самые распространённые проблемы с зубами включают кариес, заболевания дёсен и воспаление, которое иногда требует лечения корневых каналов.
Если кариес обнаружен рано, человеку обычно нужно просто поставить пломбу, но запущенные случаи могут быть гораздо сложнее и дороже.
Чтобы предотвратить серьёзные проблемы с зубами, людям следует поддерживать хорошую гигиену полости рта и проходить профилактические осмотры, потому что профилактика лучше лечения.
Interviewer: I see. Let’s talk about healthcare systems. What are the main problems in the healthcare system in your country, and what reasons might explain these problems?
Active words / expressions (use in your answer):
- underfunded hospitals — больницы с недостаточным финансированием
- long waiting lists — длинные очереди на лечение / приём
- shortage of medical staff — нехватка медицинского персонала
- unequal access to healthcare — неравный доступ к медицинской помощи
- bureaucratic obstacles — бюрократические препятствия
- to put pressure on the system — создавать нагрузку на систему
- to be stretched thin (idiom) — быть перегруженным / работать на пределе возможностей
Grammar / intro patterns based on infinitives, gerunds, and set phrases:
- One of the most serious problems is ___. — Одна из самых серьёзных проблем — ___.
- This may be caused by ___ and ___. — Это может быть вызвано ___ и ___.
- Dealing with this problem requires ___. — Решение этой проблемы требует ___.
Show/Hide high-band model answer (RU)
Одна из самых серьёзных проблем в системе здравоохранения моей страны — это длинные очереди и нехватка медицинского персонала.
Это может быть вызвано недостаточным финансированием больниц, бюрократическими препятствиями и неравным доступом к медицинской помощи в разных регионах.
Решение этой проблемы требует долгосрочных инвестиций, потому что врачи и больницы часто перегружены и работают на пределе возможностей.
Interviewer: OK. Some people believe that healthcare should be free for all citizens, while others argue that free healthcare is too expensive for the government to provide. Do you support the idea that healthcare should be free for all citizens? How could this be achieved?
Active words / expressions (use in your answer):
- universal healthcare — всеобщее здравоохранение
- tax-funded system — система, финансируемая за счёт налогов
- basic medical services — базовые медицинские услуги
- to guarantee access to treatment — гарантировать доступ к лечению
- to allocate resources efficiently — эффективно распределять ресурсы
- to strike a balance (idiom) — найти баланс
- health is wealth (proverb/idiom) — здоровье — главное богатство
Grammar / intro patterns based on infinitives, gerunds, and set phrases:
- I would support the idea of ___, provided that ___. — Я бы поддержал(а) идею ___ при условии, что ___.
- To make this realistic, the government would need to ___. — Чтобы сделать это реалистичным, государству пришлось бы ___.
- Providing free healthcare means ___. — Предоставление бесплатной медицинской помощи означает ___.
Show/Hide high-band model answer (RU)
Я бы поддержал(а) идею всеобщего здравоохранения при условии, что система будет финансироваться устойчиво и прозрачно.
Предоставление бесплатной медицинской помощи означает, что государство должно гарантировать доступ к базовым медицинским услугам всем гражданам, а не только тем, кто может за них заплатить.
Чтобы сделать это реалистичным, необходимо эффективно распределять ресурсы, финансировать систему через налоги и найти баланс между качеством лечения и расходами.
Interviewer: Finally, I’d like to ask about medical progress. Which breakthroughs in medicine do you think have played a pivotal role in the development of our civilization? Why?
Active words / expressions (use in your answer):
- a medical breakthrough — медицинский прорыв
- to play a pivotal role — сыграть ключевую роль
- vaccination — вакцинация
- antibiotics — антибиотики
- anaesthesia — анестезия
- public health measures — меры общественного здравоохранения
- to change the course of history (idiom-like phrase) — изменить ход истории
Grammar / intro patterns based on infinitives, gerunds, and set phrases:
- It is hard to overestimate the importance of ___. — Трудно переоценить значение ___.
- By preventing / treating ___, medicine has managed to ___. — Предотвращая / леча ___, медицина смогла ___.
- One breakthrough that played a pivotal role was ___. — Одним прорывом, сыгравшим ключевую роль, был(а) ___.
Show/Hide high-band model answer (RU)
Трудно переоценить значение вакцинации, потому что она помогла предотвратить смертельные болезни и увеличить продолжительность жизни.
Ещё одним медицинским прорывом, сыгравшим ключевую роль, стали антибиотики, поскольку они позволили лечить инфекции, которые раньше часто были смертельными.
Кроме того, анестезия и меры общественного здравоохранения изменили ход истории, сделав операции безопаснее и улучшив качество жизни целых обществ.
III. Speaking — Extra Practice
1. Independent Speaking_1
Do you agree or disagree: “Young adults should have an annual comprehensive medical checkup even if they feel healthy.”
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click here to show/hide active words
preventive care – профилактическое медицинское обслуживание
early detection – раннее выявление
silent conditions – «тихие» заболевания
long-term health outcomes – долгосрочные показатели здоровья
cost-effective – экономически эффективный
peace of mind – спокойствие, уверенность
overdiagnosis – избыточная диагностика
healthcare burden – нагрузка на систему здравоохранения
Click here to show/hide verbal phrases & grammar
To begin with … (infinitive of purpose)
Identifying conditions early can help … (gerund as subject)
Having annual checkups allows people to … (gerund phrase)
Only by attending regular checkups can one … (inversion)
Being reassured by a doctor contributes to … (participle phrase)
Click here to show/hide model answer
Model Answer: I strongly agree that annual checkups are essential for young adults. To begin with, identifying silent conditions early can help prevent serious illness later on. For example, routine blood tests allow physicians to detect high cholesterol before it damages the heart.
Furthermore, being proactive with one’s health is cost-effective. Only by attending regular checkups can one avoid expensive treatments in the future and reduce the healthcare burden.
Admittedly, some worry about overdiagnosis, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Being reassured by a doctor provides peace of mind, which supports both physical and mental well-being.
2. Independent Speaking_2
Universities debate adding mandatory mental-health screening for first-year students. Would you support this policy?
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click here to show/hide active words
early intervention – раннее вмешательство
stigma reduction – снижение стигматизации
psychological well-being – психологическое благополучие
counseling services – консультативные службы
academic performance – успеваемость
stress management – управление стрессом
privacy concerns – проблемы конфиденциальности
support network – сеть поддержки
Click here to show/hide verbal phrases & grammar
Introducing mandatory screenings helps to … (infinitive of purpose)
Normalizing participation reduces stigma … (gerund as subject)
To be effective, screenings must remain confidential … (infinitive as adverbial)
Not only does early intervention …, but it also … (inversion)
Being able to access support services encourages students to … (participle phrase)
Click here to show/hide model answer
Model Answer: I would support mandatory mental-health screening for first-year students. Not only does early intervention prevent crises, but it also promotes academic success by connecting struggling students with counseling services before problems escalate.
Moreover, normalizing participation reduces stigma. When everyone is screened, students feel it is natural to seek help. To be effective, screenings must remain confidential, but with safeguards the benefits outweigh the risks.
Ultimately, being able to access support services encourages students to manage stress constructively, strengthening both their well-being and their academic performance.
3. Independent Speaking_3
Hospitals are adopting AI tools to read X-rays and lab results. Should doctors rely on AI as a second opinion for most tests?
Preparation time - 15 seconds, speaking time - 45 seconds.
Click here to show/hide active words
diagnostic accuracy – точность диагностики
second opinion – второе мнение
efficiency – эффективность
human oversight – человеческий контроль
bias in algorithms – предвзятость алгоритмов
clinical judgment – клиническое суждение
error reduction – снижение ошибок
patient trust – доверие пациентов
Click here to show/hide verbal phrases & grammar
To improve accuracy, doctors should combine AI with judgment … (infinitive of purpose)
Using AI as a second opinion reduces errors … (gerund as subject)
Relying exclusively on AI could lead to … (gerund phrase)
Never before has technology offered … (inversion)
Having algorithms analyze patterns allows physicians to … (participle phrase)
Click here to show/hide model answer
Model Answer: I support using AI as a second opinion in diagnostics. Never before has technology offered such speed and accuracy in reading medical images. Using algorithms reduces error and allows physicians to decide more confidently.
Having algorithms analyze thousands of cases enables doctors to focus on complex patients, increasing efficiency and preserving time for communication. Relying exclusively on AI, however, could lead to mistakes.
To improve accuracy, doctors should combine AI with their own clinical judgment. This balance not only reduces errors but also strengthens patient trust.
Show/Hide Old-Format TOEFL Speaking Tasks(RU)
3. Integrated Speaking_2
Active vocab
Click here to show/hide active words
mandatory check-up — обязательный медосмотр
incentive / perk — поощрение / привилегия
out-of-pocket cost — личные расходы
data privacy — конфиденциальность данных
medical certificate — медицинская справка/сертификат
waiver — освобождение (от требования)
liability — юридическая ответственность
coercive / intrusive — принудительный / навязчивый
early detection — раннее выявление
campus clinic — университетская поликлиника
Step 1. Read the announcement
From: Office of Student Life
Date: September 5, 2025
The University is launching a Preventive Health Initiative. All first-year undergraduates are encouraged to complete a comprehensive health check-up at the campus clinic before the end of the semester. Students who participate will receive priority access to fitness facilities and a 10% discount on campus dining plans. The package includes cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) screening, vision and hearing tests, and a confidential mental-health evaluation. Students may request a waiver with equivalent documentation from a certified physician dated within the last 6 months.
Step 2. Listen to the audio file below. During the real exam you will hear the audio only once. But now you can listen to it as many times as you want.
If you have difficulty understanding the audio, Click here to read the script
Student (indignant): Honestly, I find this new so-called “Preventive Health Initiative” completely unfair. The university says it’s voluntary, but it clearly pressures students by offering perks like gym priority and meal plan discounts. That basically penalizes anyone who doesn’t want—or can’t afford—to undergo additional medical tests. Some of us already have regular doctors at home—why should we pay again just to prove we’re healthy enough to access basic facilities on campus? And it feels like an invasion of privacy. Why should the university collect cholesterol and mental-health data about students at all? Education should be about learning, not about forcing us into medical check-ups disguised as incentives. To me, this policy is coercive, intrusive, and a misuse of student funds.
Step 3. Prepare and record (in a messenger) an answer to the following question.
Preparation time - 30 seconds, speaking time - 60 seconds.
The student expresses her opinion of the university’s announcement. State her opinion and the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.
Click here to show/hide useful introductory expressions
Basic Introductory Expressions:
- "As stated in the announcement, …"
- "The student agrees / objects to this policy because …"
- "To start with, …"
- "In addition, …"
Advanced Introductory Expressions:
- "The announcement discusses …"
- "The student promptly voices her support / opposition …"
- "Initially, she claims that …"
- "Moreover, she emphasizes …"
Click here to show/hide model answers
Basic Template:
Reading Main Point: “As stated in the announcement, the university encourages health check-ups with incentives.”
Transition: “The student objects to this policy for two main reasons.”
First Reason: “To start with, she argues the incentives are coercive and create financial pressure.”
Second Reason: “In addition, she raises privacy concerns about the university holding health data.”
Advanced Template:
The announcement promotes voluntary check-ups with perks. The student strongly opposes the policy, claiming it is coercive (because perks penalize non-participants) and intrusive (due to data-privacy concerns). Summarize both reasons and connect them clearly to the announcement.
Integrated speaking_TOEFL Speaking_3
Step1. Read the text
Reading time: 45 seconds
Why Genetic Wellness Scores Deserve Attention
Recent advances in diagnostics have produced novel blood tests that go beyond finding a single disease. Some clinics now combine multiple markers into an embryo’s genetic wellness score, estimating future risk for complex conditions such as diabetes or heart disease and, controversially, non-medical traits. Supporters claim these tools let families make more informed reproductive choices. For example, if several embryos are available through IVF, picking the one with the highest wellness score could, in theory, reduce lifetime health risks and healthcare costs. In addition, early knowledge of predispositions might motivate parents to adopt preventive measures long before any symptoms appear. Advocates conclude that such testing shifts medicine toward a more predictive and preventive model.
Click here to show/hide active words
novel blood test — новый тип анализа крови
genetic wellness score — генетический «индекс здоровья» эмбриона
predictive / preventive medicine — предиктивная / профилактическая медицина
polygenic trait — полигенный признак
informed reproductive choice — осознанный репродуктивный выбор
selection among embryos — выбор между эмбрионами
ethical concern — этическая проблема
risk stratification — стратификация риска
Step 2. Listen to the lecture
Note: Prepare a sheet of paper and a pen/pencil. Take notes of illustrations of the ideas given in the reading!
Hard to understand? Click here to show/hide the script of the lecture.
Professor (challenging): The promise of embryo “wellness scores” rests on assumptions that are scientifically fragile. First, most of the outcomes being predicted—chronic disease and especially complex traits—are strongly shaped by environment. Polygenic scores built from adult populations don’t transfer perfectly to embryos or across ancestries, so parents may form false expectations.
Second, the ethics are not incidental. Ranking embryos by a composite score pushes society toward trait preference, which can narrow diversity and privilege families who can afford testing. That raises fairness concerns and risks stigmatizing lower-scoring children who may be perfectly healthy.
Third, information can backfire. Learning about “elevated risk” very early often increases parental anxiety and can lead to over-medicalizing childhood, even when the absolute risk is modest. So, while predictive blood tests sound innovative, their limited validity and social costs make widespread use premature.
Using points and examples from the lecture, explain how the professor challenges the claims made in the reading. Link each lecture point to the specific idea it casts doubt on.
Step 3. Prepare and record your answer (send in a messenger)
Preparation time: 30 seconds
Answer time: 60 seconds
Speaking Time: 60 seconds
Show/hide template and prompts
Question Three Template (General to Specific)
Basic Template:
- Stating the Term or Idea — “The reading is about genetic wellness scores from novel blood tests.”
- Give a Small Amount of Detail — “It claims selecting the highest-scoring embryo makes medicine more predictive and preventive.”
- Transition — “The professor disputes these claims and explains why.”
- Lecture Point 1 → Reading Claim — “He says polygenic prediction is limited and environment matters, which undermines the selection argument.”
- Lecture Point 2 → Reading Claim — “He raises equity/ethics (trait preference, stigma), challenging the ‘benefit’ framing.”
- Lecture Point 3 → Reading Claim — “He warns about anxiety and over-medicalization, casting doubt on net benefits.”
Advanced Template (Introductory Expressions):
“The passage argues that …”; “By contrast, the professor maintains that …”; “To begin with, he contends … which contradicts …”; “Furthermore, he emphasizes … thereby challenging …”; “Finally, he cautions that … which weakens the claim that …”; “In sum, the lecture systematically undermines the reading by …”
Integrated speaking_4
As of 2025 there is no longer any reading passage in this speaking task.
Focus on defining the concept, then presenting the examples or perspectives given by the lecturer.
Step 1.
Note: Take notes of illustrations/examples in the lecture!
Click to show/hide Active Words (EN → RU)
Step 3. Prepare and record your answer
Preparation time: 20 seconds
Answer time: 60 seconds
Speaking Time: 60 seconds
Difference between Speaking 3 and 4
|
Task |
Structure |
Content |
Preparation time |
Lecture Purpose |
|
Speaking 3 (new format) |
Short reading + Professor lecture |
Concept/claim + two main ideas |
30 sec |
Supports/elaborates or casts doubt |
|
Speaking 4 |
Reading removed + more complex lecture |
Concept + 2–3 deeper examples |
20 sec |
Illustrates and elaborates |
To listening on Medicine
To reading on Medicine
To writing on Medicine