TOEFL Speaking
friendship
Practice questions
- 1.What quality do you think matters most in a close friendship, and why?
- 2.Describe a time when a friend helped you through a difficult situation.
- 3.Do you think people can maintain close friendships when they live far apart?
- 4.How has technology changed the way people make and maintain friendships?
Model answer
I think the most important quality in a close friend is reliability. It may sound less exciting than humor or confidence, but being able to count on someone makes a friendship feel safe. For example, during my first year at university, I struggled to balance classes and a part-time job. One friend noticed that I was becoming overwhelmed and checked in with me every few days. She did not try to solve everything. Instead, she listened carefully, helped me plan my week, and reminded me to take breaks. That kind of support showed me that reliability is not about making grand promises. It is about following through in small, consistent ways. Of course, friends can disagree or get busy, so reliability does not mean being available every minute. It means communicating honestly and making an effort to reconnect. To me, that dependable presence is what helps a friendship last through both easy and difficult times.
Target vocabulary
reliability
The quality of being dependable and keeping your promises.
count on someone
To trust someone to help or support you.
overwhelmed
Feeling that you have too much to handle.
check in
To contact someone to see how they are doing.
follow through
To do what you said you would do.
reconnect
To resume communication or a relationship after some time apart.