TOEFL Speaking Task 3 and 4: How to Summarise What You Hear (Guide for Nigerian)

[AbdulBasit Odurinde]

Tasks 3 and 4 are the integrated speaking tasks and they trip up more Nigerian students than any other part of the Speaking section. Not because they are impossibly hard, but because most beginners do not understand what is actually being asked of them. Here is a clear breakdown.

What Are Tasks 3 and 4?

For Task 3, you must read a passage, listen to a conversation, and then record your response. Task 4 is similar you read a passage and listen to a lecture instead of a conversation, then record your response.

The key difference between the two: Task 3 asks you to summarise a lecture and its supporting examples related to a reading passage, while Task 4 asks you to summarise a lecture focusing on the professor’s explanation and examples to clarify a concept or idea.

In both tasks you have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

The Most Important Rule – No Personal Opinions

This is where most Nigerian beginners lose marks immediately. Do not include your own opinion or anything not related to the given topic. Your job is to summarise what is mentioned not to state your opinion. The moment you say “I think” or “In my opinion” in Tasks 3 or 4, you are answering the wrong question.

What to Focus on During the Reading

You only have 45 seconds to read the passage so do not try to memorise everything. Do not focus too much on the reading passage. Just skim it to get the general idea of the issue being discussed. You are not summarising the reading passage you are summarising the speaker’s opinion or the lecture’s content discussed in the conversation.

What to Listen for During Task 3

In Task 3, only one speaker will be presenting an opinion and will usually give two reasons to explain it. Pay close attention to these two reasons they form the backbone of your entire response. Write them down immediately as you hear them.

What to Listen for During Task 4

Task 4 is fully academic. With lectures, note down the topic of the lecture and the two or three main points or examples the professor uses to develop it. The professor will usually introduce a concept from the reading and then give one or two concrete examples to illustrate it. Those examples are almost always what the question asks you to explain.

The Template That Works for Both Tasks

Here is a simple structure you can use for both Task 3 and Task 4:

“According to the [conversation / lecture], [state the main point or opinion]. The [speaker / professor] explains that [first reason or example]. Additionally, [second reason or example]. This [supports / illustrates] the idea that [connect back to the reading].”

That structure covers everything the examiner is looking for — in under 60 seconds.

Note-Taking Is Not Optional

Note-taking is a vital skill for success in Tasks 3 and 4. During the exam, candidates will only have a few minutes to read an article and listen to a lecture, and they have just 20 to 30 seconds before they have to respond. Developing effective note-taking skills to capture essential information will help you structure your response.

Use a simple two-column layout one side for the reading, one side for the lecture or conversation. That separation makes it easier to connect both sources clearly when you speak.

Tasks 3 and 4 are very predictable once you understand their structure. Practice them daily, use the template, take strong notes, and leave your opinions out completely. Your score will reflect it.

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You can also learn more about the Speaking task from the posts below
How to Improve English Fluency for TOEFL Speaking
TOEFL Speaking Templates for Independent Tasks
TOEFL Speaking: Why Silence is NOT Golden – It Can Cost You Marks
Things Nigerians Do in TOEFL Speaking That Lower Their Scores
Common Mistakes Nigerians Make in the TOEFL Speaking Section

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