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Introduction to the TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT is divided into four sections as follows:


Sections Content Number of Questions Answering Time
Reading 3-4 12-14 60-80 minutes
Listening 4-6 lectures 6 60-90 minutes
2-3 conversations 5
Speaking 2 independent tasks 6 20 minutes
4 integrated tasks
Writing 1 integrated task 2 50 minutes
1 independent task

TOEFL Scoring:
Number of Raw Points per Scaled Section
Section Total Raw Points
Questions Question Score
Reading 36-42 1-4 42-46 30
Listening 34 1-2 34-36 30
Speaking 6 1-4 24 30
Writing 2 1-5 10 30
Total Test Score 120

Maximum score on the TOEFL is 120


Since the TOEFL is standardized, the scores are equated. This means that the number of correct answers you have does not
correspond perfectly with the final mark. This is because one version of the exam might be harder than another version. One test
might have a reading passage which average students have a lot of trouble on, but another test might have slightly easier reading
passages. Equating the tests means that TOEFL scores are comparable even though test-takers read different passages, hear
different lectures, and answer different questions on different days. ETS does not share their system for equating scores, so its not
easy to calculate your TOEFL score using just a percentage correct. Each test must be scored differently from other versions of the
test.

Section Level Score Range:


High 22-30
Reading or Listening Intermediate 15-21
Low 0-14
Good 26-30
Fair 18-25
Speaking
Limited 10-17
Weak 0-9
Good 24-30
Writing Fair 17-23
Limited 1-16

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TOEFL Score Comparisons:
Internet Computer Paper Total 52 150 470-473
Total Total 51 147 467
120 300 677 49-50 143 463
120 297 673 48 140 460
119 293 670 47 137 457
118 290 667 45-46 133 450-453
117 287 660-663 44 130 447
116 283 657 43 127 443
114-115 280 650-653 41-42 123 437-440
113 277 647 40 120 433
111-112 273 640-643 39 117 430
110 270 637 38 113 423-427
109 267 630-633 36-37 110 420
106-108 263 623-627 35 107 417
105 260 617-620 34 103 410-413
102-104 257 613 33 100 407
101-102 253 607-610 32 97 400-403
100 250 600-603 30-31 93 397
98-99 247 597 29 90 390-393
96-97 243 590-593 28 87 387
94-95 240 587 26-27 83 380-383
92-93 237 580-583 25 80 377
90-91 233 577 24 77 370
88-89 230 570-573 23 73 363-367
86-87 227 567 22 70 357-360
84-85 223 563 21 67 353
83 220 557-560 19-20 63 347-350
81-82 217 553 18 60 340-343
79-80 213 550 17 57 333-337
77-78 210 547 16 53 330
76 207 540-543 15 50 323-327
74-75 203 537 14 47 317-320
72-73 200 533 13 43 313
71 197 527-530 12 40 310
69-70 193 523 11 37 31
68 190 520 9 33 310
66-67 187 517 8 30 310
65 183 513 7 27 310
64 180 507-510 6 23 310
62-63 177 503 5 20 310
61 173 500 4 17 310
59-60 170 497 3 13 310
58 167 493 2 10 310
57 163 487-490 1 7 310
56 160 483 0 3 310
54-55 157 480 0 0 310
53 153 477

2
Reading section
This first section tests your ability to understand academic written English
3-4 reading comprehension passages
Each passage have 12-14 question
Total of 60-80 minutes for this section
There may be extra experimental section, which does not count toward score
It means you have 20 minutes for each passage. We can say that you have 1.4 minutes for each
question

Remember Timing for Questions in each passage:


Number of Question Timing
1-5 questions Finish by 6 minutes
6-10 questions Finish 14 minutes
11-14 question Finish 20 minutes

The Topics Youll See in Reading Passages:


The reading passages on the TOEFL can come from almost any subject that first-year university students could
take a course in. Heres a list of some of the possible subjects:

Social Sciences Professional and Pre- Hard Sciences Humanities


Professional Disciplines
Psychology Marketing Physics History
Sociology Public Relations Astronomy Art
Anthropology Architecture Chemistry Art History
Biology Music
Geology Literature
Meteorology Philosophy

Passage Building:
Each reading will contain approximately 700 words
Introduction is in the first paragraph
Body paragraphs can vary 2-5
Conclusion last paragraph if any

Terms you should know for Reading section:


Skim:
Look over passage quickly to get general idea
Scan:
Search for specific words or information in the passage.
Paraphrase:
Restate information in own words or synonymous language

3
Reading section Question Formats:
1. Single multiple choice question:

2. Insert sentence question:

3. Summary questions:

4. Fill in chart questions:

4
Factual or Detail Information Questions:
These questions ask you to identify the factual information that is explicitly stated in the passage.
Factual information questions can focus on facts, details, definitions or others information presented
by the author. They ask you to identify the specific information that is mentioned in parts of passage.
They generally focus on the who, what, when, where, and why as explained by the author.

Phrased as:
According to passage which of the following is true of X?
According to paragraph, X did Y because.
According to Paragraph X, _____ occurred because
According to Paragraph X, which is true of ____?
The authors description of _____ mentions which of the following?
According to author why did X do Y?

Example:

Strategies:
First Read the question to understand what information you are being asked to find
Choose key word from the question i.e. verbs, subjects, objects etc.
Find the key words in the passage (May be synonymous)
The sentence where keywords are located in the passage is called key word sentence
Read only the keyword sentence the answer will be located in it
If certain connecting words (so, now, then, as a result, this, those, for example, that means etc.) comes
after the keyword sentence, then you will have to read the connecting sentence as well, then answer will
be located in connecting sentence
If key word sentence with the connecting words, then you have to read the sentence before the keyword
sentence. Then answer will be located in sentence before the key word sentence.
Answer will mostly be synonymous language of the language, as that of keyword sentence
Now come to answer choices and use Process of Elimination to get rid of bad choices
60% of the answers will be found in the sentence with your key words. 30% will require you to read 1
sentence more. 10% will require you to read 2 sentences more to find the answer
5
Negative Factual Information Questions:
These question ask you to verify what information is true and what is NOT true or not include in the
passage. Your task is to choose the statement that is false or that does not match the information in
the passage

Phrased as:
According to passage, which of the following is NOT true of X?
The author description of X mention all of following EXCEPT?

Examples:

Strategies:
Read the question to understand what information you are being asked to find
Then read the answer choice number 1
Find key words in answer choice number 1
Locate the key words of answer choice number 1 in passage (May be synonymous) and find key word
sentence in passage
Read only key word sentence and find whether the choice number 1 is true or false
Carry the same operation on all choices one by one and find which is not true
Always choose the answer choice that is not included in the passage or it contradicts with the passage
You will have use Process of elimination

6
Inference Questions:
These question measure your ability to comprehend an argument or an idea that is strongly implied,
but not explicitly stated. For inference questions, youll need to use the stated information in the text
to draw a conclusion about unstated information.

Phrased as:
Which of the following can be inferred about X?
The author of the passage implies that X.
Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1?

Examples:

Strategies:
In these questions, information about the question asked, is not explicitly stated, you have to infer from
the passage by your self
Read the question to understand what information is being asked to find
Identify the key words in the question to search for in the reading.
Start reading quickly from the beginning of the paragraph in search of the key words or synonyms of
them
When you find the key word, remind yourself of the question and read carefully to find the answer for
yourself. Ask yourself, what does this imply that must be true? 60% of the answers will be found in the
sentence with your key words. 30% will require you to read 1 sentence more. 10% will require you to
read 2 sentences more to find the answer
Once you have identified the answer, check the answer choices and choose the one that matches your
anticipated answer best
If you dont find the answer right away, keep asking yourself: what must be true from this sentence that
isnt stated directly

7
Rhetoric Purpose Question:
Rhetoric is art of speaking or writing effectively. In factual information question you are asked what
information an author has presented, in Rhetoric Purpose question you are being asked what the author
has presented a particular piece of information in particular place.

Phrased as:
The author discusses X in paragraph 2 in order to..
Why does the author mention X?
The author uses X as an example of

Examples:

Strategies:
First Read the question to understand what youre being asked
Identify the key words in the question
Read the appropriate paragraph and find those key words or synonyms of them i.e. key word sentence
Now also read the sentence before the keyword sentence, as that is the sentence from where the purpose
is coming from
The sentence before the keyword sentence will provide the answer why the author has presented the
particular information

8
Vocabulary Question:
These ask you to identify the meaning of individual words and phrases as they are used in the passage.

Phrased as:
The word in the passage is closest in meaning to
The phrase X in the passage is closest in meaning to
In stating X, the author means that . . . . .

Examples:

Strategies:
Read the question and see vocabulary word
If you know the word:
Check out the answer choices
Choose the answer or answers that match the meaning best
Read the sentence with the highlighted vocabulary to double check the meaning
If you dont know the word:
Go to passage where the word is located
Look for context clues and find its meaning by word before and after the vocabulary word
You can also check substitution of choices to get you answer
Choose an answer that fits this meaning. (If more than one works, guess fast.)

9
Reference Questions:
These ask you to identify the referential relationships between the words in passage. Often the
relationship is between pronoun and its antecedent (word to which pronoun refers). Sometimes the
grammatical references are also tested i.e. which or this.

Phrased as:
The word X in the passage refers to. . . . .

Examples:

Strategies:
Determine whether the given word i.e. the pronoun is singular or plural
Look for the pronoun in passage
Identify all of the nouns in the sentence before the pronoun that match in number (singular or plural)
Choose the one that fits the meaning of the sentence best
Find that noun among your answer choice and choose it

10
Sentence Simplification:
In this type you are asked to choose a sentence that has the same essential meaning, as that of the
sentence that occurs in the passage.

Phrased as:
Which of the following sentence best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence? Incorrect
answer choices changes the meaning in important ways or leave out the essential information

Example:

Strategies:
Pay attention to given sentence
Read the main independent clause and nothing else. Understand the subject, verb, and object
Break the sentence down piece by piece. They usually use complex sentences with many parts--adjective
clauses, adverb clauses, and so on. Dont read the whole highlighted sentence and then try to choose the
answer. Its the best way to become confused
Read through the answer choices and eliminate any answer that does not state this information exactly
Read the next clause in the highlighted sentence carefully
Read through the answer choices and eliminate any answer that does not state this information exactly
Continue this process until only one answer is left
Make sure you understand ways the information can be incorrect
It contradicts something in highlighted sentence
It leaves out something important
same big words
unnecessary information or ideas
misrepresent the given information
simply too much leave out important information

11
Insert Text Question:
In these questions you are given a new sentence and are asked where in the passage, it would best fit.
You need to understand the logic as well as the grammatical connection between sentences.

Example:

Strategies:
Read the sentence carefully to identify what its saying and the key words within it
Read the paragraph and find the sentence that contains key words from the plug-in
For example, if you have the key word apples in your sentence. You read the passage
searching for apples. You find it between the answer choices A and B and nowhere else. You
know your sentence belongs in A or B
Use pronouns in your plug-in sentence to determine where your sentence belongs
If thats not enough. Identify words such as however, consequently, therefore, etc. to determine whether
your sentence continues the idea or begins the idea
Continuing our apple example. If you see apples between A and B in the paragraph, and
your plug-in sentence begins with consequently. Youre answer choice should be B because
it is concluding the idea of apples and not starting it
Finally, read through the paragraph with your answer in place and double check that it makes sense
Make sure the inserted text is in ordered manner to information of reading passage

12
Summary Questions:
These question measure your ability to understand and recognize the major ideas and relative important of
information in a passage.

Example:

Strategies:
First, review the structure of the reading on your own. Explain to yourself how it is organized to remind
you of the important information
Read the question carefully and see if the sentence in bold gives you a clue as to what the answer choices
might be
If it states something about 3 theories, its easy to know that you must choose 3 answer choices
among the 6 that describe 3 theories mentioned in the reading
Read your first answer choice to understand what it states and find its key words
Scan through the reading until you find the key words or synonyms of them and read the sentences they
are found in
Determine whether that answer choice is a summary, detail, or wrong answer. Use the following method
to do so:
I. If an answer choice is a summary, the answer choice restates information found within the
topic sentence of the paragraph, the first sentence. Thats a good choice
II. If the answer choice deals with a sentence that is not the first, it is a detail. It is therefore
not a good choice. You must choose answers that summarize important points in the
passage and not just minor points mentioned in one sentence that is not the topic sentence
III. If the answer choice describes content that is not found in the reading or is wrong according
to the reading, of course, eliminate it
After your analysis, you should be left with 3 summary answer choices. They will be your answer
If you are left with 4 summary answer choices, read the sentence in bold in the question and eliminate
the answer choice that doesnt directly deal with the topic sentence
If you are left with 2 summary answer choices and 2 detail answer choices, read the sentence in bold in
the question and eliminate one of the detail answer choices that deals with the topic sentence least
Eliminate the choices that are just minor details, irrelevant, that misrepresent the information
Include broader and expansive language choices that include more than one ideas of the passage,
represented correctly

13
Chart Question:
In these question you will be given a partially completed table based on information in the passage.
You job is to complete the table.

Example:

Strategies:
Read answer choices one by one
First look first answer choice
Choose key word in this answer choice
Locate key words of answer choice in passage and find key word sentence
When you have find key word sentence, read the key word sentence carefully and find to which
category this choice belongs
Perform the same strategy on all choices and find to which category the choices belongs
Answer choices are scattered all over the passage
Remember answer choices often have synonymous language

14
Number of Question by types that will appear on test
Factual Or Detail Information Question 3-6 Per Set
Negative Factual Questions 0-2 Per Set
Inference Questions 1-3 Per Set
Rhetorical Purpose Question 1-2 Per Set
Vocabulary Questions 3-5 Per Set
Reference Question 0-2 Per Set
Sentence Simplification Questions 0-1 Per Set
Insert Text Questions 1 Per Set
Prose Summary Questions 1 Per Set
Chart Questions 1 Per Set

Finding GOOD Answers:


ETS picks good answers form one sentence only
Your job is to find that key word sentence
ETS loves to use synonymous language, as it is the only way to test the English of someone
Good answer choices have synonyms
Relate to topic and have related information to what is being asked
Look for chronological order
i.e. if the answer of the Question 1 comes from the first paragraph of reading comprehension, then the
Question 2 will have answer after that of the Question 1, and not before Question 1

Avoiding BAD Answers:


ETS choose bad answers from surroundings Line 1. . . . . . .A (Trap)
Mostly bad choices have exact same language
Line 2. . . . . . .B (Trap)
Exact language (big trap), often contain bad answers
Extreme language (impossible, never, always) Line 3. . . . . . .C (Key word Sentence) (Answer)
Superlatives (most, always, many) Line 4. . . . . . .D (Trap)
Not mentioned but have same exact language
Too specific
Too broad (out of scope)
Wrong chronological order
True but belong to some other part of paragraph
Extra information or have contradicted information

15
LISTENING SECTION
Listening section will test your ability to understand both academic lectures and conversations
4-6 lectures, each3-5 minutes long and there are 6 questions in each lecture.
2-3 conversations, each 3-4 minutes long and there are 5 questions in each conversations.

Listening Section Break Down:


You will go through the listening section in sets of 3. Each set contains the following:

1 conversation: 3-5 minutes between a man and a woman


1 lecture: 4-6 minutes of a professor delivering a speech by him- or herself
1 discussion lecture: 4-6 minutes of a professor interacting with students

You will have the following number of questions for each listening Set:

1 conversation: 5 questions
1 lecture: 6 questions
1 discussion lecture: 6 questions
Thats a total of 17 questions per set.
You will have 10 minutes to complete these 17 questions
After the conversation or lecture finishes, you will have one question appear on the screen. The
question will be read out loud to you. When the narrator finishes saying the question, the timer
will start. The timer will only count down in the silence.
Each question should take you about 35 seconds to answer.

10 min - 7 min answer 1 - 5 of the conversation (3 min)


7 min - 3:30 min answer 6 - 11 of the lecture (3 min 30 sec)
3:30 min - 0 min answer 12 - 17 of the discussion lecture (3 min 30
sec)
Be aware that sometimes the order of the listening will change in a set, so you might hear the
discussion lecture first. However, this doesnt happen often.
When one set finishes, the other will begin shortly.
You will always complete a total of 2 scored sets.
Sometimes you will get an experimental set. Youll have another 3 listenings to do. The
experimental set will not be graded.
16
Listening Question formats:
1. Multiple Choice with One correct answer:

2. Multiple choice with two or more answers:

3. Chart questions:

4. Replay Question:

5. Drag and Organize Information Question:

17
CONVERSATIONS
There are two types of conversations in listening section:
1. Office Hours:
These are the conversation which occur at university in professor office regarding academic or may be
course requirement. Conversations with a professor may include topics like assignment
deadlines/Extensions, clarification of course material, or upcoming assignments/projects
2. Service Encounters:
These type of conversations take place at university, but these conversations are not academic in
nature. Conversations with people in support roles include topics like registration, housing payments,
and other logistical aspects of college life.

Note Taking Structure for Conversations:


Man Woman

Notes Example:

Things to Note Down for Conversations:


Problems
Reason for conversation
Issue
Solutions
Authority or Professor Stand
Help
Guidance
Speaker tone either Positive, Negative, Helpful, Confused, Impress, Apologetic
Professor and student behavior and attitude
Major details (As question will always be about the major details)
Conclusion
Start and ending

18
LECTURES
It is kind of a language used when Professor teach in class. Topic are divided as:
Arts
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Note Taking Structure for Lectures:
Main idea
Main idea 1
Minor details
Main idea 2
Minor details
Main idea 3
Minor details
Example Notes:

19
Things to Note Down for Lectures:
Definitions
Main idea
Examples
Major details
Division, classification, types
Connections among ideas
Comparison-Contrast
Cause-Effect
Dates
Mathematical facts
Process and technical terms
Diagram and its details if any
Self-correction i.e. made a mistake and then made it correct
Answer to a question
Digression i.e. what they were doing before and what they will do next
Any extra thing which is said at start and end of lecture
Repeated things
Tone change
Professor opinion or point of view
Note professor liking, interest and behavior toward students
Organization structure i.e. how lecture was organized by the professor, Steps of lecture
Note were they talking about topic from text book or general examples were quoted,
pay attention how lecture was delivered
Listen for signal words that indicate major steps, changes or ideas such as seldom, at
the moment, in 1975, so far, usually, often, up to now, at the moment, next, Finally, in
addition, moreover etc.

General Tips for Listening:


First and foremost, you must take good notes as you listen actively throughout the
entire listening
Don't write down every word. Write down key names, places, events, and main points.
Write only as much as you need to jog your memory later.
Pay attention to chronological order
Look for main ideas and major details
Focus on content and flow and look for organization
Determine the purpose of a conversation or speech
Recognize key points
Pay attention to speaker tone
Pay attention to tone of speaker: remember function of what is said may not exactly
match to what is said
Look for synonymous language in answer choices
When answering, remember that you cannot return to a question later on
Use POE to get rid of bad answers
Be active while listening
Use common sense and be aware of timing

20
Gist Content Questions:
Understanding the gist of lecture conversation means, understanding the general topic or main idea.
Phrase as:
What problem does the man have?
What are the speaker mainly discussing?
What is the main topic of the lecture?
What is the lecture mainly about?
What aspect of X does the professor mainly discuss?

Gist Purpose Questions:


Some gist questions focus in the purpose of the conversation or lecture, rather than on the content. This type of
question will more likely to occur with the conversations, but Gist purpose ay also occasionally be asked about
lectures.
Phrased as:
Why does the student visit the professor?
Why does the student visit the registers office?
Why did the professor ask to see the student?
Why does the professor explain X?

Detail Questions:
Detail questions ask you to understand and remember explicit details or facts from a lecture or conversation.
These details are typically related, directly or indirectly to the gist of conversation or lecture, by providing
elaboration, examples or other support
Phrased as:
According to professor what is one way that X can affect Y?
What is X?
What resulted from invention of X?
According to professor what is the aim problem with the X theory?

Understanding Function of What is said Questions:


First type pragmatic understanding question test whether you can understand the function of what is said. This
question involves listening again to apart of conversation or lecture.
Phrased as:
What does the professor imply when he says this? (Replay)
Why does the student say this? (Replay)
What does the professor mean when she say this? (Replay)

Understanding Speaker Attitude Questions:


These tests whether you understand the speaker attitude or opinion, feelings, likes, dislikes, reason for anxiety or
amusement, speaker degree of uncertainty: is speaker referencing a source or giving personal opinion? Are the
facts presented generally accepted or are they disputed?
Phrased:
What can be inferred about the student?
What is the professor attitude toward X?
What is the professor opinion of X?
What can be inferred about the student when she say this? (Replay)
What does the woman mean when she say this? (Replay)

21
Understanding Organization Questions:
In these question you may be asked about the overall organization of the lecture or relationship between the two
portions what you have heard.
Phrased as:
How does the professor organize the information that she present to class?
How does the professor clarify the point he makes about X?

Connecting Content Questions:


These question measure your understanding of relationships among ideas in a lecture. These ay ask you to
organize information in different way from the way it was presented in lecture. You might e asked to identify the
comparisons, cause effect or contradiction or agreement. Or may be asked to classify the items in categories and
identify the sequence of events or steps in the process or specify relationships among objects.
Phrased as:
What is likely outcome of doing X before Y?
What can be inferred about X?
What does the professor imply about X?

Making Inference Questions:


In this type of question you have to reach conclusion based on the facts presented in lecture or conversation.
Phrased as:
What does the professor imply about X?
What will student probably do next?
What can be inferred about X?
What does the professor imply when he says this? (Replay)

Number of Questions by Types that Appear on Test


Gist Content Question 2-3 Per Test

Gist Purpose Question 2-3 Per Test

Detail Question 12-14 Per Test

Understanding The Function Of What Is Said Question 2-4 Per Test

Understanding Speaker Attitude Questions 1-2 Per Test

Understanding Organization Questions 1-2 Per Test

Connecting Content Questions 1-2 Per Test

Making Inference Questions 3-5 Per Test

22
Listening Question Strategies:
Main Idea Question Tips:
1. Type 1:
In this type of listening, it will start by introducing the topic in the first few sentences and then discuss it for the rest of the
lecture. The main idea is described in beginning of the lecture.
Introduction
Body
Body
Body
2. Type 2:
This listening will begin by discussing a topic and then transition into a new topic. So, if you just listen to the beginning and
think that it represents the topic, youll be thrown off, confused, and pick the wrong main idea answer.
Introduction
Body
Body
Body
3. Type 3:
In this kind of listening, there is no definite description in the beginning. For this, you must look at your overall notes and
notice the key concept that it repeats throughout.
Introduction
Body
Body
Body
Be aware that wrong answers will often contain a word that represents the topic but make it either too specific, too general,
or not mentioned.

Detail Question Tips:


The best strategy is to identify the topic of the question. Find where it appears in your notes and choose an answer
that contains key words in your notes that are closest to the topic.
Wrong answers often come from words you heard in the lecture but appear distant from when the topic was
discussed.

Inference Question Tips:


They ask you to make a small jump from the information that you heard
To improve, focus on the same strategy as with the detail question and remember that this requires a small jump in
logic. Often times, it requires you to make a logical association.
Information to answer an inference question comes directly from the notes with fair understanding and logic

Attitude and Opinion Question Tips:


These ask you to look at way that information is presented to make a judgment on person delivering speech. Tone,
inflection can be a guide. Be aware of adjectives, adverbs, and overall direction of lecture or conversation.
This is also a question that tests students on idiomatic expressions.
Answers will usually fall into one of three categories: criticism, neutrality, or support. As a way to ensure that you
get these question right, take notes on words that indicate where the professor stands on what hes discussing. For
example, if you hear:
This always confused me. . .
He is likely expressing a degree of criticism and we should write the word confused (-) with a small negative sign
to help us remember if you we need to answer such a question on the topic.

Purpose (Sometimes Listen Again) Question Tips:


When dealing with these questions, you must know what the statement is doing in the logical flow of the lecture or
conversation.
To answer these questions well, we must understand that the key words in the question served a purpose in the
development of the topic. What kind of development?
Illustrate, Support, Oppose, Explain
Adverbs and surrounding content will help you identify the answer to these questions. For example, if you know that
before the professor said something, he used the adverb in contrast. Then, you know that the purpose of the
professor saying something was to oppose what he said a little earlier.

23
SPEAKING SECTION
Speaking section consist of two parts:

1. Independent tasks:
It says to draw your own ideas, opinion, and choices, experience relevant to given task.

2. Integrated tasks:
In this you will use more than skill and combine all at the end.

Preparation time=15 sec


Two independent tasks Your own knowledge & experience
Response time=45 sec
Reading passage & related lecture or Preparation time=30 sec
Two reading/listening/speaking tasks
conversation Response time=60 sec
Preparation time=20 sec
Two listening/speaking tasks Lecture & conversation
Response time= 60 sec

Grading:
Each of your 6 questions are evaluated by two separate graders
Graders assign each of your answers either a 1, 2, 3, or 4 depending on the quality and strength
of your answer
When you're assigned a grade out of 30, the scores from the two graders are added up and then
converted to your actual score.
For a perfect score on each task you get 4, if 6 questions rated a 4, which would yield 24 points
total from one grader. Since there are two graders, that produces 48 points
Example of how to earn a 26, we'll clear things up:
The maximum actual score you can earn on the exam is 30. What percentage is 26?
26 / 30 = .87 or 87%
Now, what's 87% of our raw score? 48 x 87% = 42
We need about 6 4 ratings and 6 3 ratings. Something like this.
o Question 1: rated a 4 and a 4 = 8
o Question 2: rated a 3 and a 4 = 7
o Question 3: rated a 3 and a 4 = 7
o Question 4: rated a 3 and a 3 = 6
o Question 5: rated a 4 and a 4 = 8
o Question 6: rated a 3 and a 3 = 6
Grand total = 42, which yields a 26. If you look at this breakdown, that means that in general,
you must do fluently well on 4 questions and do fair on 2
That's how you earn your 26 on the TOEFL speaking section: deliver masterfully fluent answers
on 4 questions and so-so answers on 2 questions.
24
INDEPENDENT TASK 1
This question ask the test taker to express and defend a personal choice from given category
for example: important people, places, events, or activities that the test taker enjoys.
Preparation Time: 15 Seconds
Response Time: 45 Seconds

Example Screen:

Tips and strategies:


Select your choice
Make two reasons in relevant to the answer choice that you made. Use adjectives for reasoning like
exciting, Original, Fun etc.
Defend reasons by giving own example or support answer choices from your own experience by
elaborating the details
Always keep eye on notes during speaking
Always start speaking with the statement from the question
Use verbal pauses like okay, and, Um, Uh instead of stopping and thinking in silence

NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 1:

Answer choice
Reason 1
Reason 2
Example Notes:

25
Your speech:

Personally speaking, I believe that . . . for two reasons Finish by 37s


First, . . . Finish by 20s
For example, . . .
Second, . . . Finish by 3s
For instance, . . .
Thats why . . . Finish by 0s

Example Perfect Answer:


In my view, passion is the most important characteristic in a teacher for two important reasons.

First, a teachers passion motivates students.

For example, when I was in High School, we read The Great Gatsby. I hated it. But my English teacher was really
passionate whenever we talked about it, which motivated me to look at the book more closely.

Second, a teachers passion motivates the teacher.

For example, my chemistry teacher in university was really passionate about his subject. I could tell he spent a lot
of time preparing his lectures because he really wanted us to learn, so he always had great lectures.

Thats why I believe that passion is the most important characteristic.

26
INDEPENDENT TASK 2
This question ask the test taker to express and defend a personal choice between two
contrasting behaviors or courses of actions
Preparation Time: 15 Seconds
Response Time: 45 Seconds

Example Screen:

Tips and strategies:


Select your choice
Make two reasons in relevant to the answer choice that you made. Use adjectives for reasoning like
exciting, Original, Fun etc.
Defend reasons by giving own example or support answer choices from your own experience by
elaborating the details
Always keep eye on notes during speaking
Always start speaking with the statement from the question
Use verbal pauses like okay, and, Um, Uh instead of stopping and thinking in silence

NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 1:

Answer choice
Reason 1
Reason 2
Example Notes:

27
Your speech:

Personally speaking, I believe that . . . for two reasons Finish by 37s


First, . . . Finish by 20s
For example, . . .
Second, . . . Finish by 3s
For instance, . . .
Thats why . . . Finish by 0s

Example Perfect answer:


In my view, a friend who is similar is better.

First, you get along well with such people.

For example, one of my high school friends is very similar to me. We both like a lot of the same things: movies,
eating out, etc. So, whenever were bored thats what we do. We dont argue about it.

Second, you can still experience new things with them.

For example, Tim is similar to me, and we agree on a lot of things, but not on everything. We have similar taste,
but sometimes hell suggest a restaurant I wouldnt normally eat at. Like this Thai restaurant we tried last week.

Thats why a friend who is similar is better.

28
INTEGRATED TASK 3
Reading represents 70-100 words long with 45 sec to read on campus issue
Listening 60-100 sec long comment on the same issue
Preparation Time: 30 Seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds

Example Screen:

29
Reading Passage Structure:
The reading will have a title and be made of about 100 words.
Paragraph will always present you with the same kind of information: something new on campus (in
other words, a change) and two reasons why this change or addition has been made
There are three ways that the reading may present the paragraph to you:
1st way 2nd way 3rd way
Change Reason 1 Reason 1
Reason 1 Change Reason 2
Reason 2 Reason 2 Change

Listening Conversation Structure:


The conversation that you hear will always be between two students, a man and a woman
One of those students will give his or her opinion about the change
The opinion will either be that the change is good or bad
After you hear the opinion, the student will give two reasons for that opinion

Tips and strategies:


Note change from reading
Note who likes and who dislikes the change
Note the reasons, the person give for his opinion
Note reasons details
First sentence always say about reading

NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 3:

Change from reading Change

Man Woman
Like

Reason 1 Dislike

Reason 2

Prepare Your Notes:


Circle the words that state the change on campus.
Circle the words that state the students opinion.
Circle the words that state the first reason for that opinion.
Circle the words that state the second reason for that students opinion.

30
Example Notes:

Your speech:

The reading states that . . . and provides two reasons for it. Finish by 51s
The mans/womans opinion is that . . . and supports/opposes Finish by 43s
each reason.
First, he/she explains that . . . Finish by 23s
Second, he/she states that . . . Finish by 3s
Thats why the man/women feels that. . . Finish by 0s

Example Perfect Answer:


The announcement states that the university will add a new science course requirement and gives two reasons
for the change.

The mans opinion is that it is a bad decision and he opposes each reason.

First, he explains that this new requirement is unnecessary. The university already has plenty of requirements. He
likes the fact that students are required to take a variety of courses. In fact, thats why he says he went to this
university, but he thinks this addition is too much. He feels that students wont have time for their major.

Second, he states that the new class will not add diversity. If the university really wants to add diversity, it should
accept more international students. He adds that it should not add a new science course requirement to increase
the number of science majors for diversity.

Thats why the man feels that its a bad decision.

31
INTEGRATED TASK 4
Reading represents 70-100 words long with 45 sec to read, defines a term, process, or idea from
academic subject
Listening 60-100 sec long provides examples and more information to illustrate term or process
Preparation Time: 30 Seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds
Example Screen:

32
Reading Passage Structure:
It is composed of two parts: a title and a 100-word paragraph
The title will be the topic of the reading and the paragraph will define the topic
The first thing you must do is write down the title in your notes
As you read, identify ONE and only one sentence that clearly defines the title. How? The easiest way is
to look for a sentence with the title in it. This sentence may have a pronoun such as it or this that refers
to the sentence before it.
Once youve identified the one, two, or three sentences that contain the title choose the one that offers
the clearest definition. Then, take exact notes. That sentence will serve as the conceptual foundation of
your answer
Title
Definition

Listening Lecture:
It is a lecture
It contains examples and details relating to reading passage

Tips and Strategies:


Note the title from reading
Note definition which is usually the first sentence of reading passage
Look for example and their details in lecture
Always end up with statement from the question

NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 4:

From Reading Passage


Title

Definition
From Listening Lecture

Examples and details

Prepare Your Notes:


Circle the topic (the title of the reading passage)
Circle the words that define the topic (from the reading passage)
Circle the words from the lecture
Cross out unimportant details
Cross out notes you can't understand or explain as you draw your circles

33
Example Notes:

Your speech:

The article discusses . . . Finish by 45s


Which the passage defines as . . .
The professor provides an example of . . . to Finish by 40s
illustrate this.
He / She explains that. . . Finish by 3s
And so, this example clearly illustrates. . Finish by 0s

Example Perfect Answer:


The article discusses sustainability,

Which the passage defines as the use of limited resources to reduce negative effects on the environment.

The lecture provides an example of a printing company to illustrate this.

The professor explains that most printing companies dont care about the negative effects their practices have on
the environment. She describes a unique printing company that does care. It manages limited resources to reduce
its negative impact. For example, this company uses recycled paper. When it cant, it buys paper from companies
that use sustainable practices, such as planting a tree for each tree used to make paper. Most companies use toxic
inks that add air pollution. In contrast, this company uses non-toxic inks that dont. Finally, glue can damage
recycling machines, so the printing company limits its use of harmful glue.

And so, this company clearly illustrates sustainability.

34
INTEGRATED TASK 5
Listening 90-120 sec is about a student problem and two possible solutions
Preparation Time: 20 Seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds

Example Screen:

Listening Conversation:
One student will describe a problem he or she is having.
One solution for this problem will be provided. The positives and negatives of this solution will be
discussed.
A second solution for this problem will be offered. The positives and negatives of this solution will
be discussed.
Anyone could give the solutions: only the student with the problem, only the student without the
problem, or both.
Another point is that you dont always get responses for each solution. That means that sometimes
they discuss the good and bad of only the first solution and not of the second; other times they
discuss the positive of the second solution and not the first; and, sometimes they dont give any
responses. Again, be aware. In this situation, if you have time, make sure to add your own content,
just as you do for question 1 or 2.

Tips and strategies:


Note the problem
Note down the two solutions offered
Choose your opinion and support that opinion. Make it easy always choose the second solution

35
NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 5:

Man Woman

Problem Solution 1

Solution 2

Your opinion
Solution 2

Prepare your notes:


Circle all of the words that describe the problem
Circle all of the words that state the first solution
Circle all of the words that state the second solution
Write AS (we are using it to agree with and refer to statements made in the conversation)next to the
negative response to solution one
Write AS next to the positive response to solution two
Write ET (even though) next to the positive response to solution one
Write ET next to the negative response to solution two

Example Notes:

36
Your speech:

The womans/mans problem is that. .


The students discuss two solutions.
First, . . .
Second, . . . Finish by 25 - 30s
If I were the woman/man, I would choose the second
solution.
The first solution isnt very good because even though . . .
as the student said. . .
The second solution is better because even though . . . as Finish by 3s
the student said. . .
That's why I would choose the second solution Finish by 0s

Example perfect Answer:


The womans problem is that she has been accepted to her top-choice school, but it didnt offer her enough
financial aid, so she doesnt know what to do.

The students discuss two solutions.

First, apply for scholarships to pay for her university.

Second, attend a different school that will offer her more financial aid.

If I were the woman, I would choose the second solution.

The first isnt very good because even though she has the grades for the scholarships as the woman said, she
doesnt have the time to apply them because of her finals.

The second solution is better because even though the other universities may not have the best professors in her
field as the woman said, she has been accepted to other good universities that offered her enough financial aid,
so this way she can avoid the stress of finding more money.

That's why I would choose the second solution.

37
INTEGRATED TASK 6
Listening 90-150 sec long explains a term or concept and give examples to illustrate term
Preparation Time: 20 Seconds
Response Time: 60 Seconds

Example Screen:

Listening Lecture:
This lecture is just a three-paragraph essay and build ups as follows:
1st paragraph: introduces a general topic (that can be divided into two subtopics) and defines or
explains it
2nd paragraph: introduces the first subtopic, defines or explains it, and provides an example to
illustrate it
3rd paragraph: introduces the second subtopic, defines or explains it, and provides an example to
illustrate it

Tips and strategies:


Look for main topic and its definition and example
Look for subtopics and their definitions and examples
Always look for major details

38
NOTE Taking Structure for TASK 6:

Main topic
o Definition
o Example & Detail
Subtopic 1
o Definition
o Example & Detail
Subtopic 2
o Definition
o Example & Detail

Prepare Your Notes:


Draw a circle around the words that discuss the main topic.
Draw a circle around the words that describe the first subtopic.
Draw a circle around the words that describe the first example.
Draw a circle around the words that describe the second subtopic.
Draw a circle around the words that describe the second example.
Cross out 30 - 40% of the least important details.

Example Notes:

39
Your speech:

The professor discusses. . , which he/she defines as . . .


He / She describes two kinds.
First, . . . Finish by 44s
The professor provides an example of . . . to illustrate this.
Second, . . . Finish by 22s
The professor provides an example of . . . to illustrate this. Finish by 3s
And that's how the professor describes . . . Finish by 0s

Example Perfect Answer:

The professor discusses thermoregulation, which she defines as the process that animals use to keep their internal
temperature constant.

She explains two types.

The first is the insulating power of fat. An animal uses this to counteract heat loss.

The professor discussed whales to illustrate this. Whales have insulating fat called blubber under their skin. When
the surrounding water is much colder, this blubber helps keep the whales warm.

The second is evaporative cooling. A uses this to avoid absorbing too much heat. The professor explains that when
water evaporates, it cools the surface.

She discussed rodents to illustrate this. Rodents want an internal temperature of 40 degrees, and their
environment can reach 50 degrees. To keep cool, rodents spread saliva across their bodies. As the saliva
evaporates, it cools the rodents, which helps keep their internal temperatures constant.

And that's how the professor describes thermoregulation.

40
Writing section
Writing section consists of two tasks.

1. Integrated Task 1:
You will be given 3 minutes to read an article.
You will hear a lecture that lasts about 2 minutes.
You will be asked a question about the lecture and the article.
You will be given 20 minutes to write an essay; you can see the article again during this
time.
The computer will save your essay and move to the next question.

2. Independent Task 2:
You will be given a question that asks for your opinion.
You will have 30 minutes to prepare and write your essay in response to the question.
The computer will save your essay and you will complete the test.

Writing Section Grading:


Each question is evaluated by a grader and a computerized e-rater
Each will assign your essay a score of 1 to 5 depending on how well it was written.
The writing section, as we should also know, score will be anything from 0 to 30.
The ratings will be averaged and converted to a score of 30
For example, lets say that you did well on question 1 and didnt do so well on question 2, so
your scores are as follows:
Question 1: 4, 4
Question 2: 2, 3
We know that the maximum rating possible is 5 and since you have 4 total ratings, the maximum
raw score would be? Thats right: 20. Lets find our percentage:
4 + 4 + 2 + 3 = 13 (our total raw score)
13/20 = 65%
Now, lets convert our percentage to our overall score:
65% X 30 = 19.5, which would be rounded to 20

41
TASK 1: INTEGRATED WRITING
Text of 200-300 words with 3 minutes time to read on academic topic
Listen to a lecture about 2 minutes long, discussing the topic from different point of view, it provides
additional information toward points made in reading passage
Write summary of important points made in listening and explain how these points relate to reading
passage.
Response length can be 200-225
Total time: 20 minutes

Prompt Types:
1. Counter prompt (Most)
2. Support prompt (Rare)

Reading Passage Structure:

1st paragraph: The authors opinion or claim about the topic is stated
2nd paragraph: One reason of support for the authors opinion is stated
3rd paragraph: A second reason of support is stated
4th paragraph: A third reason of support is stated

You can find things to note down as follows:


1st paragraph: with the authors opinion: last sentence of the paragraph
2nd paragraph: with the authors first reason: first sentence of the paragraph
3rd paragraph: with the authors second reason: first sentence of the paragraph
4th paragraph: with the authors third reason: first sentence of the paragraph

Important Note: Where to locate the sentences is a tool; it is not 100% going to happen. What I mean is that with more
difficult reading passages the reason may not be only in the first sentence but in the first two or three. That means that in
order to understand more difficult reasons you must understand three sentences well.

Listening:
It is a lecture
Mostly the lecture deny, refuses, opposes to what is said in reading
It is important that lecturer goes against the points made in reading on
It is very rare, that lecturer will support the points made in reading

42
Example Screen:

43
Note Taking Structure for the Integrated Writing:
Note down the author opinion or claim and the reasons that author gives for his opinion
Note down the lecturer opinion or claim and the reasons for his opinion

READING LISTENING
Author opinion or claim lecturer opinion or claim
Reason 1 Reason 1
Reason 2 Reason 2
Reason 3 Reason 3
Example Notes:

Time Plan for Essay:


5 minutes for review of notes that you have taken form reading and listening, to get idea what you will
write
13 minutes for typing of essay
Last 2-3 minutes for correction

How to write the integrated essay:

1st paragraph: The article states that . . . . . and provides three reasons Finish by 17 min.
of support. However, the professor explains that . . . . . and refutes each
of the author's reasons.

2nd paragraph: First, the reading states that . . . . . The professor refutes Finish by 11 min.
this point by stating that . . .

3rd paragraph: Second, the article claims that . . . . . However, the Finish by 6 min.
professor contends that . . .

4th paragraph: Third, the reading says that . . . . . The lecturer opposes Finish by 0 min
this point by saying that. . . . . .

44
INTEGRATED ESSAYS EXAMPLES:
Example essay:
The article states that zoos are essential and provides three reasons of support. However, the professor explains that activists dont believe
that zoos benefit animals or society and refutes each of the author's reasons.
First, the reading states that animals are treated well in zoos. The professor refutes this point. He states that animals are not treated well. He
explains that in a zoo, two read pandas died from exposure to rat poison. Zoo safety managers could have prevented this, but were not
present. The professor explains that this proves that zoo administrators show a lack of care towards animals.
Second, the article claims that zoos are educational. However, the professor says that zoos are still seen as entertainment. The animals in zoos
attract visitors. They arent the animals that the public should really learn about. Zoos send the message that animals can be used for our own
purposes. He states that though some zoos attempt to inform, we cant understand them in zoos because they are in artificial and misleading
exhibits.
Third, the reading claims that zoos protect endangered species. The professor says that this claim is problematic. He explains that the Taamarin
is one successful example but that overall, zoos have a poor success rate. Zoos possess a small number of an endangered species so they tend
to interbreed, which results in birth defects. Also, he states that zoos offer no advantage to saving animals in their native habitat.
244 words.

Example essay:
The article claims that invaders decimated the Easter Islanders and provides three reasons of support. Conversely, the professor states that
internal factors destroyed the Easter Island population and refutes each of the authors reasons
First, the reading explains that the trees on the island disappeared when the population decreased and that only invaders could create this
kind of environmental destruction. The lecture opposes this by telling us that there were many communities on Easter Island. Each built many
huge statues to show its dominance over others. To place these statues, tree logs were used. Consequently, this competition to build statues
and show dominance led to the destruction of trees.
Second, the author asserts that the appearance of spear tips when the population decreased proves the presence of invaders. The professor
opposes this by explaining that the islanders created the spear tips to attack one another. He says that 500 years ago the trees disappeared,
so islanders could not build canoes to find fish. Consequently, they started to fight a civil war for limited resources and food.

Third, the article states that a birdman statue found on the island at the time of the population decline evidences a new religion that only
invaders could have introduced. The lecture agrees that the statue proves that a new religion appeared at this time. However, he states that
invaders didnt bring it. At this time, there was starvation and war, so islanders saw that their contemporary religious practices were not
effective. Naturally, they adopted a new one.

Word count: 256

Example essay:
The article states that the safeguarding of endangered species poses many drawbacks and provides three reasons of support. However, the
lecture claims that extinction should be prevented whenever possible and refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the article argues that the extinction of a species will not lead to ecological disaster. The professor opposes this point by discussing the
authors example of the dinosaur. He states that the dinosaurs extinction led to a shift of organisms that dominated the Earth. He then
explains that since we currently dominate the Earth, we should save endangered species to preserve the current ecosystem that supports us.
Second, the reading claims that medicine no longer depends on nature for inspiration because of genetic engineering. The professor refutes
this point by saying that 40% of prescription drugs are composed of natural material from plants. Only a small percentage of plants have been
studied for their medical applications and everyday one hundred species become extinct, so each extinction represents a lost opportunity for
medical research.
Third, the article posits that the huge cost of saving endangered species is not justified. The professor opposes this point by talking about the
fresh water mussel. 43% of these organisms are or will become extinct, and those that are still prevalent support an industry that creates
10,000 jobs and adds 700 million dollars to the U.S. economy. According to the professor, these species along with many others deserve to be
saved if only for economic reasons.
Word count: 247

Example essay:
The reading claims that using standardized tests will ensure that students receive the best education and provides three reasons of support.
However, the professor states that these tests will inhibit progress in schools and hurt students. She refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the author posits that standardized tests will create a strong school standard. The professor counters this point by explaining that these
tests will force teachers to teach the same things. These tests will be given to thousands of different schools with students of different learning
styles and interests, so teachers need the independence these tests take away to teach effectively.

Second, the article suggests that with these tests, schools will be more accountable for student success. The lecture opposes this point by
saying that this will result in the unfair punishment of students in underperforming schools. Test scores will be used to determine the amount
of funding that schools receive. Consequently, schools with students who perform poorly because of the negative environment around their
school and not their school itself will not receive the money they need.

45
Third, the reading asserts that these tests help schools identify and help students who need it. The professor refutes this point by stating that
students who dont pass these exams wont be helped. Schools have students with different styles and skills. Also, some may feel pressure or
ill during the test. She explains that if these students fail for these reasons, being forced to repeat the grade will not help them.

Word count: 252

Example essay:
The reading states that the Roanoke, a historic English colony, didnt disappear, but instead relocated to the Island of Croatoa and provides
three reasons of support In contrast, the professor states that the disappearance is still a mystery and counters each of the authors reasons.
First, the article claims that when the governor of the colony returned from a trip, he found that the colony disappeared and a piece of wood
with the word Croatoa it. This explains the relocation. However, the professor says that this doesnt make any sense. The governor told the
colony to move to the interior of the land if there was trouble before he left. Croatoa was in the opposite direction, so the colony wouldnt
oppose their governor for a less advantageous location.

Second, the author states that many English artifacts found on Croatoa show that the Roanoke relocated there. However, the professor says
that this proves nothing. The artifacts, such as the ring mentioned in the article, could have arrived through trade. It was normal for English
travelers to trade their belongings for food and other items during harsh conditions.

Third, the reading explains that a search party that arrived in Croatoa didnt find the Roanoke there but found local inhabitants with European
characteristics, which could only occur through intermarriage with the Roanoke. The professor opposes this by explaining that intermarriage
could have occurred with other Englishmen other than those from Roanoke. The search party didnt arrive until 100 years after the
disappearance, so within that time, many different settlers could have been responsible for this.

Word count: 262

Example essay:
The reading claims that nuclear energy should be seen as the next logical step in the evolution of energy production and provides three reasons
of support. However the professor states that this idea is premature and refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the article states that the fuel for nuclear energy is cheap compared to that of fossil fuels. The professor opposes this point by stating
that nuclear power plants take far more time and expertise to build, which results in much higher costs. Also, legislation often requires
companies that own nuclear plants to fund emergency response plans in case there is a nuclear accident. These factors add significantly to the
cost of nuclear energy.

Second, the reading says that the process of creating nuclear energy is safe. The professor refutes this point by providing an example of a
nuclear power plant, PWR, in Pennsylvania that had an accident. Though only a harmless amount of radiation was released, the damage to
the plant required 1 billion dollars to fix, and the psychological stress that the community suffered was severe.

Third, the article posits that waste can be effectively managed. However, the professor explains that during reprocessing, which lowers high-
level waste, plutonium 239 is produced, a component of nuclear weapons. This material, if stolen, poses a significant threat to society. Also,
remaining high-level waste must be buried in stable locations that are difficult to find for hundreds of years, and once they are found, citizens
often protest their use.

Word count: 249

Example essay:
The reading states that school uniforms are an excellent means of reducing the stress and difficulties of students in school and provides three
reasons of support. However, the professor states that school uniforms should not be considered for use in schools and she refutes each of
the authors reasons
First, the article posits that uniforms will help families save significantly on the cost of clothing. The lecture refutes this point by explaining
that uniforms must still be purchased and that they are often found in expensive specialty stores. Furthermore, she explains that students
wont wear these uniforms out with friends or on the weekends, so parents will have to buy as many as clothes as without the uniforms.

Second, the author asserts that uniforms will eliminate student distractions with clothing. The professor counters this by telling us that
students use clothes to emphasize their attractive features and not emphasize their unattractive features. So, with uniforms, this distraction
will be replaced by their wondering how they look and how they can change their uniforms to make them look the way they want.

Third, the reading claims that uniforms will develop a sense of community in the schools in which they are used. In opposition, the professor
states that this idea is irresponsible. She explains that students use clothing to communicate their individuality. Uniforms will push students
to conform, destroying creativity and reducing their sense of self. For that alone, the professor claims uniforms should be avoided.

Word count: 245

Example essay:
The article states that dams are a beneficial and effective way to generate electricity and provides three reasons of support. However, the
professor explains that dams present many drawbacks and refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the author claims that dams help to improve the local environment. In contrast, the professor states that dams make the environment
suffer. When they are built, water must be diverted. As a result, fish that migrate through the area often lose their way and die. Also, when
the dam is finished and the waters path is restored, it moves more slowly. This hurts fish that need fast moving water to lay their eggs.
46
Second, the reading asserts that dams release no harmful pollutants during operation. The lecture refutes this point by stating that dams
create artificial lakes and that these lakes flood the area around the dam. The plants in the flooded land, therefore, die. This eliminates plants
that remove the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, from the air. Also, as these plants decay, they release methane, which is another greenhouse
gas.

Third, the author explains that dams create no financial burden for communities. The professor counters this by explaining that the enormous
artificial lakes dams create flood the local area, so residents who are affected by this flooding must be relocated. This is not cheap. This, in
addition to the cost of construction, makes dams so expensive that they require local tax dollars as aid in order to be built.

Word count: 247

Example essay:
The article claims that genetic modification of foods offers a number of benefits and provides three reasons of support. However, the professor
states that there are major drawbacks to genetic modification and refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the reading posits that genetic modification produces better crops faster than nature can. The professor refutes this point by explaining
that genetic changes take hundreds of years in nature. As a result, the crops are tested over large spans of time in a variety of conditions. He
states that researchers shouldnt believe that they can genetically modify a crop and produce a better or more stable crop than nature.

Second, the article states that peer review proves that genetically modified foods are safe. However, the professor says that companies rarely
publish their results because they fear that their competitors will copy them. Without published results, scientists cant review them.
Consequently, peer review is largely non-existent and the claim that these foods are safe should be questioned.

Third, the reading asserts that genetically modified crops can help underdeveloped countries alleviate food shortages and avoid famines. The
professor counters this point by stating that even if these crops could produce high yields, these countries lack the infrastructure to distribute
them to the people that need them the most. Also, these countries grow crops that they can sell for the most amount of money to support
their economies, and these crops are often not the crops that the society needs to avoid famine.

Word count: 249

Example essay:
The reading states that companies should hire externally and provides three reasons of support. However, the professor explains that hiring
externally instead of internally poses many drawbacks and refutes each of the authors reasons
First, the article asserts that an external hire will add positive new ideas and perspectives. In contrast, the professor states that external hires
dont bring in great new ideas. He says that a major restaurant hired externally and that this employee decided to change to a cheaper meat
supplier to save money. This resulted in a large loss of business because the meat supplier used chemicals to treat the meat, which customers
didnt like that.
Second, the reading posits that it will reduce the cost of hiring by eliminating training. The professor says that this is misguided. He explains
that external hires need time to create a positive relationship with employees. This can take weeks or months. This time will result in reduced
productivity, which may cost the company the same as training. Also, external hires may never adjust, so the company will have to spend
money to hire someone else.
Third, the author states that hiring externally will reduce conflict among employees who may fight for job openings. The professor refutes this
point by explaining that employees will become very frustrated since they will not be given an opportunity to apply for rare management
positions. Furthermore, this might make them angry with the external employee, which will create a difficult environment for him to manage
in.
Word count: 251

Example essay:
The article claims that we are currently experiencing global warming and provides three reasons of support. However, the professor states
that there is no conclusive proof of global warming and refutes each of the authors reasons.
First, the reading explains that instruments across the globe indicate a warming trend. The professor opposes this point by saying that this is
true, but that not all of the weather stations with these instruments should be trusted. Some are not well maintained. He says that if only the
temperature readings from the weather stations that are well maintained are used, specifically those in the U.S. and Europe, no global
warming trend exists after 1979.

Second, the article posits that secondary evidence points to rising temperatures. However, the professor explains that this reason is flawed.
It is true, as the article mentioned, that icebergs are breaking in Antarctica, but both warming and cooling trends exist in the area. Also, the
nature of the iceberg breaks is unnatural and may not be a result of warming. To know for certain, more time and research is necessary.

Third, the reading says that unbiased organizations have considered the evidence and accepted global warming as a fact. However, the
professor states that this point is irresponsible. He explains that newspapers have not weighed the evidence carefully and that the UNEP
report mentioned in the article was published before it was evaluated. He claims that newspapers published the article to sell papers and not
to inform the public.

Word count: 249

47
TASK 2: INDEPENDENT WRTING:
Write essay that explains and supports your opinion on an issue in length 300-400 words
Total time=30 minutes

Example Screen:

48
Essay Prompt Types:

1. Defense:
Agree/Disagree:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Universities should give the same amount
of money to their students sports activities as they give to their university libraries. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your opinion.
Preference:
Some people think that they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher. Others think that
it is always better to have a teacher. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your
essay.

2. Explanatory:
Description:
Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt.
Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.
Explanation:
What is the most important animal in your country? Why is the animal important? Use reasons
and specific details to explain your answer.
Reason:
The twentieth century saw great change. In your opinion, what is one change that should be
remembered about the twentieth century? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.
Quality:
Many students have to live with roommates while going to school or university. What are some of
the important qualities of a good roommate? Use specific reasons and examples to explain why
these qualities are important.
If/Imaginary:
If you could study a subject that you have never had the opportunity to study, what would you
choose? Explain your choice, using specific reasons and details.

3. Compare/Contrast
Compare-Contrast:
When people move to another country, some of them decide to follow the customs of the new
country. Others prefer to keep their own customs. Compare these two choices. Which one do you
prefer? Support your answer with specific details.
Advantage/Disadvantage:
A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community. Do you support or oppose
the factory? Explain your position.

Time Plan for Essay Writing:

1st: outline your essay Finish by 27 min


2nd: write your introduction Finish by 23 min
3rd: write your 1st body paragraph Finish by 14 min
4th: write your 2nd body paragraph Finish by 5 min
5th: write your conclusion Finish by 2 min
6th: make any final adjustments Finish by 0 min

49
Note Taking Structure for the Independent Writing:

First method: (Pro-Con column Method)


Make a table of two columns, one for each side presented in the question. Then, fill in each
column as fast as you can with reasons in the 3 minutes you have. Afterwards, choose your
answer according to the column with the best and easiest reasons for you to support.
Support Oppose
creates jobs add traffic
city earns more taxes add noise
more fun for residents take away business from others
may inspire more businesses better ways to develop city

Second Method: (Outline method)


A second way to outline is to choose your side and then support it. This is faster but it won't
give you the best opportunity to develop your ideas about the question because you're only
focusing on one side.
Answer: support
Reason 1: jobs
Reason 2: taxes for city

Third Method:
In this method, we draw circles:
the center circle is the "side" that you're choosing
the first branch of circles represent your reasons
the second branch of circles describe possible examples of support
With this kind of outline, you're likely to come up with several reasons and points
for examples.

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How to write good essay:

1. Method for General Types:

I. Introduction
State that the topic is important
Explain why its important
Restate the question
Presents your answer (thesis, opinion, etc.)
II. Body
Paragraph 1:
State your first reason with one simple sentence
Explain the how you reason and answer are logically connected
Give a concrete example or detail
Explain why the example supports your opinion
Write a very short concluding sentence
Paragraph 2:
State your second reason with one simple sentence
Explain the how you reason and answer are logically connected
Give a concrete example or detail
Explain why the example supports your opinion
Write a very short concluding sentence
III. Conclusion
Restate main idea
Restate reasons
Suggestion

Method for Compare-Contrast:


I. Introduction
State that the topic is important
Explain why its important
Restate the question
Show the one side of topic and then other side
Presents your answer (thesis, opinion, etc.)
II. Body:
Paragraph 1
Advantages of Choice A
Disadvantage of Choice A
Concluding sentence
Paragraph 2
Advantages of Choice B
Disadvantage of Choice B
Concluding sentence
Paragraph 3
Your Preference and Opinion
Reasons for your opinion
Example and support to your opinion
Concluding sentence
III. Conclusion
Restate your answer
Restate your reasons
Provide a final suggestion

51
Learning TOEFL Essay Structure:
The TOEFL essay is usually four paragraphs long and has three parts:

1. Introduction:
The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. The first few sentences of this paragraph simply introduce the reader
to the topic. The last sentence is called the thesis statement and clearly states your opinion. This is the most important
sentence in the essay.

2. Body:
The body of the essay is usually two paragraphs long. Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that tells the reader what
the rest of the paragraph is going to be about. The remaining sentences are called supporting ideas because their main
function is to "support" the topic sentence.

3. Conclusion:
The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay. It restates the thesis and gives the reader a brief summary of the essay's
main points. This paragraph is usually about 3 sentences long.

How to Write a TOEFL Essay Introduction:


The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. If you don't start out well, it will be difficult to convince your readers
to take your writing seriously. Here's what you should know about the introduction:
First paragraph of the essay

Usually 3 to 5 sentences long


Introduces the essay topic

Explain why it is important

Restate the question


Clearly gives your opinion

Has a strong thesis statement

1. Beginning the introduction:


The best way to begin the introduction is with a general statement about the essay topic. This explains what the essay is
going to be about and mentally prepares the reader for the arguments that will follow. Do not give your opinion in this
sentence--this is only a general statement about the topic.
Here's an example of what a typical first sentence looks like:
Many communities have been debating whether or not police officers should carry guns.
You can see that there is no opinion in this sentence; it is only a general statement about the essay topic.

Hook and its types:


It is a way to get readers attention. You can use hook at start of introduction. Some types of hooks are:
Question Hook Restate prompt Hook Pro-Con Hook
This kind of hook starts with the Restate i.e. paraphrase the topic State Pro (positive) side and Con
question prompt (Negative) side of the topic
Do we need zoos or not? The question is whether we Some may think that we
What would you do? need zoos or not dont need zoos while other
think that we do

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2. Developing the introduction:
After we have written our first sentence, it is time to develop the introduction. We do this by adding a few more general
statements about the topic. One strategy you can use is to explain both sides of the argument. Here's an example:
In some situations, guns protect the police officer as well as the public. However, guns often result in injuries and death.
By explaining both sides of the argument (this is called contrasting), you show the reader that you have thought carefully
about the issue. You should also know that when you contrast both sides of the argument, it is better to begin with the side
of the argument that you do not agree with. Thus introduction will develop logically toward the thesis statement.

3. Writing the thesis statement:


After you have introduced the reader to the subject of the essay, you write a thesis statement. The thesis statement is the
most important sentence in the essay. This is the last sentence of the first paragraph, and it should do two things:

It does not include specific details that appear later in your essay, but it should answer the essay question clearly and directly.
What is the essay about? Directly answer the essay question

What is your opinion? Tell the reader what your opinion is

Thesis has two parts:


I. Independent Clause:
Transition Your opinion
Personally speaking I believe
As far as I am concerned I think
In my point of view I posit
In my estimation

II. Dependent clause:


It contain reasons and it is connected to independent clause by conjunction.

Step one: Get an Opinion:


If you do not have an opinion on the topic, it is not possible to write a thesis statement. The thesis statement must give an
opinion--it tells the reader exactly what you think.

Examples of good thesis statements:


As soon as you have decided what your opinion is, you can write your thesis statement. Let's say you get this essay question:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Police officers should carry guns. Use specific reasons and examples
to support your answer.

If you agree with the statement, your thesis could be as simple as this:

Police officers should carry guns.

On the other hand, maybe you would like to disagree. In that case, your thesis could be just as simple:

Police officers should not carry guns.

These are both acceptable thesis statements. They are simple and direct, telling the reader what your opinion is and what
the essay is going to be about.
It is good idea to write your thesis statement using key words or phrases from the original essay question. In one of our
examples above, we simply copied the essay question directly.
53
Examples of Bad Thesis Statements:
Now take a look at an unacceptable thesis statement:
Police officers work hard

This thesis statement doesn't give us an opinion. It also doesn't tell us what essay is about. It's not related to the essay topic.

Guns help to protect police officers.

Unacceptable. It may be true that "guns help to protect police officers," but we still don't know what the writer's opinion is.
And here's a third example:

Police officers don't need guns.

Again, it may be true that "police officers don't need guns," but what is the writer's opinion? Should police officers carry
guns?

Strong Thesis Statements:


Let's start with a thesis statement that we already know is good:
Police officers should not carry guns.

This is a good thesis statement, but it's not a great one. We can improve it by making the language stronger. Do this by using
stronger language, words such as no or never. Here's what it looks like when we've made our improvements:

Police officers should never carry guns.

We could also say something like this:

No police officer should ever carry a gun.

If our thesis statement is a positive sentence, we can strengthen the language with a word like always. Here's an example:

Police officers should always carry guns.

Very Strong Thesis Statements:


Okay, we have written our thesis statement. Here it is:

Police officers should never carry guns.

It's already good, but we can make it even stronger by using a few phrases to emphasize our point. Here are some that we
can use: regardless of, under no circumstances, at no time, without exception. This is what our final thesis statement will
look like:

Regardless of the situation, police officers should never carry guns.

Or it could look like this:

At no time should a police officer ever carry a gun.

We can also use these same phrases to give the opposite opinion in our thesis statement, as in this example:

Regardless of the situation, police officers should always carry guns.

Putting All Together:


Many communities have been debating whether or not police officers should carry guns. In some situations, guns protect
the police officer as well as the public. However, guns often result in injuries and death. No police officer should ever carry
a gun.

In the first sentence we began the introduction with a general statement about the essay topic. Then, in the second and
third sentences, we contrasted both sides of the argument. Our last sentence was the thesis statement: this is where we
answered the essay question and gave our opinion.

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Introduction with examples:
Agree/Disagree:
1. Do we or dont we need zoos? Personally, I agree with the statement. I think that we need zoos because they are educational, they
are fun for families and they look after endangered animals.

2. Our appearance is an important part of our lives. Although this may not be ideal, our appearance often determines what people
think about us and how they treat us. Some people believe that the clothes that we wear also influence our behavior. Others
disagree. In my view, they do influence our behavior for two important reasons.

3. Education is important in our society. It often determines our level of success. Some people believe that the best education comes
from classes that focus on discussions. Others disagree. In my view, courses should focus on lectures for two important reasons.

4. School is an important part of our lives. Most countries require young people to attend by law because its so important. Some
people believe that the best schools are either all boy schools or all girl schools while others disagree. In my view, coeducational
schools provide the strongest learning environments for two important reasons.

5. National government has a powerful impact on our lives. The government is responsible for education, defense, and even
transportation. Everyday millions of dollars in tax revenue are invested in transportation projects. Some people believe that the
government should invest a majority of that money on improving roads and highways. Others disagree. In my view, public
transportation represents the best investment for two main reasons.

6. Speaking another language is very important in our society today. Whether you go on vacation or apply for a job, a second language
is essential. Because of this, some people believe that children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school.
Others disagree. In my view, doing so would be a huge waste of time for both the student and teacher for two important reasons.

7. Research is an important part of education. In order to learn, we must be able to find relevant and useful information. Some people
believe that the Internet provides the best resource for research. Others disagree. In my view, no source is more powerful for good
research than printed material such as books and articles for two key reasons.

Preference:
1. Today people have choice between laptop and desktop computer. So which one do I prefer? Personally, I prefer a laptop because
laptop is great for taking notes, portable and affordable.

2. Technology has a significant effect on our lives. We find technology everywhere and cannot avoid its influence. One very important
technology is computers. Some people believe that they have made life easier and more convenient while others disagree. In my
view, computers have created a better quality of life for many reasons.

3. I grew up in a small town and then moved to a big city. I didn't think I would like living here, but I was wrong. I think life is much
better in a big city. Transportation is much more convenient, everything is more exciting, and there is a greater variety of people. I
can't imagine ever living in a small town again.

Compare-Contrast:
What will my friend like or not when visiting the place I call my home Rawalpindi? Personally, I contend that my friend will like the food,
however he will not be crazy about the summer temperature and crowds.

Advantage-Disadvantage:
The question is that what are advantages and disadvantages of owning a car. Form my experience, I can safely say that advantage of a car is
freedom and its uses and disadvantage is the cost.

Quality/Explanation/Description/Reason:
1. What are the qualities of a good university? Personally, I posit that a good university should have many qualities such as excellent
teachers, lot of courses and convenient location.

2. The people who live near us can impact our lives significantly. We encounter them on almost a daily basis, so its important to have
good neighbors. Accordingly, what qualities make ideal neighbors? In my view, they should possess two very important qualities.

3. Because I am scientist, I use modern technology. However I can safely say that technology has changed my life the most is the
internet. Using internet makes communication fast and easy, is good for research and it saves a lot of time and money.

4. Change is a powerful part of our existence. It is the base that helps us progress. One positive change that affects us all is that people
are living longer now. Many factors led to this incredible fact.

5. National government has a powerful impact on our lives. The government is responsible for education, defense, and even
transportation. Everyday millions of dollars in tax revenue are invested in transportation projects. Some people believe that the
government should invest a majority of that money on improving roads and highways. Others disagree. In my view, public
transportation represents the best investment for two main reasons.

6. People visit museums for a number of reasons. They visit museums when traveling to new places because a museum tells them a
lot about the culture of those places. They also go to museums to have fun. People also are usually interested in museums that
feature unusual subjects. It's impossible to get bored in a museum.
55
How to Write a TOEFL Essay Body:
The body of the essay is everything that comes between introduction and conclusion. Here's what you need to know:

It's usually 2 paragraphs long.

Each paragraph has 1 topic sentence.


Each paragraph has 3 to 5 supporting ideas.

Its goal is to support thesis statement.

Paragraphs in the Body:


Each paragraph of the body supports the thesis statement. And each paragraph has the same structure--1 topic
sentence followed by 3 to 5supporting ideas. Like this:

Topic Sentence (first sentence)


supporting idea #1

supporting idea #2

supporting idea #3

1. The topic sentence:


The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph. Topic sentences are important because they support
your thesis statement. We have our thesis example:

No police officer should ever carry a gun.

It's a good thesis because it tells the reader what the essay is about and it gives an opinion. Now the reader knows what our
opinion is, but he doesn't know why. This is what topic sentence does--it tells the reader why.
Here's the minimum you need to know about what a topic sentence is:
It is the first sentence of each paragraph in the body.

It gives one reason why the thesis statement is true.

It tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph is about.

A good way to write a topic sentence is to begin with a list of reasons that support your thesis statement.

Writing a topic sentence:


First we look at our thesis statement one more time:

No police officer should ever carry a gun.

Next we make a list of all the reasons why we believe our thesis statement is true. Here's what we have:

1. There is already too much violence in the world.


2. Police officers don't need protection.
3. Guns cause more harm than good.
4. Police officers like to shoot people.
5. Guns frighten people.
6. In most cases police officers don't need guns.

Now we simply choose the best reasons. Let's choose number 3 and number 6

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Finishing the topic sentences:
These are our topic sentences. Here they are:

Guns cause more harm than good.

In most cases police officers don't need guns.

They already look good, but they could be better. We can improve them by adding a transitional phrase at the beginning of
each. A transitional phrase helps the reader understand your essay. For our first topic sentence, we can use phrases such
as First, First of all, In the first place, To begin with, For one thing. And this is what our first topic sentence might look like:

First of all, guns cause more harm than good.

For our second topic sentence, we can use these phrases: Second, Next, In addition to the previous point, more importantly.
Like this:

In addition to the previous point, in most cases police officers don't need guns.

We're finished. Now we only need to write our supporting ideas!

2. Supporting ideas:

Everything that comes after the topic sentence is called a supporting idea. This is because it "supports" your topic sentence.
Supporting ideas tell the reader why we believe the topic sentence is true.

The important thing is that they are all related to the topic sentence and that they support the topic sentence in some way.

How to come up with the reasons and the supporting details:


PROFESSIONAL ACADEMIC TRUE OR Imaginary
Job Class Personal life experience
Employment Teacher Event, occasion
Workplace Own education Famous person, places, sport or any
Experience Own experience from related field
academic Something you have heard or read about
Knowledge of subject Statistical evidence
Expert opinion
True story
Imaginary story

Writing supporting ideas:


Our first topic sentence:

First of all, guns cause more harm than good.

Now let's use something that we've heard or read about for our supporting ideas. Our paragraph might look something like
this:

First of all, guns cause more harm than good. There are often stories in the newspaper about people who are accidentally
shot. Moreover, many of these stories involve police officers. If guns had not been involved, these accidents would not
have happened. On the other hand, there are very few stories about how a gun has saved somebody's life.

In this example, our supporting ideas come from stories we've read in the newspaper. And they all explain why guns cause
more harm than good.

Now let's take a look at our second topic sentence. Here it is:

In addition to the previous point, in most cases police officers don't need guns.

Now let's try using a personal experience for our supporting ideas. Here's one way we could write the paragraph:

In addition to the previous point, in most cases police officers don't need guns. My father, for example, has been a police
officer for over 20 years, and he has never had to use his gun. In fact, he says that most people who break the law are
unarmed. Thus, it is often unnecessary for police officers to carry guns.

There we have it! Again, our supporting ideas all tell the reader why our topic sentence is true. You will also notice that
we've used a transitional phrases: for example, in fact, and thus.
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Word usage Tips:
Sequence Continue Cause/Effect Change direction Compare/Contrast
First Furthermore Because of However On the other
Secon In addition Unlike hand
d Also Contrary to In contrast
Third Moreover Meanwhile
Next

Examples of body paragraph:


(1) The main reason is that the addition will generate jobs. (2) In order to build the theater, construction workers will be
needed, architects, engineers, and many other people. This means that many people will have the opportunity to work. (3)
For example, in Knee city, my hometown, a new theater was built on our busiest street, Main Street. Before the theater was
built, there was just open land. As the theater was being constructed, there were advertisements in the paper asking for
construction workers. Many people applied and a few were able to work for the company. After its construction, the ads
didnt stop since they started looking for dozens of employees to run the theater. (4) As you can see, these people wouldnt
have had the opportunity to work if it werent for the addition of the movie theater.

(1) Another reason is that a new movie theater will add tax revenue for the city. (2) Many people who might have stayed
home to relax may decide to go to the theater instead. The money they spend at the theater is taxed. These tax dollars are
new to the city and will add more tax revenue to help the city improve itself. (3) For instance, after the theater in my
hometown was built, it became very popular. My friends and I spent a lot more time in the area. Normally, we would go to
a theater in a city about 15 miles away. After a year or two, we began to notice that our city was spending more money on
our schools and streets. Normally, it would work on the streets, fixing potholes, every few years. Now, whenever there was
a pothole, the city would fix it within a month. Our local newspaper said this was a result of the added tax revenue new
businesses like the movie theater were adding. (4) This experience taught me that new businesses are very beneficial for
cities.

Example:
The first reason is that computers have improved the quality of many other products. Companies use computers to build
products that work more efficiently and effectively. For example, today, most cars possess small computers that help
improve their safety and therefore, improve their quality. My car has a small computer that can determine if the car is out
of control. If it is, the computer will take action and alter the speed of the tires so that it will regain control. Cars represent
just one example of how computers have positively impacted our lives.

The second reason is that computers provide a way for us to get important information. Through the Internet, the personal
computer has become one of the most popular and convenient sources of important information. For example, a friend of
mine felt really sick a few months ago. She had a bad stomachache and it was late at night. I didnt have access to a doctor,
so I researched information on how to help soothe a bad stomach online. I found that soft foods such as rice could help.
With this information, I was able to help my friend feel better. This experience taught me that computers can help us
significantly.

Example:
First, children are too young to choose a language to learn. When you are a child, you dont know about the world. As a
result, the foreign language you learn is chosen for you and you may not want to learn that language. For example, when I
was in high school, my school required me to take a foreign language. I really didnt know what to choose because I had no
idea what language would really be useful, so I decided to study French. However, after graduating and learning a little more
about my future and goals, I realized that a different language, such as Chinese or Japanese, would have been more useful
for me. As a high school student, I wasnt able to make the smart choice. Accordingly, I dont believe a young child will be
able to. This experience taught me that learning a foreign language at such a young age is not such a great idea.

Second, you wont develop a complete understanding of the language. Sometimes instructors are students of the language
and not native speakers. Also, the students you learn with are not experienced with the language. Consequently, you learn
slowly and often inaccurately. For example, a coworker decided to study Korean after graduating from University. Instead
of learning in a school, he decided to work in Korea. He applied for several different positions and was able to find a job.
After two years, he returned and speaks Korean well. I dont believe he would have the same skill if he had studied in a
school because in the country native speakers of the language surrounded him. I also know students who have studied a
second language only in school, and their ability does not compare to his. As you can see, learning a second language in
school is not effective; it is far better to travel abroad where that language is spoken.

58
How to Write a TOEFL Essay Conclusion:
Here is what you should know about the conclusion:

It's the last paragraph of the essay.

It's usually 3 or four sentences long.

It restates the essay's thesis.


It summarizes the essay's main points.

Conclusion=Transition+ Restate Your Opinion+ Reason 1+ Reason 2+ Suggestions


Start with the transition
Restate your own opinion
Restate your reasons 1 & 2
Provide a final suggestion
1. Transition for conclusion:
In sum
All in all
Finally
In conclusion
In closing
As I have illustrated
In final analysis
2. Your opinion:
I believe
I think
I assert
I posit
I contend
3. Suggestion:
At end of conclusion give some suggestion, how we can improve the situation or what should we do in order to
make things better.
Writing the conclusion:
First we have to look at our thesis statement:

No police officer should ever carry a gun.

Next we look at our two topic sentences:

First of all, guns cause more harm than good.

In addition to the previous point, in most cases police officers don't need guns.

Now we simply put them all into one paragraph, beginning with the thesis statement:

In conclusion, police officers should not carry guns. Guns usually cause harm to people. Moreover, police officers often
don't need them to do their jobs.

Maybe you have noticed that we made small changes to the thesis statement and topic sentences. This is because it's not
good to copy the sentences exactly--it's boring for the reader. In last we can suggest some new ideas which can make the
given case better.

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Examples of conclusion:
1. In sum, though some may oppose the plan, a new theater would be a great addition to my hometown or
any other city. Not only will the addition generate jobs for residents but also the added tax revenue could
help the city provide more for its residents. Every city should work to introduce businesses such as movie
theaters into their community.
2. In sum, we must know how to work both in a group and by ourselves to do well in life, but the ability to
work independently is more important. Not only does it help you succeed with more common work that
you must do alone, but it also helps you develop the independent mind that is essential for success. We
should all spend at least some time working alone.

3. Finally, a mandatory uniform policy will develop a sense of community within the school. Psychologically,
seeing your fellow students wearing the same clothing as you offers a way to feel more closely connected.
Because each student wears the same clothing regardless of income level or ability, uniforms keep
students, at least with respect to appearance, on an equal level. This removes clothing as a factor that
might serve to fracture the students into different groups.

4. In sum, the most preferable classes are lecture based. Not only do students learn more but they also still
have a chance to ask questions and make comments. We should all recognize the effectiveness of lecture-
based courses.

5. In sum, our actions do damage the Earth. Not only do we pollute our planet, but our activity also puts all
life in danger. We should all work to limit our negative impact.

6. In sum, books, magazines, and articles are the best sources of research. Not only is the information in
these items more trustworthy, but they also offer an enormous amount of information compared to the
Internet. Though the Internet may become the best source of research in the future, today, we should all
draw most of our research from printed material.

7. In sum, few people can affect you as much as your neighbors, so its important to live next to good
neighbors, which are always respectful and friendly people. Living near these kinds of people will
definitely improve your quality of life at home and we should all try to develop these qualities ourselves.

8. In conclusion, its governments responsibility to ensure that our health is protected. Its also essential
for a government to work to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Those are the key reasons why
more money should be invested in public transportation than on roads and highways. Such an investment
will improve the lives of the average taxpayer and we should all support it.

9. In sum, students should attend coeducational schools. Not only do they help students develop a mature
way to look at the opposite sex but they also create the kind of diversity that is necessary in all
classrooms. Though some students may require a different kind of school for different reasons, all
students should attend a coeducational school for at least some time.

10. In conclusion, many factors contribute to our longer lifespan, but few increased it as much as the
improvements in our health care system and the increased focus that we have on our bodies. We should
expect this to continue and Im sure that well soon find ourselves pushing our lifespan to lengths that
we never imagined.

11. In conclusion, speaking a second language is important, but starting to learn one as soon as you enter
school is not. Not only are children too young to choose the right language but they also wont develop
a complete understanding of it if they are. We should all work to open our minds and learn more but in
the most effective ways possible.

12. In sum, computers benefit our lives by making it easier and more convenient. Not only have they
improved so many things that we use every day, but they also give us a simple way to gather important
information quickly. Computers have revolutionized our lives and we should all support their continued
development and use.
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Transitional words:
Transitional words, called also linking words or signal words. These words help you to move from one idea to
another in a smooth and coherent way. They also signal the reader or listener what will follow after the
transitional word. Transitional phrases are usually used at the beginning of a sentence. They are always
followed by a comma.
Examples:

In contrast, humans can speak and communicate.


For example, it always comes when you call its name.

To add extra information:


And Also Additionally Alternatively And then Apart from
As well As Besides that Coupled with Equally important First, second, third
Following this Further Furthermore Indeed In addition
In fact Last but not least Likewise Moreover
To give examples:
For example As an example For instance In this case In another case
In particular In this situation Including Markedly Namely
Notably On this occasion Particularly In particular Specifically
Such as Take the case of To demonstrate To illustrate As an illustration
To clarify the information you have presented:
Above all I mean In other words In this case
That is to say Up to a point What I mean is
To present consequence:
Accordingly As a result Consequently For this reason For this purpose
Hence In that case Otherwise So then Subsequently
Therefore Thus Thereupon Wherefore
To generalize information and facts:
As a rule As usual For the most part
Generally Ordinarily Usually
To compare and contrast:
But By the same token By way of contrast Conversely Equally
However In contrast In a like manner Instead Likewise
Nevertheless On one hand On the other hand On the contrary Rather
Similarly Still Though Whereas While Yet
To present sequential information:
Afterward At first At the same time Earlier First of all
First/second/third/last/ For now For the time being In the first place In time
In turn Later on Meanwhile Next The next step
The meantime Then To begin with Soon Simultaneously While
To summarize:
After all All in all All things considered Altogether As a final point
Briefly By and large Finally In a word In any case
In any event In brief In conclusion In short In summary
In the end In the final analysis In the long run Lastly On the whole
Overall To conclude To put it briefly To sum up

Using Transitional Phrases in the TOEFL Essay:


A transitional phrase helps you move from one paragraph to the next. It also helps you move from sentence to
sentence. Transitional phrases help the reader understand your essay.
They can be used in two places: at the beginning of a paragraph or at the beginning of a sentence. Here's how:
Paragraph 1: This is your introduction. Do not use any transitional words or phrases at the beginning of this paragraph.
Paragraph 2: This is the first paragraph of the essay body. Use any of these at the beginning of this paragraph:
First, first of all, for a start, for starters, in the first place, for one thing, to begin with
Paragraph 3: This is the second paragraph of the essay body. Use any of these at the beginning of this paragraph:
Second, next, in addition to the previous point, more importantly, more important than, another key point is
Paragraph 4: This is your conclusion. Use any of these at the beginning of this paragraph:
In conclusion, in closing, to summarize, in sum, in summary, finally, as I have illustrated, for those reasons, all in all, in final
analysis

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Tips to Improve Your TOEFL Essays
1. Answer the question which is being asked
2. Use short and simple sentences
3. Give your essays a beginning, middle, and end
4. Have a thesis statement
5. Use topic sentences
6. Learn the conditionals: first, second, and third
7. Never begin a sentence with a conjunction. The words and, but, and because are all conjunctions. In English, we only use
conjunctions to connect sentences--we almost never begin a sentence with one.
8. Learn how to use the comma (,) in English
9. Use the active voice
There are two "voices" in English: active and passive. Here they are:

ACTIVE: Cats eat birds. PASSIVE: Birds are eaten by cats.


The active voice is much stronger than the passive voice. Use the active voice as much as possible.

10. Use transitional words and phrases. Transitional words and phrases make your writing easier to understand. They connect
ideas and present them to the reader in a logical order. Here are some examples: First of all..., In addition..., More
importantly..., In closing..., In conclusion....

Common Essay Mistakes:


Never use abbreviations
Never end a sentence with three dots...
Don't use slang. Never use any words or phrases that could be considered slang: coulda, woulda, shoulda, gonna,
wanna, blah blah blah.
Don't use big words and complicated language
Never memorize a text
Do not begin a sentence with a conjunction. A conjunction is a word that is used to connect two words, phrases,
or sentences. Here are some examples: and, but, or. Only use these words for connections. Never begin a sentence
with one of these words.
Do not use contractions. A contraction is the combined form of two words. For example, if we have the
words are and not, they can be combined as aren't. Theoretically, this is good English. In academic writing,
however, it is usually not acceptable to use these short forms.
Never leave a sentence, paragraph, or idea incomplete
Do not write more than 5 paragraphs

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EXAMPLES INDEPENDENT ESSAYS:
Is it more important to be able to work with a group of people on a team or to work independently? Use reasons
and specific examples to support your answer.
Example answer:
Work is an important part of our lives. No matter where we are or what we do, we cannot escape our responsibilities in school or at work.
Some people believe that it is more important to be able to work in a group while others disagree. In my view, though both skills are important,
the most successful people know how to work independently for two very important reasons.
First, you dont always have a group to depend on. The benefits of being able to work in a group are obvious, but most of the things we do in
life require us to do it alone. Without this ability, its very hard to do things well. For example, when I was in university, I took a physics class.
The professor who taught the class was good, but he wasnt effective. It was hard to follow his lectures. Many students in the class, including
me, formed study groups. We worked together in the library as a group. It was great. We learned a lot. However, I would study by myself
afterwards too. It was important because I needed to really master it for the test. After the course I learned, that the students who focused
only on group work didnt do as well as those that also worked alone. When students had to take the test, they had to do it alone. They
couldnt depend on anothers idea or help. This experience taught me that the ability to work independently is much more important.
Second, an independent mind comes from independent work. When you work in a group, you have to be part of the group. Sometimes, you
give up some ideas or focus on what other group members want. This takes away your sense of independence. For example, I read a book on
psychology a few weeks ago. It was an interesting book that talked about how groups influence people. The author provided an example
about a jury in a court of law. I learned that there is a lot of pressure to agree in a jury. Most people follow others who state their opinion.
She stated that when only one person disagreed with the group, many other people would follow. In other words, most people dont say what
they feel unless someone else does. This is a natural result of group work: few people lead others. Consequently, most people learn to follow
and not lead. Since success often results from strong leaders and independent minds, this book helped show me that the ability to work in a
group is not as important as the ability to work alone.
In sum, we must know how to work both in a group and by ourselves to do well in life, but the ability to work independently is more important.
Not only does it help you succeed with more common work that you must do alone, but it also helps you develop the independent mind that
is essential for success. We should all spend at least some time working alone.
Word count: 500
Some students prefer classes with open discussions between the professor and students and almost no lectures.
Other students prefer classes with lectures and almost no discussions. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons
and examples to support your answer.
Example answer:
Education is important in our society. It often determines our level of success. Some people believe that the best education comes from classes
that focus on discussions. Others disagree. In my view, courses should focus on lectures for two important reasons.
First, lectures ensure that the most important material is learned. When you take classes that focus on discussion, a few students often talk
the most. As a result, the class focuses on what they want and not as much as other students or the professor. For example, when I was in
university, I took a class on the history of the Caribbean. This class was almost 100% discussion. There was one student who always asked
questions and talked about her personal life. If this class were lecture based, students would have been able to learn more about the
Caribbean. Though this may be an extreme example, as you can clearly see, lectures create a stronger learning environment.
Second, students still get to ask questions in lecture-based classes. During a lecture, a student can still raise her hand and ask a question or
make a comment. For example, in university, I took a beginning chemistry class with about 150 students, maybe more. As you can imagine,
this class was almost 100% lecture based. I noticed that a student would always ask a question or make a comment during the lecture. This
created a very small, but useful discussion that other students could hear. This happened at least two or three times every day and in my other
lecture-based classes as well. This experience taught me that lecture-based classes are better.
In sum, the most preferable classes are lecture based. Not only do students learn more but they also still have a chance to ask questions and
make comments. We should all recognize the effectiveness of lecture-based courses.
Word count: 306
Some people believe that the Earth is being harmed (damaged) by human activity. Others feel that human activity
makes the Earth a better place to live. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.
Example answer:
Our planet is the most important part of our existence. Without the Earth, there is no humanity. Some people feel that human activity is
damaging our precious planet. Others disagree. In my view, human activity has harmed the Earth more than it has helped for two important
reasons.
The first is pollution. Every day we drive our cars to work and to other locations. These cars produce gas that damages the air. Every day we
use an enormous amount of plastic that damages our oceans. For example, I try to take responsible action, but 5 days a week I drive to work
and put a large amount of carbon dioxide into the air, which is warming our planet to an unhealthy amount. I drink water to be healthy, but
use plastic water bottles. I recycle the plastic, but the plastic is made by companies that damage the environment in the process. I am just one
person among billions who commits similar actions every day. As you can see, human activity is harming our planet.
Second, our activity puts all life in danger. Our desire to protect ourselves causes destruction across the planet. For example, during World
War II, the nuclear bomb was invented and used to put an end to the war. Many countries built this weapon for protection against other
nations that possess it. Though there is strong debate about whether this is right or wrong, this weapon when used can completely destroy
our planet and when it was used has significantly damaged the environment. This clearly demonstrates that human activity has damaged the
Earth and can, ultimately, completely destroy it.

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In sum, our actions do damage the Earth. Not only do we pollute our planet, but our activity also puts all life in danger. We should all work to
limit our negative impact.
Word count: 302
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to use printed material such as books and
articles to do research than it is to use the internet. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Example answer:
Research is an important part of education. In order to learn, we must be able to find relevant and useful information. Some people believe
that the Internet provides the best resource for research. Others disagree. In my view, no source is more powerful for good research than
printed material such as books and articles for two key reasons.
First, printed material is much more trustworthy. No source is perfect, but books, magazines, and other similar articles are reviewed by an
editor before they are published. Anyone can publish a website at any time for any reason and this person or group can easily hide their
identity. However, publishers have to be careful because their reputation is connected with the book. For example, when I was in university I
had to do research for a presentation in my physical chemistry class. This presentation demanded a lot of research. My partner and I had to
explain a difficult concept to our class. We spent a lot of time online researching. We found a lot of websites that just copied one another and
explained things unclearly and sometimes inaccurately. Many people were just trying to develop sites to sell something through this research.
The best material online came from sites that copied printed material. Rather than use those sites, we went to the library and found the
original articles and many more. Universities we could trust backed the research. This experience taught me that printed material still
represents the best source for serious research.
Second, there is much more information available through printed material. We hear every day that theres so much data online, but this
amount still doesnt compare to the amount found in books, articles, and magazines. For example, the library that our university had was 11
stories tall. It was filled with books. When I needed to learn about an author for an English assignment, I could find dozens of books on the
subject. Each book had hundreds of pages. These books were written by authors who dedicated every page to exactly the author I was
researching. If I looked for similar information online, the only data I found was a few pages on the authors history or some of his books. It
did not compare to the thousands of pages of material available to me in the library. I remember there was a chapter dedicated to a short
story he wrote. I couldnt even find a copy of this short story online because he wasnt a popular author. As you can see, the Internet cannot
compare to printed material in terms of information available.
In sum, books, magazines, and articles are the best sources of research. Not only is the information in these items more trustworthy, but they
also offer an enormous amount of information compared to the Internet. Though the Internet may become the best source of research in the
future, today, we should all draw most of our research from printed material.
Word count: 494
Neighbors are the people who live near us. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good neighbor? Use specific
details and examples in your answer
Example answer:
The people who live near us can impact our lives significantly. We encounter them on almost a daily basis, so its important to have good
neighbors. Accordingly, what qualities make ideal neighbors? In my view, they should possess two very important qualities.
The first is respect for others. Most difficulties between neighbors come from a basic lack of respect. If your neighbor respects you, then he
will not do many of the things that may bother you. For example, I used to live in a two-story apartment complex. I lived on the second story
and my downstairs neighbor had no respect for others. He would have parties at night when most people were trying to sleep. He was also
very messy. He left his trash outside of his door and over time it was difficult to walk past his apartment because there was no space. If he
had had respect for others, he wouldnt have been so inconsiderate and such a bad neighbor.
The second quality is friendliness. With a friendly neighbor, its easy to develop a good relationship and that positive relationship can make
living in your home much more enjoyable. For instance, I remember that when I was in elementary school, my parents would always talk with
my neighbors. They would often come over for dinner and bring food. I would often have fun playing games with their kids while our parents
talked. If our neighbors werent friendly, then we wouldnt have had such a good experience living in that home.
In sum, few people can affect you as much as your neighbors, so its important to live next to good neighbors, which are always respectful and
friendly people. Living near these kinds of people will definitely improve your quality of life at home and we should all try to develop these
qualities ourselves.
Word count: 305
Should governments spend more money on improving roads and highways, or should governments spend more
money on improving public transportation (buses, trains, subways)? Why? Use specific reasons and details to
develop your essay.
Example answer:
National government has a powerful impact on our lives. The government is responsible for education, defense, and even transportation.
Everyday millions of dollars in tax revenue are invested in transportation projects. Some people believe that the government should invest a
majority of that money on improving roads and highways. Others disagree. In my view, public transportation represents the best investment
for two main reasons.
The first is health. Cars are a significant source of pollution. They emit poisonous gases that harm not only our health but also our entire
ecosystem. For example, many of my friends run to stay healthy and some of them subscribe to a running magazine. This magazine published
an article a few weeks ago about the dangers of running on the street. Surprisingly, the article didnt focus on car accidents and poor drivers
but on pollution. It stated that running in streets with heavy traffic could actually prove more harmful than helpful since runners breathe at
an accelerated rate and streets with busy traffic are saturated with the poisonous exhaust of so many cars. Consequently, runners take in a
larger than normal amount of those pollutants. This is just one organism in our ecosystem that is being negatively affected. With a serious

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investment in public transportation, fewer people will drive and we can begin to limit the harm done to our environment and our health. As
you can see, more investment in public transportation is best.
The second reason is convenience. Most public transportation systems do not receive enough funding. Governments dont invest heavily
enough so the system tends to be very inconvenient and out-of-date. Few buses result in poor service and the buses are often old and
uncomfortable. Not only do buses suffer from lack of investment but all other forms of public transportation such as trains and subways do
as well. For instance, when I was in high school, I took summer school at a school located around 15 miles from my house, a long distance to
walk. I didnt have a car, so I took a bus. In the morning, the bus would usually be on time, but after school, in the afternoon, buses would run
late and be overcrowded because there werent enough to meet the demand. Also, these buses were old, dirty, and often marked with graffiti.
Thats one of the main reasons why I bought a car. If public transportation were better, it would have been more convenient than driving my
own car. I wouldnt have had to spend my money; I would have been able to study on the way to and from school; and I would have enjoyed
the experience of a nice comfortable ride. This experience taught me that public transportation seriously needs more funding.
In conclusion, its governments responsibility to ensure that our health is protected. Its also essential for a government to work to improve
the quality of life of its citizens. Those are the key reasons why more money should be invested in public transportation than on roads and
highways. Such an investment will improve the lives of the average taxpayer and we should all support it.
Word count: 503
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Boys and girls should attend separate schools. Use specific
reasons and examples to support your answer.
Example answer:
School is an important part of our lives. Most countries require young people to attend by law because its so important. Some people believe
that the best schools are either all boy schools or all girl schools while others disagree. In my view, coeducational schools provide the strongest
learning environments for two important reasons.
First, children need to understand how to develop relationships with the opposite sex. School is where children learn to interact with others.
If they only interact with children of the same gender, they will face difficulties in their future lives. For example, I went to coeducational
schools for my whole life. This was a great experience for me because it taught me how to be comfortable with women. My history teachers
often made us work in groups to write research papers. Working with each other closely eliminated any feeling of discomfort. I wouldnt see
working with another boy or a girl differently. They were my equals and I interacted with them easily. Now, as an adult, I feel that this has
helped me not only in my personal relationships but in my work relationships as well. Through this, I know that coeducational schools are
essential, especially for young children.
Second, coeducational schools create more diversity in the classroom. Everyone has different ways of thinking. It is easy to understand that
men and women may not see the same issue the same way. Each gender develops its own unique and valuable perspective. For instance,
when I was in university, I took an introductory philosophy class. The book we used was actually very interesting. It was divided into twenty
chapters and each chapter asked an important question of philosophy. Then, several essays from different authors were presented. The last
essay was always that of a feminist or female philosopher. These essays introduced powerful ideas that were different from the other essays,
which were largely written by men. From this I learned that coeducational schools create the essential diversity that all schools should have.
In sum, students should attend coeducational schools. Not only do they help students develop a mature way to look at the opposite sex but
they also create the kind of diversity that is necessary in all classrooms. Though some students may require a different kind of school for
different reasons, all students should attend a coeducational school for at least some time.
Word count: 397
In general, people are living longer now. Discuss the causes of this phenomenon. Use specific reasons and details
to develop your essay.
Example answer:
Change is a powerful part of our existence. It is the base that helps us progress. One positive change that affects us all is that people are living
longer now. Many factors led to this incredible fact.
The first is that our health care system constantly improves. Engineers study current technology and how it can better our health. Scientists
research diseases and create medicines to cure them. Administrators work on ways to deliver better health care to people all over the world.
For instance, in my history class, I learned that in early medicine, doctors didnt clean their tools well. As a result, many patients wouldnt
survive even the smallest surgery because of infection. Soon after the surgery they would become fatally ill. Doctors then learned, through
experience and research, that by cleaning their tools and using more sanitary methods, patients would survive long after their surgery. Now,
people are living much longer than they would be able to before. This taught me that, we have improved health care to thank for our longer
lives.
The second is that people take better care of themselves now than they did in the past. For instance, centuries ago people focused on survival.
They had to ensure that they had the basics to survive: food, clothes, and shelter. Over time, our quality of life improved dramatically. People
began to work and were able to attain the basics of life easily. They didnt have to grow their own food, make their own clothes, or build their
own shelters. They could buy these items easily in markets. In time, governments forced companies to reduce working hours and people began
to enjoy more free time while having all of the basics for survival. With this free time, people focused much of that time and their energy on
keeping themselves healthy. Nowadays, when people dont work, they go to the gym, play sports, cook better, and overall take better care of
themselves. Research shows that these changes in lifestyle have a dramatic effect on peoples lifespan.
In conclusion, many factors contribute to our longer lifespan, but few increased it as much as the improvements in our health care system and
the increased focus that we have on our bodies. We should expect this to continue and Im sure that well soon find ourselves pushing our
lifespan to lengths that we never imagined.
Word count: 395
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Children should begin learning a foreign language as soon
as they start school. Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.
Example answer:
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Speaking another language is very important in our society today. Whether you go on vacation or apply for a job, a second language is essential.
Because of this, some people believe that children should begin learning a foreign language as soon as they start school. Others disagree. In
my view, doing so would be a huge waste of time for both the student and teacher for two important reasons.
First, children are too young to choose a language to learn. When you are a child, you dont know about the world. As a result, the foreign
language you learn is chosen for you and you may not want to learn that language. For example, when I was in high school, my school required
me to take a foreign language. I really didnt know what to choose because I had no idea what language would really be useful, so I decided
to study French. However, after graduating and learning a little more about my future and goals, I realized that a different language, such as
Chinese or Japanese, would have been more useful for me. As a high school student, I wasnt able to make the smart choice. Accordingly, I
dont believe a young child will be able to. This experience taught me that learning a foreign language at such a young age is not such a great
idea.
Second, you wont develop a complete understanding of the language. Sometimes instructors are students of the language and not native
speakers. Also, the students you learn with are not experienced with the language. Consequently, you learn slowly and often inaccurately. For
example, a coworker decided to study Korean after graduating from University. Instead of learning in a school, he decided to work in Korea.
He applied for several different positions and was able to find a job. After two years, he returned and speaks Korean well. I dont believe he
would have the same skill if he had studied in a school because in the country native speakers of the language surrounded him. I also know
students who have studied a second language only in school, and their ability does not compare to his. As you can see, learning a second
language in school is not effective; it is far better to travel abroad where that language is spoken.
In conclusion, speaking a second language is important, but starting to learn one as soon as you enter school is not. Not only are children too
young to choose the right language but they also wont develop a complete understanding of it if they are. We should all work to open our
minds and learn more but in the most effective ways possible.
Word count: 450
Some people say that computers have made life easier and more convenient. Other people say that computers
have made life more complex and stressful. What is your opinion? Use specific reasons and examples to support
your answer.
Example answer:
Technology has a significant effect on our lives. We find technology everywhere and cannot avoid its influence. One very important technology
is computers. Some people believe that they have made life easier and more convenient while others disagree. In my view, computers have
created a better quality of life for many reasons.
The first reason is that computers have improved the quality of many other products. Companies use computers to build products that work
more efficiently and effectively. For example, today, most cars possess small computers that help improve their safety and therefore, improve
their quality. My car has a small computer that can determine if the car is out of control. If it is, the computer will take action and alter the
speed of the tires so that it will regain control. Cars represent just one example of how computers have positively impacted our lives.
The second reason is that computers provide a way for us to get important information. Through the Internet, the personal computer has
become one of the most popular and convenient sources of important information. For example, a friend of mine felt really sick a few months
ago. She had a bad stomachache and it was late at night. I didnt have access to a doctor, so I researched information on how to help soothe
a bad stomach online. I found that soft foods such as rice could help. With this information, I was able to help my friend feel better. This
experience taught me that computers can help us significantly.
In sum, computers benefit our lives by making it easier and more convenient. Not only have they improved so many things that we use every
day, but they also give us a simple way to gather important information quickly. Computers have revolutionized our lives and we should all
support their continued development and use.
Word count: 309

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