TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Overweight children are more likely to be teased by their peers or to develop low self-esteem or body image problems. What do you think of this phenomenon? Do you think the negligence of parents is the main cause of childhood obesity?
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Professor
The number of overweight children in many places has doubled in recent years. Causes of obesity in children include unhealthy food choices, lack of physical activity and family eating habits. This rise in the number of overweight children is disturbing, because it causes health problems and can lead to social problems. Overweight children are more likely to be teased by their peers or to develop low self-esteem or body image problems. What do you think of this phenomenon? Do you think the negligence of parents is the main cause of childhood obesity?
Student A Zoe
For me, there are other reasons that contribute to the obesity rate in children. School-age children spend most of their time at school without their parents around. They eat three meals a day at school, so the school should be primarily responsible. I heard that some schools collaborate with McDonald's to provide children with lunches such as hamburgers and fried chicken. Therefore, children have developed the habit of eating foods containing high calorie since childhood, which is likely to leads to weight issues.
Student B Kelly
Well, parents should take primary responsibility for their children's physical problems. A lot of children develop obesity because their parents don’t know how to choose or prepare healthy foods. There are also parents buying whatever their kids like. Thus, children eat fattening foods on a daily basis and develop unhealthy eating habits from a young age.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In response to the professor's thought-provoking question, I firmly believe that parents is the main cause of childhood obesity. First, I concur with kelly's viewpoint that parents do not have to choose healthy food for their child. Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that because parents busy with work,so that they have not enough time to prepare child’s dinner. For instance, in our society ,adult often works later than dinner time,they can not go supermarket or cooking some healthy food ,but choosing some quickly food. While zoe's argument regarding the potential negativeeffects on school holds merit, it overlooks the fact that school’ food .
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
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Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.0
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Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 3.5
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Language Use and Grammar: 3.0
2. 预估分数
22. 3 任务完成度
这篇文章基本上回答了问题,但在论证方面还有待加强。首先,你需要提供更多具体的例子来支持你的观点。此外,尽量避免使用过于简单的句子和表达方式。可以尝试使用更复杂的句子结构和词汇来展示你的英语水平。
Example 1: Instead of "I firmly believe that parents is the main cause of childhood obesity.", you could write "I firmly believe that parental negligence plays a significant role in the prevalence of childhood obesity."
Example 2: Instead of "adult often works later than dinner time", you could write "many adults often work late hours, extending beyond typical dinner times."
4. 文章结构与组织
文章结构方面需要改进。首先,引言部分应该更清晰地陈述主题和论点。其次,在正文部分,每个段落都应该集中讨论一个具体的观点,并提供相应的支持细节。最后,在结论部分总结文章,并重申主要观点。
Example 1: For the introduction, you could write: "In this essay, I will argue that parental negligence is the primary cause of childhood obesity, as they are responsible for providing healthy food choices and promoting an active lifestyle for their children."
Example 2: For a body paragraph, you could write: "One major factor contributing to childhood obesity is the lack of healthy food choices provided by parents. Due to their busy schedules, many parents resort to purchasing fast food or processed meals, which are high in calories and low in nutritional value. This leads to children developing unhealthy eating habits from a young age."
5. 语法批改
In response to the professor's thought-provoking question, I firmly believe that parents isare(Detects potentially wrong usage of "is") the main cause of childhood obesity. First, I concur with kellyKelly(misspelling)'s viewpoint that parents do not have to choose healthy food for their child. Furthermore, I would like to emphasize that because parents busy with work,so, so(Use of whitespace before comma and before/after parentheses) that they have not enough time to prepare child’s dinner. For instance, in our society ,, (Use of whitespace before comma and before/after parentheses)adult often works later than dinner time,they, they(Use of whitespace before comma and before/after parentheses) can not go supermarket or cooking some healthy food ,, (Use of whitespace before comma and before/after parentheses)but choosing some quickly food. While zoeZoe(misspelling)'s argument regarding the potential negativeeffectsnegative effects(misspelling) onof(This rule identifies wrong preposition usage.) school holds merit, it overlooks the fact that school’(Unpaired braces, brackets, quotation marks and similar symbols) food ..(Use of whitespace before comma and before/after parentheses)
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In addressing the professor's compelling inquiry, I assert that parental negligence is indeed the primary cause of childhood obesity. Firstly, I agree with Kelly's perspective that many parents fail to select and provide healthy food options for their children. Moreover, I would like to highlight that due to their demanding work schedules, parents often lack sufficient time to prepare nutritious meals for their offspring. For example, in today's fast-paced society, adults frequently work beyond regular dinner hours, leaving them with no choice but to resort to convenient yet unhealthy food options. Although Zoe's argument concerning the potential adverse effects of school-provided meals is valid, it neglects the fundamental responsibility parents hold in shaping their children's dietary habits and overall well-being. (125 words)
In response to addressing the professor's thought-provoking question, compelling inquiry (revised for a more natural tone), I firmly believe assert that parents parental negligence (revised for clarity) is indeed the main primary cause of childhood obesity. First, Firstly, I concur agree with kelly's viewpoint Kelly's perspective that many parents do not have fail to choose select and provide healthy food options for their child. Furthermore, children (revised for clarity and natural tone). Moreover, I would like to emphasize highlight that because due to their demanding work schedules, parents busy with work,so that they have not enough often lack sufficient time to prepare child’s dinner. nutritious meals for their offspring (revised for a more natural tone). For instance, example, in our society ,adult often works later than today's fast-paced society, adults frequently work beyond regular dinner time,they can not go supermarket or cooking some healthy hours, leaving them with no choice but to resort to convenient yet unhealthy food ,but choosing some quickly food. While zoe's options (revised for clarity and natural tone). Although Zoe's argument regarding concerning the potential negativeeffects on school holds merit, adverse effects of school-provided meals is valid, it overlooks neglects the fact that school’ food fundamental responsibility parents hold in shaping their children's dietary habits and overall well-being (revised for a more natural tone).
8 思维导图
- 主题: 家长疏忽是儿童肥胖的主要原因
- 子主题1: 同意Kelly观点
- 家长未能为孩子选择健康食物
- 子主题2: 繁忙的工作时间影响家长
- 缺乏时间准备营养丰富的餐点
- 快节奏社会导致不健康的饮食选择
- 子主题3: Zoe关于学校提供的餐点的论点
- 论点有效,但忽略了家长在塑造孩子饮食习惯方面的基本责任
9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| negligence | /ˈnɛɡlɪdʒəns/ | noun | failure to take proper care in doing something | 疏忽 | Parental negligence is the primary cause of childhood obesity. |
| compelling | /kəmˈpɛlɪŋ/ | adjective | evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way | 引人注目的 | The professor's compelling inquiry made me think deeply about the issue. |
| perspective | /pərˈspɛktɪv/ | noun | a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view | 观点 | I agree with Kelly's perspective that many parents fail to select healthy food options. |
| nutritious | /njuːˈtrɪʃəs/ | adjective | efficient as food; nourishing | 营养丰富的 | Parents often lack sufficient time to prepare nutritious meals for their children. |
| offspring | /ˈɒfspriŋ/ | noun | a person's child or children | 子女 | Parents should take care of the well-being of their offspring. |
| fast-paced | /fɑːst ˈpeɪst/ | adjective | happening very quickly | 快节奏的 | In today's fast-paced society, adults frequently work beyond regular dinner hours. |
| adverse | /ədˈvɜrs/ | adjective | - preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable - (of a drug or medical treatment) causing harm | - 不利的 - 有害的 | - Although Zoe's argument concerning the potential adverse effects is valid. - Adverse weather conditions caused delays in transportation. |
| responsibility | /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/ | noun | - the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something - the state or fact of being accountable | - 责任 - 可追究责任的 | - Parents hold responsibility in shaping their children's dietary habits. - She accepted responsibility for her actions. |
| fundamental | /ˌfʌndəˈmɛntəl/ | adjective | forming a necessary base or core; of central importance | 基本的,根本的 | It neglects the fundamental responsibility parents hold in shaping their children's well-being. |
| well-being | /ˈwɛlbiɪŋ/ | noun | the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy | 健康,幸福 | Parents should focus on their children's well-being and happiness. |
How Academic Discussion Is Scored
The TOEFL Academic Discussion task is evaluated based on the official ETS scoring rubric. AI evaluation analyzes each response across multiple dimensions.
Relevance & Contribution
Does the response address the question and contribute meaningfully to the discussion?
Language Use
Grammar accuracy, vocabulary range, and sentence structure quality.
Development & Support
Are ideas well-developed with specific examples and clear reasoning?
Common Patterns Across Responses
Based on analysis of user submissions for this task, here are common patterns observed in student responses.
Many students provide clear opinions but lack specific supporting examples.
Strong responses directly reference the reading passage and other speakers' viewpoints.
Higher-scoring responses use varied sentence structures and academic vocabulary.
Time management is a key factor — responses that feel rushed tend to score lower on development.
Learning Tips
Read the prompt carefully and identify all parts of the question before writing.
Reference the reading passage and the other students' opinions in your response.
Use specific examples to support your main point — avoid generic statements.
Aim for 120-150 words. Longer responses are not always better; clarity and focus matter more.
Practice timed responses (10 minutes) to build fluency under exam conditions.
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