TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: think about places in your country that have a housing shortage.In your post,I would like you to indicate the most effective way for the government to address a housing shortage in your country.
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Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Professor
This week,we will be discussing a shortage of affordable housing that exists in many countries.In these places,housing-both apartments (flats)and houses—are expensive,because populations are growing faster than new housing is being built.Now,think about places in your country that have a housing shortage.In your post,I would like you to indicate the most effective way for the government to address a housing shortage in your country.Please explain why you think so.
Claire
In my country,there is a lack of affordable housing in the big cities.Low-cost housing exists in areas outside of the cities,but that means workers have long commutes to reach their jobs in the cities.I recommend that my government create initiatives to encourage the construction of large buildings with many affordable apartments in cities.
Paul
Claire's recommendation is fine,but many people prefer to live in a house rather than an apartment,even if they have longer commutes.Living in a house can be quieter and more private.So,I believe my government should give subsidies or tax relief to construction companies to build small,affordable single-family houses on unused land that surrounds many cities.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
I think both points mentioned by Claire and Paul are reasonable, but from where I stand that the most effective way for government to address the housing shortage is to build satellite cities. In my countries, the major problems resulting in housing shortage is not the lack of apartment or other reason, instead, the unreasonable urban planning, that companies and offices are placed in the central of the city, so people have to choose to live around their companies. In that situation, there are definitely housing shortage would happen in the downtown of the city. However, If we facilitate building satellite cities, people can be gathered from downtown where there are many lands provided for living. Before government facilitates building satellite cities, people are crowded in the central of the city which are limited in land providing. In contrast, people are gathered from downtown and moved to satellite cities, which are full of the land resource, so people can have many places to live and the problem of housing shortage would be also solved.
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
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Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5
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Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0
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Language Use and Grammar: 3.5
2. 预估分数
25. 3 任务完成度
整体来说,你的文章在回答问题和参与讨论方面做得不错。但是,为了更好地完成任务,你可以在以下方面进行改进:
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在阐述观点时,尝试提供更具体的例子和细节,以增强论据的说服力。
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注意语言使用和语法方面的准确性,避免出现错误。
英文示例:
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在讨论卫星城市的优势时,可以提供一些具体的例子,如某个成功实施卫星城市政策的国家或城市。 Example: "For instance, the development of satellite cities around Paris, France has successfully alleviated housing shortages and reduced the population density in the city center."
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修改语法错误和不清晰的表达。 Example: "In my country, the major problem resulting in housing shortages is not the lack of apartments or other reasons; instead, it is the unreasonable urban planning with companies and offices concentrated in the city center."
4. 文章结构与组织
从文章结构和组织方面来看,你的文章基本上是清晰的。但是,在以下方面还有改进空间:
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强化段落之间的过渡,使文章更加连贯。
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在结尾部分总结观点,呼应文章开头。
英文示例:
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在讨论不同观点时,使用过渡词或短语来引导读者。 Example: "While Claire's suggestion of building affordable apartments in cities is valid, Paul's idea of constructing single-family houses also has its merits."
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在文章结尾部分进行总结。 Example: "In conclusion, the development of satellite cities is the most effective solution to address housing shortages in my country, as it not only provides more living spaces but also promotes a more balanced urban planning."
5. 语法批改
I think both points mentioned by Claire and Paul are reasonable, but from where I stand thatmy perspective, the most effective way for government to address the housing shortage is to build satellite cities. In my countries,country, the major problems resulting in housing shortage isare not thea lack of apartmentapartments or other reason,reasons; instead, the unreasonable urban planning, that companiesplanning. Companies and offices are placed in the central of the city, sowhich means people have to choose to live around their companies.workplaces. In thatthis situation, there arehousing shortages will definitely housing shortage would happenoccur in the downtown of the city. However, Ifif we facilitate building satellite cities, people can be gathered from downtown where there are many landsis an abundance of land provided for living. Before government facilitates building satellite cities, people are crowded in the central of the citycity, which arehas limited in land providing.provision. In contrast, people are gathered from downtown and moved to satellite cities, which are full of thehave abundant land resource, soresources, people canwill have many places to livelive, and the problem of housing shortage wouldwill be also solved.
Section Title: Addressing Housing Shortages
In considering the housing shortage in my country, I believe that the most effective approach for the government to address this issue is through the development of satellite cities. The primary cause of housing shortages in my country is not a lack of apartments or other factors, but rather, it is due to inefficient urban planning. Companies and offices are predominantly located in city centers, compelling people to reside near their workplaces. This situation inevitably leads to housing shortages in downtown areas. By promoting the construction of satellite cities, people can be dispersed from congested city centers where there is limited land available for residential purposes. In contrast, satellite cities offer an abundance of land resources, providing ample living spaces for individuals who would otherwise be concentrated in central urban areas. Consequently, this strategy would effectively alleviate the problem of housing shortages while also promoting a more balanced distribution of populations across regions. (158 words)
Revised essay: Addressing Housing Shortages
In considering the housing shortage in my country, I think both points mentioned by Claire and Paul are reasonable, but from where I stand believe that the most effective way approach (clarified that it's an opinion) for the government to address this issue is through the housing shortage is to build development of satellite cities. In The primary cause of housing shortages in my countries, the major problems resulting in housing shortage country is not the a lack of apartment apartments or other reason, instead, the unreasonable factors (simplified phrasing), but rather, it is due to inefficient urban planning, that companies planning. Companies and offices are placed predominantly located in city centers, compelling people to reside near their workplaces (rephrased for clarity). This situation inevitably leads to housing shortages in downtown areas. By promoting the central construction of the city, so people have to choose to live around their companies. In that situation, there are definitely housing shortage would happen in the downtown of the city. However, If we facilitate building satellite cities, people can be gathered dispersed from downtown congested city centers where there are many lands provided is limited land available for living. Before government facilitates building satellite cities, people are crowded in the central of the city which are limited in land providing. residential purposes (clarified meaning). In contrast, people are gathered from downtown and moved to satellite cities, which are full cities offer an abundance of the land resource, so people can have many places to live and resources, providing ample living spaces for individuals who would otherwise be concentrated in central urban areas (rephrased for clarity). Consequently, this strategy would effectively alleviate the problem of housing shortage would be shortages while also solved.promoting a more balanced distribution of populations across regions (summarized benefits).
Title: 8 思维导图
1. Addressing Housing Shortages
1.1. Inefficient urban planning
1.1.1. Companies and offices in city centers
1.1.2. People residing near workplaces
1.2. Development of satellite cities
1.2.1. Disperse people from congested city centers
1.2.2. Abundance of land resources
1.3. Benefits of satellite cities
1.3.1 Alleviate housing shortages
1.3.2 Balanced distribution of populations across regions
Title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English definition | Simplified Chinese translation | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| housing | /ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ | noun | the provision of houses | 房屋 | The government is working on addressing the housing shortage in the country's urban areas. |
| shortage | /ˈʃɔːrtɪdʒ/ | noun | a state or situation in which something needed cannot be obtained in sufficient amounts | 短缺 | The housing shortage has led to an increase in rental prices. |
| satellite | /ˈsætəlaɪt/ | adjective | used to refer to a town, organization, etc., that is controlled by or depends on a larger one | 卫星的 | Satellite cities can help alleviate the pressure on congested city centers. |
| urban planning | /ˈɜr·bən/ /ˈplæn·ɪŋ/ | noun | the process of planning and designing cities, towns, and other urban environments | 城市规划 | Inefficient urban planning has contributed to the housing shortage in the country. |
| congested | /kənˈdʒestɪd/ | adjective | overcrowded, especially with traffic or people | 拥挤的 | The congested city center has limited land available for residential purposes. |
| disperse | /dɪˈspɜrs/ | verb | to cause to separate and go in different directions | 分散 | Satellite cities can help disperse people from congested city centers. |
| abundance | /əˈbʌndəns/ | noun | a large quantity of something | 丰富 | Satellite cities offer an abundance of land resources for residential purposes. |
| alleviate | /əˈliːvi.eɪt/ | verb | to make something bad such as pain or problems less severe | 减轻 | Developing satellite cities would effectively alleviate the problem of housing shortages. |
| distribution | /ˌdɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən/ | noun | the way in which something is shared out among a group or spread over an area | 分布 | Satellite cities promote a more balanced distribution of populations across regions. |
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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