TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on governments’ strategies. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response you should: • express and support your opinion • make a contribution to the discussion An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You will have 10 minutes to write it.
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Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Professor
Over the next few weeks , we ' ll begin discussing communication strategies in the workplace . These days there are many options for workplace communications . Sometimes people choose to communicate in writing through email or through messaging apps , while at other times they prefer talking to others face - to - face or by phone . What is the most important factor to consider when deciding whether to communicate in writing or by speaking in the workplace ? Why ?
Student A
I think privacy is the biggest factor in choosing to communicate in writing or speaking at work . If it ' s personal or confidential , it ' s better to email or message instead of talking out loud where everyone can hear. My dad always emails his boss private stuff rather than discussing it in the open office . Written communication lets you control who sees what you say.
Student B
I think the main factor in deciding to speak or write at work is how well you know someone . If you don ' t know a coworker that well , randomly showing up in their office to chat can interrupt their workflow . It ' s better to email new coworkers at first until you build more of a rapport . Once you ' re more familiar with each other , face - to - face talks are easier and less disruptive .
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
As Kelly and Andrew presented, privacy and how well you know someone are indeed two important factors in terms of choosing the medium of communication. However, considering that all kinds of communication strategies are all tools of work, I am inclined to take the efficiency of work as the most important factor. For instance, when planning marketing strategy, employees in one group have to meet together and communicate face-to-face so that different ideas can be proposed and modified quickly. While for those less complicated events, such as daily report, it may be more efficient for workers to just send it to their leader by e-mail or message. That will help save both the leader and the workers’ time. Therefore, I firmly believe that giving priority to improving work efficiency would be the most worthy of consideration when choosing communication strategies.
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 5 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.5 Language Use and Grammar: 4.5
2. 预估分数
27. 3 任务完成度
这篇文章在任务完成度方面表现较好,有效地回应了教授的问题,并提出了自己的观点。但是,可以在论据方面进行一些改进,例如添加更多具体的例子来支持观点。此外,在文章中使用更多的连接词和短语也有助于提高连贯性。
示例1(英文): For instance, when planning marketing strategy, employees in one group have to meet together and communicate face-to-face so that different ideas can be proposed and modified quickly. In this case, a team working on a new product launch might benefit from brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute their thoughts in real-time.
示例2(英文): While for those less complicated events, such as daily report, it may be more efficient for workers to just send it to their leader by e-mail or message. To improve the flow of the essay, you could add a transition phrase like "On the other hand" at the beginning of this sentence.
4. 文章结构与组织
文章结构和组织方面基本符合要求,包括引言、正文和结论。每个段落都集中讨论了一个特定的观点,并提供了支持细节。但是,在段落之间增加一些过渡词或短语可以使文章更加连贯。
建议1(简体中文): 在段落开头使用过渡词,如“然而”、“此外”等,可以使文章更加流畅。
示例1(英文): However, considering that all kinds of communication strategies are all tools of work, I am inclined to take the efficiency of work as the most important factor.
建议2(简体中文): 在正文部分,可以尝试使用对比或举例的方式来进一步阐述观点,使文章更具说服力。
示例2(英文): For example, when discussing a sensitive issue with a colleague, it might be more appropriate to have a private conversation rather than sending an email that could be easily forwarded or misunderstood.
5. 语法批改
As Kelly and Andrew presented, privacy and how well you know someone are indeed two important factors in terms of choosing the medium of communication. However, considering that all kinds of communication strategies are all tools of work, I am inclined to take the efficiency of work as the most important factor. For instance, when planning marketing strategy, employees in one group have to meet together and communicate face-to-face so that different ideas can be proposed and modified quickly. While for those less complicated events, such as daily report, it may be more efficient for workers to just send it to their leader by e-mail or message. That will help save both the leader and the workers’ time. Therefore, I firmly believe that giving priority to improving work efficiency would be the most worthy of consideration when choosing communication strategies.
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In response to Kelly and Andrew's perspectives, privacy and familiarity with colleagues are indeed significant factors when determining the appropriate mode of communication. However, I believe that the efficiency of work should be considered as the most crucial factor in selecting communication strategies within the workplace. For example, when devising a marketing plan, team members must engage in face-to-face discussions to promptly propose and refine various ideas. Conversely, for less complex tasks such as daily reports, employees can efficiently submit these to their supervisors via email or messaging platforms, ultimately saving time for all parties involved. Consequently, prioritizing work efficiency should be at the forefront when deciding on communication methods in a professional setting. (119 words)
As In response to Kelly and Andrew presented, Andrew's perspectives (clarifying the context), privacy and how well you know someone familiarity with colleagues (rephrasing for clarity) are indeed two important significant factors in terms of choosing when determining the medium appropriate mode of communication. However, considering I believe that all kinds of communication strategies are all tools of work, I am inclined to take the efficiency of work (emphasizing the main argument) should be considered as the most important factor. crucial factor in selecting communication strategies within the workplace. For instance, example, when planning devising a marketing strategy, employees plan (providing a specific instance), team members must engage in one group have face-to-face discussions (clarifying the mode of communication) to meet together promptly propose and communicate face-to-face so that different ideas can be proposed and modified quickly. While refine various ideas. Conversely, for those less complicated events, complex tasks such as daily report, it may be more efficient for workers to just send it reports (introducing another example), employees can efficiently submit these to their leader by e-mail supervisors via email or message. That will help save both the leader and the workers’ time. Therefore, I firmly believe that giving priority to improving messaging platforms (explaining how this method saves time), ultimately saving time for all parties involved. Consequently, prioritizing work efficiency would should be at the most worthy of consideration forefront when choosing deciding on communication strategies.methods in a professional setting (restating the main argument).
Display title: 8 思维导图
1. Introduction
- Privacy
- Familiarity with colleagues
2. Efficiency of work
a. Crucial factor in selecting communication strategies
3. Examples
a. Marketing plan
i. Face-to-face discussions for idea proposal and refinement
b. Daily reports
i. Email or messaging platforms for efficient submission
4. Conclusion
- Prioritizing work efficiency in communication methods
Display title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| perspective | /pərˈspɛktɪv/ | noun | A particular attitude or way of considering a matter | 观点 | Kelly and Andrew's perspectives on communication were considered in the essay. |
| efficiency | /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ | noun | The state of achieving maximum productivity | 效率 | Work efficiency should be the most crucial factor in selecting communication strategies. |
| marketing plan | /ˈmɑrkətɪŋ plæn/ | noun | A comprehensive strategy for promoting products | 营销计划 | When devising a marketing plan, team members must engage in face-to-face discussions. |
| refine | /rɪˈfaɪn/ | verb | /to improve something by making small changes | /改进,提炼 | /Team members refined their ideas during the discussion. |
| complex | /kəmˈplɛks/ | /adjective | /consisting of many different and connected parts | /复杂的 | /Marketing plans are complex tasks that require collaboration. |
| submit | /səbˈmɪt/ | verb | To present for consideration or judgment | 提交 | Employees can efficiently submit daily reports via email or messaging platforms. |
| supervisor | /ˈsuːpərvaɪzər/ | noun | A person who oversees the work of others | 主管 | Employees submit their daily reports to their supervisors. |
| prioritize | /praɪˈɒrətaɪz/ | verb | To treat something as more important than others | 优先考虑 | Prioritizing work efficiency should be at the forefront when deciding on communication methods. |
| professional setting | /prəˈfɛʃənəl ˈsɛtɪŋ/ | noun | A workplace or environment related to one's occupation | /职业环境 | Communication methods in a professional setting should focus on efficiency. |
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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