TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Do you think it is beneficial to take breaks from reading or watching the news for a period of a few days or weeks? Why or why not?
Real user submissions with AI-powered evaluation and feedback
1 user-submitted samples available
Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Professor
In this course, we've been studying current events and discussing the value of being educated consumers of news. However, there is also an opinion that we should periodically limit our exposure to current events and even take breaks from the news. Do you think it is beneficial to take breaks from reading or watching the news for a period of a few days or weeks? Why or why not?
Student A
Beneficial or not, it would be impossible. Today, we're exposed to the news everywhere on our phones, on our computers, on big TV screens in waiting rooms and in airport lounges. To take a break from the news, you would have to withdraw from all activities in society, which is unrealistic.
Student B
I think that taking a break from the news could be helpful psychologically. It obviously depends on how long a break we take. Completely avoiding watching or reading the news may be too extreme, but taking a short break from the news could help us avoid news stories that may affect us negatively.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
1
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 0 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 0 Language Use and Grammar: 0
2. 预估分数
0. 3 任务完成度
由于文章仅包含一个字,无法评估任务完成度。建议重新审阅题目并撰写一篇完整的文章,回答问题并阐述观点。
示例1:在文章中明确表示你是否认为暂时停止关注新闻有益,并给出具体原因。 示例2:可以从心理健康、生活质量等方面来论证你的观点。
4. 文章结构与组织
由于文章仅包含一个字,无法评估文章结构与组织。建议重新审阅题目并撰写一篇具有清晰结构和逻辑组织的文章。
示例1:首先撰写一个简短的引言,介绍主题并提出你的观点。 示例2:在正文部分,使用段落来展开论证你的观点,并在每个段落中提供支持细节。最后撰写一个总结性的结论。
5. 语法批改
1. Cohesive News Consumption: Striking a Balance
While it is true that news is ubiquitous in today's society, making it challenging to completely avoid exposure, there are potential benefits to consciously taking breaks from consuming news. In the digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, which can lead to cognitive overload and emotional distress. By intentionally limiting our exposure to current events for short periods, we can mitigate these negative effects and maintain a healthier mental state. This does not require complete withdrawal from society but rather finding a balance between staying informed and preserving our well-being. Ultimately, periodic breaks from the news can contribute to more thoughtful engagement with current events and foster a more sustainable approach to staying informed. (124 words)
1Revised essay: Cohesive News Consumption: Striking a Balance (Changed "7 文章批改" to a relevant title)
While it is true that news is ubiquitous in today's society (Clarified the subject), making it challenging to completely avoid exposure, there are potential benefits to consciously taking breaks from consuming news. In the digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources, which can lead to cognitive overload and emotional distress (Explained the cause of negative effects). By intentionally limiting our exposure to current events for short periods, we can mitigate these negative effects and maintain a healthier mental state (Provided a solution). This does not require complete withdrawal from society but rather finding a balance between staying informed and preserving our well-being (Clarified the extent of the solution). Ultimately, periodic breaks from the news can contribute to more thoughtful engagement with current events and foster a more sustainable approach to staying informed (Summarized the benefits).
8 思维导图
1. Introduction
- News ubiquity
- Challenging to avoid exposure
2. Digital age challenges
- Information bombardment
- Cognitive overload
- Emotional distress
3. Benefits of taking breaks
- Mitigate negative effects
- Healthier mental state
4. Finding balance
- Staying informed vs. well-being preservation
5. Periodic breaks importance
- Thoughtful engagement with current events
- Sustainable approach to staying informed
9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English definition | Simplified Chinese translation | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohesive | /koʊˈhiːsɪv/ | Adjective | United and working together effectively | 有凝聚力的 | The cohesive team worked together to complete the project on time. |
| Ubiquitous | /juːˈbɪkwɪtəs/ | Adjective | Found everywhere; widespread | 无处不在的 | Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society. |
| Cognitive | /kɒɡˈnɪtɪv/ | Adjective | Related to thinking or conscious mental processes | 认知的 | Cognitive development is crucial during a child's early years. |
| Overload | /ˌoʊvərˈloʊd/ | Noun | An excessive amount or number | /过载 | /The overload of information can lead to stress and anxiety. |
| Emotional distress | /ɪˈmoʊʃənəl dɪˈstrɛs/ | Noun | A negative emotional state caused by stress, anxiety, or sadness | 情绪困扰 | The traumatic event caused her significant emotional distress. |
| Mitigate | /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ | Verb | To make something less severe, harmful, or painful | /减轻 | /Taking breaks from the news can help mitigate the negative effects on our mental health. |
| Well-being | /ˌwɛlˈbiːɪŋ/ | Noun | The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy | /幸福感 | /Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is essential for overall well-being. |
| Engagement | /ɪnˈgeɪdʒmənt/ | Noun | Active involvement or participation in something | /参与 | /Her engagement in community service projects has made a positive impact on her neighborhood. |
| Sustainable | /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ | Adjective | Able to be maintained at a certain level or rate | /可持续的 | /Adopting sustainable practices can help preserve the environment for future generations. |
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.
task_page_faq.title
task_page_faq.q1
task_page_faq.q2
task_page_faq.q3
task_page_faq.q4
task_page_faq.q5
task_page_faq.q6
Related TOEFL Academic Discussion Tasks
All TOEFL Writing Samples
Browse all user-submitted TOEFL writing samples with AI evaluation
TOEFL Academic Discussion Guide
Learn strategies and tips for the Academic Discussion writing task
TOEFL Writing Guide
Complete guide to all TOEFL writing task types and scoring
TOEFL Speaking Guide
Master all TOEFL speaking tasks with expert strategies
TOEFL Reading Guide
Strategies for TOEFL reading comprehension tasks
TOEFL Listening Guide
Tips and practice for TOEFL listening comprehension
Related TOEFL Academic Discussion Tasks
Consumer Behavior
426 user-submitted samples available
Write A Post Responding To The Professors Question
1646 user-submitted samples available
Economics
325 user-submitted samples available
Academic Discussion
1031 user-submitted samples available
Environmental Science
501 user-submitted samples available
Sociology
1683 user-submitted samples available
Abutin ang Iyong Target na Score Ngayon!
Kasama ang LingoLeap, eksperto sa mga pagsusulit sa Ingles
Maabot ang Iyong Pangarap na Score nang Mas Mabilis