TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: What is the most important factor to consider whendeciding whether to communicate in writing or by speaking in the workplace? Why?
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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 tocommunicate in writing through email or through messaging apps, while at other times they prefeltalking to others face-to-face or by phone. What is the most important factor to consider whendeciding 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'spersonal or confidential, it's better to email or message instead of talking out loud where everyone canhear. My dad always emails his boss private stuff rather than discussing it in the open office. Writtencommunication 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. lf you don'know a coworker that well, randomly showing up in their office to chat can interrupt their workflow,. It'sbetter to email new coworkers at first until you build more of a rapport. Once you're more familiar witheach other, face-to-face talks are easier and less disruptive.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
I think the deciding factor is urgency. If information should be passed right away, speaking in the workplace is a more effective way, whether talking on the phone or in person. This is because direct communication allows people to get feedback more efficiently, which is conducive to dealing with urgent situations. As for non-urgent information, however, email or text messages can be easily used in such a situation due to their delayed responses. For example, if I want to make a one-on-one meeting with my manager, email would be my first choice since it can help me better organize my thoughts and the schedule is relatively flexible. However, if I need my manager's signature to file an immediate document, I would call him right away to make sure not to delay it.
Evaluation Result
1. Sub Scores
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0 Language Use and Grammar: 4.0
2. Estimated Scores
Estimated Score: 26
3. Task completeness
The essay does a good job addressing the specific requirements of the task by discussing the importance of urgency in deciding whether to communicate in writing or by speaking in the workplace. However, it could be improved by providing more examples or details to support the viewpoint. Additionally, incorporating ideas from Student A and Student B would make the essay more relevant to the given discussion.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Include more examples to support your viewpoint on urgency.
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Address and compare your viewpoint with those of Student A and Student B.
Example 1: In agreement with Student A, privacy is indeed an important factor when choosing between written or spoken communication. However, I believe that urgency takes precedence because even private matters may require immediate attention, which can be better addressed through spoken communication.
Example 2: While I understand Student B's point about familiarity affecting communication preferences, I still think that urgency is a more crucial factor because even with a close coworker, an urgent matter would warrant immediate verbal communication rather than waiting for a written response.
4. Essay structure and organization
The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, it could benefit from better organization within paragraphs and clearer transitions between ideas.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Organize paragraphs around specific points.
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Use clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs.
Example 1: Instead of starting your essay directly with your viewpoint on urgency, begin with an introduction that briefly summarizes both students' opinions before presenting your own perspective. This will provide context for your argument.
Example 2: Improve transitions between ideas by using phrases like "on the other hand," "in contrast," or "moreover" to signal a shift in focus or to emphasize a point. For instance, you could write, "In contrast to Student A's emphasis on privacy, I believe that urgency is the most important factor when deciding between written and spoken communication in the workplace."
5. Grammar
I think the deciding factor is urgency. If information should be passed right away, speaking in the workplace is a more effective way, whether talking on the phone or in person. This is because direct communication allows people to get feedback more efficiently, which is conducive to dealing with urgent situations. As for non-urgent information, however, email or text messages can be easily used in such a situation due to their delayed responses. For example, if I want to make a one-on-one meeting with my manager, email would be my first choice since it can help me better organize my thoughts and the schedule is relatively flexible. However, if I need my manager's signature to file an immediate document, I would call him right away to make sure not to delay it.
Display title: 6 Revised Essay
In my opinion, the most crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to communicate in writing or by speaking in the workplace is urgency. When information needs to be conveyed promptly, verbal communication, either through phone calls or face-to-face conversations, proves more effective as it enables individuals to receive feedback swiftly and efficiently, which is essential for addressing urgent matters. Conversely, for non-urgent information, written communication methods such as emails or text messages are suitable due to their allowance for delayed responses. For instance, if I wish to schedule a one-on-one meeting with my manager, I would opt for email as it allows me to better organize my thoughts and offers a flexible timetable. However, if I require my manager's signature on a document that needs immediate attention, I would call them without hesitation to ensure no delays occur. (144 words)
I think In my opinion (revised for a more formal tone), the most crucial factor (more precise than "deciding factor") to consider when deciding factor is urgency. If information should be passed right away, whether to communicate in writing or by speaking in the workplace is a urgency. When information needs to be conveyed promptly (more formal than "passed right away"), verbal communication, either through phone calls or face-to-face conversations, proves more effective way, whether talking on the phone or in person. This is because direct communication allows people to get as it enables individuals to receive feedback more efficiently, swiftly and efficiently (more formal than "get feedback more efficiently"), which is conducive to dealing with essential for addressing urgent situations. As matters. Conversely, for non-urgent information, however, email written communication methods such as emails or text messages can be easily used in such a situation are suitable due to their allowance for delayed responses. responses (clearer explanation). For example, instance, if I want to make wish (more formal than "want") to schedule a one-on-one meeting with my manager, I would opt for email would be my first choice since as it can help allows me to better organize my thoughts and the schedule is relatively flexible. offers a flexible timetable (clearer explanation). However, if I need require my manager's signature to file on a document that needs immediate attention (more precise than "file an immediate document, document"), I would call them without hesitation (more formal than "call him right away to make sure not to delay it.away") to ensure no delays occur (clearer explanation).
Display title: 8 Mind Map
1. Introduction
- Communication in the workplace
- Importance of choosing the right method
2. Urgency
- Key factor in deciding communication method
3. Verbal communication
- Phone calls
- Face-to-face conversations
- Benefits: immediate feedback, efficient
4. Written communication
- Emails
- Text messages
- Benefits: delayed responses, better organization
5. Examples
- Scheduling a meeting (email)
- Needing a signature (phone call)
6. Conclusion
- Importance of considering urgency when choosing communication methods in the workplace
Display title: 9 Key Words
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | English Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| urgency | /ˈɜːr.dʒən.si/ | noun | importance requiring swift action | N/A | The urgency of the situation called for immediate action. |
| convey | /kənˈveɪ/ | verb | to communicate or make known | N/A | She conveyed her concerns to her supervisor. |
| swiftly | /ˈswɪft.li/ | adverb | quickly; without delay | N/A | He responded swiftly to the email request. |
| efficiently | /ɪˈfɪʃəntli/ | adverb | achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense | N/A | The team worked efficiently to complete the project on time. |
| conversely | /kənˈvɜrsli/ | adverb | introducing a statement or idea which reverses one that has just been made or referred to | N/A | He prefers tea; conversely, she likes coffee. |
| allowance | /əˈlaʊəns/ | noun | the amount of something that is permitted, especially within a set of regulations or for a specified purpose | N/A | The company provides an allowance for travel expenses. |
| flexible | /ˈfleksəbl/ | adjective | capable of bending easily without breaking; able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances | N/A | The manager offered a flexible schedule for employees. |
| timetable | /ˈtaɪmteɪbl/ | noun | a schedule listing the times at which events are planned to occur | N/A | She checked the timetable for the upcoming meetings. |
| hesitation | /hɛzɪˈteɪʃən/ | noun | the action of pausing before saying or doing something, often due to uncertainty or nervousness | N/A | Without hesitation, he signed the contract. |
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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