TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Energy source is vital for society's development. Some argue that we should use cleaner energy sources to protect the environment, while others believe traditional energy sources like coal and oil are better because they are less expensive. What is your opinion?
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Energy source is vital for society's development. Some argue that we should use cleaner energy sources to protect the environment, while others believe traditional energy sources like coal and oil are better because they are less expensive. What is your opinion?
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In my view, I wholeheartedly support Brenda’s idea, and I would emphasize that using cleaner energy can improve citizens’ overall well-being. For instance, after the government of Taiwan enacted the regulations to encourage the corporations to use environmentally friendly energy, the air pollution in city significantly improved. Parents were more willing to bring their children to urban parks, enhancing family relationships. Moreover, because citizens were no longer to worry about the air pollution’s negative impacts, they started jogging and taking a walk around their homes instead of staying home. Consequently, people became healthier, resulting in lower health expenses. While cleaner energy contributes to improvement of well-being, it costs more money than traditional energy. Overall, cleaner energy can not only enhance people’s health condition, but also tighten the relationship among family members.
Evaluation Result
1. Sub Scores
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.0 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 3.5 Language Use and Grammar: 4.0
2. Estimated Scores
Estimated Score: 25
3. Task completeness
The essay does a good job of addressing the topic and presenting a clear viewpoint in favor of cleaner energy sources. However, it could be improved by providing more specific examples and details to support the argument. Additionally, the essay should address the counterargument regarding the cost of cleaner energy sources.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Provide more specific examples of cleaner energy sources and their benefits.
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Address the counterargument about the cost of cleaner energy sources by discussing potential long-term savings or other economic benefits.
Example 1: Instead of just mentioning Taiwan's regulations, provide specific examples of cleaner energy sources that were encouraged, such as solar power or wind energy, and explain how they contributed to improving air quality.
Example 2: Discuss how investing in cleaner energy sources can lead to long-term savings by reducing healthcare costs related to pollution-related illnesses or by creating new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
4. Essay structure and organization
The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, it could be improved by organizing each paragraph around a specific point with supporting details. Clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs should also be present.
Suggestions for improvement:
-
Organize each paragraph around a specific point with supporting details.
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Use clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs to guide the reader through your argument.
Example 1: In your introduction, clearly state your opinion on using cleaner energy sources and outline the main points you will discuss in your essay (e.g., environmental benefits, health improvements, economic advantages).
Example 2: Begin each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point you will discuss (e.g., "One significant benefit of cleaner energy sources is their positive impact on the environment."). Then, provide supporting details and examples to strengthen your argument.
5. Grammar
In my view, I wholeheartedly support Brenda’s idea, and I would emphasize that using cleaner energy can improve citizens’ overall well-being. For instance, after the government of Taiwan enacted the regulations to encourage the corporations to use environmentally friendly energy, the air pollution in citythe city(This rule identifies whether the article 'the' is missing in a sentence.) significantly improved. Parents were more willing to bring their children to urban parks, enhancing family relationships. Moreover, because citizens were no longer to worry about the air pollution’s negative impacts, they started jogging and taking a walk around their homes instead of staying home. Consequently, people became healthier, resulting in lower health expenses. While cleaner energy contributes to improvement of well-being, it costs more money than traditional energy. Overall, cleaner energy can not only enhance people’s health condition, but also tighten the relationship among family members.
Title: 6 Revised Essay
In my opinion, the adoption of cleaner energy sources is crucial for society's development and overall well-being. For example, when the Taiwanese government implemented regulations encouraging corporations to utilize environmentally friendly energy, air pollution in cities significantly improved. This led to parents feeling more comfortable taking their children to urban parks, thus strengthening family bonds. Additionally, with reduced concerns about air pollution's negative effects, citizens began engaging in outdoor activities such as jogging and walking near their homes instead of remaining indoors. As a result, people experienced better health and lower healthcare expenses. Although cleaner energy may be more expensive than traditional sources like coal and oil, its benefits extend beyond cost savings by promoting improved health and fostering stronger relationships among family members. (128 words)
In my view, I wholeheartedly support Brenda’s idea, and I would emphasize that using opinion (revised for a more natural tone), the adoption of cleaner energy can improve citizens’ sources is crucial for society's development and overall well-being. well-being (clarified the main idea). For instance, after example, when the Taiwanese government of Taiwan enacted the implemented regulations to encourage the encouraging corporations to use utilize environmentally friendly energy, the energy (rephrased for clarity), air pollution in city cities significantly improved. Parents were This led to parents feeling more willing to bring comfortable taking their children to urban parks, enhancing thus strengthening family relationships. Moreover, because bonds (rephrased for better flow). Additionally, with reduced concerns about air pollution's negative effects, citizens were no longer to worry about the air pollution’s negative impacts, they started began engaging in outdoor activities such as jogging and taking a walk around walking near their homes instead of staying home. Consequently, remaining indoors (rephrased for clarity and better flow). As a result, people became healthier, resulting in experienced better health and lower health healthcare expenses. While Although cleaner energy contributes to improvement of well-being, it costs may be more money expensive than traditional energy. Overall, cleaner sources like coal and oil (added examples of traditional energy can not only enhance people’s sources), its benefits extend beyond cost savings by promoting improved health condition, but also tighten the relationship and fostering stronger relationships among family members.members (summarized the main points).
8 Mind Map
1. Cleaner Energy Sources
1.1 Importance for society
1.2 Development and well-being
2. Taiwanese Government Example
2.1 Regulations for environmentally friendly energy
2.2 Reduced air pollution in cities
3. Strengthened Family Bonds
3.1 Parents taking children to urban parks
3.2 Outdoor activities increase
4. Improved Health and Lower Healthcare Expenses
4.1 Engaging in outdoor activities like jogging and walking
4.2 Reduced concerns about air pollution's negative effects
5. Benefits Beyond Cost Savings
5.1 Promoting improved health
5.2 Fostering stronger relationships among family members
9 Key Words
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | English Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adoption | /əˈdɒpʃən/ | noun | The act of accepting or starting to use something new | 採用 | The adoption of cleaner energy sources is crucial for society's development and overall well-being. |
| environmentally | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəli/ | adverb | In a way that relates to the natural world and the effect that human activity has on it | 環保地 | The Taiwanese government implemented regulations encouraging corporations to utilize environmentally friendly energy sources. |
| pollution | /pəˈluːʃən/ | noun | The presence or introduction into the environment of contaminants or substances that cause damage or harm | 污染 | Air pollution in cities significantly improved after the implementation of cleaner energy sources. |
| strengthened | /ˈstrɛŋθənd/ | verb | To make or become stronger | 加強 | The adoption of cleaner energy sources led to strengthened family bonds. |
| urban | /ˈɜːrbən/ | adjective | Relating to, or characteristic of a town or city | 城市的 | Parents felt more comfortable taking their children to urban parks after the reduction in air pollution. |
| healthcare | /ˈhelθkeər/ | noun | The maintenance and improvement of physical and mental health, especially through the provision of services | 醫療保健 | People experienced better health and lower healthcare expenses due to cleaner energy sources. |
| regulations | /ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃənz/ | noun | Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority | 法規 | The Taiwanese government implemented regulations encouraging corporations to utilize environmentally friendly energy sources. |
| traditional | /trəˈdɪʃənəl/ | adjective | Based on customs, beliefs, or practices that have existed for a long time | 傳統的 | Cleaner energy may be more expensive than traditional sources like coal and oil. |
| benefits | /ˈbɛnɪfɪts/ | noun | Advantages or profits gained from something | 好處 | The benefits of cleaner energy extend beyond cost savings by promoting improved health and fostering stronger relationships among family members. |
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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