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TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Instructions Your professor is teaching a class on political science. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response you should: • express and support your personal opinion • make a contribution to the discussion in your own words. An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

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Task Overview

Doctor Gupta

As I mentioned in class, governments make public policies to describe their responses to various problems that affect a community. Part of this process involves setting and defending priorities about which issues deserve the most attention and resources. For example, governments need to decide whether they should spend more money on education or on environmental protections. If you were a policy maker, which issue would you argue is more important education or environmental protections? Why?

Sara

We all live on planet Earth, and it is the only planet we have. Therefore, we must take care of it. Clearly, protecting the environment should be the government's priority over education. I think the REAL question is, which approach to protecting the environment—restricting pollution, regulating population, promoting clean energy, or something else—should be the government's priority.

Taehyun

I disagree with Sara that that the environment is more important than education. Education is actually the best way to protect the environment. Educated people can see how their decisions affect the world around them. Also, with better science and technology education, we can develop solutions to environmental problems. Therefore, I think the government should spend more money on education.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

While both Sara and Taehyun present valid points, I believe that governments should invest on environmental protections, such as exploring methods that can replace petroleum and can be easily reproduced. It is important to remember that the environment on Earth impacts a everyone, every creatures in the world, and Earth's circumstance plays a vital role in determining the every citizens health standards and the survival of humans. By offering fantastic protections to the Earth's in environment, citizen's physical health standard can increase, which will result in a better life condition, which is more important than education and human's basic needs according to Moslow's hierarchy of needs. Although Taehyun highlights the importance of educating people, which can result in their knowledge in protecting environment, she fails to consider that most people nowdays still do not have a proper understanding of protecting environment even if they did an excellent job in school. In such cases, investing mostly on education would not result in environment protections but maintaining the pollution human set to Earth. Therefore, focusing on environmental protections is more important, because in this way will the basic needs of human beings be fulfilled.

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: 27

3. Task completeness

The essay does a good job of addressing the specific requirements of the task by expressing a personal opinion and contributing to the discussion. However, there is room for improvement in terms of elaborating on the viewpoint and providing more specific examples or details to support the argument. Additionally, some minor grammatical errors should be addressed.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Provide more specific examples or details to support your argument.

  • Revise the essay to correct minor grammatical errors.

Examples in English:

  1. "By investing in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, governments can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, leading to a cleaner environment and improved public health."

  2. "Educating people about environmental issues is important, but without direct government intervention through policies and regulations, it may not be enough to create significant change."

4. Essay structure and organization

The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, some paragraphs could be more focused on specific points with supporting details. Transitions between ideas and paragraphs could also be improved for better flow.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Focus each paragraph on a specific point with supporting details.

  • Improve transitions between ideas and paragraphs for better flow.

Examples in English:

  1. "While education is crucial for raising awareness about environmental issues, direct government intervention through policies such as emission regulations or plastic bans can have an immediate impact on reducing pollution."

  2. "In conclusion, prioritizing environmental protection over education ensures that basic human needs are met while still recognizing the importance of education in fostering long-term solutions."

5. Grammar

While both Sara and Taehyun present valid points, I believe that governments should invest onin(This rule identifies wrong preposition usage.) environmental protections, such as exploring methods that can replace petroleum and can be easily reproduced. It is important to remember that the environment on Earth impacts a everyonea(The you (you)), every creaturescreature('every/each' + SINGULAR) in the world, and Earth's circumstance plays a vital role in determining the every citizenscitizen's(Possessive apostrophe error) health standards and the survival of humans. By offering fantastic protections to the Earth's in environment, citizen's physical health standard can increase, which will result in a better life condition, which is more important than education and human's basic needs according to MoslowMoscow(misspelling)'s hierarchy of needs. Although TaehyunTae-hyun(misspelling) highlights the importance of educating people, which can result in their knowledge in protecting environment, she fails to consider that most people nowdaysnowadays(misspelling) still do not have a proper understanding of protecting environment even if they did an excellent job in school. In such cases, investing mostly on education would not result in environment protections but maintaining the pollution human set to Earth. Therefore, focusing on environmental protections is more important, because in this way will the basic needs of human beings be fulfilled.

Display title: 6 Revised Essay

Both Sara and Taehyun raise compelling arguments; however, I maintain that governments should prioritize environmental protections, such as researching sustainable alternatives to petroleum and other non-renewable resources. It is crucial to recognize that Earth's environment affects all living beings, and its condition plays a vital role in determining public health standards and human survival. By implementing robust environmental protections, we can improve citizens' physical well-being, leading to enhanced living conditions. This is more important than education when considering Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

Although Taehyun emphasizes the significance of education in fostering environmental awareness, it is important to note that many individuals today still lack a proper understanding of environmental conservation despite receiving quality education. In such instances, investing primarily in education may not yield the desired outcomes for environmental protection but rather perpetuate existing pollution levels. Consequently, concentrating on environmental protections proves more essential as it directly addresses the fundamental needs of humanity. (158 words)

While both Both Sara and Taehyun present valid points, raise compelling arguments (revised for clarity and conciseness); however, I believe maintain that governments should invest on environmental protections, prioritize environmental protections (rephrased for better flow), such as exploring methods that can replace researching sustainable alternatives to petroleum and can be easily reproduced. other non-renewable resources (clarified the meaning). It is important to remember crucial to recognize (revised for emphasis) that the Earth's environment on Earth impacts a everyone, every creatures in the world, and Earth's circumstance affects all living beings, and its condition plays a vital role in determining the every citizens public health standards and the human survival of humans. (rephrased for clarity). By offering fantastic implementing robust environmental protections to the Earth's in environment, citizen's (revised for better word choice), we can improve citizens' physical health standard can increase, which will result in a better life condition, which well-being, leading to enhanced living conditions (rephrased for better flow). This is more important than education and human's basic when considering Maslow's hierarchy of needs according to Moslow's hierarchy of needs. (corrected spelling and clarified the reference).

Although Taehyun highlights the importance of educating people, which can result emphasizes the significance of education in their knowledge in protecting environment, she fails to consider fostering environmental awareness (rephrased for clarity), it is important to note that most people nowdays many individuals today still do not have lack a proper understanding of protecting environment even if they did an excellent job in school. environmental conservation despite receiving quality education (clarified the point). In such cases, instances, investing mostly primarily in education may not yield the desired outcomes for environmental protection but rather perpetuate existing pollution levels (rephrased for better flow). Consequently, concentrating on education would not result in environment environmental protections but maintaining the pollution human set to Earth. Therefore, focusing on environmental protections is proves more important, because in this way will the basic essential as it directly addresses the fundamental needs of human beings be fulfilled.humanity (revised for emphasis and clarity).

8 Mind Map

  1. Introduction

    • Environmental protections vs. education
    • Importance of Earth's environment
  2. Public health and well-being

    • Effects of environmental conditions on health
    • Improved living conditions through environmental protections
  3. Maslow's hierarchy of needs

    • Basic needs vs. education
  4. Education and environmental awareness

    • Ineffectiveness in some cases
  5. Direct impact of environmental protections

    • Addressing fundamental human needs
  6. Investment in education vs. environmental protection

    • Prioritizing resources for maximum impact
  7. Pollution levels and consequences

    • Importance of reducing pollution for human survival
  8. Conclusion

    • Prioritizing environmental protections over education

9 Key Words

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionEnglish TranslationSample Sentences
CompellingkəmˈpɛlɪŋAdjectiveEvoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible wayNot applicable (English word)Sara and Taehyun raise compelling arguments about the importance of environmental protection and education.
PrioritizepraɪˈɒrɪtaɪzVerbDesignate or treat (something) as more important than other thingsNot applicable (English word)Governments should prioritize environmental protections over education to ensure human survival.
Sustainable alternativessəˈsteɪnəbəl ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪvzNoun phraseEnvironmentally friendly substitutes for products or practices that cause harm to the environmentNot applicable (English word)Researching sustainable alternatives to petroleum can help reduce pollution and protect the environment.
ConservationˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənNounThe preservation, management, and care of natural and cultural resourcesNot applicable (English word)Many individuals lack a proper understanding of environmental conservation despite receiving quality education.
PerpetuatepərˈpɛtʃʊeɪtVerbMake (something, typically an undesirable situation or an unfounded belief) continue indefinitelyNot applicable (English word)Investing primarily in education may perpetuate existing pollution levels.
FundamentalˌfʌndəˈmɛntəlAdjectiveForming a necessary base or core; of central importanceNot applicable (English word)Environmental protections directly address the fundamental needs of humanity.
Hierarchy of needshaɪˈrarki əv nidzNoun phraseA theory in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow that describes human motivation based on a series of needs ranging from basic to more complexNot applicable (English word)Maslow's hierarchy of needs places basic survival requirements above education.
Ineffectivenessˌɪnɪˈfektɪvnəs- Noun- The quality or state of being unable to produce the desired outcome- Not applicable (English word)- The ineffectiveness of education in some cases highlights the need for prioritizing environmental protections.
Consequences- kənˈsi:kwensiz- Noun- Results or effects of an action or condition- Not applicable (English word)- Failing to prioritize environmental protections can lead to severe consequences for human survival.

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

1

Read the prompt carefully and identify all parts of the question before writing.

2

Reference the reading passage and the other students' opinions in your response.

3

Use specific examples to support your main point — avoid generic statements.

4

Aim for 120-150 words. Longer responses are not always better; clarity and focus matter more.

5

Practice timed responses (10 minutes) to build fluency under exam conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TOEFL Academic Discussion task?
The TOEFL Academic Discussion task requires you to contribute to an online classroom discussion. You'll read a professor's question and other students' responses, then write your own post expressing and supporting your opinion in about 10 minutes.
How is the Academic Discussion task scored?
The task is scored on a scale of 0-5 based on relevance to the discussion, quality of language use (grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure), and how well you develop and support your ideas with specific examples and reasoning.
What are the user samples on this page?
These are real responses submitted by TOEFL test-takers who practiced this question on LingoLeap. Each sample has been evaluated by our AI scoring engine, which provides a score and detailed feedback on strengths and areas for improvement.
How accurate is the AI evaluation?
LingoLeap's AI evaluation engine is trained on official ETS scoring rubrics and calibrated against human rater scores. While no automated system is perfect, it provides reliable feedback for practice purposes and helps identify specific areas for improvement.
How can I practice this Academic Discussion task?
You can practice by signing up for a free LingoLeap account. Write your own response to this exact question, submit it, and receive instant AI evaluation with detailed feedback on your writing.
How long should my Academic Discussion response be?
Aim for 120-150 words. The task gives you 10 minutes to write your response. Focus on clarity, supporting your opinion with specific examples, and referencing the discussion context rather than writing a longer response.

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