TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: This week we talked about different approaches to starting a business. One approach is to basically copy something that already exists. I'm thinking about the many apps for food delivery—it's not an original idea, but new ones keep popping up because they make money. Another is to think about a product or service that you passionately believe there is a need for but that does not exist yet. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits and challenges of each approach?
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Professor
This week we talked about different approaches to starting a business. One approach is to basically copy something that already exists. I'm thinking about the many apps for food delivery—it's not an original idea, but new ones keep popping up because they make money. Another is to think about a product or service that you passionately believe there is a need for but that does not exist yet. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits and challenges of each approach?
Student A
A clear benefit of the second approach is that it's great to be first in any market with a groundbreaking idea for a product that no one else has thought of yet. What a great way to make money and perhaps do some good! But if it were easy, everyone would take this approach!
Student B
Good point, Paul! lam more interested for practical reasons in the first approach. I've been working in the same industry for a long time, and I have a lot of knowledge that I can use to create a really good product that will not be original but will fulfill a clear need in the industry.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
This week we talked about different approaches to starting a business. One approach is to basically copy something that already exists. I'm thinking about the many apps for food delivery—it's not an original idea, but new ones keep popping up because they make money. Another is to think about a product or service that you passionately believe there is a need for but that does not exist yet. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits and challenges of each approach?
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
-
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 2.5
-
Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 2.0
-
Language Use and Grammar: 3.0
2. 预估分数
18. 3 任务完成度
这篇文章在完成任务方面存在一些问题。首先,文章没有明确回答问题,只是重复了问题的描述。其次,文章没有详细讨论每种方法的优点和挑战。为了改进这篇文章,你需要更具体地回答问题,并提供每种方法的优点和挑战的例子。
示例1(英文): One benefit of copying an existing business model, such as food delivery apps, is that it has a proven market demand, which reduces the risk of failure. However, a challenge for this approach is the intense competition from other similar businesses.
示例2(英文): Creating a new product or service that does not exist yet can lead to a significant competitive advantage if it successfully addresses an unmet need in the market. On the other hand, this approach may involve higher risks and uncertainties due to the lack of existing market data and potential difficulties in gaining customer acceptance.
4. 文章结构与组织
从组织结构方面来看,这篇文章需要改进。文章缺乏清晰的引言、主体和结论部分。此外,段落之间缺乏明确的过渡。为了改进这篇文章,请确保有一个引言部分来介绍主题,然后在主体部分详细讨论每种方法的优点和挑战,最后用结论部分总结你的观点。
示例1(英文): Introduction: In the world of business, entrepreneurs often face the decision of whether to copy an existing idea or create something entirely new. Both approaches have their benefits and challenges, which will be discussed in this essay.
示例2(英文): Body paragraph 1: Copying an existing business model has several advantages, such as proven market demand and lower risks. However, it also faces challenges like intense competition and potential legal issues.
Body paragraph 2: Creating a new product or service can lead to significant competitive advantages and potentially higher profits. Nevertheless, this approach involves higher risks and uncertainties due to the lack of existing market data and potential difficulties in gaining customer acceptance.
5. 语法批改
This week we talked aboutdiscussed different approaches to starting a business. One approach is to basically copy something that already exists. I'm thinking about the many apps for food delivery—it'sdelivery-it's not an original idea, but new ones keep popping up because they make money. Another is to think about a product or service that you passionately believe there is a need for but that does not exist yet. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits and challenges of each approach?
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In the realm of entrepreneurship, two distinct approaches emerge when considering business ventures. The first approach entails replicating an existing concept, such as the proliferation of food delivery applications. Although not innovative, these businesses continue to thrive due to their profitability. Conversely, the second approach involves identifying a novel product or service that fulfills an unmet need in the market. While pioneering a groundbreaking idea can lead to substantial financial rewards and societal benefits, it also presents significant challenges due to its inherent risks and uncertainties. Meanwhile, leveraging industry expertise to develop an improved yet familiar product can offer a more stable path towards success. Ultimately, each approach possesses unique advantages and obstacles that entrepreneurs must carefully weigh before embarking on their entrepreneurial journey. (129 words)
This week we talked about different Revised essay: Section Title: 7 Article Corrections
In the realm of entrepreneurship (clarifies the context), two distinct approaches to starting a business. One emerge when considering business ventures (more formal and concise). The first approach is to basically copy something that already exists. I'm thinking about the many apps for entails replicating an existing concept, such as the proliferation of food delivery—it's delivery applications (provides a specific example). Although not an original idea, but new ones keep popping up because innovative, these businesses continue to thrive due to their profitability (explains why they make money. Another is to think about a succeed). Conversely, the second approach involves identifying a novel product or service that you passionately believe there is a fulfills an unmet need for but in the market (clearly defines the alternative approach). While pioneering a groundbreaking idea can lead to substantial financial rewards and societal benefits (states potential advantages), it also presents significant challenges due to its inherent risks and uncertainties (acknowledges potential drawbacks). Meanwhile, leveraging industry expertise to develop an improved yet familiar product can offer a more stable path towards success (presents another advantage of the first approach). Ultimately, each approach possesses unique advantages and obstacles that does not exist yet. In your opinion, what are some of the benefits and challenges of each approach?entrepreneurs must carefully weigh before embarking on their entrepreneurial journey (concludes with a balanced statement about both approaches).
Display title: 8 思维导图
1. Entrepreneurship
1.1 Replicating existing concepts
1.1.1 Food delivery applications
1.1.2 Profitability
1.2 Novel products or services
1.2.1 Unmet market needs
1.2.2 Financial rewards and societal benefits
1.2.3 Challenges and risks
2. Industry expertise
2.1 Improved yet familiar products
2.2 Stable path to success
3. Unique advantages and obstacles
3.1 Careful consideration before starting a venture
Display title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English definition | Simplified Chinese translation | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| entrepreneurship | /ˌɒntrəprəˈnɜːrʃɪp/ | noun | The activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. | 创业 | Entrepreneurship requires dedication, hard work, and the ability to take risks in pursuit of success. |
| proliferation | /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃ(ə)n/ | noun | Rapid increase in numbers | 激增 | The proliferation of food delivery applications has changed the way people order meals online |
| innovative | /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ | adjective | Featuring new methods; advanced and original | 创新的 | Innovative solutions are needed to address unmet market needs |
| profitability | /prɒfɪtəˈbɪlɪti/ | noun | The degree to which a business or activity yields profit or financial gain | 盈利能力 | Profitability is a key factor in determining the success of a business venture |
| groundbreaking | /ˈgraʊndbreɪkɪŋ/ | adjective | Innovative; pioneering | 开创性的 | Groundbreaking ideas can lead to substantial financial rewards and societal benefits |
| inherent | /ɪnˈhɪrənt/ | adjective | Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute | 固有的 | Inherent risks and uncertainties are associated with developing novel products or services |
| expertise | /ˌekspərˈtiːz/ | noun | Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field | 专业知识 | Leveraging industry expertise can help develop improved yet familiar products |
| stable | /ˈsteɪb(ə)l/ | adjective | Not likely to change or fail; firmly established | 稳定的 | A stable path towards success can be achieved by focusing on familiar products and services |
| obstacles | /ˈɒbstək(ə)l/ | noun | Something that makes it difficult to achieve something | 障碍 | Entrepreneurs must carefully weigh the unique advantages and obstacles before starting a venture |
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In the realm of entrepreneurship, two distinct approaches emerge when considering business ventures. The first approach entails replicating an existing concept, such as the proliferation of food delivery applications. Although not innovative, these businesses continue to thrive due to their profitability. Conversely, the second approach involves identifying a novel product or service that fulfills an unmet need in the market. While pioneering a groundbreaking idea can lead to substantial financial rewards and societal benefits, it also presents significant challenges due to its inherent risks and uncertainties. Meanwhile, leveraging industry expertise to develop an improved yet familiar product can offer a more stable path towards success. Ultimately, each approach possesses unique advantages and obstacles that entrepreneurs must carefully weigh before embarking on their entrepreneurial journey.
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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