TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: This week, we'll study an issue that is often debated by economists. There are many large industries that, while providing significant economic benefits, engage in practices that result in environmental harm. Some would argue that economic success should never come at the cost of damage to the environment. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not?
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Professor
This week, we'll study an issue that is often debated by economists. There are many large industries that, while providing significant economic benefits, engage in practices that result in environmental harm. Some would argue that economic success should never come at the cost of damage to the environment. Do you agree with this view? Why or why not?
Student A
I can't say I agree. Everyone talks about protecting natural resources, but what about protecting humans? Humans need the ability to work and provide for their families, and sometimes this means creating jobs through industries that might contribute to pollution. Those industries can just be monitored by environmental agencies. That's a win-win solution.
Student B
I see your point, Paul, but I don't think there are many industries that are so essential for the economy that their impact on the environment can be ignored or merely "monitored." Continual environmental damage will one day lead to the extinction of species that are essentials to agriculture. That will endanger our food chain.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
From my perspective, we could cost a little bit environmentally detrimental to exchange a huge economic growth. This is because our environment may be affected at the beginning of an economic increase; however, we can invent a bunch of advanced technologies to recover environmental health due to a stable financial foundation to compensate for the environmental losses. To be more specific, with rapid economic development, the government can impose environmental-protection policies like levy bills for companies to limit their carbon emission or pollution water discharge. In this case, the money can be used for investing in cutting-edge research like reusing clean energy or recycling batteries. Moreover, society members’ financial burden will reduced, and their lives will be improved. In this context, without material pressure, they will be more inclined to pursue a healthy physical and mental balance, engaging in more environmental protection activities, such as building trees and attending wild animal reservation programs. Therefore, economic success not only benefits the whole civilization's progress but also bounces environmental stability to a new level.
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, presenting a clear viewpoint on the issue of economic success and environmental harm. However, there is room for improvement in terms of providing more concrete examples to support the argument and elaborating on the potential consequences of not prioritizing environmental protection.
Suggestions for improvement:
-
Provide specific examples of industries or situations where economic growth has led to environmental harm.
-
Discuss potential long-term consequences if environmental protection is not prioritized.
Examples:
- "For instance, the coal industry has been a significant contributor to economic growth in some regions; however, it has also caused air pollution and damage to ecosystems."
- "If we continue to prioritize economic success over environmental protection, we may face irreversible consequences such as loss of biodiversity and depletion of natural resources."
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 by focusing on one main point per paragraph and using clear transitions between ideas.
Suggestions for improvement:
-
Focus on one main point per paragraph.
-
Use clear transitions between ideas within paragraphs.
Examples:
- "To begin with, rapid economic development allows governments to impose environmental-protection policies..."
- "Furthermore, as society members' financial burdens are reduced due to economic success..."
5. Grammar
From my perspective, we could cost a little bit environmentally detrimental to exchange a huge economic growth. This is because our environment may be affected at the beginning of an economic increase; however, we can invent a bunch of advanced technologies to recover environmental health due to a stable financial foundation to compensate for the environmental losses. To be more specific, with rapid economic development, the government can impose environmental-protection policies like levy bills for companies to limit their carbon emission or pollution water discharge. In this case, the money can be used for investing in cutting-edge research like reusing clean energy or recycling batteries. Moreover, society members’ financial burden will reducedbe reduced(it would (be) appreciated), and their lives will be improved. In this context, without material pressure, they will be more inclined to pursue a healthy physical and mental balance, engaging in more environmental protection activities, such as building trees and attending wild animal reservation programs. Therefore, economic success not only benefits the whole civilization's progress but also bounces environmental stability to a new level.
Display title: 6 Revised Essay
In my view, it is acceptable to incur minor environmental consequences in exchange for substantial economic growth. Although the environment may initially suffer as a result of economic expansion, the financial stability gained can later be utilized to develop advanced technologies that restore and improve environmental health. For instance, rapid economic development enables governments to implement environmentally-conscious policies, such as levying fees on companies that exceed carbon emission or water pollution limits. The revenue generated from these fees can then be invested in cutting-edge research focused on clean energy utilization and recycling methods. Furthermore, as individuals experience reduced financial burdens and improved living standards, they are more likely to prioritize their physical and mental well-being and engage in environmentally-friendly activities like tree planting or wildlife conservation programs. Consequently, economic success not only contributes to the progress of civilization but also elevates environmental stability to new heights. (151 words)
From In my perspective, we could cost a little bit environmentally detrimental view, it is acceptable to incur minor environmental consequences (revised for clarity and conciseness) in exchange a huge for substantial economic growth. This is because our Although the environment may initially suffer (simplified for a more natural tone) as a result of economic expansion, the financial stability gained can later be affected at the beginning of an economic increase; however, we can invent a bunch of utilized to develop advanced technologies to recover that restore and improve environmental health due to a stable financial foundation to compensate for the environmental losses. To be more specific, with health. For instance, rapid economic development, the government can impose environmental-protection development enables governments to implement environmentally-conscious policies like levy bills (rephrased for clarity), such as levying fees on companies to limit their that exceed carbon emission or water pollution water discharge. In this case, the money limits. The revenue generated from these fees can then be used for investing invested in cutting-edge research like reusing focused on clean energy or utilization and recycling batteries. Moreover, society members’ methods (revised for clarity). Furthermore, as individuals experience reduced financial burden will reduced, burdens and improved living standards (simplified for a more natural tone), they are more likely to prioritize their lives will be improved. In this context, without material pressure, they will be more inclined to pursue a healthy physical and mental balance, engaging well-being and engage in more environmental protection activities, such as building trees and attending wild animal reservation programs. Therefore, environmentally-friendly activities like tree planting or wildlife conservation programs (rephrased for clarity). Consequently, economic success not only benefits contributes to the whole civilization's progress of civilization but also bounces elevates environmental stability to new heights (revised for a new level.more natural tone).
8 Mind Map
1. Introduction
- Acceptable to incur minor environmental consequences
- Substantial economic growth
2. Economic expansion and environmental impact
- Initial environmental suffering
- Financial stability gained
3. Government policies and actions
- Environmentally-conscious policies (e.g., carbon emission fees)
- Revenue generated for research (e.g., clean energy, recycling)
4. Improved living standards and individual behavior
- Reduced financial burdens
- Prioritizing physical and mental well-being
5. Environmentally-friendly activities
- Tree planting, wildlife conservation programs
6. Conclusion
- Economic success contributes to civilization progress and environmental stability.
9 Key Words
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | English Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incur | /ɪnˈkɜr/ | Verb | To become subject to (something unwelcome or unpleasant) as a result of one's own behavior or actions. | Bring upon oneself | Rapid industrialization may incur significant environmental consequences. |
| Levying | /ˈlɛvi/ | Verb | To impose (a tax, fee, or fine) | Impose | The government is levying fees on companies that exceed carbon emission limits. |
| Cutting-edge | /ˈkʌtɪŋ ˌɛdʒ/ | Adjective | At the latest or most advanced stage of development | Advanced | They are investing in cutting-edge research focused on clean energy utilization. |
| Utilization | /juːtɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Noun | The action of making practical and effective use of something | Use | The utilization of renewable energy sources is crucial for a sustainable future. |
| Conservation | /ˌkɒnsərˈveɪʃən/ | Noun | The action of conserving something, especially the environment or natural resources. | Preservation | Wildlife conservation programs aim to protect endangered species and their habitats. |
| Prioritize | /praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/ | Verb | To designate or treat (something) as more important than other things. | Give precedence to | People should prioritize their physical and mental well-being. |
| Financial burdens | /faɪˈnænʃəl ˈbɜrdnz/ | Noun Phrase | Monetary obligations or difficulties | Economic responsibilities | Reduced financial burdens allow individuals to focus on other aspects of life. |
| Civilization | /sɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | Noun | An advanced stage or system of human social development and organization. | Society | Economic success contributes to the progress of civilization. |
| Environmental stability | /ɛnvaɪrənˈmɛntl stəˈbɪləti/ | Noun Phrase | A state in which the environment is maintained in a balanced and sustainable manner. | Ecological balance | Our actions today will determine the environmental stability 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.
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