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TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Sample: What is more important?

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Task Overview

ProfessorToday we’re going to talk about the debate between economic growth and protecting the environment. Economic growth creates new jobs and gives people money they can use to improve their lives. On the other hand, if we protect the environment it can be enjoyed both by ourselves and future generations. If you had to choose between prioritizing economic growth or protecting the environment, which one would you choose. Why?

Alex I would prioritize the environment. We only have one planet and if we don’t take care of it, we won’t have pleasant lives in the future. Economic growth can be important, but not at the expense of the environment. I think we need to shift towards more environmentally-friendly economic practices, such as investing in renewable energy and promoting environmentally-friendly technologies. We’ll all live much healthier lives if the world around us is clean.

Maggie While I agree with Alex that environmental sustainability is important, I think that economic growth is the only way to solve many of the social and economic problems we face. We need a strong economy to create jobs, reduce poverty, and improve standards of living. Not only that, but if companies grow stronger and more profitable, they might eventually develop new technologies that solve our environmental problems.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

While I can see the Alex's point of view that prioritizing the environment is more important, I believe that economic growth is the better choice. In this essay, I will explain why I agree with Maggie. As mentioned by Maggie, economical growth is the only way to solve many problems, which means with the development of economy, the other parts of our live such as education and work will be improved. Apart from what Maggie has mentioned, I would add that after the development of economy, we are bound to solve the environmental problems, that can be easily solved with substantial funds. On the contrary, renewable energy and environmentally-friendly technologies may reduce the speed of our economic growth.

Evaluation Result

1. 子项得分

  • Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5

  • Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0

  • Language Use and Grammar: 4.0

2. 预估分数

26. 3 任务完成度

此篇文章在任务完成度方面表现良好,但仍有改进的空间。首先,尽管你明确地表达了你的观点,并同意Maggie的看法,但你可以更深入地讨论经济增长如何解决环境问题。此外,在提供支持观点的例子时,可以更具体一些。

示例1(改进前):我们在经济发展后,必然会解决环境问题。 示例1(改进后):随着经济的发展,我们将有更多的资金投入到环保技术和可持续发展项目中,从而解决环境问题。

示例2(改进前):可再生能源和环保技术可能会减缓我们的经济增长。 示例2(改进后):虽然可再生能源和环保技术在初期可能会减缓经济增长,但从长远来看,它们将带来更加绿色和可持续的发展模式。

4. 文章结构与组织

文章结构方面基本合理,包括引言、正文和结论。然而,可以在段落之间加入更明确的过渡词,使文章更连贯。此外,正文部分可以进一步拓展,以更全面地讨论观点。

建议1(简体中文):在段落之间使用过渡词,使文章更连贯。 示例1(改进前):尽管我理解Alex的观点,但我认为经济增长是更好的选择。 示例1(改进后):尽管我理解Alex的观点,然而我认为经济增长是更好的选择。

建议2(简体中文):正文部分可以进一步拓展,以更全面地讨论观点。 示例2(改进前):随着经济的发展,我们将有更多的资金投入到环保技术和可持续发展项目中。 示例2(改进后):随着经济的发展,我们将有更多的资金投入到环保技术和可持续发展项目中。例如,在清洁能源、废物处理和生态保护方面进行投资。

5. 语法批改

While I can see the Alex's point of view that prioritizing the environment is more important, I believe that economic growth is the better choice. In this essay, I will explain why I agree with Maggie. As mentioned by Maggie, economicaleconomic('economical (economic) growth' etc.) growth is the only way to solve many problems, which means with the development of economy, the other parts of our live such as education and work will be improved. Apart from what Maggie has mentioned, I would add that after the development of economy, we are bound to solve the environmental problems, that can be easily solved with substantial funds. On the contrary, renewable energy and environmentally-friendly technologies may reduce the speed of our economic growth.

Title: 6 文章修订

Balancing Environmental Concerns and Economic Growth

While I understand Alex's perspective on prioritizing environmental protection, I concur with Maggie that economic growth holds greater significance. In this essay, I will elucidate the reasons behind my agreement with Maggie.

Maggie emphasizes that economic growth is indispensable for addressing numerous social and economic challenges, such as job creation, poverty reduction, and enhanced living standards. Furthermore, I contend that once a robust economy is established, it will inevitably lead to resolving environmental issues, which can be more effectively tackled with substantial financial resources. Conversely, focusing solely on renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies may impede the pace of our economic progress. (110 words)

Title: 7 文章批改

Balancing Environmental Concerns and Economic Growth

While I can see the understand Alex's point of view that perspective (revised for clarity and natural tone) on prioritizing the environment is more important, environmental protection, I believe concur with Maggie that economic growth is the holds greater significance (revised for better choice. word choice). In this essay, I will explain why I agree elucidate (revised for better word choice) the reasons behind my agreement with Maggie.

As mentioned by Maggie, economical Maggie emphasizes that economic growth is the only way to solve many problems, which means with the development of economy, the other parts of our live indispensable (revised for better word choice) for addressing numerous social and economic challenges, such as education job creation, poverty reduction, and work enhanced living standards (revised for clarity). Furthermore, I contend (revised for better word choice) that once a robust economy is established, it will be improved. Apart from what Maggie has mentioned, I would add that after the development of economy, we are bound inevitably lead to solve the resolving environmental problems, that issues, which can be easily solved more effectively tackled with substantial funds. On the contrary, financial resources (revised for clarity and natural tone). Conversely, focusing solely on renewable energy and environmentally-friendly eco-friendly technologies may reduce impede the speed pace of our economic growth.progress (revised for clarity and natural tone).

Title: 8 思维导图


- Balancing Environmental Concerns and Economic Growth
  - Prioritizing environmental protection (Alex's perspective)
    - Renewable energy
    - Eco-friendly technologies
  - Importance of economic growth (Maggie's perspective)
    - Job creation
    - Poverty reduction
    - Enhanced living standards
  - Robust economy leading to resolving environmental issues
    - Financial resources for tackling environmental problems
  - Potential drawbacks of focusing solely on eco-friendly solutions
    - Impeding economic progress

Title: 9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish definitionSimplified Chinese translationSample sentences
elucidate/ɪˈluːsɪdeɪt/verbTo make something clear; explain阐明In this essay, I will elucidate the reasons behind my agreement with Maggie.
indispensable/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/adjectiveAbsolutely necessary; essential不可或缺的Economic growth is indispensable for addressing numerous social and economic challenges.
robust/roʊˈbʌst/adjectiveStrong and healthy; vigorous强健的Once a robust economy is established, it will inevitably lead to resolving environmental issues.
contend/kənˈtend/verbTo assert or maintain an opinion or belief坚决主张I contend that a robust economy can help resolve environmental issues.
substantial/səbˈstænʃəl/adjectiveOf considerable importance, size, or worth大量的,重要的Environmental issues can be more effectively tackled with substantial financial resources.
impede/ɪmˈpiːd/verbTo delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder妨碍Focusing solely on renewable energy and eco-friendly technologies may impede our economic progress.
renewable/rɪˈnuːəbl/adjective(of a resource) Not depleted when used可再生的Renewable energy is an important aspect of environmental protection.
eco-friendly/ˌikoʊˈfrɛndli/adjectiveNot harmful to the environment环保的Eco-friendly technologies can help reduce pollution and protect the environment.
poverty reduction/ˈpɑvərti rɪˈdʌkʃən/nounThe process of reducing the number of people living in poverty减贫Economic growth is crucial for poverty reduction and improving living standards.
enhanced/ɪnˈhænst/adjectiveIncreased or improved in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness提高的,改善的Economic growth leads to enhanced living standards for many people.

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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