TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Which viewpoint do you agree? Given the limited funding available for schools, some people think schools should spend more money on teachers’ salaries because it would attract more qualified individuals to the profession. Others believe that the money should be allocated towards additional resources such as computers and books.
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Professor
Which viewpoint do you agree? Given the limited funding available for schools, some people think schools should spend more money on teachers’ salaries because it would attract more qualified individuals to the profession. Others believe that the money should be allocated towards additional resources such as computers and books.
Student A
A student) increasing teachers’ salaries will improve quality of education.
Student B
B student) teachers already earn a decent salary. However, schools always require new equipment and facilities. Knowledge and technology are constantly evolving., and we need to prepare students with the most up-to -date materials possible.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
I firmly believe that prioritizing the income of prominent professors is the wiser choice. Firstly, raising the salaries of professors makes a university more likely to attract numerous well-educated talents who can contribute significantly to the institution's long-term sustainable development. This, in turn, helps cultivate outstanding students for society and enhances the university's reputation due to the distinguished graduates it produces. Facilities alone cannot foster future "Einsteins." For instance, Harvard University's success as a world-class institution can be attributed to its myriad well-educated and well-paid professors. Data shows that students graduating from Harvard generally have higher academic performance and comprehensive achievements than those from other comparable institutions. Moreover, numerous notable celebrities, politicians, and successful businesspeople have graduated from Harvard University. Admittedly, advanced facilities also play a crucial role in promoting advanced education and helping universities achieve great academic success. However, when compared with the importance and significance of well-paid professors, their impact can be considered secondary. To strike an appropriate balance between increasing professor salaries and purchasing advanced equipment, universities should place greater emphasis on raising income levels to attract more well-educated professionals. In conclusion, prioritizing the salaries of well-educated professors is essential for a university's long-term success and reputation. By doing so, universities can attract top talent, produce distinguished graduates, and secure additional financial resources through research projects and sponsorships. While advanced facilities are important, their significance pales in comparison to the benefits of well-compensated professors.
Evaluation Result
1. Sub Scores
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.5 Language Use and Grammar: 4.0
2. Estimated Scores
Estimated Score: 28
3. Task completeness
The essay effectively addresses the task by presenting a clear viewpoint on prioritizing teachers' salaries over additional resources. However, there is room for improvement in providing more specific examples or evidence to support the argument. Additionally, the essay could benefit from addressing potential counterarguments more thoroughly.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Provide more specific examples or statistics to support the claim that higher salaries attract better-qualified teachers.
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Address potential counterarguments in a more balanced manner, discussing both the benefits and drawbacks of allocating funds towards additional resources.
Example 1: "In a study conducted by XYZ University, it was found that schools with higher teacher salaries had a 30% increase in attracting highly qualified educators compared to schools with lower salaries."
Example 2: "While it is true that advanced facilities can contribute to students' learning experiences, research has shown that well-compensated teachers have a greater impact on students' academic performance and overall success."
4. Essay structure and organization
The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The ideas are logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on specific points and supporting details. However, there is room for improvement in creating smoother transitions between ideas and paragraphs.
Suggestions for improvement:
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Use transitional phrases or words to connect ideas more effectively.
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Ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point being discussed.
Example 1: "Firstly, raising the salaries of professors makes a university more likely to attract numerous well-educated talents who can contribute significantly to the institution's long-term sustainable development (add transition). This is because..."
Example 2: "Admittedly, advanced facilities also play a crucial role in promoting advanced education and helping universities achieve great academic success (add transition). However, when compared with the importance and significance of well-paid professors, their impact can be considered secondary."
5. Grammar
I firmly believe that prioritizing the income of prominent professors is the wiser choice.
Firstly, raising the salaries of professors makes a university more likely to attract numerous well-educated talents who can contribute significantly to the institution's long-term sustainable development. This, in turn, helps cultivate outstanding students for society and enhances the university's reputation due to the distinguished graduates it produces. Facilities alone cannot foster future "Einsteins." For instance, Harvard University's success as a world-class institution can be attributed to its myriad well-educated and well-paid professors. Data shows that students graduating from Harvard generally have higher academic performance and comprehensive achievements than those from other comparable institutions. Moreover, numerous notable celebrities, politicians, and successful businesspeople have graduated from Harvard University.
Admittedly, advanced facilities also play a crucial role in promoting advanced education and helping universities achieve great academic success. However, when compared with the importance and significance of well-paid professors, their impact can be considered secondary. To strike an appropriate balance between increasing professor salaries and purchasing advanced equipment, universities should place greater emphasis on raising income levels to attract more well-educated professionals. In conclusion, prioritizing the salaries of well-educated professors is essential for a university's long-term success and reputation. By doing so, universities can attract top talent, produce distinguished graduates, and secure additional financial resources through research projects and sponsorships. While advanced facilities are important, their significance pales in comparison to the benefits of well-compensated professors.
Title: 6 Revised Essay
I firmly believe that prioritizing the income of prominent professors is the wiser choice when allocating limited funding in schools.
Firstly, raising the salaries of professors makes a university more likely to attract numerous well-educated talents who can contribute significantly to the institution's long-term sustainable development. This, in turn, helps cultivate outstanding students for society and enhances the university's reputation due to the distinguished graduates it produces. Facilities alone cannot foster future "Einsteins." For instance, Harvard University's success as a world-class institution can be attributed to its myriad well-educated and well-paid professors. Data shows that students graduating from Harvard generally have higher academic performance and comprehensive achievements than those from other comparable institutions. Moreover, numerous notable celebrities, politicians, and successful businesspeople have graduated from Harvard University.
Admittedly, advanced facilities also play a crucial role in promoting advanced education and helping universities achieve great academic success. However, when compared with the importance and significance of well-paid professors, their impact can be considered secondary. To strike an appropriate balance between increasing professor salaries and purchasing advanced equipment, universities should place greater emphasis on raising income levels to attract more well-educated professionals.
In addressing this issue further, it is essential to consider that higher salaries not only attract top talent but also help retain experienced educators who may otherwise seek employment elsewhere. A stable teaching staff ensures continuity in educational quality and allows for long-term planning of curricula and research projects. Additionally, motivated educators who feel valued are more likely to engage in professional development opportunities which will ultimately benefit their students.
Ultimately, prioritizing the salaries of well-educated professors is essential for a university's long-term success and reputation. By doing so, universities can attract top talent, produce distinguished graduates, and secure additional financial resources through research projects and sponsorships. While advanced facilities are important, their significance pales in comparison to the benefits of well-compensated professors. (316 words)
Title: 7 Essay Grading
I firmly believe that prioritizing the income of prominent professors is the wiser choice. choice when allocating limited funding in schools (clarified the context of prioritizing income).
Firstly, raising the salaries of professors makes a university more likely to attract numerous well-educated talents who can contribute significantly to the institution's long-term sustainable development. This, in turn, helps cultivate outstanding students for society and enhances the university's reputation due to the distinguished graduates it produces. Facilities alone cannot foster future "Einsteins." For instance, Harvard University's success as a world-class institution can be attributed to its myriad well-educated and well-paid professors. Data shows that students graduating from Harvard generally have higher academic performance and comprehensive achievements than those from other comparable institutions. Moreover, numerous notable celebrities, politicians, and successful businesspeople have graduated from Harvard University.
Admittedly, advanced facilities also play a crucial role in promoting advanced education and helping universities achieve great academic success. However, when compared with the importance and significance of well-paid professors, their impact can be considered secondary. To strike an appropriate balance between increasing professor salaries and purchasing advanced equipment, universities should place greater emphasis on raising income levels to attract more well-educated professionals.
In conclusion, addressing this issue further (added transition for better flow), it is essential to consider that higher salaries not only attract top talent but also help retain experienced educators who may otherwise seek employment elsewhere. A stable teaching staff ensures continuity in educational quality and allows for long-term planning of curricula and research projects. Additionally, motivated educators who feel valued are more likely to engage in professional development opportunities which will ultimately benefit their students.
Ultimately (changed "In conclusion" to "Ultimately" for variety), prioritizing the salaries of well-educated professors is essential for a university's long-term success and reputation. By doing so, universities can attract top talent, produce distinguished graduates, and secure additional financial resources through research projects and sponsorships. While advanced facilities are important, their significance pales in comparison to the benefits of well-compensated professors.
8 Mind Map
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Introduction
- Prioritizing income of prominent professors
- Limited funding in schools
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Attracting well-educated talents
- Long-term sustainable development
- Cultivating outstanding students
- Enhancing university reputation
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Example: Harvard University
- Well-educated and well-paid professors
- Higher academic performance and achievements
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Role of advanced facilities
- Promoting advanced education
- Secondary to well-paid professors
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Balancing professor salaries and equipment costs
- Emphasis on raising income levels
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Retaining experienced educators
- Stable teaching staff
- Continuity in educational quality
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Motivated educators and professional development opportunities
- Benefits for students
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Conclusion
- Prioritizing salaries for long-term success and reputation
- Attracting top talent, producing distinguished graduates, securing financial resources
9 Key Words
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | English Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prioritize | praɪˈɒrətaɪz | Verb | To treat something as more important than other things | To give precedence to something over others | Universities should prioritize the salaries of well-educated professors to attract top talent. |
| Sustainable Development | səˈsteɪnəbəl dɪˈvɛləpmənt | Noun (phrase) | Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs | Long-lasting progress that doesn't harm future generations' needs or resources | Attracting well-educated talents contributes significantly to a university's long-term sustainable development. |
| Reputation | ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃən | Noun | The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something | The overall image or perception of a person, organization, or thing | A university's reputation is enhanced by the distinguished graduates it produces. |
| Admittedly | ədˈmɪtɪdli | Adverb | Used to concede a point or to acknowledge the truth of a statement | To agree that something is true, often reluctantly | Admittedly, advanced facilities play a crucial role in promoting advanced education. |
| Secondary | ˈsɛkəndəri | Adjective | Less important than related things; not of primary importance | Of lesser importance compared to something else | When compared with the importance of well-paid professors, the impact of advanced facilities can be considered secondary. |
| Curriculum (plural: curricula) | kəˈrɪkjʊləm (kəˈrɪkjʊlə) | Noun | The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college | A set of courses and their content offered at an educational institution | A stable teaching staff ensures continuity in educational quality and allows for long-term planning of curricula. |
| Retain | rɪˈteɪn | Verb | To keep possession of; continue to have | To hold on to; maintain possession | Experienced educators are more likely to be retained if they receive higher salaries. |
| Motivated | ˈmoʊtɪveɪtɪd | Adjective | Provided with a reason for doing something; having enthusiasm and determination | Eager and determined to achieve success | Motivated educators who feel valued are more likely to engage in professional development opportunities. |
| Sponsorship | ˈspɒnsərʃɪp | Noun | The financial support provided by a sponsor; the act of sponsoring someone or something | Financial backing or assistance from an individual or organization | By prioritizing professor salaries, universities can secure additional financial resources through research projects and sponsorships. |
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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