TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on career readiness.Write a post responding to the professor's question.
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1 user-submitted samples available
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Professor
When students are preparing to graduate from university,they need to make decisions about what kind of company they want to work for.They might consider large,older companies with an established reputation,or possibly new start-up companies,which tend to be small but very focused on the future.Consider the advantages of each.Would it generally be better for a new university graduate to begin working for a large, established company,or for a small start-up company?
Kelly
l think in general,the established company is the better choice.Because theyre already well-known,these companies have a certain amount of respect in the business community, so it would look good to have that job experience on your résumé.That advantage alone would be a great start for a recent graduate.
Andrew
I see your point,Kelly,but taking a position at a start-up company would offer so much excitement.They often have an energy that older companies can't match-everyone can be focused on new,innovative business practices and they would be more aggressive about getting new clients.That would be a much better experience for someone fresh out of university!
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
This is a challenging topic, but I strongly concur with Andrew that working in a start-up company is more exciting. I would add that a start-up company can benefit more to our promotion as well. It is well known that competition in most of the old, well-known companies are severe, thus left few opportunities for newly-minted graduates to challenge and show themselves out. Nevertheless, the lack of workforce is a common problem in start-up companies, so it increase the likelihood of a new employee participating in crucial, innovative subjects. Kelly raised a relevant point that a working experience in well-known company can polish our resume, but she did not mention that most of the graduates start as a trainee there, which in face of tedious, repetitive jobs, that are not desirable enough to be put on the resume.
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
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Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5
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Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0
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Language Use and Grammar: 4.0
2. 预估分数
26. 3 任务完成度
这篇文章在完成任务方面做得很好,表达了对于在大公司和创业公司工作的看法,并给出了合理的论据。但是,为了更好地回应教授的问题,建议您可以进一步详细阐述创业公司为什么能为新毕业生提供更好的职业发展机会。此外,可以提供一些具体的例子来支持您的观点。
示例1:在创业公司中,新员工有更多机会参与关键项目,从而快速积累经验和技能。 示例2:与大公司相比,在创业公司中,新员工可能更容易获得管理层的关注和认可。
4. 文章结构与组织
文章结构清晰,包括引言、正文和结论。然而,在组织方面还有改进空间。建议您在段落之间使用过渡词或短语来使文章更连贯。此外,在正文部分可以尝试使用主题句来明确每个段落的核心观点。
示例1:首先,在创业公司中工作能够为新毕业生提供更多的职业发展机会。(过渡词+主题句) 示例2:相反,在大公司中,新员工可能面临激烈的竞争,这使得他们很难脱颖而出。(过渡词+主题句)
5. 语法批改
This is a challenging topic, but I strongly concur with Andrew that working in a start-up company is more exciting. I would add that a start-up company can benefit more to our promotion as well. It is well known that competition in most of the old, well-known companies are severe, thus left few opportunities for newly-minted graduates to challenge and show themselves out. Nevertheless, the lack of workforce is a common problem in start-up companies, so it increaseincreases('it' + non-3rd person verb) the likelihood of a new employee participating in crucial, innovative subjects. Kelly raised a relevant point that a working experience in well-known company can polish our resume, but she did not mention that most of the graduates start as a trainee there, which in face of tedious, repetitive jobs, that are not desirable enough to be put on the resume.
Display title: 6 文章修订
While this topic presents a challenge, I firmly agree with Andrew that joining a start-up company offers a more exhilarating experience for recent graduates. Furthermore, I believe that working in a start-up can significantly contribute to one's career advancement. It is widely acknowledged that competition within established companies is fierce, leaving limited opportunities for fresh graduates to showcase their skills and talents. Conversely, start-ups often face workforce shortages, which increases the likelihood of new employees participating in critical and innovative projects. Although Kelly highlights the prestige associated with having experience at a well-known company on one's resume, she fails to consider that many graduates begin as trainees in such organizations, performing mundane and repetitive tasks that may not necessarily enhance their resumes. (126 words)
This is While this topic presents a challenging topic, but challenge (revised for clarity and tone), I strongly concur firmly agree with Andrew that joining a start-up company offers a more exhilarating experience (rephrased for better flow) for recent graduates. Furthermore, I believe that working in a start-up company is more exciting. I would add that a start-up company can benefit more significantly contribute to our promotion as well. one's career advancement (rephrased for clarity). It is well known widely acknowledged (revised for better flow) that competition in most of the old, well-known within established companies are severe, thus left few is fierce, leaving limited opportunities for newly-minted fresh graduates to challenge showcase their skills and show themselves out. Nevertheless, the lack of talents (rephrased for clarity). Conversely, start-ups often face workforce is a common problem in start-up companies, so it increase shortages, which increases the likelihood of a new employee employees participating in crucial, critical and innovative subjects. projects (rephrased for better flow). Although Kelly raised highlights the prestige associated with having experience at a relevant point that a working experience in well-known company can polish our on one's resume, but she did fails to consider that many graduates begin as trainees in such organizations, performing mundane and repetitive tasks that may not mention that most of the graduates start as a trainee there, which in face of tedious, repetitive jobs, that are not desirable enough to be put on the resume.necessarily enhance their resumes (rephrased for clarity and tone).
Display title: 8 思维导图
1. Introduction
- Agree with Andrew
- Start-ups offer exhilarating experience
- Contribute to career advancement
2. Competition in established companies
- Fierce competition
- Limited opportunities for fresh graduates
3. Workforce shortages in start-ups
- Increased likelihood of participating in critical projects
- Opportunity to showcase skills and talents
4. Prestige vs practical experience
- Kelly's argument on prestige of well-known companies
- Graduates often begin as trainees, performing mundane tasks
5. Benefits of start-up experience on resume
- Involvement in innovative projects
- Demonstration of adaptability and problem-solving skills
6. Conclusion
- Start-ups provide better opportunities for recent graduates
Display title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| exhilarating | /ɪgˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/ | adjective | making one feel very happy, animated, or elated | 令人兴奋的 | Joining a start-up company offers a more exhilarating experience for recent graduates. |
| advancement | /ədˈvænsmənt/ | noun | the process of promoting a cause or plan | 提升,进步 | Working in a start-up can significantly contribute to one's career advancement. |
| fierce | /fɪərs/ | adjective | /showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity | /猛烈的,激烈的 | Competition within established companies is fierce. |
| showcase | /ˈʃoʊkeɪs/ | verb | /to exhibit or display | /展示,陈列 | Start-ups provide opportunities for fresh graduates to showcase their skills and talents. |
| mundane | /mʌnˈdeɪn/ | adjective | /lacking interest or excitement; dull | /平凡的,乏味的 | Graduates often perform mundane tasks in well-known companies. |
| repetitive | /rɪˈpɛtətɪv/ | adjective | /involving the repeating of the same actions | /重复的,反复的 | Trainees in established companies often perform repetitive tasks. |
| innovative | /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ | adjective | /featuring new methods; advanced and original | /创新的,革新性的 | Start-ups offer the chance to participate in innovative projects. |
| adaptability | /ədæptəˈbɪləti/ | noun | /the quality of being able to adjust to new conditions | 适应性 | Working in a start-up demonstrates one's adaptability. |
| problem-solving | /ˈprɒbləm ˌsɒlvɪŋ/ | noun | the process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues | 解决问题能力 | Start-up experience shows an individual's strong problem-solving skills. |
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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