TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on child psychology. Write a post responding to the professor's question.
Real user submissions with AI-powered evaluation and feedback
4 user-submitted samples available
Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Dr. Achebe
This semester, we are studying how children learn and what influences their cognitive development. We know that children are affected both positively and negatively by what they see and hear. Many parents allow their children to watch entertaining or educational videos on devices like smartphones or tablets. Overall, do you think watching a lot of online videos is harmful to children? Why or why not?
Andrew
I think watching online videos is harmful to children. Children under two years old need to develop communication skills by interacting with other people; passively watching videos exposes them to language, but it's not the same. Also, even for older children, sitting and staring at a device means they are not moving and exercising.
Claire
I agree with Andrew that very young children who are learning to communicate should not watch a lot of videos. However, for children who are past that stage, videos can be great. Lots of kids' videos are about animals and nature. Most kids will never see a whale in its natural environment, but online, they can learn all about whales.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
While I appreciate the perspectives offered by both Andrew and Claire, I contend that it is beneficial for children to watch a lot of online videos, as it contributes to children’s personal growth. Online videos can provide children with a wealth of information, including science, history and art. Exposed to a variety of high-quality video programs, children can develop an intense interest in diverse fields. Drawing my own experience, my parents used to allow me to watch history documentaries after finishing my homework in my childhood, which ignited my strong interest in history and even encouraged me to major in Chinese History when I attended college. Without the extensive exposure to online videos in my childhood, I might not discover my genuine passion in such area.
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: 4.5
2. 预估分数
- 28
3. 任务完成度
总体来说,这篇文章较好地回答了教授的问题,并提供了一些有力的论据。然而,为了更好地完成任务,可以考虑在文章中加入对Andrew和Claire观点的讨论。此外,尽管你已经提到了自己的经历作为一个例子,但还可以进一步举例说明在线视频如何对其他孩子产生积极影响。
示例1:例如,在讨论Claire的观点时,你可以指出在线视频不仅可以帮助孩子们了解鲸鱼等动物,还可以帮助他们学习新语言、数学技能等。 示例2:你还可以提到一些研究表明,在适当的监督下,观看高质量在线视频对儿童认知发展有积极作用。
4. 文章结构与组织
文章结构清晰,包括引言、正文和结论。每段都集中讨论了一个具体观点,并提供了支持细节。然而,在段落之间加入更明确的过渡语句可以使文章更连贯。
建议1:在讨论Andrew和Claire的观点时,可以使用过渡性词语,如“然而”、“此外”等,以帮助读者更好地理解你的观点。 建议2:在总结段落中,可以使用类似“综上所述”或“因此”等词语来强调文章的结论。
5. 语法批改
While I appreciate the perspectives offered by both Andrew and Claire, I contend that it is beneficial for children to watch a lot of online videos, as it contributes to children’s personal growth. Online videos can provide children with a wealth of information, including science, history and art. Exposed to a variety of high-quality video programs, children can develop an intense interest in diverse fields. Drawing my own experience, my parents used to allow me to watch history documentaries after finishing my homework in my childhood, which ignited my strong interest in history and even encouraged me to major in Chinese History when I attended college. Without the extensive exposure to online videos in my childhood, I might not discover my genuine passion in such area.
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In light of the viewpoints shared by both Andrew and Claire, I maintain that the consumption of online videos can be advantageous for children's overall development, provided they are exposed to a diverse range of high-quality content. Online videos offer a vast array of educational material, encompassing subjects such as science, history, and art. By engaging with these resources, children have the opportunity to cultivate their interests in various fields. Reflecting on my own upbringing, my parents permitted me to watch historical documentaries after completing my homework. This exposure not only sparked my passion for history but also influenced my decision to major in Chinese History during college. Had I not been granted access to such online content during my formative years, I may never have uncovered this profound interest. (135 words)
While I appreciate the perspectives offered Revised essay: Section Title: 7 Article Revision
In light of the viewpoints shared by both Andrew and Claire, Claire (reason: rephrased to sound more natural), I contend maintain that it is beneficial for children to watch the consumption of online videos can be advantageous for children's overall development (reason: clarified the original statement), provided they are exposed to a lot of online videos, as it contributes to children’s personal growth. diverse range of high-quality content (reason: added a condition for better context). Online videos can provide offer a vast array of educational material, encompassing subjects such as science, history, and art (reason: improved sentence structure). By engaging with these resources, children with a wealth of information, including science, history and art. Exposed to a variety of high-quality video programs, children can develop an intense interest have the opportunity to cultivate their interests in diverse fields. Drawing various fields (reason: rephrased for clarity). Reflecting on my own experience, upbringing, my parents used to allow permitted me to watch history historical documentaries after finishing completing my homework in my childhood, which ignited my strong interest in (reason: changed "Drawing my own experience" to "Reflecting on my own upbringing" for better flow). This exposure not only sparked my passion for history and even encouraged me but also influenced my decision to major in Chinese History when during college (reason: connected ideas more clearly). Had I attended college. Without the extensive exposure to not been granted access to such online videos in my childhood, content during my formative years, I might not discover my genuine passion in such area.may never have uncovered this profound interest (reason: rephrased last sentence for better emphasis and clarity).
8 思维导图
- Consumption of online videos
- Advantages for children's development
- Exposure to diverse, high-quality content
- Educational material
- Science
- History
- Art
- Cultivate interests in various fields
- Personal experience
- Watching historical documentaries
- Sparked passion for history
- Influenced college major choice (Chinese History)
9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| consumption | kənˈsʌm(p)ʃ(ə)n | noun | the using up of a resource | 消费 | The consumption of online videos can be advantageous for children's overall development. |
| diverse | dʌɪˈvərs | adjective | showing a great deal of variety | 多样的 | Children should be exposed to a diverse range of high-quality content. |
| cultivate | ˈkʌltɪveɪt | verb | develop or improve by education or training | 培养 │ By engaging with these resources, children have the opportunity to cultivate their interests. | ||
| upbringing │ ˈʌpbrɪŋɪŋ │ noun │ the treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood │ 教养 │ Reflecting on my own upbringing, my parents permitted me to watch historical documentaries. | |||||
| │ passion │ ˈpaʃ(ə)n │ noun │ strong and barely controllable emotion │ 热情 │ This exposure not only sparked my passion for history but also influenced my decision to major in Chinese History. | |||||
| formative | ˈfɔːmətɪv | adjective | serving to form something, especially having a profound influence on a person's development │ 形成性的 │ Had I not been granted access to such online content during my formative years, I may never have uncovered this profound interest. | ||
| major | ˈmeɪdʒər | noun | a subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent his or her principal interest and upon which a large share of his or her efforts are concentrated │ 主修 │ This exposure influenced my decision to major in Chinese History during college. | ||
| educational | ˌedjʊˈkeɪʃ(ə)n(ə)l│ adjective | providing education, or relating to education | 教育的 │ Online videos offer a vast array of educational material. | |||
| encompassing | ɪnˈkʌmpəsɪŋ | verb | surround and have or hold within | 包含 | Educational material encompasses subjects such as science, history, and art. |
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.
task_page_faq.title
task_page_faq.q1
task_page_faq.q2
task_page_faq.q3
task_page_faq.q4
task_page_faq.q5
task_page_faq.q6
Related TOEFL Academic Discussion Tasks
All TOEFL Writing Samples
Browse all user-submitted TOEFL writing samples with AI evaluation
TOEFL Academic Discussion Guide
Learn strategies and tips for the Academic Discussion writing task
TOEFL Writing Guide
Complete guide to all TOEFL writing task types and scoring
TOEFL Speaking Guide
Master all TOEFL speaking tasks with expert strategies
TOEFL Reading Guide
Strategies for TOEFL reading comprehension tasks
TOEFL Listening Guide
Tips and practice for TOEFL listening comprehension
Related TOEFL Academic Discussion Tasks
Consumer Behavior
426 user-submitted samples available
Write A Post Responding To The Professors Question
1646 user-submitted samples available
Economics
325 user-submitted samples available
Academic Discussion
1031 user-submitted samples available
Environmental Science
501 user-submitted samples available
Sociology
1683 user-submitted samples available
Rooting for Your Goal Score Today!
With LingoLeap, an expert in English exams
Get to Your Dream Score Faster