TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on economics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response you should: express and support your personal opinion make a contribution to the discussion in your own words An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
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4 user-submitted samples available
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Doctor Achebe
When people are asked about the most important discoveries or inventions made in the last two hundred years, they usually mention something very obvious, like the computer or the cell phone. But there are thousands of other discoveries or inventions that have had a huge impact on how we live today. What scientific discovery or technological invention from the last two hundred years—other than computers and cell phones—would you choose as being important? Why?
Paul
I mean, we’re so used to science and technology that we are not even aware of all the things we use in our daily lives. I would probably choose space satellites. This technology happened in the last hundred years, and it has become important for so many things. Just think about navigation, or telecommunications, or even the military.
Claire
I am thinking about medical progress. Like, for example, when scientists discovered things about healthy nutrition. I am thinking of identifying all the vitamins we need to stay healthy. I am not sure exactly when the vitamin discoveries happened, but I know they are very important. Our health is much better than it was 200 years ago.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In this discourse, embarking on discussing the topic of recent discovery, Doctor Achebe has invited the students to come up with perspectives on what invention or discovery from the last two hundred years is most salutary. While I appreciate the points mentioned by both Paul and Claire, I firmly believe that the mobile phone symbolizes the most notable in recent years. We all know that contemporary resources and applications have a vast amount and are usually saved in the computer, which is heavy and hard to carry. Remember that individuals are more likely to communicate and search for information conveniently, so the invention of the mobile phone has provided several applications encompassing social media and entertainment services. Some people may feel that computer has more resources in accuracy, yet computer will not concern the problem with daily utilization.
Evaluation Result
1.子项得分
Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 2.5 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 3.0 Language Use and Grammar: 3.5
2.预估分数
20. 3.任务完成度
在这篇文章中,您的回答没有完全遵循任务要求。您的回答应该针对经济学教授提出的问题,而不是讨论手机。此外,您需要更详细地阐述和支持您的观点。为了改进,请确保仔细阅读任务说明,并针对问题提供相关且有力的论据。
示例1(改进前):我坚信手机是近年来最值得注意的发明。 示例1(改进后):我认为医学领域的突破性发现非常重要,尤其是抗生素的发现。
示例2(改进前):我们都知道现代资源和应用程序有很多,通常保存在电脑里。 示例2(改进后):抗生素的发现极大地提高了人类健康水平,并减少了因感染引起的死亡率。
4.文章结构与组织
从组织结构方面来看,这篇文章需要进行一些调整。首先,确保引入段清晰地表达了您将要讨论的主题。接下来,在正文段落中,专注于一个具体的观点,并提供支持细节。最后,用结论段总结您的论点。使用清晰的过渡词和短语来连接不同的观点和段落。
示例1(改进前):我们都知道现代资源和应用程序有很多,通常保存在电脑里。 示例1(改进后):首先,我认为抗生素的发现对人类健康产生了深远影响。
示例2(改进前):有些人可能会觉得电脑在准确性方面有更多资源。 示例2(改进后):此外,抗生素在全球范围内挽救了数百万人的生命。
- 语法批改
In this discourse, embarking on discussing the topic of recent discovery, Doctor Achebe has invited the students to come up with perspectives on what invention or discovery from the last two hundred years is most salutary. While I appreciate the points mentioned by both Paul and Claire, I firmly believe that the mobile phone symbolizes the most notable in recent years. We all know that contemporary resources and applications have a vast amount and are usually saved in the computer, which is heavy and hard to carry. Remember that individuals are more likely to communicate and search for information conveniently, so the invention of the mobile phone has provided several applications encompassing social media and entertainment services. Some people may feel that computer has more resources in accuracy, yet computer will not concern the problem with daily utilization.
6.文章修订
In response to Dr. Achebe's inquiry regarding the most significant scientific discovery or technological invention from the last two hundred years, I would like to propose the development of antibiotics as a crucial advancement. This medical breakthrough has profoundly impacted human health and well-being, reducing mortality rates caused by bacterial infections.
Firstly, antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of various infectious diseases, enabling doctors to combat previously untreatable conditions effectively. Consequently, this has led to a substantial increase in life expectancy worldwide. Furthermore, antibiotics have played a pivotal role in making surgical procedures safer by preventing postoperative infections.
However, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges associated with antibiotic resistance due to their overuse and misuse. As we continue to rely on these life-saving drugs, it is imperative that we invest in research and development of new antibiotics and alternative treatments to ensure our ability to combat bacterial infections in the future.
While both Paul's suggestion of space satellites and Claire's focus on nutrition are noteworthy contributions, I believe that the discovery of antibiotics has had a more immediate and widespread impact on human lives across the globe. (188 words)
7.文章批改
In this discourse, embarking on discussing the topic of recent discovery, Doctor Achebe has invited the students to come up with perspectives on what response to Dr. Achebe's inquiry regarding the most significant scientific discovery or technological invention or discovery from the last two hundred years years, I would like to propose the development of antibiotics as a crucial advancement. (Revised for clarity and focus on the chosen topic) This medical breakthrough has profoundly impacted human health and well-being, reducing mortality rates caused by bacterial infections. (Revised for coherence and cohesion)
Firstly, antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of various infectious diseases, enabling doctors to combat previously untreatable conditions effectively. (Revised for advanced vocabulary and proper grammar) Consequently, this has led to a substantial increase in life expectancy worldwide. (Revised for natural flow of statements) Furthermore, antibiotics have played a pivotal role in making surgical procedures safer by preventing postoperative infections. (Revised for smooth transitions)
However, it is most salutary. essential to acknowledge the challenges associated with antibiotic resistance due to their overuse and misuse. (Revised for formal written College-level English) As we continue to rely on these life-saving drugs, it is imperative that we invest in research and development of new antibiotics and alternative treatments to ensure our ability to combat bacterial infections in the future. (Revised for advanced vocabulary and proper grammar)
While both Paul's suggestion of space satellites and Claire's focus on nutrition are noteworthy contributions, I appreciate the points mentioned by both Paul and Claire, I firmly believe that the mobile phone symbolizes the most notable in recent years. We all know that contemporary resources and applications have a vast amount and are usually saved in the computer, which is heavy and hard to carry. Remember that individuals are discovery of antibiotics has had a more likely to communicate and search for information conveniently, so the invention of the mobile phone has provided several applications encompassing social media and entertainment services. Some people may feel that computer has more resources in accuracy, yet computer will not concern the problem with daily utilization.immediate and widespread impact on human lives across the globe. (Revised for strong conclusion without using typical conclusion phrases)
8.思维导图
-
Introduction
- Dr. Achebe's inquiry
- Antibiotics as a crucial advancement
-
Impact on human health
- Medical breakthrough
- Reduced mortality rates
-
Revolutionized treatment
- Infectious diseases
- Increased life expectancy
-
Role in surgical procedures
- Safety improvement
- Prevention of postoperative infections
-
Challenges and future considerations
- Antibiotic resistance
- Research and development of new treatments
9.关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crucial | /ˈkruːʃəl/ | Adjective | Extremely important or necessary | 至关重要的 | The discovery of antibiotics has been a crucial advancement in medical science. |
| Breakthrough | /ˈbreɪkθruː/ | Noun | A significant development or achievement in a particular field | 突破 | This medical breakthrough has profoundly impacted human health. |
| Revolutionize | /rɛvəˈluʃənaɪz/ | Verb | To change something radically or fundamentally | 彻底改变 | Antibiotics have revolutionized the treatment of infectious diseases. |
| Pivotal | /ˈpɪvətl/ | Adjective | -Of crucial importance in relation to the success of something else | -关键的,枢纽性的 | -Antibiotics have played a pivotal role in making surgical procedures safer. |
| Acknowledge | /əkˈnɒlɪdʒ/ | Verb | -Accept or admit the existence or truth of | -承认,确认 | -It is essential to acknowledge the challenges associated with antibiotic resistance. |
| Resistance | /rɪˈzɪstəns/ | Noun | -The refusal to accept or comply with something; the attempt to prevent something by action or argument | -抵抗,抵制 | -Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in modern medicine. |
| Overuse | /ˌəʊvərˈjuːs/ | Noun | -The excessive use of something | -过度使用 | -The overuse of antibiotics has contributed to the development of resistant bacteria. |
| Misuse | /mɪsˈjuːs/ | Noun | -The use of something in an incorrect way or for the wrong purpose | -误用,滥用 | -Misuse of antibiotics can lead to serious health consequences. |
| Imperative | /ɪmˈpɛrətɪv/ | Adjective | -Of vital importance; crucial | -必要的,紧急的 | -It is imperative that we invest in research and development of new antibiotics. |
| Widespread | /ˈwaɪdspred/ | Adjective | -Found or distributed over a large area or number of people | -广泛的,普遍的 | -The discovery of antibiotics has had a widespread impact on human lives across the globe. |
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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