All Samples

TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on economics. Write a post responding to the professor's question.

Real user submissions with AI-powered evaluation and feedback

3 user-submitted samples available

Start Free Practice

Task Overview

Dr. Achebe

When people are asked about the most important discoveries or inventions made inthe last two hundred years, they usually mention something very obvious, like thecomputer 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 allthe things we use in our daily lives. I would probably choose space satellites. Thistechnology happened in the last hundred years, and it has become important for somany 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

As far as I’m concerned, I think the airplane is very important. To begin with, people can travel worldwide more quickly by air, which not only can save more time but also help people to take trips to other countries and meet different friends. Beside, it is crucial for the development of encomics since people can do business with foreigners and improve the form of tansportaion. For example, people from the intenral landmass can taste more delicious and fresh seafood than before. Thus, I really think the airplane has changed people’s life completely and it is enssensial from many facets.

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

  • 27

3. 任务完成度

这篇文章在任务完成度方面表现不错,但仍有改进的空间。首先,你需要更详细地解释飞机如何影响人们的生活和经济发展。此外,你可以通过提供具体的例子来支持你的观点。

示例1: 原文:To begin with, people can travel worldwide more quickly by air, which not only can save more time but also help people to take trips to other countries and meet different friends. 改进:To begin with, the airplane has revolutionized global travel by significantly reducing the time it takes to reach different destinations. This has enabled people to easily visit other countries for leisure or business purposes, fostering cultural exchange and global collaboration.

示例2: 原文:Beside, it is crucial for the development of encomics since people can do business with foreigners and improve the form of tansportaion. 改进:Furthermore, airplanes have played a vital role in the growth of international trade by providing a faster and more efficient means of transporting goods across borders. This has allowed businesses to expand their markets and access resources from around the world.

4. 文章结构与组织

文章的结构和组织方面还有待加强。建议在开头部分明确提出主题,并在结尾部分进行总结。同时,每个段落都应集中讨论一个具体的观点,并提供相应的支持细节。此外,使用恰当的过渡词和短语可以使文章更加流畅。

示例1: 原文:As far as I’m concerned, I think the airplane is very important. 改进:In my opinion, one of the most significant inventions in the past two hundred years is the airplane, which has greatly impacted various aspects of our lives.

示例2: 原文:Thus, I really think the airplane has changed people’s life completely and it is enssensial from many facets. 改进:In conclusion, the invention of the airplane has had a profound impact on our lives by revolutionizing global travel and trade, making it an essential technological advancement in modern society.

5. 语法批改

As far as I’m concerned, I think the airplane is very important. To begin with, people can travel worldwide more quickly by air, which not only can save more time but also help people to take trips to other countries and meet different friends. BesideBesides(beside vs besides), it is crucial for the development of encomics[No Replacement Word Found](misspelling) since people can do business with foreigners and improve the form of tansportaiontransportation(misspelling). For example, people from the intenralinternal(misspelling) landmass can taste more delicious and fresh seafood than before. Thus, I really think the airplane has changed people’s life completely and, and(comma between independent clauses) it is enssensialessential(misspelling) from many facets.

Section Title: 6 Article Revision

In my opinion, the invention of the airplane has been of paramount importance in the last two hundred years. Firstly, air travel has significantly reduced the time it takes to traverse the globe, enabling individuals to easily visit other countries and form diverse connections. Furthermore, aviation has played a crucial role in advancing global economics by facilitating international business and revolutionizing transportation methods. For instance, people residing in landlocked regions can now enjoy fresh seafood from distant coastal areas with ease. Consequently, I firmly believe that the advent of airplanes has profoundly transformed our lives and remains indispensable across various aspects of modern society. (109 words)

In my opinion (As far as I’m concerned, I think I'm concerned provides a more informal tone, which is less suitable for an essay), the invention of the airplane is very important. has been of paramount importance (rephrased to emphasize the significance) in the last two hundred years. Firstly (To begin with, people can with is less formal and specific), air travel worldwide more quickly by air, which not only can save more has significantly reduced the time but also help people to take trips to it takes to traverse the globe, enabling individuals to easily visit other countries and meet different friends. Beside, it is form diverse connections (rephrased to provide a clearer and more concise explanation). Furthermore (Beside is not an appropriate transition word), aviation has played a crucial for the development of role in advancing global economics (encomics since was misspelled and needed clarification) by facilitating international business and revolutionizing transportation methods. For instance, people residing in landlocked regions can do business with foreigners and improve the form of tansportaion. For example, people from the intenral landmass can taste more delicious and now enjoy fresh seafood than before. Thus, from distant coastal areas with ease (rephrased for clarity and coherence). Consequently (Thus is less formal), I really think the airplane has firmly believe that the advent of airplanes has profoundly transformed our lives (changed people’s people's life completely and it is was too informal) and remains indispensable across various aspects of modern society (enssensial from many facets.facets was misspelled and needed rephrasing for clarity).

8 思维导图


- Airplane Invention
    - Importance
        - Paramount in last 200 years
    - Air Travel
        - Reduced time to traverse the globe
        - Enabled diverse connections
    - Global Economics Advancement
        - Facilitated international business
        - Revolutionized transportation methods
            - Example: Fresh seafood in landlocked regions
    - Profound Transformation of Lives
        - Indispensable in modern society aspects

9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionSimplified Chinese TranslationSample Sentence
paramount/ˈpærəmaʊnt/adjectiveMore important than anything else至高无上的The invention of the airplane has been of paramount importance in the last two hundred years.
traverse/trəˈvɜrs/verbTo travel across or through横穿,穿越Air travel has significantly reduced the time it takes to traverse the globe.
diverse/daɪˈvɜrs/adjectiveShowing a great deal of variety多样的Air travel enables individuals to easily visit other countries and form diverse connections.
aviation/ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən/noun_The operation, design, or use of aircraft_航空,飞行_Aviation has played a crucial role in advancing global economics.
facilitate/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/verb_To make an action or process easier_促进,使便利_Aviation has facilitated international business and revolutionized transportation methods.
revolutionize/ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/verb_To completely change something_彻底改变_Airplanes have revolutionized transportation methods.
landlocked/ˈlændlɒkt/adjective_Surrounded by land with no access to sea_内陆的_People residing in landlocked regions can now enjoy fresh seafood from distant coastal areas.
advent/ˈædvənt/noun_The arrival of a notable person or thing_到来,出现_I firmly believe that the advent of airplanes has profoundly transformed our lives.
indispensable/ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/adjective_Absolutely necessary; essential_不可或缺的_Airplanes remain indispensable across various aspects of modern society.
profoundly/prəˈfaʊndli/adverb_To a great depth psychologically_深刻地_The invention of airplanes has profoundly transformed our lives and remains indispensable.

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.

Rooting for Your Goal Score Today!

With LingoLeap, an expert in English exams

Get to Your Dream Score Faster

Try for free now