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TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on political science. 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

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Task Overview

Professor

Today we’re going to discuss whether the government should tax unhealthy products, such as sugary drinks and junk food. On one hand, taxing these products could discourage people from consuming them and reduce health problems. On the other hand, some argue that such taxes unfairly target lower-income families who may rely on these products as affordable sources of food. If you had to choose, would you support or oppose taxing unhealthy products? Why?

Student A

I support the idea of taxing unhealthy products. These products are often high in sugar, salt, and fat, which can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. As you said, by taxing these products, the government can discourage people from consuming them and resolve some of these health issues. Moreover, the revenue generated from such taxes can be used to fund advertising campaigns that promote healthy eating habits. Advertising campaigns that encourage healthy lifestyles can have a major impact on the overall wellbeing of society in the long run.

Student B

I disagree. I believe that such taxes are unfair to families that don’t have a lot of money. Wealthy people will not care about the taxes and their habits won’t change. Additionally, if these taxes are implemented some people might try to save money by purchasing lower-quality products that are cheaper in the first place. That means they could suffer even more health problems. In time, we might become even more unhealthy. There are better solutions to this problem than new taxes.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

From my perspective, I strongly support taxing unhealthy product. Those product, for instance, burger or carbonated beverage, contain high levels of fats, sugar, both elements have harmful effects when consumed in great quantities. Yet, it is alarmed that many modern people, especially those young, have been suffering into this unhealthy eating habit. Tremendous reasons contributed to this tendency, however, the most powerful reason is these diets are inexpensive. Therefore, taxing heavily on food are hazardous to human health, it will later discourage people to intake it. Meanwhile, taxing to these unhealthy food would at the same time, decrease the rate of those advertisement made from those shoppers. Since advertisement is the root cause of unhealthy foods and drinks been familiar with teens. Thus, why not taxing them more?

Evaluation Result

1. Sub Scores

Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.0 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 3.5 Language Use and Grammar: 3.5

2. Estimated Scores

Estimated Score: 22 (based on the average of Sub Scores)

3. Task completeness

The essay does a good job of expressing a personal opinion and contributing to the discussion. However, there is room for improvement in elaborating on the viewpoint and providing more specific examples or details to support the argument. Additionally, some grammatical errors and unclear language use are present.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Provide more specific examples or details to support your viewpoint.

  • Improve grammar and language use for better clarity.

Examples:

  1. Instead of saying "those young," consider using "young people" or "youth."

  2. Replace "it is alarmed" with "it is alarming."

4. Essay structure and organization

The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. However, the organization could be improved by focusing each paragraph on a specific point with supporting details. Clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs should also be present.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Focus each paragraph on a specific point with supporting details.

  • Use clear transitions between ideas and paragraphs.

Examples:

  1. In the second sentence of the essay, change "Yet, it is alarmed that many modern people..." to "However, it is alarming that many modern people..."

  2. In the last sentence of the essay, consider adding a transition like "In conclusion" or "Therefore" before stating your final opinion: "Therefore, why not tax them more?"

5. Grammar

From my perspective, I strongly support taxing unhealthy product. Those productThis product('this' vs. 'these'), for instance, burger or carbonated beverage, contain high levels of fats, sugar, both elements have harmful effects when consumed in great quantities. Yet, it is alarmed that many modern people, especially those young, have been suffering into this unhealthy eating habit. Tremendous reasons contributed to this tendency, however, the most powerful reason is these diets are inexpensive. Therefore, taxing heavily on food areis(Detects potentially wrong usage of "are") hazardous to human health, it will later discourage people to intake it. Meanwhile, taxing to these unhealthy foodthis unhealthy food('this' vs. 'these') wouldwould,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) at the same time, decrease the rate of those advertisementthis advertisement('this' vs. 'these') made from those shoppers. Since advertisement is the root cause of unhealthy foods and drinksdrinks,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) been familiar with teens. Thus, why not taxing them more?

Display title: 6 Revised Essay

In my opinion, implementing taxes on unhealthy products is a necessary measure to promote public health. Products such as fast food and sugary beverages, which are high in fat and sugar, have detrimental effects on health when consumed excessively. Alarmingly, many individuals, particularly the younger generation, have fallen into the trap of these unhealthy eating habits. A significant factor contributing to this trend is the affordability of such products. By imposing taxes on these harmful items, governments can effectively discourage their consumption. Additionally, higher taxes on unhealthy foods may lead to a reduction in advertisements promoting them, as companies would need to allocate more funds towards taxation. Since advertising plays a crucial role in making these products appealing to young people, reducing their exposure could further encourage healthier choices. Therefore, taxing unhealthy products seems like a logical step towards improving public health. (147 words)

From In my perspective, I strongly support taxing unhealthy product. Those product, for instance, burger or carbonated beverage, contain opinion, implementing taxes on unhealthy products is a necessary measure to promote public health (revised for clarity and emphasis). Products such as fast food and sugary beverages, which are high levels of fats, sugar, both elements in fat and sugar (revised for grammatical correctness), have harmful detrimental effects on health when consumed excessively (revised for better flow). Alarmingly, many individuals, particularly the younger generation, have fallen into the trap of these unhealthy eating habits (revised for better expression). A significant factor contributing to this trend is the affordability of such products (revised for clarity). By imposing taxes on these harmful items, governments can effectively discourage their consumption (revised for better flow). Additionally, higher taxes on unhealthy foods may lead to a reduction in great quantities. Yet, it is alarmed that many modern advertisements promoting them, as companies would need to allocate more funds towards taxation (revised for clarity and coherence). Since advertising plays a crucial role in making these products appealing to young people, especially those young, have been suffering into this unhealthy eating habit. Tremendous reasons contributed to this tendency, however, the most powerful reason is these diets are inexpensive. reducing their exposure could further encourage healthier choices (revised for better expression). Therefore, taxing heavily on food are hazardous to human health, it will later discourage people to intake it. Meanwhile, taxing to these unhealthy food would at the same time, decrease the rate of those advertisement made from those shoppers. Since advertisement is the root cause of unhealthy foods and drinks been familiar with teens. Thus, why not taxing them more?unhealthy products seems like a logical step towards improving public health (revised for clarity and emphasis).

Display title: 8 Mind Map

  1. Introduction

    • Necessity of taxes on unhealthy products
    • Promote public health
  2. Unhealthy products

    • Fast food
    • Sugary beverages
  3. Health effects

    • High fat and sugar content
    • Detrimental to health when consumed excessively
  4. Affordability factor

    • Contributes to unhealthy eating habits
  5. Tax implementation benefits

    • Discourage consumption of harmful items
  6. Reduction in advertisements

    • Companies allocate more funds towards taxation
  7. Advertising's role in appeal to youth

    • Reducing exposure encourages healthier choices
  8. Conclusion

    • Taxing unhealthy products as a logical step towards improving public health

Display title: 9 Key Words

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionEnglish TranslationSample Sentences
ImplementingˈɪmplɪˌmɛntɪŋVerbTo put into effect or actionImplementing taxes on unhealthy products can promote public health.
DetrimentaldɛtrəˈmɛntlAdjectiveCausing harm or damageConsuming excessive fast food is detrimental to one's health.
AlarminglyəˈlɑrmɪŋliAdverbIn a way that causes worry or concernAlarmingly, many young people have adopted unhealthy eating habits.
AffordabilityəˌfôrdəˈbilədēNounThe quality of being inexpensive and reasonably pricedThe affordability of fast food contributes to its popularity among the younger generation.
ImposingɪmˈpoʊzɪŋVerbTo force something to be accepted or put in placeBy imposing taxes on unhealthy products, governments can discourage their consumption.
AdvertisementsˈadvərˌtīzməntsNounNotices or announcements promoting a product, service, or eventReducing advertisements for unhealthy foods may encourage healthier choices.
AllocateˈæləˌkeɪtVerbTo distribute resources or duties for a particular purposeCompanies would need to allocate more funds towards taxation.
ExposureɪkˈspoʊʒərNounThe state of being subject to contact with something, such as advertising_Reducing young people's exposure to unhealthy food ads could improve their eating habits._
Logicalˈläjək(ə)lAdjectiveReasonable and likely based on valid reasoning or evidence_Taxing unhealthy products is a logical step towards improving public health._

Display title: 6 Revised Essay

In my opinion, implementing taxes on unhealthy products is a necessary measure to promote public health. Products such as fast food and sugary beverages, which are high in fat and sugar, have detrimental effects on health when consumed excessively. Alarmingly, many individuals, particularly the younger generation, have fallen into the trap of these unhealthy eating habits. A significant factor contributing to this trend is the affordability of such products. By imposing taxes on these harmful items, governments can effectively discourage their consumption. Additionally, higher taxes on unhealthy foods may lead to a reduction in advertisements promoting them, as companies would need to allocate more funds towards taxation. Since advertising plays a crucial role in making these products appealing to young people, reducing their exposure could further encourage healthier choices. Therefore, taxing unhealthy products seems like a logical step towards improving public health.

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.

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