TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on public policy. Write a post responding tothe professor's question.In your response. you should do the following.Express and support your opinion.Make a contribution to the discussion in your own wordsAn effective response will contain at least 100 words.
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Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Professor
This week. we will be discussing a shortage of affordable housing that exists in many countries. In these places. housing--both apartments (flats) and houses-are expensive. because populations are growing faster than new housing is being built. Now think about places in your country that have a housing shortage. In your post. I would like you to indicate the most effective way for the government to address a housing shortage in your country. Please explain why you think so.
Student A
In my country, there is a lack of affordable housing in the big cities. Low-cost housing exists in areas outside of the cities, but that means workers have long commutes to reach their jobs in the cities. I recommend that my government create initiatives to encourage the construction of large buildings with many affordable apartments in cities.
Student B
Claire's recommendation is fine, but many people prefer to live in a house rather than an apartment. even if they have longer commutes. Living in a house can be quieter and more private. So. I believe my government should give subsidies or tax relief to construction companies to build small. affordable single-family houses on unused land that surrounds many cities.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In the discussion, Student A and Student B both presents their points on the problem of addressing housing shortage in their country. Whereas I tend to agree with the latter. Student A’s Perspective: Firstly, Student A proposes that despite the lower cost housing exists in more remote areas, workers tend to live in cities to avoid longer commutes. Since there’s a lack of affordable housing in large urban regions, thus she recommends the government to create initiatives to encourage construction of large buildings with plenty purchasable apartments in cities. Counter Argument: However, the constructions of large buildings especially tall buildings can leads to significant mount of potential architectural wastes. Fundamental facilities specifically the pipe systems and wires would undergo serious aging which can not be used anymore after large and tall constructions are created for several decades. Therefore, encouraging construction of large buildings is not an optimistic solution in the long run. Student B’s Perspective: On the other hand, Student B posits that people commonly prefer living in houses rather than apartments, owing to the privacy and serenity that single houses provide. Considering the problems that large buildings can have do not occur on single-family houses, thus, offering subsidies or tax relief to constructions companies to build small houses on unused land that surrounds many cities is a much more effective solution to shortage of affordable housing that exists in many countries. Conclusion: According to Student A and B’s viewpoints and my own counter argument to Student A’s suggestion, it is manifest the solution presented by Student B will better resolve the deficiency of expendable housing that exists in many countries.
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
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Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 5
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Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.5
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Language Use and Grammar: 4.5
2. 预估分数
27分
3. 任务完成度
这篇文章在完成任务方面做得很好,对两位学生的观点进行了有效的比较和讨论。然而,可以在以下方面进行改进:
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对学生A的观点提出反驳时,可以给出更具体的例子来说明大楼建设可能带来的问题。
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在结论部分,可以更明确地总结自己的观点,并指出为什么认为学生B的建议更有效。
示例1(改进反驳): 然而,大楼建设可能会导致严重的环境问题,例如空气污染和噪音污染。此外,在城市中心建造大型住宅楼可能会加剧交通拥堵问题。
示例2(改进结论): 综上所述,我认为学生B提出的解决方案更能有效解决许多国家存在的可负担住房短缺问题。通过鼓励建造单户住宅,我们可以满足人们对私密和安静生活环境的需求,并减轻城市中心地区的压力。
4. 文章结构与组织
文章的结构和组织方面基本上是清晰的,包括引言、正文和结论。然而,在以下方面可以进行改进:
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在正文部分,可以使用更明确的过渡词或短语来引导读者理解你的观点。
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在结论部分,可以更简洁地总结文章的主要观点,并明确指出自己支持哪个观点。
示例1(改进过渡词): 尽管学生A提出了一个合理的建议,但我认为学生B的观点更具说服力。这是因为...
示例2(改进结论): 总之,根据学生A和B的观点以及我对学生A建议的反驳,显然学生B提出的解决方案更能有效解决许多国家存在的可负担住房短缺问题。
5. 语法批改
In the discussion, Student A and Student B both presents their points on the problem of addressing housing shortage in their country. WhereasWhereas,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) I tend to agree with the latter.
Student A’s Perspective:
Firstly, Student A proposes that despite the lower cost housing exists in more remote areas, workers tend to live in cities to avoid longer commutes. Since there’s a lack of affordable housing in large urban regions, thus she recommends the government to create initiatives to encourage construction of large buildings with plenty purchasableof purchasable(This rule identifies whether the preposition 'of' is missing in a sentence.) apartments in cities.
Counter ArgumentCounterargument(counter part (counterpart)):
However, the constructions of large buildingsbuildings,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) especially tall buildings can leadslead(Non-infinitive verb after modal verbs) to significant mount of potential architectural wastes. Fundamental facilities specifically the pipe systems and wires would undergo serious aging which can not be used anymore after large and tall constructions are created for several decades. Therefore, encouraging construction of large buildings is not an optimistic solution in the long run.
Student B’s Perspective:
On the other hand, Student B posits that people commonly prefer living in houses rather than apartments, owing to the privacy and serenity that single houses provide. Considering the problems that large buildings can have doto(do vs to) not occur on single-family houses, thus, offering subsidies or tax relief to constructions companies to build small houses on unused land that surrounds many cities is a much more effective solution to shortage of affordable housing that exists in many countries.
Conclusion:
According to Student A and B’s viewpoints and my own counter argumentcounterargument(counter part (counterpart)) to Student A’s suggestion, it is manifest the solution presented by Student B will better resolve the deficiency of expendable housing that exists in many countries.
Title: 6 文章修订
In the discussion, Student A and Student B both present their perspectives on addressing the housing shortage in their country. While both arguments have merit, I find myself leaning towards Student B's proposal.
Student A's Perspective: Student A acknowledges that low-cost housing is available in areas outside of cities, but workers often prefer to live closer to their jobs to avoid long commutes. Consequently, she suggests that the government should encourage the construction of large buildings with numerous affordable apartments in urban areas.
Counter Argument: However, constructing large buildings, particularly tall ones, can lead to a significant amount of potential architectural waste. Essential facilities such as pipe systems and wiring may experience severe aging and become unusable after several decades. As a result, promoting the construction of large buildings may not be a sustainable solution in the long run.
Student B's Perspective: Conversely, Student B contends that many people prefer living in houses over apartments due to the privacy and tranquility single-family homes offer. Given that single-family houses do not face the same issues as large buildings, providing subsidies or tax relief to construction companies for building small homes on unused land surrounding cities appears to be a more effective solution for addressing the affordable housing shortage.
In light of both students' viewpoints and my counterargument against Student A's proposal, it is evident that Student B's suggested approach offers a more viable means of tackling the lack of affordable housing in many countries. By focusing on constructing smaller single-family homes instead of large apartment buildings, governments can provide citizens with more desirable living options while also promoting sustainable development practices. (273 words)
In the discussion, Student A and Student B both presents present (revised for subject-verb agreement) their points perspectives on the problem of addressing the housing shortage in their country. Whereas While both arguments have merit, I tend to agree with the latter. ¶ Student A’s find myself leaning towards Student B's proposal.
Student A's Perspective:
Firstly, Student A proposes that despite the lower cost acknowledges that low-cost housing exists in more remote areas, is available in areas outside of cities, but workers tend often prefer to live in cities closer to their jobs to avoid longer long commutes. Since there’s a lack of affordable housing in large urban regions, thus Consequently, she recommends suggests that the government to create initiatives to should encourage the construction of large buildings with plenty purchasable numerous affordable apartments in cities. urban areas.
Counter Argument:
However, the constructions of large buildings especially constructing large buildings, particularly tall buildings ones, can leads to lead to a significant mount amount of potential architectural wastes. Fundamental waste (revised for clarity). Essential facilities specifically the such as pipe systems and wires would undergo serious wiring may experience severe aging which can and become unusable after several decades (revised for clarity). As a result, promoting the construction of large buildings may not be used anymore after large and tall constructions are created for several decades. Therefore, encouraging construction of large buildings is not an optimistic a sustainable solution in the long run. ¶ Student B’s run (revised for clarity).
Student B's Perspective:
On the other hand, Conversely, Student B posits that contends that many people commonly prefer living in houses rather than apartments, owing over apartments due to the privacy and serenity that single tranquility single-family homes offer (revised for clarity). Given that single-family houses provide. Considering the problems that large buildings can have do not occur on single-family houses, thus, offering face the same issues as large buildings (revised for clarity), providing subsidies or tax relief to constructions construction companies to build for building small houses homes on unused land that surrounds many surrounding cities is a much appears to be a more effective solution to shortage of for addressing the affordable housing that exists in many countries. ¶ Conclusion: ¶ According to Student A and B’s shortage (revised for clarity).
In light of both students' viewpoints and my own counter argument to Student A’s suggestion, counterargument against Student A's proposal, it is manifest the solution presented by Student B will better resolve the deficiency of expendable evident that Student B's suggested approach offers a more viable means of tackling the lack of affordable housing that exists in many countries.countries (revised for clarity). By focusing on constructing smaller single-family homes instead of large apartment buildings, governments can provide citizens with more desirable living options while also promoting sustainable development practices.
Title: 8 思维导图
1. Introduction
- Housing shortage issue
- Student A and B perspectives
2. Student A's Perspective
- Low-cost housing outside cities
- Encourage construction of large buildings with affordable apartments in urban areas
3. Counter Argument to Student A's Perspective
- Architectural waste in large buildings
- Unsustainability of large buildings in the long run
4. Student B's Perspective
- Preference for single-family homes over apartments
- Subsidies or tax relief for construction companies building small homes on unused land surrounding cities
5. Conclusion
- Student B's approach is more viable and sustainable
Title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English definition | Simplified Chinese translation | Sample sentences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| housing | /ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ | noun | the provision of houses | 住房 | The government should address the housing shortage issue. |
| urban | /ˈɜːrbən/ | adjective | relating to a city or town | 城市的 | Urban areas often face a lack of affordable housing options. |
| architectural | /ˌɑrkɪˈtɛkʧərəl/ | adjective | /rɪˈli:f/ relating to architecture | /建筑的/ | /Architectural waste is a concern when constructing large buildings./建筑废料是建造大楼时需要考虑的问题。/ |
| subsidy | /ˈsʌbsɪdi/ | noun | /ˈsʌbsɪdi/ a sum of money granted by the government | /补贴/ | /The government should provide subsidies to construction companies./政府应该向建筑公司提供补贴。/ |
| tax relief | /tæks rɪˈli:f/ | noun | a reduction in the amount of tax that someone has to pay | 减税 | Tax relief can encourage construction companies to build more affordable homes. |
| sustainable | /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ | adjective | able to be maintained at a certain rate or level | 可持续的 | Sustainable development practices are essential for addressing the housing shortage. |
| tranquility | /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/ | noun | the quality or state of being tranquil; calm | 宁静 | Many people prefer single-family homes due to the tranquility they offer. |
| commute | /kəˈmju:t/ | verb, noun | travel some distance between one's home and place of work | 通勤 | Workers often prefer to live closer to their jobs to avoid long commutes. |
| viable | /ˈvaɪəbəl/ | /adj./ capable of working successfully; feasible | /可行的 / | /Student B's suggested approach is more viable for tackling the housing shortage./学生B提出的方法更可行。 / | |
| surrounding | /səˈraʊndɪŋ/ | /adj./ existing or happening around something | /周围的 / | /Building small homes on unused land surrounding cities is a good solution./在城市周围的未使用土地上建造小房子是一个好办法。/ |
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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