TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on sociology. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response you should: • express and support your opinion • make a contribution to the discussion An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
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4 user-submitted samples available
Start Free PracticeTask Overview
Professor
Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at lots of different materials about the role of television programs and television watching in people’s lives. But first, I want to know what you think about this topic. So here’s a question for the class discussion board: What do you think is the most significant effect that watching television has on people? Why do you think television has this effect?
Kelly
I know that one way that television influences people’s behavior is that when you are watching television, you are not moving around or exercising. This is especially true for children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that when children spend a lot of time watching television, they have a greater tendency to be overweight.
Paul
I think the main effect that television has on people is to broaden their experience. There are so many programs devoted to nature and travel. Think of all the different places in the world you can experience through television! Last night I watched a program about life in Antarctica, and it was fascinating!
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
In my opinion, I concur with Pail’s point that televisions can broaden people’s horizon and give people an opportunity to learn the thing far from us, such as other counties’ culture. As we all know, human have created a lot of documentories, movies and TV series about interesting knowledge, which can help us feel different aspects of the world. For example, when I was in middle school, I watched South Park, a sarcastic animated series. In this series, I knew political correctness which is popular recent years by a character, the PC principal, who always critisizes people who discriminate againt these fringe groups. He helped me understand this abstract political defination which my peers did not know. In addition, this TV show helped me to understand the differences between China and the US, which could help me adapt my future life and study in America.
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
这篇文章基本上完成了任务要求,对电视的影响提出了自己的观点,并举例说明。但是,可以进一步改进以下方面:首先,在引入观点时,可以使用更明确的表达方式。其次,尝试在论述中加入更多细节和例子来支持你的观点。
示例1: 原文:In my opinion, I concur with Pail’s point that televisions can broaden people’s horizon... 改进:I firmly believe that television plays a significant role in broadening people's horizons, as Paul mentioned...
示例2: 原文:For example, when I was in middle school, I watched South Park... 改进:For instance, while watching the documentary series "Planet Earth," I gained a deeper understanding of various ecosystems and their importance to our planet.
4. 文章结构与组织
文章结构基本清晰,包括引言、主体和结论。但在组织上还有改进空间。建议将段落划分得更明确,并在段落之间使用过渡词或短语来增强连贯性。
示例1: 原文:As we all know, human have created a lot of documentories... 改进:To begin with, numerous documentaries have been produced to educate people about various topics and cultures.
示例2: 原文:In addition, this TV show helped me to understand the differences between China and the US... 改进:Moreover, watching television programs featuring different countries has allowed me to appreciate the cultural differences between China and the United States, which in turn has helped me adapt to my life and studies in America.
5. 语法批改
In my opinion, I concur with Pail’s point that televisions can broaden people’s horizon and give people an opportunity to learn the thing far from us, such as other counties’ culture. As we all know, human have created a lot of documentoriesdocumentaries(misspelling), movies and TV series about interesting knowledge, which can help us feel different aspects of the world. For example, when I was in middle school, I watched South Park, a sarcastic animated series. In this series, I knew political correctness which is popular recentin recent(This rule identifies whether the preposition 'in' is missing in a sentence.) years by a character, the PC principal, who always critisizescriticizes(misspelling) people who discriminate againtagainst(misspelling) these fringe groups. He helped me understand this abstract political definationdefinition(misspelling) which my peers did not know. In addition, this TV show helped me to understand the differences between China and the US, which could help me adapt my future life and study in America.
Section Title: 6 Article Revision
In my opinion, I agree with Paul's assertion that television has the potential to expand our horizons and provide us with opportunities to learn about distant cultures and experiences. As we are well aware, numerous documentaries, films, and TV series have been created to impart fascinating knowledge and insights into various aspects of the world. For instance, during my middle school years, I watched South Park, a satirical animated series that introduced me to the concept of political correctness through a character known as PC Principal. This character consistently criticized those who discriminated against marginalized groups, thereby helping me grasp this abstract political notion that my peers were unfamiliar with. Furthermore, this TV show facilitated my understanding of the cultural differences between China and the United States, ultimately preparing me for my future life and studies in America. (143 words)
In my opinion, I concur agree with Pail’s point Paul's [Changed "Pail" to "Paul" for correct spelling] assertion that televisions can broaden people’s horizon and give people an opportunity television has the potential to expand our horizons [Rephrased "broaden people's horizon" for clarity and natural tone] and provide us with opportunities to learn the about distant cultures and experiences [Rephrased "the thing far from us, such as other counties’ culture. counties' culture" for clarity and natural tone]. As we all know, human have created a lot of documentories, movies are well aware, numerous documentaries, films, and TV series about interesting knowledge, which can help us feel different have been created to impart fascinating knowledge [Rephrased "interesting knowledge" for a more natural tone] and insights into various aspects of the world. For example, when I was in instance, during my middle school, school years, I watched South Park, a sarcastic satirical animated series. In this series, I knew series [Changed "sarcastic" to "satirical" for more accurate description] that introduced me to the concept of political correctness which is popular recent years by a character, the through a character known as PC principal, Principal. This character consistently criticized those who always critisizes people who discriminate againt these fringe groups. He helped discriminated against marginalized groups [Rephrased "fringe groups" for a more accurate description], thereby helping me understand grasp this abstract political defination notion that my peers were unfamiliar with [Rephrased "defination which my peers did not know. In addition, know" for clarity and natural tone]. Furthermore, this TV show helped me to understand the facilitated my understanding of the cultural differences between China and the US, which could help United States, ultimately preparing me adapt for my future life and study studies in America.America [Rephrased the last sentence for clarity and natural tone].
Title: 8 思维导图
- Introduction
- Television's potential
- Learning about distant cultures and experiences
- Body
- Documentaries, films, and TV series
- Impart knowledge and insights
- Example: South Park
- Satirical animated series
- Introduction to political correctness
- Cultural differences between China and the United States
- Conclusion
- Television as a tool for learning and understanding cultural differences
Title: 9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| potential | /pəˈtɛnʃəl/ | noun | the inherent capacity for coming into being | 潜力 | Television has the potential to expand our horizons. |
| horizon | /həˈraɪzən/ | noun | the range of one's knowledge, experience, or interest | 视野 | This documentary broadened my horizons about environmental issues. |
| satirical | /səˈtɪrɪkəl/ | adjective | using satire to expose or criticize people's stupidity or vices | 讽刺的 | South Park is a satirical animated series that comments on current events. |
| political correctness | /pəˈlɪtɪkəl kəˈrɛktnɪs/ | noun | the avoidance of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against | 政治正确 | South Park introduced me to the concept of political correctness through a character known as PC Principal. |
| marginalized | /ˈmɑːrʤɪnəlaɪzd/ | adjective | treated as insignificant or peripheral | 边缘化的 | The show criticized those who discriminated against marginalized groups. |
| abstract | /ˈæbstrækt/ | adjective | existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence | 抽象的 | Political correctness is an abstract notion that many people find difficult to understand. |
| notion | /ˈnoʊʃən/ | noun | a conception of or belief about something | 观念 | This character helped me grasp the abstract political notion that my peers were unfamiliar with. |
| cultural differences | /ˈkʌltʃərəl ˈdɪfərənsɪz/ | noun | the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole | 文化差异 | Understanding cultural differences between China and the United States is essential for international communication. |
| facilitate | /fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/ | verb | make (an action or process) easy or easier | 促进 | Watching this TV show facilitated my understanding of American culture. |
| impart | /ɪmˈpɑrt/ | verb | make (information) known; communicate | 传授 | The documentary imparts fascinating knowledge and insights into various aspects of the world. |
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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