All Samples

TOEFL 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. You will have 10 minutes to write it.

Real user submissions with AI-powered evaluation and feedback

1 user-submitted samples available

Start Free Practice

Task Overview

Professor

In recent years, with the increasing prevalence of online payment methods, we've seen a significant decrease in the use of cash for everyday transactions. This shift has prompted a debate about whether it's a positive or negative development. So, let me pose this question to you: With the decrease in cash usage due to the rise of online payments, do you consider this trend to be positive or negative? Why or why not?

Student A

This is indeed a positive development because it offers tremendous convenience. We complete transactions with just our smartphones, eliminating the need to carry a wallet full of cash and coins. This convenience not only streamlines our daily routines but also reduces the risk of theft or loss associated with physical cash.

Claire

This trend is negative because it disconnects us from our spending habits. When we use cash, we have a tangible sense of how much money we're spending, which helps us keep track of our expenses. With digital payments, it's easier to lose sight of our financial transactions, potentially leading to overspending and financial mismanagement.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

Given society's responsibility to meet the practical needs of citizens, I am convinced that the trend has a deeply negative impact on citizens' normal lives, and I wholeheartedly endorse Claire's idea. In my view, the prevalence of online payment methods may influence some vulnerable people. Although online payment provides convenience for youth, but society neglects the existence of the elderly and causes trouble for them. Take the case of my grandma Stella, who is already 70 years old. Because of her age, using a cellphone is difficult for her, which renders her unable to follow the trend of online payment. However, the prevalence of online payment may influence some shops that they may only charge fees by online payment without cash, for the reason that neither can they be able to use cash at other stores. Consequently, she is incapable of purchasing anything independently but ask for our assistance and becomes passive in her life. Therefore, I believe that prioritizing online payment has a significant negative consequence for citizens.

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

26. 3 任务完成度

总体来说,你的文章在完成任务方面做得很好。你清楚地表达了自己的观点,并通过具体的例子支持了你的观点。然而,为了更好地完成任务,你可以考虑以下建议:

  1. 在文章中提到其他观点,并对其进行评价,以便更全面地参与讨论。

  2. 在论述自己观点时,可以使用更多细节和论据来支持。

示例1:在文章中加入对Student A观点的评价,如:“尽管在线支付为年轻人提供了便利,但我们不能忽视老年人群体的需求。” 示例2:增加更多支持论据,如:“此外,在线支付可能导致个人信息泄露和网络安全问题。”

4. 文章结构与组织

从结构和组织方面来看,你的文章基本上是合理的。然而,在以下方面还有改进空间:

  1. 可以考虑在开头部分简要介绍一下两种不同观点,并明确表明自己支持哪一种。

  2. 在段落之间使用过渡词或短语,使文章更连贯。

示例1:在开头部分加入:“在这个问题上,有人认为在线支付是一种积极的趋势,因为它带来了极大的便利;然而,也有人认为这是一种消极的趋势,因为它削弱了我们对支出的感知。在我看来,这一趋势对公民产生了负面影响。” 示例2:在段落之间加入过渡词或短语,如:“尽管如此,在线支付对某些人群确实带来了不便。”

5. 语法批改

Given society's responsibility to meet the practical needs of citizens, I am convinced that the trend has a deeply negative impact on citizens' normal lives, and I wholeheartedly endorse Claire's idea. In my view, the prevalence of online payment methods may influence some vulnerable people. Although online payment provides convenience for youth, but society neglects the existence of the elderly and causes trouble for them. Take the case of my grandma Stella, who is already 70 years old. Because of her age, using a cellphone is difficult for her, which renders her unable to follow the trend of online payment. However, the prevalence of online payment may influence some shops that they may only charge fees by online payment without cash, for the reason that neither can they be able to use cash at other stores. Consequently, she is incapable of purchasing anything independently but ask for our assistance and becomes passive in her life. Therefore, I believe that prioritizing online payment has a significant negative consequence for citizens.

Title: 6 文章修订

In light of society's obligation to address the practical needs of its citizens, I firmly believe that the increasing reliance on online payment methods has a detrimental effect on people's everyday lives, and I wholeheartedly support Claire's perspective. In my opinion, the widespread adoption of digital transactions may adversely impact certain vulnerable populations.

While online payments undoubtedly offer convenience for younger generations, it is crucial to recognize that this trend may inadvertently marginalize the elderly and create difficulties for them. Take, for example, my 70-year-old grandmother Stella. Due to her age, using a smartphone is challenging for her, rendering her unable to participate in the digital payment revolution. As more businesses transition to cashless transactions, she may find herself unable to make purchases independently and consequently become reliant on others for assistance – ultimately diminishing her autonomy.

In conclusion, I contend that prioritizing online payment methods over traditional cash transactions can have significant negative repercussions for certain segments of society. (163 words)

Given In light of society's responsibility to meet obligation to address the practical needs of citizens, its citizens (rephrased for clarity and formality), I am convinced firmly believe that the trend has a deeply negative impact increasing reliance on citizens' normal lives, and I wholeheartedly endorse Claire's idea. In my view, the prevalence of online payment methods has a detrimental effect (rephrased for clarity and conciseness) on people's everyday lives, and I wholeheartedly support Claire's perspective. In my opinion, the widespread adoption of digital transactions may influence some adversely impact certain vulnerable people. populations (rephrased for clarity).

Although While online payment provides payments undoubtedly offer convenience for youth, but society neglects the existence of younger generations, it is crucial to recognize that this trend may inadvertently marginalize the elderly and causes trouble for them. Take the case of create difficulties for them (rephrased for clarity and conciseness). Take, for example, my grandma Stella, who is already 70 years old. Because of 70-year-old grandmother Stella. Due to her age, using a cellphone smartphone is difficult challenging for her, which renders rendering her unable to follow the trend of online payment. However, the prevalence of online participate in the digital payment revolution (rephrased for clarity). As more businesses transition to cashless transactions, she may influence some shops that they may only charge fees by online payment without cash, for the reason that neither can they be able to use cash at other stores. Consequently, she is incapable of purchasing anything find herself unable to make purchases independently but ask for our and consequently become reliant on others for assistance and becomes passive in – ultimately diminishing her life. autonomy (rephrased for clarity and flow).

Therefore, In conclusion, I believe contend that prioritizing online payment has a methods over traditional cash transactions can have significant negative consequence for citizens.repercussions (rephrased for conciseness) for certain segments of society.

8 思维导图


1. Introduction
   - Society's obligation
   - Claire's perspective
   - Vulnerable populations

2. Convenience for younger generations
   - Online payments
   - Digital transactions

3. Marginalization of the elderly
   - Example: Grandmother Stella
   - Difficulty using smartphones

4. Businesses transitioning to cashless transactions
   - Elderly unable to make purchases independently
   - Loss of autonomy for elderly individuals 

5. Conclusion 
   - Negative repercussions of prioritizing online payments over traditional cash transactions 

9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionSimplified Chinese TranslationSample Sentence
Obligation/ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃən/NounA duty or commitment义务Society has an obligation to address the practical needs of its citizens.
Detrimental/dɛtrɪˈmɛntəl/AdjectiveTending to cause harm有害的The increasing reliance on online payment methods has a detrimental effect on people's everyday lives.
Inadvertently/ˌɪnədˈvɜrtəntli/AdverbWithout intention; accidentally非故意地This trend may inadvertently marginalize the elderly and create difficulties for them.
Marginalize/mɑrˈdʒaɪnəlaiz/VerbTo treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral边缘化The widespread adoption of digital transactions may marginalize certain vulnerable populations.
Autonomy/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/NounThe right or condition of self-government; independence自主权As more businesses transition to cashless transactions, she may lose her autonomy.
Repercussions/ˌriːpərˈkʌʃənz/NounAn unintended consequence occurring some time after an event or action, especially an unwelcome one后果Prioritizing online payment methods over traditional cash transactions can have significant negative repercussions for certain segments of society.
Vulnerable/ˈvʌlnərəbəl/AdjectiveExposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally易受伤害的In my opinion, the widespread adoption of digital transactions may adversely impact certain vulnerable populations.
Transition/trænˈzɪʃən/NounThe process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another过渡As more businesses transition to cashless transactions, she may find herself unable to make purchases independently.
Cashless/ˈkæʃlɪs/AdjectiveRelating to a system where people use electronic methods of payment rather than cash无现金的As more businesses transition to cashless transactions, she may find herself unable to make purchases independently.

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