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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 personal opinion make a contribution to the discussion in your own words An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

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3 user-submitted samples available

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Task Overview

Professor

As we all know, air pollution poses a significant threat to public health and the planet. As we deliberate on possible solutions, it's crucial to consider the cost factor in decision-making. One potential solution is increasing taxes on fuel, particularly for cars. Should the government increase taxes on car fuel to discourage excessive driving and mitigate air pollution? please share your thoughts on this matter.

Student A

I believe it's imperative to raise taxes on car fuel to combat air pollution effectively. This increase can serve as an incentive for individuals to explore greener transportation options, such as cycling. In our cities, expanding dedicated bike lanes will not only promote eco-friendly commuting but also enhance the overall quality of life by reducing traffic congestion and encouraging healthier lifestyle.

Student B

I believe that penalizing individuals is unreasonable, and cars are not necessarily the most significant source of pollution. Thus, this approach may yield inconclusive results. Instead, a holistic strategy should focus on comprehensive policies that address multiple pollution sources, including industries and emissions standards, to achieves more effective and lasting environmental improvements.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

I disagree with raising fuel taxes to reduce air pollution.Raising taxes can only increase the cost of using cars for the people, but it will not reduce air pollution caused by cars. Driving a car is the most common way for modern people to travel. It is convenient, fast, comfortable, and easy to refuel. People can enjoy the pleasure of driving, so many families own their own cars. Due to the above benefits, people will not give up traveling by car. To solve the problem of air pollution, we need to find other ways.As Claire said, car exhaust is not the main source of pollution. The government should focus on reducing pollution sources. For example, thermal power plants, steel mills, and plastic processing factories continuously emit large amounts of harmful gases. If we can reduce the production of pollutants in the production process through technological innovation, then air pollution will be significantly improved.

Evaluation Result

1. Sub Scores:

Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0 Language Use and Grammar: 4.0

2. Estimated Scores:

Estimated Score: 26

3. Task completeness:

The essay effectively addresses the task requirements by expressing a personal opinion and contributing to the discussion in the writer's own words. However, there is room for improvement in elaborating on the viewpoint and providing more specific examples or details to support the argument.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Provide more concrete examples or data to support your opinion.

  • Further explain why raising fuel taxes would not be effective in reducing air pollution.

Examples:

  1. "A study conducted by XYZ University showed that raising fuel taxes by 10% only resulted in a 2% decrease in car usage, indicating that this approach may not be as effective as other methods."
  2. "Instead of raising fuel taxes, promoting electric vehicles and improving public transportation systems could lead to a more significant reduction in air pollution."

4. Essay structure and organization:

The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion. The organization is mostly logical, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point and supporting details. However, transitions between ideas could be improved for better coherence.

Suggestions for improvement:

  • Use transition words or phrases to connect ideas within paragraphs.

  • Ensure that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.

Examples:

  1. "In addition to Claire's suggestion of addressing industrial pollution sources, we should also consider other alternatives such as promoting electric vehicles."
  2. "Firstly, it is important to recognize that car exhaust is not the main source of pollution; therefore, focusing solely on increasing fuel taxes may not yield significant results."

5. Grammar

I disagree with raising fuel taxes to reduce air pollution.Raising Raising(Missing space between sentences) taxes can only increase the cost of using cars for the people, but it will not reduce air pollution caused by cars. Driving a car is the most common way for modern people to travel. It is convenient, fast, comfortable, and easy to refuel. People can enjoy the pleasure of driving, so many families own their own cars. Due to the above benefits, people will not give up traveling by car. To solve the problem of air pollution, we need to find other ways.As As(Missing space between sentences) Claire said, car exhaust is not the main source of pollution. The government should focus on reducing pollution sources. For example, thermal power plants, steel mills, and plastic processing factories continuously emit large amounts of harmful gases. If we can reduce the production of pollutants in the production process through technological innovation, then air pollution will be significantly improved.

Display title: 6 Revised Essay

I respectfully disagree with the notion of raising fuel taxes as a means to combat air pollution. While increasing the cost of car usage may seem like a viable solution, it is unlikely to significantly reduce air pollution caused by automobiles. Driving remains the most prevalent mode of transportation in modern society due to its convenience, speed, comfort, and ease of refueling. The numerous benefits associated with car ownership make it improbable that people will abandon this method of travel.

As Student B mentioned, vehicle emissions are not the sole contributor to air pollution. A more comprehensive approach should be adopted by the government, focusing on mitigating pollution from various sources. For instance, thermal power plants, steel mills, and plastic processing factories continuously emit large quantities of harmful gases. By investing in technological innovations that minimize pollutant production during industrial processes, we can achieve substantial improvements in air quality. This holistic strategy would prove more effective and sustainable in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution. (171 words)

Revised essay: Display title: 7 Essay Grading

I respectfully disagree (reason: more polite and formal tone) with the notion of raising fuel taxes to reduce air pollution.Raising taxes can only increase as a means to combat air pollution. While increasing the cost of using cars for the people, but car usage may seem like a viable solution, it will not is unlikely to significantly reduce air pollution caused by cars. automobiles (explanation: clarifies the argument). Driving a remains the most prevalent mode of transportation in modern society due to its convenience, speed, comfort, and ease of refueling. The numerous benefits associated with car is the most common way for modern people to travel. It is convenient, fast, comfortable, and easy to refuel. People can enjoy the pleasure of driving, so many families own their own cars. Due to the above benefits, ownership make it improbable that people will abandon this method of travel (reason: clearer explanation of car usage benefits).

As Student B mentioned (reason: giving credit to another person's idea), vehicle emissions are not give up traveling the sole contributor to air pollution. A more comprehensive approach should be adopted by car. To solve the problem of air pollution, we the government, focusing on mitigating pollution from various sources (explanation: emphasizes the need to find other ways.As Claire said, car exhaust is not the main source of pollution. The government should focus on reducing pollution sources. for a broader strategy). For example, instance, thermal power plants, steel mills, and plastic processing factories continuously emit large amounts quantities of harmful gases. If By investing in technological innovations that minimize pollutant production during industrial processes (reason: specifying a potential solution), we can reduce the production of pollutants in the production process through technological innovation, then achieve substantial improvements in air quality. This holistic strategy would prove more effective and sustainable in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution will be significantly improved.(explanation: highlights the benefits of a comprehensive approach).

8 Mind Map

  1. Raising fuel taxes

    • Disagreement
    • Unlikely to reduce air pollution
  2. Car usage

    • Convenience
    • Speed
    • Comfort
    • Ease of refueling
  3. Vehicle emissions

    • Not the sole contributor to air pollution
  4. Comprehensive approach

    • Government involvement
  5. Pollution sources

    • Thermal power plants
    • Steel mills
    • Plastic processing factories
  6. Technological innovations

    • Minimize pollutant production

9 Key Words

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionEnglish TranslationSample Sentence
Notion/ˈnoʊʃən/NounA belief or ideaA belief or ideaI respectfully disagree with the notion of raising fuel taxes as a means to combat air pollution.
Prevalent/ˈprɛvələnt/AdjectiveWidespread; in general use or acceptanceWidespread; in general use or acceptanceDriving remains the most prevalent mode of transportation in modern society due to its convenience, speed, comfort, and ease of refueling.
Comprehensive/kɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪv/AdjectiveIncluding all or nearly all elements or aspects of somethingIncluding all or nearly all elements or aspects of somethingA more comprehensive approach should be adopted by the government, focusing on mitigating pollution from various sources.
Mitigating/ˈmɪtɪɡeɪtɪŋ/VerbMake less severe, serious, or painfulMake less severe, serious, or painfulThe government should focus on mitigating pollution from various sources.
Holistic/hoʊˈlɪstɪk/AdjectiveCharacterized by the belief that parts of something are interconnected and explicable only by reference to the wholeCharacterized by the belief that parts of something are interconnected and explicable only by reference to the wholeThis holistic strategy would prove more effective and sustainable in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution.
Emissions/ɪˈmɪʃənz/NounThe production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation_The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiationAs Student B mentioned, vehicle emissions are not the sole contributor to air pollution.
Substantial/səbˈstænʃəl/AdjectiveOf considerable importance, size, or worth_Of considerable importance, size, or worthBy investing in technological innovations that minimize pollutant production during industrial processes, we can achieve substantial improvements in air quality.
Sustainable/səˈsteɪnəbəl/Adjective_Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level_Able to be maintained at a certain rate or levelThis holistic strategy would prove more effective and sustainable in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution.
Innovations/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃənz/Noun_The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc._The action or process of innovating; a new method, idea, product, etc.By investing in technological innovations that minimize pollutant production during industrial processes, we can achieve substantial improvements in air quality.

6 Revised Essay

I respectfully disagree with the notion of raising fuel taxes as a means to combat air pollution. While increasing the cost of car usage may seem like a viable solution, it is unlikely to significantly reduce air pollution caused by automobiles. Driving remains the most prevalent mode of transportation in modern society due to its convenience, speed, comfort, and ease of refueling. The numerous benefits associated with car ownership make it improbable that people will abandon this method of travel.

As Student B mentioned, vehicle emissions are not the sole contributor to air pollution. A more comprehensive approach should be adopted by the government, focusing on mitigating pollution from various sources. For instance, thermal power plants, steel mills, and plastic processing factories continuously emit large quantities of harmful gases. By investing in technological innovations that minimize pollutant production during industrial processes, we can achieve substantial improvements in air quality. This holistic strategy would prove more effective and sustainable in addressing the pressing issue of air pollution.

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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