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TOEFL TPO 14 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on career readiness. Write a post responding to the professor’s question.

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Task Overview

Doctor Gupta

When students are preparing to graduate from university, they need to make decisions about what kind of company they want to work for. They might consider large, older companies with an established reputation, or possibly new start-up companies, which tend to be small but very focused on the future. Consider the advantages of each. Would it generally be better for a new university graduate to begin working for a large, established company, or for a small start-up company? Why?

Kelly

I think in general, the established company is the better choice. Because they’re already well-known, these companies have a certain amount of respect in the business community, so it would look good to have that job experience on your résumé. That advantage alone would be a great start for a recent graduate.

Andrew

I see your point, Kelly, but taking a position at a start-up company would offer so much excitement. They often have an energy that older companies can’t match—everyone can be focused on new, innovative business practices and they would be more aggressive about getting new clients. That would be a much better experience for someone fresh out of university!

User Samples & Evaluation Results

1

User Sample #1

I think an small start up company is better because for an bigger and older company they might have to many people so they won't hire you secoundly th...

Score
18

User Sample

I think an small start up company is better because for an bigger and older company they might have to many people so they won't hire you secoundly the amount of money they want ot give you might not be the amount of money you expect it will be because it is an old and bigger company so that means there will be alot of staff and you can't tell you boss that you want more money because of 2 reasons 1 if you got an higher amount of money the others will also want more money so that means you will have more work to do 2 maybe you bosswill fire you and let better people that want lower price of money replace you so this is the point why I think why an bigger and older company is not better then a new one it is the same thing for a smaller and new companey there will be less people so you will get more monay but that means you will have more work and if you do this work well the boss will give you more money and when this company turn older and bigger you will have an higher place to work and even if you quit for an new job you will have an amazing report.

Evaluation Result

1. 子项得分

  • Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 3.5

  • Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 2.5

  • Language Use and Grammar: 2.0

2. 预估分数

18. 3 任务完成度

从任务完成度的角度来看,你的文章确实表达了自己的观点,并提供了一些论据。但是,文章中存在一些问题,如论据不够充分、逻辑不清晰以及语法错误较多。为了提高写作质量,建议你在写作时更加关注以下几点:1) 提供更具说服力的论据和例子;2) 确保文章结构清晰、逻辑严密;3) 注意语法和词汇的准确性。

示例1(改进前):I think an small start up company is better because for an bigger and older company they might have to many people so they won't hire you secoundly the amount of money they want ot give you might not be the amount of money you expect it will be because it is an old and bigger company so that means there will be alot of staff and you can't tell you boss that you want more money because of 2 reasons...

示例1(改进后):I believe that working for a small start-up company is a better choice for recent graduates, as it offers more opportunities for growth and development. In contrast, larger, established companies may have a more rigid structure, making it difficult for new employees to negotiate their salaries or advance quickly in their careers.

4. 文章结构与组织

从文章结构和组织的角度来看,你的文章缺乏清晰的段落划分和逻辑顺序。为了提高文章的可读性和逻辑性,建议你在写作时注意以下几点:1) 使用恰当的段落划分,确保每个段落都有一个明确的主题;2) 使用过渡词或短语来连接不同的观点和论据;3) 在文章开头和结尾部分明确表达自己的观点。

示例2(改进前):I think an small start up company is better because for an bigger and older company they might have to many people so they won't hire you secoundly the amount of money they want ot give you might not be the amount of money you expect it will be because it is an old and bigger company so that means there will be alot of staff and you can't tell you boss that you want more money because of 2 reasons...

示例2(改进后): Introduction: In my opinion, recent university graduates should consider working for small start-up companies rather than large, established ones. Body paragraph 1: One reason is that start-ups often provide a more dynamic work environment, allowing employees to take on diverse roles and responsibilities. Body paragraph 2: Additionally, working for a start-up can offer more opportunities for career advancement and salary negotiation. Conclusion: Overall, while both options have their merits, I believe that small start-up companies offer greater benefits for recent graduates looking to jumpstart their careers.

5. 语法批改

I think ana small start upstart-up company is better because for ana bigger and older companycompany, they might have totoo many people so they won't hire you secoundlyyou. Secondly, the amount of money they want otto give you might not be the amount of money you expect it will be because it is an old and bigger company socompany. So, that means there will be alot of staffa lot of staff, and you can't tell youyour boss that you want more money because of 2 reasons 1 iftwo reasons: 1. If you got ana higher amount of moneymoney, the others will also want more moneymoney, so that means you will have more work to do 2 maybe you bosswilldo. 2. Maybe your boss will fire you and let better people that wantwho want a lower price of money replace you soyou. So, this is the point why I think why ana bigger and older company is not better thenthan a new one itone. It is the same thing for a smaller and new companeycompany; there will be lessfewer people so you will get more monaymoney, but that means you will have more work and ifwork. If you do this work wellwell, the boss will give you more money andmoney. And when this company turnturns older and bigger you will have anbigger, you will have a higher place to work andwork. And even if you quit for ana new jobjob, you will have an amazing report.

Section Title: 6 Article Revision

In my opinion, a small start-up company offers more advantages for a recent university graduate compared to a large, established organization. One of the main reasons is that established companies often have a large workforce, which could limit employment opportunities and make it difficult for graduates to secure a position. Additionally, the salary expectations might not align with the graduate's desires due to the company's size and staff expenses.

On the other hand, working for a start-up provides an opportunity to be part of an energetic and innovative environment where employees are driven to acquire new clients and implement cutting-edge business practices. This dynamic atmosphere can be highly beneficial for someone who has just completed their studies. Furthermore, since start-ups usually have smaller teams, there is potential for higher remuneration as well as increased responsibilities.

Another advantage of joining a start-up is the potential for career growth. As the company expands over time, employees who have been with the organization since its inception are likely to be rewarded with promotions and greater responsibilities. This experience can significantly enhance one's professional profile when seeking future employment opportunities.

In conclusion, while both large corporations and small start-ups have their merits, I believe that recent university graduates would benefit more from working in a smaller, innovative environment where they can grow professionally and contribute significantly to the company's success. (231 words)

I think an In my opinion, a small start up start-up company (change "an small" to "a small" for correct grammar) offers more advantages for a recent university graduate compared to a large, established organization. One of the main reasons is better because for an bigger and older company they might have to that established companies often have a large workforce (change "to many people so they won't hire you secoundly the amount of money they want ot give you people" to "a large workforce" for clarity and formality), which could limit employment opportunities and make it difficult for graduates to secure a position. Additionally, the salary expectations might not align with the graduate's desires due to the company's size and staff expenses (rephrase sentence for clarity).

On the other hand, working for a start-up provides an opportunity to be the amount part of money you expect it will an energetic and innovative environment where employees are driven to acquire new clients and implement cutting-edge business practices (rephrase sentence for clarity). This dynamic atmosphere can be because it highly beneficial for someone who has just completed their studies. Furthermore, since start-ups usually have smaller teams, there is an old and bigger potential for higher remuneration as well as increased responsibilities (rephrase sentence for clarity).

Another advantage of joining a start-up is the potential for career growth. As the company so expands over time, employees who have been with the organization since its inception are likely to be rewarded with promotions and greater responsibilities (rephrase sentence for clarity). This experience can significantly enhance one's professional profile when seeking future employment opportunities.

In conclusion, while both large corporations and small start-ups have their merits, I believe that means there will be alot of staff and you can't tell you boss that you want recent university graduates would benefit more money because of 2 reasons 1 if you got an higher amount of money the others will also want more money so that means you will have more work to do 2 maybe you bosswill fire you and let better people that want lower price of money replace you so this is the point why I think why an bigger and older company is not better then a new one it is the same thing for a smaller and new companey there will be less people so you will get more monay but that means you will have more work and if you do this work well the boss will give you more money and when this company turn older and bigger you will have an higher place to work and even if you quit for an new job you will have an amazing report.from working in a smaller, innovative environment where they can grow professionally and contribute significantly to the company's success (rephrase sentence for clarity).

Display title: 8 思维导图


1. Introduction
   - Small start-up vs large organization
   - Advantages for recent university graduates

2. Employment opportunities
   - Limited in large organizations
   - Easier to secure a position in start-ups

3. Salary expectations
   - Might not align with desires in large companies
   - Potential for higher remuneration in start-ups

4. Energetic and innovative environment
   - Driven to acquire new clients and implement cutting-edge practices
   - Beneficial for recent graduates

5. Career growth potential
   - Greater opportunities in start-ups as they expand over time
   - Enhances professional profile for future employment

6. Conclusion
   - Both have merits, but small start-ups are more beneficial for recent graduates.

Display title: 9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish definitionSimplified Chinese translationSample sentences
remuneration/rɪˌmjuːnəˈreɪʃən/nounmoney paid for work or a service报酬Since start-ups usually have smaller teams, there is potential for higher remuneration.
inception/ɪnˈsɛpʃən/nounthe starting point of an institution or activity开端Employees who have been with the organization since its inception are likely to be rewarded with promotions.
cutting-edge/ˈkʌtɪŋ ɛdʒ/adjectiveat the latest stage of development尖端的The start-up provides an opportunity to implement cutting-edge business practices.
workforce/ˈwɜːrkfɔːrs/nounthe people engaged in or available for work劳动力Established companies often have a large workforce, which could limit employment opportunities.
dynamic/daɪˈnæmɪk/adjectivecharacterized by constant change or progress充满活力的This dynamic atmosphere can be highly beneficial for someone who has just completed their studies.
innovative/ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/adjectiveintroducing new ideas, methods, or products创新的Working for a start-up provides an opportunity to be part of an innovative environment.
professional profile/prəˈfɛʃənəl ˈproʊfaɪl/nouna summary of one's career achievements and skills职业形象This experience can significantly enhance one's professional profile when seeking future employment opportunities.
merits/ˈmɛrɪts/noun_the quality of being good and deserving praise_优点_Both large corporations and small start-ups have their merits.
responsibilities/rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/_noun_duties you have because of your job or position_职责Working in a smaller environment allows graduates to take on increased responsibilities.
2

User Sample #2

Kelly presents a compelling argument that graduates should choose the established company. From my perspective, working for a large company not only c...

Score
27

User Sample

Kelly presents a compelling argument that graduates should choose the established company. From my perspective, working for a large company not only can benefit from its reputation, but also can be encouraged and promote graduates' ability in a efficient way. It is widely accepted that the established companies have complex and complete training program, estimation as well as reward and punishment systems. Employees would acquire ability improvement in both working professional and personal communicating. Furthermore, the experience in a mature company also looks impressive on a resume and it may help graduates to find their next work more easily in the future. Thus, I am inclined to suggest graduates to work for the established company.

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

整体来说,这篇文章较好地回答了问题,表达了作者的观点,并对讨论做出了贡献。但是,可以在以下方面进行改进:

  1. 对于不同观点的讨论可以更加深入,比如提到Andrew关于创业公司的看法,然后给出反驳或者补充。

  2. 在支持观点时可以举例子或者详细说明。

示例1:在提到大公司有完善的培训项目时,可以具体举一个大公司的培训项目作为例子。 示例2:在谈到创业公司时,可以提到一些创业公司可能面临的风险和挑战,并说明为什么大公司相对更稳定。

4. 文章结构与组织

文章结构清晰,包括引言、主体和结论。但是,在以下方面还有改进空间:

  1. 在段落中使用过渡词或短语来连接不同的观点和论据。

  2. 可以将反驳其他观点和支持自己观点分成两个段落进行讨论。

示例1:在提到大公司的优势时,可以使用过渡词如“首先”、“其次”来组织论点。 示例2:在谈到创业公司时,可以使用过渡词如“然而”、“尽管如此”来引入反驳观点。

5. 语法批改

Kelly presents a compelling argument that graduates should choose the established company. From my perspective, working for a large company not only can benefit from its reputation, but also can be encouraged and promote graduates' ability in aan(Use of 'a' vs. 'an') efficient way. It is widely accepted that the established companies have complex and complete training program, estimation as well as reward and punishment systems. Employees would acquire ability improvement in both working professional and personal communicating. Furthermore, the experience in a mature company also looks impressive on a resume and, and(comma between independent clauses) it may help graduates to find their next work more easily in the future. Thus, I am inclined to suggest graduates to work for the established company.

Section Title: Established Companies vs. Start-ups for Graduates

While Kelly's argument in favor of established companies is persuasive, I believe that working for a large organization not only allows graduates to benefit from its reputation but also fosters their professional growth more effectively. Established companies typically offer comprehensive training programs, performance evaluations, and well-structured reward systems. These opportunities enable employees to develop both professionally and interpersonally. Moreover, having experience with a reputable company on one's resume can be advantageous when seeking future employment opportunities. Therefore, I would recommend that recent graduates consider pursuing careers with established companies over start-ups. (99 words)

Kelly presents a compelling Revised essay: Section Title: Established Companies vs. Start-ups for Graduates

While Kelly's argument in favor of established companies is persuasive (reason: rephrased to make it sound more natural), I believe that graduates should choose the established company. From my perspective, working for a large company organization not only can allows graduates to benefit from its reputation, reputation (reason: rephrased for clarity and conciseness) but also fosters their professional growth more effectively (reason: rephrased to improve word choice). Established companies typically offer comprehensive training programs, performance evaluations, and well-structured reward systems (reason: rephrased for clarity and conciseness). These opportunities enable employees to develop both professionally and interpersonally (reason: rephrased for better word choice). Moreover, having experience with a reputable company on one's resume can be encouraged advantageous when seeking future employment opportunities (reason: rephrased for clarity and promote graduates' ability in a efficient way. It is widely accepted conciseness). Therefore, I would recommend that the recent graduates consider pursuing careers with established companies have complex and complete training program, estimation as well as reward and punishment systems. Employees would acquire ability improvement in both working professional and personal communicating. Furthermore, the experience in over start-ups (reason: rephrased to provide a mature company also looks impressive on a resume and it may help graduates to find their next work more easily in the future. Thus, I am inclined to suggest graduates to work for the established company.clear recommendation).

8 思维导图


- Established Companies vs. Start-ups for Graduates
    - Reputation
        - Benefit from company's reputation
        - Advantageous for future employment opportunities
    - Professional Growth
        - Comprehensive training programs
        - Performance evaluations
        - Well-structured reward systems
    - Interpersonal Development
        - Opportunities to develop interpersonal skills
    - Recommendation
        - Pursue careers with established companies over start-ups

9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish definitionSimplified Chinese translationSample sentences
persuasive/pərˈsweɪsɪv/adjectivegood at making people agree, believe, or do something有说服力的Kelly's argument in favor of established companies is persuasive.
comprehensive/ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/adjectiveincluding everything that is necessary全面的Established companies typically offer comprehensive training programs.
performance evaluation/pərˈfɔrməns ɪˌvæljʊˈeʃən/nouna process of assessing an employee's job performance绩效评估These companies provide regular performance evaluations to their employees.
well-structured/wel 'strʌktʃərd/adjectiveorganized in a clear and effective wayintegralEstablished companies have well-structured reward systems.
advantageous/æd.vənˈteɪ.dʒəs/adjectivegiving an advantage, helpful, or likely to make you successful有利的Having experience with a reputable company is advantageous for future employment opportunities.
reputable/ˈrepjətəbl/adjectivehaving a good reputation and well thought of知名度高的Working for a reputable company can benefit graduates in their career development.
interpersonal/ˌɪntərˈpɜrsənl/adjectiverelating to relationships or communication between people人际关系的These opportunities enable employees to develop both professionally and interpersonally.
resume/rɪˈzju:m/nouna written record of your education, work experience, etc.简历Having experience with a reputable company on one's resume can be beneficial when seeking future employment.
pursue/pərˈsu:/verbto try to achieve something over a period of time追求I would recommend that recent graduates consider pursuing careers with established companies over start-ups.
recent graduate/ri:snt 'grædʒuət/nouna person who has recently completed their studies at university应届毕业生Therefore, I would recommend that recent graduates consider pursuing careers with established companies.
3

User Sample #3

I concur with Kelly that field trip is necessary for student’s growth, apart from her point of making difference of students’ future, I believe havin...

Score
17

User Sample

I concur with Kelly that field trip is necessary for student’s growth, apart from her point of making difference of students’ future, I believe having field trip regularly can refresh ash students’ mind. Nowadays, students have to deal with tons of works and struggling with their academic scores. A field trip will definitely provide a chance for them to have a break and enjoy the relax atmosphere when they go parking or climbing the mountain together. Besides, some of the activities are meaningful for students who are tired with exams, for example, a concert will provide the enjoyment of music as well as enhancing their acknowledgment of rhythm. I still remember our class went to the dessert where we took a camp and across the dessert by ourselves, which taught me to never give up.

Evaluation Result

1. 子项得分

  • Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 2.5

  • Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 2.5

  • Language Use and Grammar: 3.0

2. 预估分数

17. 3 任务完成度

你的文章与讨论主题关系不大,需要更好地回答问题。建议你仔细阅读题目,确保理解问题,并针对问题进行讨论。此外,尝试使用更多相关的例子和细节来支持你的观点。

示例1: 错误:I concur with Kelly that field trip is necessary for student’s growth... 正确:I agree with Kelly that working for a large, established company is generally better for new university graduates...

示例2: 错误:I still remember our class went to the dessert where we took a camp and across the dessert by ourselves... 正确:For example, working at an established company can provide more stable job security and opportunities for professional growth compared to a start-up company.

4. 文章结构与组织

文章结构不清晰,缺乏明确的引言、主体和结论。建议使用清晰的段落划分,并在每个段落中专注于一个具体观点及其支持细节。同时,请确保在段落之间使用恰当的过渡词或短语。

示例1: 错误:I concur with Kelly that field trip is necessary for student’s growth, apart from her point of making difference of students’ future... 正确:In my opinion, working for a large, established company is generally better for new university graduates due to several reasons. Firstly, these companies offer better job security and opportunities for professional growth.

示例2: 错误:Nowadays, students have to deal with tons of works and struggling with their academic scores... 正确:On the other hand, working at a start-up company may provide more excitement and innovative experiences, but it also comes with higher risks and uncertainties.

5. 语法批改

I concur with Kelly that field trip is necessary for student’s growth, apart from her point of making difference of students’ future, I believe (Two consecutive spaces)having field trip regularly can refresh ash students’ mind. Nowadays, students have to deal with tons of works and struggling with their academic scores. A field trip will definitely provide a chance for them to have a break and enjoy the relax atmosphere when they go parking or climbing the mountain together. Besides, some of the activities are meaningful for students who are tired with exams, for example, a concert will provide the enjoyment of music as well as enhancing their acknowledgment (Two consecutive spaces)of rhythm. I still remember our class went to the dessertdesert(Detects potentially wrong usage of "dessert" instead of "desert") where we took a camp and across the dessertdesert(Detects potentially wrong usage of "dessert" instead of "desert") by ourselves, which taught me to never give up.

Section Title: 6 Article Revision

In response to Doctor Gupta's question, I agree with Kelly that joining an established company is generally a better choice for recent university graduates. Apart from the prestige and respect associated with working for a well-known organization, I believe that these companies offer a more stable environment for young professionals to develop their skills and build their careers. In contrast to the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of start-ups, established companies typically provide structured training programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to a diverse network of experienced colleagues. This support system can be invaluable for graduates who are still exploring their interests and navigating the complexities of the professional world. Furthermore, working in a large organization exposes employees to various departments and roles, allowing them to gain insights into different aspects of the business and potentially discover new career paths. While start-ups may offer excitement and innovation, the stability and resources provided by established companies can foster long-term growth and success for recent graduates. (168 words)

Revised essay: Section Title: 7 Article Revision

I concur with Kelly that field trip is trips are necessary for student’s growth, apart students' growth (revised for plural agreement and possessive form). Apart from her point of making a difference of students’ future, in students' futures (revised for plural form and clarity), I believe believe having field trip trips regularly can refresh ash students’ mind. and rejuvenate students' minds (revised for clarity and improved word choice). Nowadays, students have to deal with tons of works and struggling work (revised for singular form) and struggle with their academic scores. A field trip will definitely provide a chance for them to have take a break (revised for improved word choice) and enjoy the relax relaxing atmosphere (revised for correct adjective form) when they go parking to parks or climbing the mountain together. climb mountains together (revised for clarity). Besides, some of the activities are meaningful for students who are tired with exams, of exams (revised preposition); for example, a concert will provide the enjoyment of music as well as enhancing enhance their acknowledgment of rhythm. understanding of rhythm (revised verb tense and improved word choice). I still remember when our class went to the dessert desert (corrected spelling), where we took a set up camp and across the dessert crossed the desert by ourselves, which ourselves (improved word choice); this experience taught me to never to give up.

Title: 8 思维导图

Mindmap:

1. Prestige and respect

2. Stable environment

3. Skill development

4. Career building

5. Structured training programs

6. Mentorship opportunities

7. Diverse network of colleagues

8. Exposure to various departments and roles

Title: 9 关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionSimplified Chinese TranslationSample Sentence
Prestige/prɛˈstiʒ/NounWidespread respect and admiration声望Working for a prestigious company can boost one's career prospects.
Stable/ˈsteɪbəl/AdjectiveNot likely to change or fail稳定的Established companies offer a stable environment for career development.
Mentorship/ˈmɛntərʃɪp/NounGuidance provided by a mentor导师关系Mentorship opportunities can help recent graduates navigate the professional world more effectively.
Diverse/daɪˈvɜrs, dɪ-/AdjectiveShowing a great deal of variety多样的_ A diverse network of colleagues can provide valuable insights and support._
Structured/ˈstrʌktʃərd/_ Adjective__ Having a clear, organized arrangement__ 有结构的__ Structured training programs help employees develop their skills systematically._
Colleague/ˈkɒliːɡ/_ Noun__ A person one works with in a profession__ 同事__ Building strong relationships with colleagues can lead to a more fulfilling work experience._
Department/dɪˈpɑrtmənt/_ Noun__ A division of a large organization__ 部门__ Exposure to various departments allows employees to gain insights into different aspects of the business._
Innovation/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/NounThe introduction of new ideas or methods创新Start-ups often prioritize innovation, which can be exciting for employees.
Long-term growth/lɔŋ ˈtɜrm ɡroʊθ/NounSustained increase in skills and abilities长期增长Established companies can foster long-term growth for recent graduates.
Success/səkˈsɛs/NounThe accomplishment of an aim or purpose成功The resources provided by established companies can contribute to the success of recent graduates.

Section Title: 6 Article Revision

In response to Doctor Gupta's question, I agree with Kelly that joining an established company is generally a better choice for recent university graduates. Apart from the prestige and respect associated with working for a well-known organization, I believe that these companies offer a more stable environment for young professionals to develop their skills and build their careers. In contrast to the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of start-ups, established companies typically provide structured training programs, mentorship opportunities, and access to a diverse network of experienced colleagues. This support system can be invaluable for graduates who are still exploring their interests and navigating the complexities of the professional world. Furthermore, working in a large organization exposes employees to various departments and roles, allowing them to gain insights into different aspects of the business and potentially discover new career paths. While start-ups may offer excitement and innovation, the stability and resources provided by established companies can foster long-term growth and success for recent graduates.

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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