All Samples

TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Your professor is teaching a class on economics. Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response you should do the following: Express and support your opinion Make a contribution to the discussion An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Real user submissions with AI-powered evaluation and feedback

1 user-submitted samples available

Start Free Practice

Task Overview

Doctor Achebe

When people are asked about the most important discoveries or inventions made in the last two hundreds years, they usually mention something very obvious, like the computer or the cell phone. But there are thousands of other discoveries or inventions that have had a huge impact on how we live today. What scientific discovery or technological invention from the last two hundred years--other than computers and cell phones--would you choose as being important? Why?

Claire

I mean, we’re so used to science and technology that we are not even aware of all the things we use in our daily lives. I would probably choose space satellites. This technology happened in the last hundred years, and it has become important for so many things. Just think about navigation, or telecommunications, or even the military.

Kelly

I am thinking about medical progress. Like, for example, when scientists discovered things about healthy nutrition. I am thinking og identifying all the vitamins we need to stay healthy. I am not sure exactly when the vitamin discoveries happened, but i know they are very important. Our health is much better than it was 200 years ago.

User Samples & Evaluation Results

User Sample

With so much progress in science, if I have to make a decision about the most significant invention, maybe I think space satellites is a better choice. For instance, satellites not just mean itselves, it also mean the exploration spirits of human beings. Through this passion we started to develop science, contact with each other, make so many miracles. Such as satellite navigator, without the development of navigator we may still live in a foggy world that can’t be explored easily. Also weather forecast, which works led by satellite. With its help we can determine from tomorrow’s dressing to plane’s routes. Though these changes seem to be simple, when we add them up we will see a fascinating result. As I said satellite is not only just development in science, but also a symbol of human being’s exploration.

Evaluation Result

1.子项得分

Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.0 Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 3.5 Language Use and Grammar: 3.5

2.预估分数

Estimated Score: 22 (3.5)

3.任务完成度

您的文章在回答问题方面做得不错,但还有一些改进的空间。首先,您需要更明确地表达自己的观点,并提供更多详细的例子来支持您的观点。此外,尽量避免使用不清楚或不准确的词汇。最后,请注意检查语法错误。

改进示例1: Instead of "maybe I think space satellites is a better choice," you could write, "In my opinion, space satellites are the most significant invention due to their numerous applications and impact on our daily lives."

改进示例2: Instead of "Such as satellite navigator, without the development of navigator we may still live in a foggy world that can’t be explored easily," you could write, "For example, satellite navigation systems have revolutionized the way we travel and explore the world, making it easier for us to find our way in unfamiliar places."

4.文章结构与组织

在文章结构和组织方面,您需要更明确地划分段落,并在每个段落中专注于一个具体的观点。此外,请确保使用清晰的过渡词和短语来连接不同的想法和段落。

改进示例1: You could start your essay with an introduction that clearly states your opinion: "In the last two hundred years, numerous scientific discoveries and technological inventions have significantly impacted our lives. Among them, I believe that space satellites are the most important due to their wide-ranging applications and influence on various aspects of our daily lives."

改进示例2: To improve the organization of your essay, you could divide it into separate paragraphs focusing on different aspects of space satellites, such as navigation, weather forecasting, and communication. For example:

"Firstly, space satellites have revolutionized navigation systems by providing accurate and real-time information about our location. This has made it easier for us to travel and explore new places without getting lost.

Secondly, satellites play a crucial role in weather forecasting by collecting data from various parts of the Earth's atmosphere. This information helps us make informed decisions about our daily activities and plan for potential natural disasters.

Lastly, communication satellites have enabled global connectivity by transmitting signals across vast distances. This has facilitated international collaboration in various fields such as science, business, and politics."

  1. 语法批改

With so much progress in science, if I have to make a decision about the most significant invention, maybe I think space satellites is a better choice. For instance, satellites not just mean itselvesit selves(misspelling), it also meanmeans('it' + non-3rd person verb) the exploration spirits of human beings. Through this passion we started to develop science, contact with each other, make so many miracles. Such as satellite navigator, without the development of navigator we may still live in a foggy world that can’t be explored easily. Also weather forecast, which works led by satellite. With its helphelp,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) we can determine from tomorrow’s dressing to plane’s routes. Though these changes seem to be simple, when we add them up we will see a fascinating result. As I saidsaid,(This rule identifies whether commas are missing in a sentence.) satellite is not only just development in science, but also a symbol of human being’s exploration.

6.文章修订

In the last two hundred years, numerous scientific discoveries and technological inventions have significantly impacted our lives. Among them, I believe that space satellites are the most important due to their wide-ranging applications and influence on various aspects of our daily lives.

Firstly, space satellites have revolutionized navigation systems by providing accurate and real-time information about our location. This has made it easier for us to travel and explore new places without getting lost. The development of satellite navigation has transformed the way we perceive and interact with the world around us.

Secondly, satellites play a crucial role in weather forecasting by collecting data from various parts of the Earth's atmosphere. This information helps us make informed decisions about our daily activities and plan for potential natural disasters. Accurate weather predictions enable us to prepare for extreme conditions, ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions in our routines.

Lastly, communication satellites have enabled global connectivity by transmitting signals across vast distances. This has facilitated international collaboration in various fields such as science, business, and politics. The advancements in satellite technology have fostered a more interconnected world where knowledge is shared freely across borders.

In summary, space satellites are not only a testament to human ingenuity but also an essential tool that shapes our modern society. Their contributions to navigation, weather forecasting, and communication have had a profound impact on how we live today. (232 words)

With so much progress in 7.文章批改

In the last two hundred years, numerous scientific discoveries and technological inventions have significantly impacted our lives. Among them, I believe that space satellites are the most important due to their wide-ranging applications and influence on various aspects of our daily lives. (This sentence was revised to provide a clear introduction that states the writer's opinion.)

Firstly, space satellites have revolutionized navigation systems by providing accurate and real-time information about our location. This has made it easier for us to travel and explore new places without getting lost. The development of satellite navigation has transformed the way we perceive and interact with the world around us. (The phrase "satellite navigator" was changed to "satellite navigation" for clarity, and an additional sentence was added to emphasize its impact on our perception of the world.)

Secondly, satellites play a crucial role in weather forecasting by collecting data from various parts of the Earth's atmosphere. This information helps us make informed decisions about our daily activities and plan for potential natural disasters. Accurate weather predictions enable us to prepare for extreme conditions, ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions in our routines. (The original text mentioned weather forecasting but did not elaborate on its importance; this revision provides more detail on how it affects our daily lives.)

Lastly, communication satellites have enabled global connectivity by transmitting signals across vast distances. This has facilitated international collaboration in various fields such as science, if I have to make a decision about the most significant invention, maybe I think business, and politics. The advancements in satellite technology have fostered a more interconnected world where knowledge is shared freely across borders. (This section was expanded upon to emphasize the importance of communication satellites in fostering global collaboration.)

In summary, space satellites is a better choice. For instance, satellites not just mean itselves, it also mean the exploration spirits of human beings. Through this passion we started to develop science, contact with each other, make so many miracles. Such as satellite navigator, without the development of navigator we may still live in a foggy world that can’t be explored easily. Also weather forecast, which works led by satellite. With its help we can determine from tomorrow’s dressing to plane’s routes. Though these changes seem to be simple, when we add them up we will see a fascinating result. As I said satellite is are not only just development in science, a testament to human ingenuity but also a symbol of human being’s exploration.an essential tool that shapes our modern society. Their contributions to navigation, weather forecasting, and communication have had a profound impact on how we live today. (A concluding sentence was added to summarize the main points of the essay and emphasize the overall importance of space satellites.)

8.思维导图

  • Introduction

    • Scientific discoveries and technological inventions
    • Space satellites as the most important invention
  • Navigation Systems

    • Revolutionized navigation
    • Accurate and real-time information
    • Easier travel and exploration
  • Weather Forecasting

    • Crucial role in weather prediction
    • Informed decisions and planning for natural disasters
    • Ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions
  • Communication Satellites

    • Global connectivity
    • Facilitating international collaboration
    • Interconnected world and knowledge sharing
  • Conclusion

    • Testaments to human ingenuity
    • Essential tools shaping modern society

9.关键词

WordPhonetic SymbolPart of SpeechEnglish DefinitionSimplified Chinese TranslationSample Sentence
revolutionize/ˌrevəˈluːʃənaɪz/verbto completely change something彻底改变Satellite navigation has revolutionized the way we travel.
crucial/ˈkruːʃəl/adjectiveextremely important or necessary至关重要的Satellites play a crucial role in weather forecasting.
interconnected/ˌɪntərˈkənektɪd/adjectivehaving different parts connected or related相互联系的The advancements in satellite technology have fostered a more interconnected world.
ingenuity/ˌɪndʒəˈnjuːɪti/nounthe quality of being clever, original, and inventive独创性,机智Space satellites are a testament to human ingenuity.
facilitate/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/verbto make something easier or more convenient促进,使便利Communication satellites have facilitated international collaboration in various fields.
disruption/dɪsˈrʌpʃən/nounan interruption or disturbance in a process or system中断,破坏Accurate weather predictions help minimize disruptions in our daily routines.
testament/ˈtestəmənt/nounsomething that serves as evidence or proof证明,证据The development of space satellites is a testament to human innovation.
profound/prəˈfaʊnd/adjectivehaving a deep, strong, or intense effect深远的,深刻的The impact of space satellites on our lives has been profound.
transmit/trænsˈmɪt/verbto send information, signals, or messages传输Communication satellites transmit signals across vast distances.
atmosphere/ˈætməsfɪr/nounthe layer of gases surrounding the Earth大气层Satellites collect data from various parts of the Earth's atmosphere for weather forecasting.

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