TOEFL TPO -1 Academic Discussion Writing Sample: Let's focus on two proposal that governments can consider as they try to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars. One proposal is to improve and expand public transportation. The other is to provide financial support to companies that make electric cars and to consumers who buy them. Which proposal do you think is better? Why?
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Professor
This week, we've discussed how carbon dioxide release by gasoline-powered(petrol-powered) cars pollutes the air and contributes to climate change. Let's focus on two proposal that governments can consider as they try to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from cars. One proposal is to improve and expand public transportation. The other is to provide financial support to companies that make electric cars and to consumers who buy them. Which proposal do you think is better? Why?
Student A
I think improving public transportation would be more beneficial overall than giving tax breaks and rebates to particular companies and consumers. If taking a train or a bus is significantly easier, cheaper, and faster than driving a car, more people will want to use public transportation. WIth fewer cars on the road, there will be less air pollution.
Student B
I believe that providing financial support to electric-car manufacturers and consumers is the better innovative long-term strategy. Many people live in rural ares, and they need their own vehicles to get around. These people would not benefit from, say .more train lines being built in a far-off city.
User Samples & Evaluation Results
User Sample
I have to admit that Paul's augument that financial support should be advocated to electric-car makers holds some merit. Undoubtedly, people living in rural ares who need to facilitate cars as transportation might not get benefits from the public transportations. However, I support Claire's opinion that government should construct public transportation sinse public transportation contributes to lessoning the traffic pressure on roads. With less people commuting by car, the road will become less compacted, allowing citizens to go with a higher speed. For example, in Guangzhou, thanks to the well-developed subway system by which people can travel to anywhere in the city, there are continuously increasing number of people choosing subway as their methods for going around in the city. As a result, the high way in the city also became less conguested, even benefiting people with priate car on a faster speed travelling experience. Therefore, I firmly believe the financial support should be used in constructing public tranportations.
Evaluation Result
1. 子项得分
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Relevance and Contribution to Discussion: 4.5
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Clarity and Elaboration of Viewpoint: 4.0
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Language Use and Grammar: 3.5
2. 预估分数
- Estimated Score: 25
3. 任务完成度
这篇文章在完成任务方面做得相当不错,但仍有改进的空间。首先,尽管你提到了两个学生的观点,但你可以更详细地解释为什么你支持其中一个观点。此外,尝试引入更多相关的例子和细节来支持你的论点。最后,在语法和词汇方面需要加强,以避免错误和提高准确性。
改进示例1: Instead of "Undoubtedly, people living in rural ares who need to facilitate cars as transportation might not get benefits from the public transportations.", you can write "Undoubtedly, people living in rural areas who rely on cars for transportation might not benefit from improved public transportation systems in urban areas."
改进示例2: Instead of "With less people commuting by car, the road will become less compacted, allowing citizens to go with a higher speed.", you can write "With fewer people commuting by car, the roads will become less congested, allowing citizens to travel at higher speeds."
4. 文章结构与组织
文章的结构和组织方面表现良好,但仍有一些可以改进的地方。首先,在引言部分,可以更明确地陈述你选择支持哪个观点。其次,正文段落应更清晰地阐述和支持你的观点。最后,尝试使用更明确的过渡词和短语来连接不同的想法和段落。
改进示例1: Instead of "I have to admit that Paul's augument that financial support should be advocated to electric-car makers holds some merit.", you can write "While I acknowledge the merits of Paul's argument for providing financial support to electric car manufacturers, I believe that improving public transportation is a more effective solution."
改进示例2: Instead of "However, I support Claire's opinion that government should construct public transportation sinse public transportation contributes to lessoning the traffic pressure on roads.", you can write "However, I support Claire's opinion that governments should invest in public transportation, as it helps alleviate traffic congestion on roads."
5. 语法批改
I have to admit that Paul's augumentargument(misspelling) that financial support should be advocated to electric-car makers holds some merit. Undoubtedly, people living in rural ares who need to facilitate cars as transportation might not get benefits from the public transportations. However, I support Claire's opinion that government should construct public transportation sinsesince(misspelling) public transportation contributes to lessoninglessening(misspelling) the traffic pressure on roads. With lessfewer(fewer with countable nouns (less)) people commuting by car, the road will become less compacted, allowing citizens to go with a higher speed. For example, in Guangzhou, thanks to the well-developed subway system by which people can travel to anywhere in the city, there are continuously increasing number of people choosing subway as their methods for going around in the city. As a result, the high way in the city also became less conguestedcongested(misspelling), even benefiting people with priateprivate(misspelling) car on a faster speed travelling experience. Therefore, I firmly believe the financial support should be used in constructing public tranportationstransportations(misspelling).
Title: 6 文章修订
In acknowledging the merit of Paul's argument for providing financial support to electric car manufacturers, it is evident that rural residents who rely on personal vehicles may not directly benefit from enhanced public transportation. Nevertheless, I concur with Claire's stance that prioritizing the development of public transportation systems is a more effective approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Improved public transit infrastructure can alleviate traffic congestion by encouraging more people to opt for these services over driving their own vehicles. For instance, Guangzhou's extensive subway network enables convenient city-wide travel, leading to a growing number of residents choosing this mode of transportation. Consequently, the city's highways have become less congested, benefiting even private car owners with faster travel times. Therefore, I firmly believe that allocating financial resources towards expanding public transportation systems is the superior strategy in addressing this environmental issue. (146 words)
I have to admit that In acknowledging the merit of Paul's augument that argument [clarified the subject] for providing financial support should be advocated to electric-car makers holds some merit. Undoubtedly, people living in electric car manufacturers [rephrased for clarity], it is evident that rural ares residents who need to facilitate cars as transportation might rely on personal vehicles may not get benefits directly benefit from the public transportations. However, I support Claire's opinion that government should construct enhanced public transportation sinse [rephrased for clarity]. Nevertheless, I concur with Claire's stance that prioritizing the development of public transportation contributes systems is a more effective approach to lessoning reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars [clarified the purpose]. Improved public transit infrastructure can alleviate traffic pressure on roads. With less congestion by encouraging more people commuting by car, to opt for these services over driving their own vehicles [rephrased for clarity]. For instance, Guangzhou's extensive subway network enables convenient city-wide travel, leading to a growing number of residents choosing this mode of transportation [rephrased for clarity]. Consequently, the road will city's highways have become less compacted, allowing citizens to go congested, benefiting even private car owners with a higher speed. For example, in Guangzhou, thanks to the well-developed subway system by which people can faster travel to anywhere in the city, there are continuously increasing number of people choosing subway as their methods times [rephrased for going around in the city. As a result, the high way in the city also became less conguested, even benefiting people with priate car on a faster speed travelling experience. clarity]. Therefore, I firmly believe that allocating financial resources towards expanding public transportation systems is the financial support should be used superior strategy in constructing public tranportations.addressing this environmental issue [summarized the main point].
8 思维导图
1. Introduction
- Acknowledge Paul's argument
- Support Claire's stance
2. Improved public transit infrastructure
- Alleviate traffic congestion
- Encourage people to use public transportation
3. Example: Guangzhou subway network
- Convenient city-wide travel
- Growing number of residents using public transportation
4. Benefits for private car owners
- Less congested highways
- Faster travel times
5. Conclusion
- Allocating financial resources to public transportation systems is the superior strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
9 关键词
| Word | Phonetic Symbol | Part of Speech | English Definition | Simplified Chinese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| merit | /ˈmɛrɪt/ | noun | The quality of being particularly good or worthy | 优点 | Paul's argument has some merit, but I still support Claire's stance. |
| prioritize | /praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/ | verb | To designate or treat (something) as more important than others | 优先考虑 | We should prioritize the development of public transportation systems. |
| infrastructure | /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ | noun | The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities | 基础设施 | Improved public transit infrastructure can alleviate traffic congestion. |
| alleviate | /əˈliːvi.eɪt/ | verb | To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe | 减轻 | Expanding public transportation systems can alleviate traffic congestion. |
| congestion | /kənˈdʒɛstʃən/ | noun | The state of being overcrowded, especially with traffic or people | 拥堵 | The city's highways have become less congested due to the subway network. |
| extensive | /ɪkˈstɛnsɪv/ | adjective | Large in amount or scale | 广泛的 | Guangzhou's extensive subway network enables convenient city-wide travel. |
| allocate | /ˈæləkeɪt/ | verb | To distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose | 分配 | Allocating financial resources towards public transportation is the superior strategy. |
| environmental issue | /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl ˈiʃu/ | noun | A problem related to the natural world and its effect on humans | 环境问题 | Addressing this environmental issue requires a focus on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cars. |
| superior strategy | /suːˈpɪriər ˈstrætədʒi/ | noun | A better or more effective plan or method | 更优策略 | Expanding public transportation systems is the superior strategy in addressing this issue. |
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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