Table of Contents - 8 Tips For TOEFL Reading Section
Below is an example of the updated task.
Sample task
Your professor is teaching a class on digital communication. 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.
Dr. Evans
Over the next few weeks, we are going to explore a variety of topics regarding the impact of smartphones on our daily lives. But first, I'm curious about your personal viewpoints on this subject. So here's a question for the class discussion board: What do you think is the most significant effect that smartphones have on people? Why do you think smartphones have this effect?
Alex
I believe that smartphones significantly alter our social interactions. Because we're often focused on our screens, we're not engaging with the people around us. This is particularly noticeable among young adults and teenagers. When they're absorbed in their smartphones, whether it's social media or messaging apps, they miss out on face-to-face interactions, which can lead to a lack of social skills.
Jordan
In my opinion, smartphones have the most profound impact on the accessibility of information. We have the world at our fingertips; there's hardly a question that can't be answered with a quick search. This constant access to information changes how we learn and even how we remember things. I can't remember the last time I didn't use my phone to look up a fact or figure during a conversation. It's an incredible tool for education and understanding.
You are given 10 minutes to write a response. In the scenario above, a professor poses a question, such as, "What do you think is the most significant effect that smartphones have on people? Why?" Following this, a student, like Alex shown in the example, shares her opinion. Another student then contributes, either by agreeing or expanding upon Alex's point. Your task is to write a response of at least 120 words to add to this discussion. While the instructions may indicate a 100-word minimum, aiming for 120 words is recommended. Below I will explain why.
Potential topics
The scenarios provided for this task are drawn from various academic fields including sociology, political science, and economics. For instance, in sociology, you might be asked to discuss the impact of television on society. In political science, the debate could center on prioritizing education over environmental protection. Or, in economics, you might choose an important scientific discovery or technological invention of the last 200 years and discuss its significance. These questions are designed to be accessible and relevant to everyday experiences, ensuring that even if the topic seems academic, it will be something you have encountered in your life, allowing you to use personal experience or observations.
Timing
Regarding time management, the 10-minute window requires some serious strategic planning: spend the first 2 minutes reviewing the discussion and formulating a plan. Dedicate the next 7-8 minutes to writing your response, leaving the final 1-2 minutes for revising your work. Scanning the discussion quickly is crucial, as it provides a broad understanding of the conversation and helps in preparing a focused and relevant response. This approach ensures that you utilize the limited time effectively, allowing for both a thoughtful answer and necessary revisions.
Sample answer
Below is a sample response (126 words). What's interesting about it, is that it doesn't include any contributions from the student discussions. Instead, it directly addresses the prompt and adds to the conversation. This highlights the flexibility in how you engage with the task; including opinions of students from the discussion is optional.
The impact of smartphones has been a topic of much discussion in recent years. I firmly believe that they are extremely useful, as they allow us to stay connected at all times. For instance, people living thousands of miles apart on different continents can easily stay in touch thanks to these neat little devices. 40 years ago, it was unimaginable to tap your screen and have a video call with your friend at anytime and anywhere, but today this is nothing special. I would even go so far as to say that smartphones have completely transformed the way we communicate and opened up endless opportunities for us. To sum up, smartphones have a positive impact on us as they have allowed us to overcome communication barriers.
And here is a response (142 words) with input from one of students:
The impact of smartphones has been a topic of much discussion in recent years. I firmly believe that they are extremely useful, as they allow us to stay connected at all times. For instance, people living thousands of miles apart on different continents can easily stay in touch thanks to modern technology. While I understand Alex's concern regarding the lack of face-to-face engagement with people, I believe she overlooks a crucial factor. People's disengagement with each other is not solely due to technology but also because of the evolving nature of communication. Many of us may not feel inclined to engage in personal interactions due to the isolated and lonely lifestyle exacerbated by the pandemic. In conclusion, thanks to smartphones, we remain in touch with our loved ones, which is why I believe they have a net positive impact on our lives.
Difference from the integrated task
Contrary to the integrated writing task of the TOEFL, where summary of read and listened material is required, this task emphasizes original contribution to an academic discourse. It's about enhancing the dialogue with your insight rather than summarizing the views presented by students.
You should make sure that you use varied grammar and vocabulary, provide detailed reasons, examples, and aim for a response length of at least 120 words if you want to get the highest score in TOEFL writing. The core objective is to offer a unique perspective, which means you don't have to echo student or teacher inputs from the discussion.
The distinction between the tasks within the TOEFL writing section is crucial. Unlike the integrated task, this one values the addition of personal insights over the recapitulation of others' arguments. It's about engaging with the topic in a way that broadens the discussion, not merely reiterating it.
Response template
Here is a template you can use to write a response.
1. Opening statement (optional): start with a broad statement about the topic. For example, "The issue of [topic] has sparked considerable debate recently." Although setting the context, this part is optional since it may not directly add to the discussion.
2. Express your opinion: clearly articulate your stance. "I believe that [your opinion],"
3. Engage with other speakers (optional): briefly recognize a point made by another participant without delving into excessive detail. "While I understand [speaker's] concerns about [issue], I see an overlooked aspect...", or "I wholeheartedly concur with [speaker's] viewpoint on [issue] and wish to further elaborate by adding..." This acknowledges the conversation but pivots to your unique insight.
4. Support your argument: Elaborate on your viewpoint with reasons, examples, or evidence. This strengthens your contribution and makes it more valuable to the discussion.
5. Summarize your contribution: Conclude with a summary of your main point, reinforcing your stance. "In conclusion," or “To sum up,” followed by a brief explanation.
This framework is flexible; the initial general statement about the topic is not mandatory and can be omitted if it doesn't enrich your argument or if your word count is sufficient. The emphasis should be on adding substantial content that advances the conversation. Remember, it's not necessary to reiterate information from previous posts verbatim. Your primary objective is to augment the discussion with your perspective.
There are different ways to answer this question: you can support or reject a specific point, or your stance can be more balanced and not so black and white. The key is to articulate your thoughts with clarity, backed by reasons and examples, and ensuring your contribution enriches the discussion rather than simply echoing other comments.