TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #002

This TOEFL Writing Task 2 (Academic Discussion) practice test offers a realistic experience with a genuine prompt featuring a professor’s question and responses from two classmates. Follow the instructions closely to simulate the exam conditions. After writing your response, you can submit it for feedback or choose to order a written assessment or video call session to review your writing in detail.

TOEFL Academic Discussion Task Detailed Instructions

Read the Prompt Carefully: Pay close attention to the professor’s question and understand the topic being discussed. What are the two positions presented on the issue? In some cases, the two sides may disagree on the nature or cause of the problem itself. In other cases, they might agree on the problem but propose different solutions or approaches to address it. This will guide your response and ensure that you stay on topic.
Consider Different Perspectives: Reflect on the responses from the two classmates provided in the prompt. Think about how their viewpoints relate to the professor’s question and how you can add to the discussion.
Express Your Opinion: Clearly state your opinion on the topic. Make sure to support your viewpoint with relevant reasoning, examples, or personal experiences to strengthen your argument.
Make a Unique Contribution: Go beyond summarizing the responses of the classmates. This is the main difference between the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task 1 and the new Academic Discussion task. In the older task, you were expected to remain completely unbiased and objective, simply reporting what you read and heard. In contrast, the new task asks you to participate in the discussion by offering your own opinion. Try to contribute something original to the conversation. You can share a new idea, extend one of the points made, or provide a relevant example. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and engage thoughtfully with the topic.
Organize Your Response: Structure your post with a clear introduction, body paragraph(s), and a conclusion. This will help your ideas flow logically and enhance the readability of your response.
Stay Within the Word Limit: Ensure your response contains at least 100 words. This helps you develop your ideas in enough detail to meet the expectations of the task. While 100 words is the minimum, it is often not sufficient to fully explain your position, provide examples, and respond meaningfully to the other students’ comments. Do not feel limited by the word count. Aim to express your opinion clearly and support it with relevant reasoning or personal experience. Personally, I usually end up writing around 200 words when responding to this task, as that length allows me to build a well-structured and thoughtful response without running out of time.
Submit your writing: Use the form below to privately submit your writing for review, or post it publicly in the comment section at the bottom of the page. Posting publicly encourages an organic “Academic Discussion,” allowing other site visitors to join in, respond to your ideas, and share their own perspectives.
Feedback (optional): Order detailed written analysis or a video session to review your response using the official TOEFL writing criteria and identify specific areas for improvement.

Perceptions of Aggression in Dog Breeds

Academic Discussion

Professor: “In our class on animal behavior, we’ve been discussing how humans perceive and interact with different dog breeds. Some people believe that certain breeds, like Pit Bulls or Rottweilers, are naturally aggressive and dangerous. Others argue that a dog’s temperament depends more on its upbringing, environment, and training rather than its breed. Based on your understanding of this issue, do you think certain dog breeds are inherently more aggressive, or is a dog’s behavior primarily shaped by external factors?”

Angel: “I believe that certain dog breeds, especially those that were historically bred for guarding or fighting, have a natural inclination toward aggression. Their physical strength and instincts make them more dangerous if not trained properly. For example, Pit Bulls were originally bred for bull-baiting, which shows that their aggressive nature runs deep. It’s important to acknowledge that some dogs are simply more predisposed to aggressive behavior due to genetics.”

Vahid: “In my opinion, breed alone does not determine a dog’s temperament. I’ve known small dogs that were far more aggressive than larger breeds like Rottweilers. The key factor is how the dog is raised, trained, and socialized. Dogs of any breed can become dangerous if they are not cared for properly. Breed-specific legislation, which targets certain breeds as inherently dangerous, misses the point because it’s the owner’s responsibility to manage their dog’s behavior.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

There’s a long-standing debate on whether certain dog breeds are more aggressive by nature or if behavior is determined by external factors like training and environment. While I understand Angel’s point that some breeds were historically bred for roles involving physical strength and aggression, I don’t believe this means all dogs of these breeds are naturally aggressive. Instead, I agree with Vahid that a dog’s upbringing, training, and socialization are the most important factors in shaping behavior. Many so-called “aggressive” breeds, like Pit Bulls, have been shown to be loyal and gentle when raised in caring environments. Aggression is not a fixed trait based on breed but rather a behavior influenced by how the dog is treated and trained. Therefore, I believe that focusing solely on breed overlooks the broader context of dog behavior.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

This response demonstrates a strong understanding of the topic and presents a well-balanced argument. The writer engages with both Angel’s and Vahid’s points, adding original insight to the discussion. By emphasizing the importance of a dog’s environment and care, the writer offers a thoughtful analysis that goes beyond simply agreeing or disagreeing with the other comments. The vocabulary is varied, and the structure is clear and cohesive. Overall, this is a high-level response because it adds depth to the discussion while addressing the key points of the prompt.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I agree with Vahid that it’s more about how a dog is raised than the breed itself. Even though some breeds may seem more aggressive, this usually happens because they were not trained or socialized properly. I’ve seen examples of big, strong dogs like Pit Bulls that were friendly and gentle, while small dogs like Chihuahuas can be really aggressive. So, while the breed might play some role, the owner’s responsibility is what really matters in shaping a dog’s behavior.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

This mid-level response addresses the prompt but lacks the depth and complexity of the high-level answer. The writer provides some support for their opinion but does not fully engage with the points made by Vahid or Angel. The response also lacks specific examples or a detailed analysis, which limits its overall impact. The vocabulary and sentence structure are more basic, and while the ideas are clear, they are not developed fully. This response would benefit from a more thorough explanation and stronger connections to the other viewpoints.

TOEFL Writing Task 2 Academic Discussion Practice Tests [With Sample Responses & Examiner Comments]

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