TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #003

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.

Paper Straws and Their Effectiveness

Academic Discussion

Professor: “Our recent discussions have focused on the use of paper straws in the ongoing debate about plastic waste reduction. Some advocates claim that switching to paper straws represents a meaningful initiative toward sustainability. In contrast, critics argue that this shift is merely a superficial response to a much larger problem of pollution. Considering these perspectives, do you believe that paper straws serve a significant purpose in promoting environmental protection, or are they simply a facade that distracts from more substantial solutions?”

Vahid: “I believe paper straws are a pointless solution to a bigger problem. While they seem like an environmentally friendly option, they don’t really make a significant difference. The same people who push for these straws often fly around in private jets, contributing way more pollution than a plastic straw ever could. It feels hypocritical to focus on such a minor change while ignoring the much larger sources of pollution. If we want to make a real impact, we need to tackle the major contributors to environmental damage, not just swap out our straws.”

Luna: “I see Vahid’s point, but I think using paper straws can still have some positive effects. Sure, it’s frustrating that some advocates don’t practice what they preach, but that doesn’t mean we should abandon the idea altogether. Using alternatives to plastic can raise awareness about pollution and inspire others to make better choices. Even if the wealthy continue to pollute significantly, we can still contribute to a cleaner environment through small changes, like using paper straws, which can set a precedent for larger shifts in consumer behavior.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

The debate over the effectiveness of paper straws versus plastic straws is nuanced. While I understand Vahid’s skepticism regarding the tangible impact of switching to paper, I also see merit in Luna’s argument about raising awareness. It’s true that many advocates of paper straws may not fully align their personal choices with their environmental beliefs. However, the transition to paper straws can encourage discussions about plastic pollution and inspire collective action towards sustainability. Even if these small changes seem trivial compared to the broader environmental issues caused by industries, they can contribute to a culture of responsibility and awareness that may lead to larger, more impactful changes over time.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

This response demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic and effectively engages with both student perspectives. The writer acknowledges the complexity of the issue and adds depth by suggesting that even small changes can inspire broader societal shifts. The vocabulary is varied, and the structure is coherent, showcasing a well-developed argument that contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I agree with Luna that using paper straws can help raise awareness about plastic pollution. While Vahid makes a good point about the hypocrisy of some advocates, I think it’s important to focus on small changes we can make. Paper straws are not a perfect solution, but they can still be part of a larger effort to reduce waste. If more people choose paper over plastic, it could lead to more discussions about the environment and encourage others to think more carefully about their consumption habits.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

This mid-level response addresses the prompt and engages with both perspectives, but it lacks the depth and complexity of the high-level answer. The writer provides support for their opinion but could benefit from more specific examples or a more thorough analysis. The ideas are generally clear, but the argument could be strengthened with stronger connections to the opposing viewpoints.

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

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