TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #004

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.

Social Media & Interpersonal Communication

Academic Discussion

Professor: “In recent years, social media has transformed the way people communicate and interact with one another. Some argue that social media enhances relationships by enabling easier and more frequent communication. Others contend that it can lead to misunderstandings and a decline in face-to-face interactions. Based on your understanding, do you think social media positively or negatively affects interpersonal communication?”

Yogi: “I believe that social media has a predominantly negative impact on interpersonal communication. While it allows people to connect quickly, it often leads to misunderstandings due to the lack of non-verbal cues. For example, messages can be easily misinterpreted without facial expressions or tone of voice. Additionally, social media can create a false sense of connection, where people feel they are communicating but are actually becoming more isolated. People may prefer texting or messaging over face-to-face interactions, which can weaken real-life relationships.”

Olive: “In my view, social media has significantly improved interpersonal communication. It provides a platform for people to maintain relationships across long distances and keeps friends and family connected. For instance, I can easily share updates and photos with my relatives who live far away, allowing us to feel closer despite the distance. Moreover, social media enables discussions on various topics, fostering deeper connections over shared interests. While there are drawbacks, such as the potential for miscommunication, I think the benefits of maintaining connections far outweigh these issues.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

The debate over social media’s impact on interpersonal communication reveals a complex relationship between digital interactions and traditional forms of communication. While Yogi raises valid concerns about misunderstandings due to the absence of non-verbal cues, it is crucial to recognize that social media also provides opportunities for connection that were previously unavailable. Olive’s perspective highlights how social media fosters relationships across geographical boundaries, allowing for meaningful interactions. Furthermore, social media platforms can encourage discussions and support networks that enrich personal relationships. In conclusion, while social media can complicate communication, it also serves as a valuable tool for maintaining and enhancing interpersonal connections.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

This response showcases a nuanced understanding of the topic and effectively synthesizes the viewpoints of both Yogi and Olive. The writer provides original insights and examples, demonstrating critical thinking and engagement with the prompt. The structure is clear, with a logical progression of ideas, and the vocabulary is varied and sophisticated. Overall, this response adds depth to the discussion and would likely score high on the rubric.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I agree with Yogi that social media can lead to misunderstandings. People often read messages differently than they are intended, which can create problems. However, I also see Olive’s point that social media helps people stay in touch. I have friends who live far away, and we use social media to share updates and stay connected. While it has both good and bad sides, I think it’s important to remember that how we use social media matters a lot in determining its effects on our communication.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

This mid-level response addresses the prompt but lacks the depth and complexity found in the high-level answer. While the writer acknowledges both sides of the argument, the analysis is somewhat superficial. The response could benefit from more specific examples and a clearer organization of thoughts. The vocabulary and sentence structure are adequate, but there is room for improvement in developing the ideas further. Overall, this response demonstrates an understanding of the topic but does not fully engage with the nuances of the discussion.

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

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