TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #009

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.

The Role of Government in Health Coverage

Academic Discussion

Professor: “In our recent discussions on healthcare systems, we touched on the topic of universal healthcare. Some people believe that having a government-funded healthcare system, often referred to as “free healthcare,” is a way to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to medical services. Others argue that nothing provided by the government is truly free—costs are just hidden in taxes, and the quality of care might suffer as a result. What are your thoughts on the effectiveness of universal healthcare? Do you think it’s a fair system, or do you believe individuals should be responsible for paying for their own healthcare without heavy taxes?”

Vahid: “I strongly oppose universal healthcare. The idea that the government is giving people “free” healthcare is misleading. It’s not free—you pay for it in taxes, whether or not you’re using the service. Why should I pay for someone else’s healthcare when I might not need it as often? And on top of that, government-run systems tend to be inefficient, and the quality of care is generally lower than in private systems because there’s no competition driving improvements. It also forces people to rely on insurance companies, which are nothing more than middlemen making a profit off your health. In the end, people are tricked into thinking they’re getting a good deal when they’re really being overcharged for services they don’t always use.”

Tanya: “I believe universal healthcare makes a lot of sense, especially for people who can’t afford private insurance. While I understand that taxes might go up to support it, I think it’s worth it to make sure everyone has access to basic medical care. It’s better for society if everyone can get treated when they’re sick, because it prevents bigger, more expensive health problems down the line. Without a government system, a lot of people wouldn’t go to the doctor until their condition worsens, which costs more overall. Sure, there are flaws in any system, but healthcare isn’t something that should be left only to those who can pay for it.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

Universal healthcare is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. I agree with Vahid that nothing the government provides is truly free, and people often overlook how much they’re paying through taxes. However, I also see Tanya’s point about how essential healthcare is for the well-being of society. Without universal healthcare, a significant portion of the population might forgo necessary treatments due to high costs, leading to more severe and costly health problems in the future. Although there may be inefficiencies in government-run systems, I believe that healthcare is a fundamental right, and it’s in society’s interest to make sure everyone has access, even if it means higher taxes. The key is finding a balance where people are not overburdened with taxes, but also not left without access to critical services.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

This response is well-developed, presenting a nuanced view of the issue. The writer carefully considers both Vahid’s and Tanya’s perspectives and expands on them with their own thoughtful analysis. The balance between personal responsibility and societal responsibility is explored, and the response avoids simply taking one side, adding depth to the argument. The vocabulary is advanced, and the structure is well-organized, contributing to the overall clarity and sophistication of the argument.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I agree with Tanya that universal healthcare is important for everyone. If we don’t have a government-run system, many people will not go to the doctor because they can’t afford it. This could make their problems worse and more expensive to treat later on. Even though taxes might go up, it’s a fair price to pay for making sure everyone gets the care they need. While Vahid says it’s not fair to pay for something you don’t use, healthcare is different. Everyone will need it at some point, so it makes sense to have a system that helps everyone. It’s better than leaving people without medical care just because they can’t pay.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

This mid-level response provides a reasonable argument for universal healthcare and effectively builds on Tanya’s viewpoint. The writer explains the potential benefits of ensuring access to medical care, with some basic examples. However, the response could be improved with more detailed explanations or varied vocabulary. It clearly addresses the key points, but there is room for further development and a stronger connection to Vahid’s argument to show a more balanced discussion.

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

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