TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #010

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 Impact of Fast Fashion on Society

Academic Discussion

Professor: “As we explore the impact of consumer behavior on the environment, let’s consider the phenomenon of fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of inexpensive clothing to meet the latest trends, often at the expense of ethical labor practices and environmental sustainability. Some argue that fast fashion provides affordable clothing options and supports economic growth. Others contend that its negative impacts on the environment and society far outweigh its benefits. Based on your understanding, do you believe that fast fashion is a beneficial practice for consumers, or do its drawbacks overshadow any advantages?”

Liam: “Fast fashion has become a staple in today’s consumer culture, providing trendy clothing at a low price. This accessibility allows people from various economic backgrounds to express themselves through fashion. Moreover, the industry creates jobs in developing countries, contributing to their economic growth. While I recognize that fast fashion can lead to waste and poor labor conditions, I believe it plays an essential role in democratizing fashion. If consumers demand change, brands can adapt to more sustainable practices while still providing affordable options.”

Emma: “I disagree with Liam’s perspective. Fast fashion is harmful to both the environment and the workers who produce these garments. The rapid turnover of trends leads to immense waste, as millions of tons of clothing end up in landfills each year. Additionally, many fast fashion brands exploit workers, paying them low wages and subjecting them to poor working conditions. While affordability is important, we must consider the ethical implications of our choices. Supporting sustainable fashion alternatives may be a more responsible approach that promotes both environmental stewardship and fair labor practices.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

The debate surrounding fast fashion raises important questions about consumer responsibility and the broader implications of our purchasing habits. While Liam highlights the accessibility of affordable clothing and the economic benefits of fast fashion, we cannot overlook the significant environmental consequences associated with this industry. Fast fashion contributes to pollution, waste, and the depletion of natural resources. Furthermore, the exploitation of workers in developing countries raises ethical concerns that cannot be ignored. Therefore, while the benefits of affordability and trend accessibility are valid points, they should not overshadow the pressing need for sustainable and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

This response effectively navigates the complexities of the fast fashion debate. The writer skillfully balances both sides of the argument, demonstrating an understanding of the economic and ethical dimensions involved. By presenting clear examples of the environmental impact and labor issues, the response goes beyond mere opinion, providing a nuanced analysis. The vocabulary is varied, and the structure is coherent and well-organized, making it a strong response overall.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I think that fast fashion has some good points, like making clothes affordable for everyone. However, I also see that it can cause a lot of problems. The clothing waste is a big issue since so many people throw away their clothes after only wearing them a few times. This harms our planet because it fills landfills with unnecessary waste. Additionally, many fast fashion companies do not treat their workers fairly, which is something we should be worried about. So, while I get that some people like the low prices, I believe we need to find better ways to shop that do not hurt the environment or people.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

This mid-level response recognizes the dual nature of fast fashion. The writer provides relevant points about affordability and environmental waste, showcasing a basic understanding of the topic. However, the argument could be strengthened with more specific examples or statistics to support the claims. The structure is clear, but the response lacks the depth and sophistication found in higher-level answers. Overall, this response adequately addresses the prompt but could benefit from further development.

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

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