TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #011

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.

Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Education

Academic Discussion

Professor: “In our discussions about education, we’ve been examining the role of technology in learning. Some believe technology enhances educational experiences, while others argue that it impacts our education negatively. What is your opinion on this matter?”

Vahid: “Technology can greatly enhance education by providing students with accessible resources and tools that make learning more engaging. However, it’s essential to balance its use with traditional methods to ensure effective learning.”

Angel: “While technology offers convenience, I worry that it can create distractions and hinder meaningful teacher-student interactions. Traditional teaching methods often foster deeper understanding and engagement.”

Your Response

Sample Response #1 (Excellent)

In the classroom discussion about technology in education, I find myself agreeing with Angel’s perspective while acknowledging the valid points Vahid raises. While technology undeniably provides valuable resources and accessibility, I believe its potential to create distractions and reduce meaningful human interaction presents significant concerns for effective learning.

Technology often fragments attention in learning environments. For instance, studies show students using laptops for note-taking frequently multitask, checking social media or browsing unrelated websites, resulting in decreased comprehension. Additionally, digital communication lacks the nuance of face-to-face interactions where teachers can observe subtle cues indicating confusion or understanding.

However, as Vahid suggests, technology offers undeniable benefits through interactive learning tools and expanded access to information. The ideal approach involves thoughtful integration where technology supports rather than replaces human connection in education—using digital resources to enhance traditional teaching methods while preserving the irreplaceable value of direct teacher-student engagement.

Sample Response #1 - Examiner Comments

Development (5/5): The response presents a sophisticated analysis of technology in education, providing specific examples about laptop usage and its impact on attention. The writer develops their ideas with sufficient depth while maintaining conciseness.

Organization (5/5): The essay demonstrates excellent structure with a clear introduction establishing position, well-developed supporting paragraph with specific examples, and a conclusion that synthesizes the perspectives. Transitions between ideas are logical and smooth.

Language Use (5/5): The response employs precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures appropriately. Complex concepts are articulated clearly with phrases like “fragments attention” and “technology supports rather than replaces human connection.”

Topic Connection (5/5): The writer expertly integrates both students’ perspectives while developing their own position. The response directly addresses the tension between technology’s benefits and drawbacks raised in the prompt, showing strong engagement with the classroom discussion.

Overall Comments: This response exemplifies high-level academic writing. It thoughtfully engages with both perspectives from the classroom discussion while adding original insights about attention fragmentation and the importance of human connection. The writer skillfully navigates the complexities of the topic within the tight word constraints, demonstrating excellent critical thinking and writing ability.

Sample Response #2 (Competent)

I agree with Vahid that technology is good for education. Today many students use computers and tablets in school which helps them learn better. Technology makes learning fun and interesting for students.

Students can find information online very quickly. This is better than looking in books. Also, students can watch videos about subjects they are learning. Some schools give every student a laptop.

Technology is important because we use it in our jobs. Students need to learn how to use technology for their future careers. Most companies use computers so students should learn these skills.

In conclusion, I think technology is important in education because it helps students learn and prepare for future jobs.

Sample Response #2 - Examiner Comments

Development (2/5): The response presents basic ideas supporting technology in education but lacks specific examples or depth. Claims like “technology makes learning fun” are stated without supporting evidence or analysis.

Organization (3/5): The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, supporting points, and conclusion, but the progression between ideas feels mechanical rather than logical.

Language Use (3/5): The writing uses simple vocabulary and sentence structures with minimal variation. While grammatically correct, it lacks the sophistication expected at higher levels.

Topic Connection (2/5): While the writer clearly agrees with Vahid, they fail to acknowledge Angel’s perspective or address the concerns about technology creating distractions. The response doesn’t engage with the complexity presented in the classroom discussion.

Overall Comments: This response demonstrates limited understanding of the task requirements. It takes a position agreeing with Vahid but doesn’t engage with the counterarguments or the nuances of the discussion. The writer presents general statements about technology’s benefits without addressing potential drawbacks mentioned in the prompt. To improve, the writer should acknowledge opposing viewpoints and provide more specific, detailed examples to support their position.

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

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