TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #040
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.
Children’s Access to Phones and Tablets
Academic Discussion
Professor: “This week, we’re discussing the impact of technology on childhood development. One question is whether young children should have access to phones and tablets. Some believe these devices offer educational benefits and help kids develop important skills, while others worry about screen time, addiction, and social development. What is your opinion? Should children have access to phones and tablets, or should their use be limited?”
Vahid: “I believe young children should have very limited access to phones and tablets. Too much screen time can hurt their social skills and physical health. Kids need to play outside, interact with others face-to-face, and use their imagination without distractions from devices. I worry that screens make children less active and less able to focus on real-world learning. Parents should encourage other activities instead.”
Angel: “I think children can benefit from using phones and tablets if their screen time is controlled. Many educational apps and games teach valuable skills like reading, math, and problem-solving. Technology also helps kids connect with family and friends, especially if they live far away. The key is moderation and parental guidance to ensure that kids aren’t spending too much time staring at screens.”
Your Response
TOEFL Writing Task 2 Academic Discussion Practice Tests [With Sample Responses & Examiner Comments]
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