TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing (Task 2) – Practice Test #042
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 Digital Technology on Daily Life
Academic Discussion
Dr. Reyes: Today we’re focusing on digital technology—modern electronic tools, platforms, and systems that many people use daily. When a new technology is introduced, it can be difficult to predict whether its overall impact will be positive or negative. With that in mind, consider this question: Based on what you currently know, has digital technology made life easier or more complicated for most people? Explain your reasoning.
Marcus: In my view, digital technology has generally made life easier. Take smartphones as an example. They allow people to check traffic conditions, respond to emails, access information, and even manage work tasks while on the go. Thanks to these tools, many individuals can now work remotely, which helps them avoid stressful commutes and manage their time more efficiently.
Lena: I believe digital technology has, in some ways, made life more difficult. One serious issue is how easy it is to become dependent on it. For instance, I know people who became obsessed with online gaming. At first, it seemed like a harmless way to relax, but eventually, they began neglecting other hobbies and lost touch with friends. In that sense, technology can reduce the quality of life if not used responsibly.
Your Response
TOEFL Writing Task 2 Academic Discussion Practice Tests [With Sample Responses & Examiner Comments]
OUR TOEFL SHOP
-
Sale!
TOEFL Vocabulary Quiz #2: Essential Words [Premium]
Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00. -
Sale!
TOEFL Vocabulary Quiz #3: Intermediate Words [Premium]
Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00. -
Sale!
TOEFL Vocabulary Quiz #4: Advanced Words [Premium]
Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00. -
Sale!
TOEFL Vocabulary Quiz #5: The Most Challenging Words [Premium]
Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00. -
Sale!
TOEFL Vocabulary Quiz #1: Core Words [Premium]
Original price was: $25.00.$20.00Current price is: $20.00. -
TOEFL Writing Task | Review, Score, & Expert Feedback
$25.00 -
TOEFL Writing Task | Review, Score, & Expert Feedback [60-Minute Video Session]
$35.00
Meet Your Tutor Before You Decide
Watch a few of my videos to see how I approach teaching and what you can expect.
Ready to Start Your English IELTS TOEFL SAT Journey?
CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.