Topics in the following list may appear in your actual test.You should become familiar with this list before you take the the computer-based TOEFT test.
TOEFL writing essay PART I INTRODUCTION ----------------- I. Purpose In order to be able to write good essays it is first of all essential to make sure you understand the purpose of the task. It may seem obvious: the purpose is to test your ability to write essay for university or college in English. However, a moment's reflection will make it clear that the test task is quite unlike a university essay, since it is typical one and a half (1 & 1/2) to two (2) pages long and it written on an unprepared topic in about half an hour. No university essay is like that. Even in university examinations, where you may have to write about two pages in half an hour, you are expected to have studied the topic in advance. 1. Key terms This is the easiest part of the essay to deal with, usually. Normally the key words deal with a familiar topic, such as computer or television in the examples given above. This is be cause the examiners are not testing you for knowledge, but rather for you ability to write well. Therefore the topics chosen will be about concepts and issues that they expect every educated person to know something about. Common topics include. Education Population The Environment Computers Lifestyles (including Life in Cities, the Country, Traffic problems) Culture and Society Foreign languages and travel Television Health Development Issues Try to suggest other topics that you known have been used in previous examinations, or that you think might occur. In order to be prepared with ideas on such key concepts, it is necessary to keep up to date with the major issues being discussed in the world. The editorial pages of newspapers and news magazines are important sources of such information, as are current affairs radio and television programs. 2. The aspect of the topic This is where students often make a mistake because they jump to conclusions about what it is that they are expected to say about the topic. Consider the following topics: A/ Computers have provided great benefits to modern society. Discuss. B/ Computers are the most important invention of this century. Do you agree? C/ Modern society would not be able to operate without computer. Do you agree? In each of the above, the topic is computer, and their importance in modern society. However, each topic raises different question and mush be answered differently. It is necessary to study the remaining words carefully to see what is required. (a) have provided great benefits (b) are the most important invention (c) would not be able to operate without Clearly, (a) is a much weaker statement than (b) or (c). In (a) all that is required if you agree with the statement, (and it would be hard not to) is to list and describe some of the benefits of computers. On other hand, for (b) and (c) it is necessary to argue whether computers are more important than other inventions. This is a much stronger position to take than the one required in topic a/. There is also a difference between (b) and (c), however. In (b) you are asked to compare computers with other inventions and to demonstrate that they are, or are not, more important for modern society. That is, you must consider modern society rather than computers as the basic of your essay. Exercise 2.1 Test your ability on interpret topics by identifying which of the following basically ask the same question, even if the wording is different a) Tertiary education is of greater benefit to the individual than to the society. Discuss. b) How important is the home background in influencing a child's educational success? c) Tertiary education should be free because it benefits the whole society. Do you agree? d) The home has a greater influence on a child's ultimate success than the school. Discuss. e) The attitude of parents is more important than the quality of the school in determining children's success. f) Tertiary education is the key to a successful career g) Discuss the relative influence of the home and the school on a child's intellectual and social development. h) Can modern science and technology solve the problem of feeding the entire population of the world? i) Feeding the world's growing population is our greatest social problem. Do you agree? j) Discuss the argument that the problem of feeding the world's growing population is only one of distribution, since there are adequate resources available through science and technology to supply everyone's basic needs. (Please see Answer keys at the end of this instruction sheets) 3. "Translating" the topic. All "discussion" topics can be reduced to basic propositions. That is to say, all topics which do not require a description or explanation can be expressed in such a way that it becomes clear that there are only about 6 basic answers possible: yes; no; maybe/ it depends; partly; a lot; a little. Look at these topics again: "Do you consider computers to be indispensable in the modern world?" "Computers have been the most important development in modern times. Do you agree?" The simplified answer to these topics must be either yes or no. Even if the expressions do you consider or do you agree are left out, the topic must still be answered with: Yes, I agree, or: no, I don't agree. Now look at this topic: "Computers have improved the quality of our lives". In this case you may not want to say either: yes, I agree, or: no, I don't agree, but just: I partly agree. In this topic: "Computers are a valuable educational tool" You may want to answer: it depends (i.e., it depends on how they are used) instead of simply agreeing or disagreeing. Finally, in a topic like this: "To what have computers improved modern lifestyles?" The simplified answer would be: a lot; a little or: partly. Exercise 3.1 Look at the following topics and decide which of the above basic answers you would give: a) The environment has been said to be the single most important issue in the world today. b) The responsibility for protecting the environment rests with the individual and not only with the government. c) To what extent should industry be made to pay environmental pollution? d) Modernization is leading to the destruction of the earth as a home for humans and animals. e) To what extent can individual ensure that the environment is protected from pollution? f) Mankind will destroy the planet within the next century. Discuss. (Please see Answer keys at the end of this instruction sheets) Whatever essay topics you are dealing with, first decide whether they involve a "discussion" type of answer, and if so, work out which of the above basic answers is appropriate. This will make your task of writing the essay much simpler. 4. Defining the Terms Some books and teachers tell you that you must define the terms you use so that the reader will understand you. This is sometimes true, but it is necessary to be sensible about it. For example, look again at the above example: a) Computers have provided great benefits to modern society. Discuss. b) Computers are the most important invention of this century. Do you agree? c) Modern society would not be able to operate without computers. Do you agree? In all these questions, the key term computers does not need defining, since everyone understands this term in the same way. The term modern society could be a little more problematic, since there are so many different aspects of society, that not everyone may be thinking of the same thing when they use this term. However, in a short essay like this it is not necessary to become a social scientist and to define a term which is generally understood in the same way by most people. However, in an essay in which you are asked to argue a point, it is necessary to evaluate concepts and in that case you must at least have some sort of definition of your values in your head, even if you do not define them in words. It is here that a definition is useful and important tool to help to you write your essay. Let me explain this from the above examples. In topic a): the evaluation term is benefits. What do you mean be benefits? Dose everyone have the same idea about what a benefit is? Probably most people would agree in most cases for example saving time and saving money are generally as beneficial by most people. In this case, therefore, it is not necessary to worry about writing a definition of benefits, but it is helpful for you, when deciding what to include in your essay, to think about exactly what you mean by this concept. In topic b): the restricting words are most important invention. Now, there is no problem with the word invention, but how do we determine importance? Does everyone have the same idea of it? Essentially this topic really requires you to deal with the concept of importance as much as with the concept of computers. In other words, it is not enough to list some of the benefits of computers here-it is necessary to demonstrate what one means by important and then to show how computers fulfil this function. In other words, one must establish one's criteria for determining importance in this context. For example, one can say that computers are good for playing kinds of games, but is this an important function? In the above examples, the words benefit and important are terms that clearly indicate the need for evaluation. Sometimes, however, the evaluation is indirectly indicated, as in example c). In topic c): the restricting terms are would not be able to operate without. This raises a more interesting problem of definition. What dose operate mean in this context? If we are talking about a machine, there is no problem in discussing how to operate it, and everyone will have the same idea. But what does it mean to say that a society is operating? Would we all have same idea? And, even more confusing, how can we say it is NOT operating? What is actually required here is a discussion that implies that modern society can or cannot operate well without computers. How well? Well, that is what needs to be evaluated by the write! Exercise 4.1 Look at the following topics and underline any terms that are evaluative. Then decide what exactly needs to be evaluated in each case, if anything. a) What in your opinion are the main problems facing modern industrial society? b) Modern technology has increased our material wealth but has decreased our personal happiness. Discuss. c) Television does more harm than good, according to many critics. Do you agree? d) It is often claimed that television and films encourage violence. What is your opinion? e) Computers have improved the quality of our lives. f) People in modern cities live under too much stress. (Please see Answer keys at the end of this instruction sheets) II- Writing 1. Selecting And Organising Language. Now that you have selected and organized your content, you can focus on the actual writing. We will consider the traditional division of an essay into introduction, body, conclusion and decide what goes into each of them. But it is also necessary to be aware of what is the appropriate style of these essays, and how to deal with problems of grammar and vocabulary. 2. The Introduction The purpose of the introduction is to let the reader know. a) the topic b) the aspect of the topic c) the stand taken by the writer. In other words, the introduction actually contains the conclusion! For example, if the topic is: (Topic a): Do children watch too much television nowadays? You should let your reader know in the introduction whether your answer is yes or no. The rest of the essay then provides support for your argument. The structure of the introduction follows a common pattern To introduce the topic and explain why it is worth talking about, you will normally need a statement something like this: ( Topic b): Television is so common that nowadays it is hard to imagine life without it. That is, the first sentence typically makes a general statement about a situation. The next statement then narrows the topic down to the specific aspect the write will deal with. For example: However, as many people have pointed out, most children spend too much time in front of television, and this is harmful. The second sentence often contains the word but or however to show that the writer something new or different to say. For example, if the first sentence is: Many people complain nowadays that children spend a great proportion of their lives watching television. Then the second sentence would be more likely to present the opposite view, such as: This may be true in some cases, but it is certainly not common enough to be serious problem. It is, however, not always the case that the second sentence contains a but or however. It may also support and strengthen the first sentence. Here are some examples: (Topic a): Do children watch too much television nowadays? Television has become so much a part of lives, that many people do not realize how many hours they actually spend watching it. In fact, it has been pointed out that most children watch far more television than is good for them. ( Topic b): The environment has been said to be the single most important issue in the world today. Discuss. People are gradually becoming aware of the fact that we are destroying our natural environment. We should realize that more of the other problems we face more important than this one. Language Use In introductions the tens is normally the present (e.g. complain) or present perfect (e.g. have pointed out). It is best to avoid repeating the exact words of the topic. If you paraphrase you will make a much better impression. Look at the examples above and see how even the simple words in Topic a/ watch too much television have been paraphrased in the examples to become: spend too much time in front of television and: spend a great proportion of their lives watching television. Here is another example from Topic b/ there are many problems facing the world today, including warfare, population growth and famine. However, none of these problems is as serious as the destruction of our natural environment. The above examples, the writer's argument (i.e. the conclusion) is made clear in the second sentence. The introduction therefore contains one statement which introduces the topic and a second statement which presents the author's stand, or attitude to the topic. Sometimes this statement, also known as the thesis or proposition, occurs in the third sentence. Exercise 2.1 [...]... in the planning stage, when organizing your brainstormed ideas Now it is simply a matter of presenting one main point in each paragraph A paragraph is like a mini -essay, since it also is also is a unit of writing That means that, like in an essay, you must let your reader know as soon as possible what your proposition or statement is, and then support it This is usually done with a topic sentence Let... above, the body of the essay usually consist of several paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, which is normally the first sentence in the paragraph, and which is followed by supporting detail or examples 4 The Conclusion The conclusion need not belong In fact, it can be as short as one sentence A good conclusion will not be merely a repetition of the main topic statement of the essay, or of your proposition... who are or you like, there is a museum that will amaze and interest you Essay No 9: Some people think, they can learn better by themselves than with a teacher Others think that it is a always better to have teacher Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons to develop your essay Most people can learn to do something simple on their own with just a set of instructions However... your own For the best possible learning, though, a teacher is the biggest help you can have Essay No.10: It is better for children to grow up in the countryside than in a big city Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to develop your essay I have to disagree that it is better for children to grow up in the countryside In the countryside children have... predictions, the future tense is generally used, and expressions like: it is likely that, in all probability etc can be useful The end of Part I PART II TYPICAL TEST ESSAY TOPICS & EXAMPLES -I- TYpical topics The following are typical topics that you should practise carefully for future necessities: 1 The environment is the most important issue in the world... can individuals help to protect the environment? 20 Professional sport involves large sums of money and receives enormous media coverage Do you think this is justified? II- TYpical topics for reference Essay No 1: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Parents are the best teachers Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer Parents shape their children from the beginning... Fortunately, we have many teachers is our lives Our parents teach us, our teachers teach us, and we learn from our peers Books and newspapers also teach us All of them are valuable -Essay No 2: Nowadays food has become easier to prepare Has this change improved the way people live? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer Food is a basic part of life, so it follows... New food preparation methods have given us is more choices Today we can prepare food that is more convenient, healthier, and of greater variety than ever before in history Essay No 3 It has been said, "Not everything that is learned is contained in books." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from experience with knowledge gained from books In your opinion, which source... another person’s experiences These are valuable things, but the lessons we learn from our own experiences, from childhood through adulthood, are the most important ones we learn Essay No 4: A company has announced that it wishes to build a large factory near your community Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this new influence on your community Do you support or oppose... factory would be helpful in some ways, but the dangers outweigh the benefits Our city would be changed too much by a factory I cannot support a plan to build a new factory here Essay No.5: How do movies or television influence people’s behaviour? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer Television is a big influence in the lives of most of us We spent hours every . TOEFL writing essay PART I INTRODUCTION ----------------- I. Purpose In order to be able to write good essays it is first of all. paragraph. A paragraph is like a mini -essay, since it also is also is a unit of writing. That means that, like in an essay, you must let your reader know