Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports - TOEFL Writing Practice Test (Academic Discussion)

In the TOEFL Academic Discussion task, you will engage with the topic, ‘Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports.’ This task assesses your ability to discuss a contemporary issue by synthesizing information from both reading and listening passages.

By practicing this task, you’ll improve your ability to form balanced arguments, a vital skill for excelling in the TOEFL Writing section.

Writing Instructions:

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic. 
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instruction: Your professor is teaching a class on sports management. Write a post responding to the professors question. In your response, you should

1. express and support your personal opinion

2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports

To improve your writing skills for the Academic Discussion Writing Task, carefully study the two sample responses we have provided, which demonstrate scores of 3 and 5:

Score 3 Response 

I think college athletes should be paid for their involvement in sports. They bring in a lot of money for their schools through ticket sales and media rights. Emily mentioned that scholarships cover tuition and some expenses, but they dont pay athletes for their time and effort. Paying them would recognize their hard work and help them financially.However, I also understand Oliver's point that scholarships provide significant benefits. Paying athletes could create conflicts among different sports and athletes. But I believe that a fair payment system could be created to address these issues and ensure athletes are compensated for their contributions.

Rater's Comment:

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and development needed for a higher score. The writer presents a clear opinion that college athletes should be paid and provides some support for this view, such as the revenue generated by college sports and the limitations of scholarships. However, the argument is not fully developed, and the response lacks detailed reasoning and examples. The second paragraph attempts to address potential conflicts but does not add much new information or insight to the discussion. Additionally, there are minor grammatical errors, such as "they dont pay athletes for their time and effort," which could be more clearly stated. Overall, the response addresses the prompt and contributes to the discussion, but it lacks the depth and coherence of a higher-scoring response.

Score 5 Response 

While scholarships provide significant benefits to college athletes, I believe they should also be compensated financially for their contributions to their schools. Emily makes a compelling point about the substantial revenue generated by college sports through ticket sales, merchandise, and media rights. This income often supports various university programs and facilities, yet the athletes themselves do not directly benefit from the profits they help generate. Scholarships may cover tuition and some living expenses, but they do not account for the extensive time and effort athletes dedicate to their sports, often at the expense of their academic pursuits.Moreover, paying college athletes could help address financial disparities among students. Many athletes come from low-income backgrounds and struggle to make ends meet despite their scholarships. Financial compensation would not only recognize their hard work and contributions but also provide them with the means to support themselves and their families. While Oliver raises valid concerns about potential conflicts and the primary focus on education, I believe that a well-structured compensation system could balance these issues. By ensuring that athletes are fairly compensated, we can create a more equitable and supportive environment for student-athletes.

Rater's Comment:

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-developed argument. The writer effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a strong case for compensating college athletes financially. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph discusses the substantial revenue generated by college sports and the limitations of scholarships, while the second paragraph highlights the financial disparities among athletes and the potential benefits of compensation. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from major grammatical errors. Overall, the writer provides a compelling and coherent argument that contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task

Here are some strategies to effectively tackle the topic ‘Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports’:

1. Understand the Core Debate: Familiarize yourself with the main issues, such as fairness, compensation, and the economic impact on universities and athletes. Pay attention to how each side presents its arguments.

2. Compare the Perspectives: Utilize the reading and lecture to identify differing viewpoints. One source may highlight the financial advantages of compensating athletes, while another could emphasize the importance of amateurism.

3. Structure Your Response Thoughtfully: Start by summarizing both sources clearly, then provide your analysis by comparing the arguments. Be sure to include your own conclusion at the end.

4. Use Appropriate Vocabulary: Use terms like "compensation," "scholarships," "amateurism," and "student-athletes" to make your response clear and professional.

5. Manage Your Time Effectively: Plan and write efficiently to cover all key points without feeling rushed. Creating a quick outline before you start writing will help you stay on track.

Practicing topics like ‘Should College Athletes Be Paid for Their Participation in Sports’ enhances your ability to evaluate complex arguments. As you improve your skills in analyzing various perspectives, you’ll gain more confidence in tackling any topic presented in the TOEFL Writing section.

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