Should High Schools Implement Mandatory Community Service - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The Academic Discussion task in the TOEFL Writing section challenges you to interpret academic lectures and contribute meaningful insights. You’ll need to support your views with logical evidence. This practice test aims to enhance your ability to think critically and write effectively. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should High Schools Implement Mandatory Community Service".

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.

Instructions: Your professor is teaching a class on environmental science. Write a post responding to the professor's 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.

Professor: Next week, we will be discussing the pros and cons of mandatory community service in high schools. Before we dive into that, I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. So here's the question for the message board: Should high schools implement mandatory community service for students? Why or why not?

Emily: I believe that high schools should start mandatory community service. It teaches students the value of giving back to their communities. It also helps them develop understanding and social responsibility. For example, volunteering at a local food bank can be eye-opening. It shows students the struggles of those less fortunate. Also, community service can improve college applications and provide useful life skills that are not typically taught in the classroom.

Michael: While I see the benefits of community service, I think making it mandatory could have negative outcomes. Forcing students to volunteer might lead to anger and a lack of real engagement. Instead, schools should encourage voluntary involvement. They can offer rewards like extra credit or recognition awards. This way, students who are truly interested in helping their communities will participate willingly, creating a more positive and meaningful experience for everyone involved.

Wait! Let's learn more about the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus before checking out the sample answers to the Academic Discussion Writing task!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should High Schools Implement Mandatory Community Service

We’ve included two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one illustrating a high-level response and the other a mid-level response. Reviewing these examples will help you understand the scoring criteria for each level and enhance your writing skills as a result.

High-level Response

While Michael raises valid concerns about the potential drawbacks of mandatory community service, I strongly believe that high schools should implement it. Mandatory community service can teach students the value of giving back to their communities and help them develop empathy and social responsibility. For instance, volunteering at a local food bank can provide students with a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those less fortunate, fostering a sense of compassion and civic duty.

Moreover, mandatory community service can offer practical benefits, such as enhancing college applications and providing students with valuable life skills that are not typically taught in the classroom. These experiences can help students develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, which are essential for their future careers. While it is true that some students may initially resist mandatory service, schools can mitigate this by offering a variety of service options that align with students' interests and passions. By making community service a requirement, high schools can ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that contribute to their personal growth and the betterment of society.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively counters Michael's concerns by emphasizing the educational and practical benefits of mandatory community service. The response is logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the discussion. The first paragraph aligns with Emily's viewpoint on the value of community service for developing empathy and social responsibility, while the second paragraph highlights the practical benefits and suggests ways to mitigate potential resistance. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from grammatical errors. Overall, the student demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic and contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Mid-level Response

I think high schools should implement mandatory community service. Like Emily said, it teaches students the value of giving back to their communities and helps them develop social responsibility. For example, volunteering at a local food bank can show students the struggles of those less fortunate.

However, I also understand Michael's concern about forcing students to volunteer. It might lead to resentment and lack of real engagement. To address this, schools could offer a variety of service options that match students' interests. This way, students can find something they are passionate about and still fulfill the requirements. Overall, mandatory community service can provide valuable life skills and improve college applications.

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the benefits of mandatory community service and the potential drawbacks, aligning with points made by Emily and Michael. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some grammatical errors, such as "show students the struggles" instead of "provide students with a deeper understanding of the struggles," and "match students' interests" instead of "align with students' interests." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "show students" and "match students' interests." While the student makes a valid contribution to the discussion, the response could benefit from more detailed reasoning and a more formal tone.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should High Schools Implement Mandatory Community Service

Now it’s time to explore the expert tips we've provided and apply them as you practice with TOEFL Writing mock tests. Review the following strategies for tackling an academic discussion task.

• Carefully read the professor's questions and responses from other students. Identify key arguments presented on both sides of the debate.

• Note the advantages and the disadvantages. This will help you address the prompt fully.

• Decide whether you agree more with the benefits or the drawbacks. Make sure your stance is clear from the beginning and supported throughout your response.

• A well-rounded response addresses the opposing viewpoint. While supporting your own position, briefly explain why the drawbacks or opposing side may still be valid but less significant.

Feeling confident after exploring the sample response and writing strategies? Put your knowledge into practice! All the best!

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