Should High Schools Offer Financial Literacy as a Mandatory Subject - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

In the TOEFL Academic Discussion task, you are required to listen to a lecture, assess its content, and respond with well-supported ideas. This practice test helps you build confidence and improve your ability to craft thoughtful, persuasive responses. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should High Schools Offer Financial Literacy as a Mandatory Subject".

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: Today, we're going to discuss whether high schools should offer money management skills as a required subject. Money management skills include understanding budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt, which are crucial skills for adult life. But some argue that adding another required subject could overload students and teachers. What do you think? Should money management skills be a required course in high schools?

Emily: I strongly believe that money management skills should be a required subject in high schools. Many young adults enter the job market or college without a basic understanding of how to manage their finances. This leads to poor financial decisions and debt. By teaching these skills early, we can prepare students for real-world financial responsibilities. This helps them make informed decisions and avoid common mistakes.

Michael: While I see the value in money management skills, I think making it required could overload both students and teachers. High school course schedules are already packed with essential subjects. Adding another requirement might reduce the time available for other important areas of study. Or, money management skills could be offered as an elective or integrated into existing subjects like math or social studies.

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 Offer Financial Literacy as a Mandatory Subject

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 for overloading students and teachers, I strongly believe that money management skills should be a required subject in high schools. Financial literacy is a crucial skill for adult life, and many young adults enter the workforce or college without a basic understanding of budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt. This lack of knowledge often leads to poor financial decisions and significant debt, which can have long-term consequences.

By teaching money management skills early, we can equip students with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions and avoid common pitfalls. For example, understanding how to create a budget, save for emergencies, and invest wisely can help students build a strong financial foundation. While it is true that high school schedules are already packed, integrating financial literacy into the curriculum can be done in a way that complements existing subjects. For instance, money management concepts can be incorporated into math or social studies classes, ensuring that students receive this essential education without overburdening the curriculum. In essence, making money management a required subject is an investment in the future financial well-being of students, and it can be implemented in a balanced and effective manner.

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 importance of financial literacy and suggesting practical ways to integrate money management skills into the existing curriculum. 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 necessity of financial education, while the second paragraph addresses the potential for overloading and suggests solutions. 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 money management skills should be a required subject in high schools. Like Emily said, many young adults enter the job market or college without a basic understanding of how to manage their finances. This can lead to poor financial decisions and debt. By teaching these skills early, we can prepare students for real-world financial responsibilities.

However, I also understand Michael's concern about overloading students and teachers. High school schedules are already packed with essential subjects. To address this, money management skills could be integrated into existing subjects like math or social studies. This way, students can learn these important skills without adding another required course.

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and clarity of a higher-scoring response. The student addresses both the importance of financial literacy and the potential for overloading students and teachers, 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 "prepare students for real-world financial responsibilities" instead of "equip students with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions," and "integrated into existing subjects" instead of "incorporated into existing subjects." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "prepare students for real-world financial responsibilities" and "integrated into existing subjects." 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 Offer Financial Literacy as a Mandatory Subject

It's time to examine the tips our experts have developed and put them to work as we practice with TOEFL Writing mock tests. Check the following strategies for taking 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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