Should Prisons Focus More on Rehabilitation Than Punishment - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The Academic Discussion task in the TOEFL Writing section prepares you to engage in meaningful academic conversations. By evaluating lectures and forming evidence-based responses, you showcase critical thinking and writing skills. This practice test is your pathway to excelling in this crucial task. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should Prisons Focus More on Rehabilitation Than Punishment".

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 the purpose of prisons. Some people believe that prisons should focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. They argue that helping inmates rejoin society can reduce reoffending and benefit the community. Others believe that the primary role of prisons is to punish criminals and deter crime. What do you think? Should prisons focus more on rehabilitation than punishment?

Emily: I believe that prisons should focus more on rehabilitation. Many inmates come from disadvantaged backgrounds and lack the skills needed to lead productive lives. By providing education, job training, and counseling, prisons can help inmates rejoin society. This can reduce the likelihood of reoffending. This approach not only benefits the individual but also enhances public safety and reduces the overall cost of the criminal justice system.

Michael: While rehabilitation is important, I think the primary role of prisons should be to punish criminals and discourage crime. People need to understand that there are serious consequences for breaking the law. If prisons focus too much on rehabilitation, it might send the wrong message and weaken the discouraging effect. Also, some crimes are so severe that the criminals deserve to be punished to provide justice for the victims and their families.

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 Prisons Focus More on Rehabilitation Than Punishment

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 points about the need for punishment and deterrence, I strongly believe that prisons should focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. Many inmates come from disadvantaged backgrounds and lack the skills needed to lead productive lives. By providing education, job training, and counseling, prisons can help inmates reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending. This approach not only benefits the individual but also enhances public safety and reduces the overall cost of the criminal justice system.

Rehabilitation programs have been shown to be effective in reducing recidivism rates. For example, countries like Norway have implemented rehabilitation-focused prison systems with great success, resulting in some of the lowest reoffending rates in the world. By focusing on rehabilitation, we can address the root causes of criminal behavior and provide inmates with the tools they need to become law-abiding citizens. While it is important to maintain a level of punishment to uphold justice and deter crime, a balanced approach that prioritizes rehabilitation can lead to more positive outcomes for both individuals and society as a whole. In essence, rehabilitation should be the primary focus of prisons to create a safer and more just society.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-structured argument. The student effectively counters Michael's points by emphasizing the benefits of rehabilitation for reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety. 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 importance of rehabilitation, while the second paragraph provides concrete examples and suggests a balanced approach. 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 prisons should focus more on rehabilitation than punishment. Like Emily said, many inmates come from disadvantaged backgrounds and lack the skills needed to lead productive lives. By providing education, job training, and counseling, prisons can help inmates reintegrate into society and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

However, I also understand Michael's point about the need for punishment and deterrence. People need to know that there are serious consequences for breaking the law. But I believe that a balanced approach is possible. Prisons can focus on rehabilitation while still maintaining a level of punishment to uphold justice. This way, we can reduce reoffending and create a safer society.

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 rehabilitation and the need for punishment, 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 "lead productive lives" instead of "lead productive lives," and "reduce reoffending" instead of "reduce the likelihood of reoffending." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "people need to know" and "a balanced approach is possible." 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 Prisons Focus More on Rehabilitation Than Punishment

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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