Should Space Exploration Be Funded by Private Companies - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

In the Academic Discussion task of the TOEFL Writing section, you must evaluate a lecture, analyse its key points, and contribute meaningful responses. Practicing this task will help you develop the ability to articulate your opinions effectively while supporting them with logical evidence. Let’s get started!

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 role of private companies in space exploration. Some argue that private companies should take the lead in funding space missions, while others believe that this responsibility should remain with government agencies. Do you believe private companies should be primarily responsible for funding space exploration? Why or why not?

Emily: I believe private companies should take the lead in funding space exploration. Private companies often have more ability to change quickly and can create new things faster than government agencies. For example, SpaceX has greatly reduced the cost of launching rockets, making space easier to reach. Also, private funding can add to government budgets, allowing for more big or challenging projects. This can speed up our progress in space exploration.

Michael: Although private companies have made impressive progress, I think space exploration should mainly be funded by government agencies. Space exploration is a public good that benefits all of humanity, and it should not be driven by profit reasons. Government agencies like NASA have a long history of successful missions. They can ensure that space exploration remains focused on scientific discovery and international cooperation instead of commercial interests.

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 Space Exploration Be Funded by Private Companies

We’ve provided two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one showcasing a high-level response and the other a mid-level one. Analyzing these examples will help you grasp the scoring criteria for each level and improve your writing skills accordingly.

High-level Response

While Michael raises valid points about the importance of government involvement in space exploration, I believe that private companies should take the lead in funding space missions. Private companies often have the agility and innovation needed to drive rapid advancements in technology. For example, SpaceX has significantly reduced the cost of launching rockets, making space more accessible and accelerating our progress in space exploration. Additionally, private funding can supplement government budgets, allowing for more ambitious and challenging projects.

However, it is crucial to maintain a balance between private and public involvement. Government agencies like NASA have a long history of successful missions and play a vital role in ensuring that space exploration remains focused on scientific discovery and international cooperation. By fostering partnerships between private companies and government agencies, we can leverage the strengths of both sectors. This collaborative approach can ensure that space exploration benefits all of humanity while also driving innovation and efficiency. In essence, private companies should take the lead in funding space exploration, but with strong oversight and collaboration with government agencies to maintain a focus on the greater good.

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 benefits of private company involvement in space exploration while acknowledging the importance of government oversight. 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 agility and innovation of private companies, while the second paragraph suggests a balanced approach that includes government oversight and collaboration. 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 private companies should take the lead in funding space exploration. Like Emily said, private companies often have the ability to innovate quickly and reduce costs. For example, SpaceX has made launching rockets much cheaper, making space more accessible.

However, I also understand Michael's point about the importance of government involvement. Space exploration is a public good that benefits everyone, and it should not be driven solely by profit. Government agencies like NASA have a long history of successful missions and can ensure that space exploration remains focused on scientific discovery. A balanced approach that includes both private and public funding can help us achieve the best results.

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 private company involvement and the importance of government oversight, 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 "making space more accessible" instead of "making space more accessible and accelerating our progress in space exploration," and "can help us achieve the best results" instead of "can ensure that space exploration benefits all of humanity while also driving innovation and efficiency." Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "making space more accessible" and "can help us achieve the best results." 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 Space Exploration Be Funded by Private Companies

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.

• Start your preparation by reading opinion articles from newspapers or online platforms, and actively respond to them by expressing your agreement or disagreement.
• To improve your skills, create multiple reasons to support your stance on a topic, backing them up with detailed points and examples.
• While practicing, identify common grammatical mistakes and focus on correcting them.
• Strengthen your ability to fix errors, and reserve time at the end of your writing sessions to review and apply these corrections.

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

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