Should Sports Organisations Be Required to Address Mental Health Issues Among Athletes - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

Effective communication in academic English is a crucial skill, and the TOEFL Writing section evaluates just that. The Writing Academic Discussion task demands the ability to synthesize ideas from different opinions into a cohesive response. This practice test is designed to help you master this challenge with confidence. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should Sports Organisations Be Required to Address Mental Health Issues Among Athletes".

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 sports organizations in addressing mental health issues among athletes. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and athletes often face unique pressures and challenges. Should sports organizations be required to address mental health issues among athletes? Why or why not?

Emily: I believe that sports organizations should absolutely be required to address mental health issues among athletes. Athletes are under great pressure to perform, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. By providing mental health resources, organizations can help athletes manage these pressures and maintain their overall well-being. For example, the NBA has started offering mental health services to its players, which has been well-received and helpful.

Michael: While I agree that mental health is important, I don't think it should be the responsibility of sports organizations to address these issues. Athletes, like anyone else, should seek help from mental health professionals outside of their sports organizations. Requiring organizations to provide these services could be costly and might not be as effective as specialized mental health care. Instead, organizations could focus on creating a supportive environment and encouraging athletes to seek help independently.

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 Sports Organisations Be Required to Address Mental Health Issues Among Athletes

We’ve included two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one demonstrating 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 costs and effectiveness of mental health services provided by sports organizations, I strongly believe that these organizations should be required to address mental health issues among athletes. Athletes face unique pressures, including intense competition, public scrutiny, and the constant demand to perform at their best. These pressures can lead to significant mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

By providing mental health resources, sports organizations can help athletes manage these pressures and maintain their overall well-being. For example, the NBA's initiative to offer mental health services to its players has been well-received and has shown positive results. Additionally, integrating mental health support within the organization ensures that athletes have immediate access to the help they need, which can be crucial during high-pressure situations. While specialized mental health care is important, having support readily available within the sports organization can complement external services and create a more holistic approach to athlete well-being. In essence, addressing mental health issues is not just a moral responsibility but also a practical necessity for fostering a healthy and productive athletic environment.

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 unique pressures faced by athletes and the benefits of providing mental health resources within sports organizations. 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 addressing mental health issues, while the second paragraph provides a concrete example and suggests a complementary approach to specialized care. 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 sports organizations should be required to address mental health issues among athletes. Like Emily said, athletes face a lot of pressure to perform, which can lead to stress and anxiety. Providing mental health resources can help them manage these pressures and stay healthy.

However, I also understand Michael's point about the costs and effectiveness of these services. While specialized mental health care is important, having support within the sports organization can be very helpful. Organizations can create a supportive environment and encourage athletes to seek help when needed. This way, athletes can get the help they need without feeling isolated.

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 mental health resources and the potential concerns about costs and effectiveness, aligning with points made by Emily and Michael. However, the argument is not as well-developed or nuanced. The response contains some grammatical errors. Additionally, the language is somewhat informal for an academic discussion, with phrases like "a lot of pressure" and "stay healthy." 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 Sports Organisations Be Required to Address Mental Health Issues Among Athletes

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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