Should the Development of Smart Cities Be Prioritised Over Rural Infrastructure - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The TOEFL Writing section is an essential part of the exam, challenging your ability to analyze and articulate complex ideas. The Writing task specifically tests how well you can integrate information from sources given into a structured response. This practice test is here to help you refine these skills and achieve your target score. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should the Development of Smart Cities Be Prioritized Over Rural Infrastructure".

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: As we look towards the future, one of the key debates in urban planning is whether the development of smart cities should be focused on over rural infrastructure. Smart cities promise advanced technology, better use of resources, and improved quality of life for urban residents. However, rural areas often lack basic infrastructure, which can slow down their development and quality of life. Should we focus our resources on developing smart cities or improving rural infrastructure? Why?

Emily: I think that the development of smart cities should be focused on. Smart cities can be centers of new ideas and economic growth. They attract talent and investment. They can also solve city problems such as traffic congestion, pollution, and energy consumption through advanced technologies. By creating better city areas, we can set a model for future growth. This will improve life for more people.

Oliver: While smart cities are indeed promising, I think we should focus on improving rural infrastructure first. Many rural areas still lack access to basic needs like clean water, reliable electricity, and healthcare. By investing in rural areas, we can make sure everyone has a good standard of living. This will also give equal chances for growth. And, improving rural areas can reduce people moving to cities, leading to fair growth in all areas.

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 the Development of Smart Cities Be Prioritised Over Rural Infrastructure

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 the allure of smart cities is undeniable, I believe that improving rural infrastructure should be our priority. Oliver makes a compelling point about the basic needs that many rural areas still lack, such as clean water, reliable electricity, and healthcare. Addressing these fundamental issues is crucial for ensuring a decent standard of living for all citizens. By investing in rural infrastructure, we can create a more balanced development that doesn't force people to migrate to urban areas for better opportunities.

Moreover, enhancing rural infrastructure can have a ripple effect on the overall economy. Improved roads, better healthcare, and reliable electricity can boost agricultural productivity and small-scale industries, which are often the backbone of rural economies. This, in turn, can reduce the pressure on urban centers and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable growth model. While smart cities offer advanced technologies and improved quality of life, these benefits should not come at the expense of neglecting rural areas that are in dire need of basic infrastructure.

Rater’s Comment

This response deserves a high score due to its well-structured and coherent argument. The writer effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a strong case for prioritizing rural infrastructure over smart cities. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph highlights the fundamental needs of rural areas and the importance of balanced development, while the second paragraph discusses the economic benefits of improving rural infrastructure. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from major grammatical errors. Overall, the writer provides a compelling and coherent argument that contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Mid-level Response

I think we should focus on improving rural infrastructure first. Many rural areas still lack basic needs like clean water and electricity. By investing in these areas, we can make sure everyone has a good standard of living. This will also help reduce the number of people moving to cities for better opportunities.

However, smart cities are also important. They can solve problems like traffic and pollution through advanced technology. But I believe that we should first make sure that rural areas have the basic infrastructure they need before focusing on smart cities.

Rater’s Comment

This response is adequate but lacks the depth and development needed for a higher score. The writer presents a clear opinion that improving rural infrastructure should be prioritized and provides some support for this view, such as the lack of basic needs in rural areas. However, the argument is not fully developed, and the response lacks detailed reasoning and examples. The second paragraph acknowledges the importance of smart cities but does not add much new information or insight to the discussion. Additionally, there are minor grammatical errors, such as "we can make sure everyone has a good standard of living," which could be more clearly stated. Overall, the response addresses the prompt and contributes to the discussion, but it lacks the depth and coherence of a higher-scoring response.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should the Development of Smart Cities Be Prioritised Over Rural Infrastructure

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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