Should Universal Vaccination Be a Global Mandate - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The TOEFL Writing section challenges you to demonstrate proficiency in academic essay writing. It consists of two tasks: Integrated Writing and Academic Discussion.

During the Academic Discussion, you’ll analyze a lecture’s content and take part in a discussion, expressing your views and backing them with appropriate evidence.

Practicing with tests modeled on the Academic Discussion task is an excellent way to refine your writing and analytical skills for the exam. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should Universal Vaccination Be a Global Mandate".

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 idea of universal vaccination and whether it should be a global rule. Vaccines have proven to be effective in controlling and eliminating diseases, but mandating them globally raises questions about individual rights and governmental authority. What do you think? Should universal vaccination be a global rule? Why or why not?

Emily: I believe that universal vaccination should be a global rule. Vaccines have been key in eliminating diseases like smallpox and controlling others like polio. By ensuring everyone is vaccinated, we can achieve community protection, which helps those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons. This collective approach is crucial for global health security and can prevent future pandemics. Also, the economic benefits of a healthy population are very important.

Oliver: While I understand the benefits of vaccines, I think making them a global rule limits individual freedoms. People should have the right to make their own medical decisions. Also, there are cultural and religious beliefs that may oppose vaccination. Rather than mandating vaccines, governments should focus on education and making vaccines accessible and affordable. This way, people can make informed choices without feeling forced.

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 Universal Vaccination Be a Global Mandate

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 benefits of vaccines in controlling and eliminating diseases are undeniable, I believe that universal vaccination should not be mandated as a global rule. Oliver raises a crucial point about individual freedoms and the right to make personal medical decisions. Mandating vaccines globally could lead to significant resistance and distrust in public health systems, especially among communities with cultural or religious objections to vaccination.

Instead, governments should focus on comprehensive education campaigns and making vaccines accessible and affordable. By providing accurate information about the benefits and safety of vaccines, people can make informed decisions without feeling coerced. Additionally, addressing the root causes of vaccine hesitancy, such as misinformation and lack of access, can lead to higher vaccination rates without infringing on individual rights. This approach respects personal freedoms while still promoting public health and achieving community protection.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-developed argument. The writer effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a balanced view on the issue of universal vaccination. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph acknowledges the benefits of vaccines while highlighting the importance of individual freedoms and potential resistance to mandatory vaccination. The second paragraph advocates for education and accessibility as alternative strategies to achieve high vaccination rates. 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 universal vaccination should not be a global rule. While vaccines are important for controlling diseases, making them mandatory limits individual freedoms. People should have the right to make their own medical decisions. Oliver mentioned cultural and religious beliefs that may oppose vaccination, which is also important to consider.

Instead of mandating vaccines, governments should focus on education and making vaccines accessible and affordable. This way, people can make informed choices without feeling forced. By respecting individual rights and providing accurate information, we can still achieve high vaccination rates and protect public health.

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 universal vaccination should not be a global rule and provides some support for this view, such as the importance of individual freedoms and cultural beliefs. However, the argument is not fully developed, and the response lacks detailed reasoning and examples. The second paragraph attempts to address alternative strategies but does not add much new information or insight to the discussion. Additionally, there are minor grammatical errors in the response. 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 Universal Vaccination Be a Global Mandate

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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