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Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

Targeted Advertising: TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test

Home Practice Tests TOEFL Writing Practice Tests

Targeted Advertising - TOEFL iBT® Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Responses

Sanskriti Gupta

5 min read

Updated On June 01, 2024

"Enhance your TOEFL score with the Writing Academic Discussion Practice Test on 'Targeted Advertising'. Access sample responses for better preparation! "

Key Highlights

Writing Instructions
Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on ‘Targeted Advertising’
Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on Targeted Advertising

The TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task holds significant importance within the TOEFL Writing Section. It measures how well a candidate can identify information from a lecture and articulate their own comprehension and viewpoints on the subject in a well-organized written form.

This particular task evaluates your skill in presenting and backing up your thoughts effectively in writing, particularly within an academic framework. With regular practice using TOEFL practice materials, you can develop the techniques required to succeed in this task. Let's begin the Practice test on the topic- ‘Targeted Advertising’ and improve your preparation for the TOEFL exam!

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.

Professor: Today, we're exploring the ethics surrounding targeted advertising. There are differing opinions on whether using personal data for online advertising, which targets specific individuals, constitutes a breach of privacy. Some view it as a legitimate means of connecting consumers with relevant products and services, while others perceive it as an intrusion into privacy. What are your thoughts? Do you believe targeted advertising is ethical, or do you consider it a violation of privacy?

Phoebe (Student): I believe that targeted advertising intrudes upon individuals' privacy. Advertisers should not have the capability to monitor and utilize our private data for marketing purposes. This practice is unjust to consumers and infringes on our rights. Rather, advertisers should concentrate on producing top-notch advertisements that resonate with a wide range of people. By adopting this approach, they can enhance their sales while also demonstrating respect for their clientele.

Matthew (Student): I have a different opinion from Phoebe. In my view, targeted advertising is ethical. It provides a more effective means of connecting with consumers by offering products and services that align with their interests. By utilizing these more efficient marketing methods, companies can save money and pass on these savings to customers through lower prices. Additionally, we have the option to opt-out of targeted advertising by adjusting our privacy settings. As long as there's a choice available, I believe targeted advertising can be advantageous.

Response time: 10 Minutes

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on ‘Targeted Advertising’

High-Level Response

I believe that the issue of targeted advertising is controversial, yet I personally do not see it as an ethical dilemma and am not overly concerned about its impact. I am inclined to agree with Matthew’s viewpoint that individuals can opt-out of targeted advertising if they feel uneasy about it, which is quite straightforward to accomplish given the user-friendly interfaces of modern Internet browsers. Even those with limited tech proficiency can navigate these settings. Phoebe brought up a valid point about the importance of creating ads that resonate with a wide audience, although she didn't address the challenges involved in crafting such universally appealing messages. With today's society being more diverse than ever, crafting ads that appeal to everyone is nearly impossible. For smaller businesses with modest advertising budgets, being barred from utilizing cost-effective targeted advertising could pose a threat to their survival. (143 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response presents a well-structured argument with clear reasoning and examples to support the writer's viewpoint. The writer effectively evaluates different perspectives on targeted advertising, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic. The acknowledgment of Matthew's viewpoint and the counterpoint raised by Phoebe adds depth to the discussion and shows critical thinking skills. The response maintains a formal tone and uses appropriate vocabulary throughout. Additionally, grammar and sentence structure are strong, with minimal errors that do not impede understanding. Overall, this is a high-scoring response due to its comprehensive analysis, logical structure, and proficient language use.

Mid-Level Response

While I acknowledge the points Matthew made, I strongly believe that targeted advertising pose significant challenges. In today's economic climate, many families are grappling with financial strain, making it difficult to justifying non-essential purchases. The influence of online content means that personalized ads can lead individuals to make unnecessary and financial burdensome purchases. This trend is particularly concerning among young adults, as evidenced by my peers who struggle to cover educational expenses yet succumb to buy high-end gadgets promoted on social platforms. Therefore, I advocate for government intervention to oversee and regulate this aspect of the advertising sector.

(100 words)

Rater’s Comment

The response demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and presents a clear argument against targeted advertising. However, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text that impact its overall clarity and effectiveness. The verb agreement in "pose" should be "poses" to match the singular subject "advertising." "Justifying" should be "justifying" to maintain parallelism in the sentence structure. Additionally, "financial burdensome purchases" should be corrected to "financially burdensome purchases" for proper adjective usage. The phrase "yet succumb to buy high-end gadgets" should be revised to "yet succumb to buying high-end gadgets" for grammatical accuracy. Overall, while the response makes valid points, attention to grammatical accuracy would enhance its effectiveness.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on Targeted Advertising

The writing tasks of the TOEFL exam can be quite daunting, especially for those aiming for a high score. However, by embracing a structured approach you can greatly enhance your writing abilities.

Our TOEFL experts have devised a systematic approach that you can integrate into your practice sessions to boost your writing skills. This approach is centered around using real TOEFL writing examples as the foundation. By adhering to these tactics, you can adeptly address the TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion Task on the topic ‘Targeted Advertising’.

Ensure a clear understanding of the prompt, which in this case is about the ethics of targeted advertising and whether it constitutes a breach of privacy.
Acknowledge different viewpoints, as shown by Phoebe and Matthew in the class discussion. This demonstrates an ability to consider multiple angles of an issue.
After acknowledging different viewpoints, clearly state your own opinion on whether targeted advertising is ethical or a violation of privacy. Support your opinion with reasoning and examples. For instance, if you believe targeted advertising is ethical, explain why you think it's an effective way to connect with consumers and how it can benefit both businesses and customers.
Anticipate counterarguments and address them in your response while ensuring your response is well-organized, with clear transitions between ideas. This shows critical thinking and a well-rounded understanding of the topic.

Keeping these test strategies in mind when practicing for the TOEFL Writing academic discussion task will help you construct a well-developed response and approach this section effectively on actual exam day. Don’t forget to continue your preparation with our additional TOEFL practice tests!