The Effects of Overpopulation on Global Resources - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The TOEFL Writing section evaluates your ability to produce academic-level English essays. It comprises two distinct tasks: Integrated Writing and Academic Discussion.

In the Academic Discussion, a professor would give a lecture on a certain topic after which you'll need to evaluate the information and engage in a discussion. Following that, you'll have to express your opinions and present relevant evidence to support the reasons and ideas mentioned.

Practicing on sample tests designed according to the Academic Discussion format is the most effective way to prepare for this section of the exam. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "The Effects of Overpopulation on Global Resources".

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 into the topic of overpopulation and its effects on global resources, I want to hear your thoughts on the matter. Do you believe that overpopulation is the primary cause of running out of resources, or do you think other factors play a more significant role? Why?

Emma: I think overpopulation is the main cause of using up resources. With more people on the planet, the demand for resources like water, food, and energy goes up a lot. This leads to taking too much and using too much of these resources. This can cause shortages and environmental damage. For example, in many parts of the world, water sources are being used up faster than they can be filled up again because of the high demand from growing populations.

Oliver: Although overpopulation is definitely a factor, I think other issues, like poor resource management and wasteful consumption habits, play a bigger role in using up resources. For example, developed countries often use way more resources per person than developing countries. This leads to uneven resource use. Also, inefficient farming practices and industrial processes can cause a lot of waste and environmental harm, no matter the population size.

Learn what a good TOEFL score is before you check out the sample answer to the Academic Discussion Writing task!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on the Effects of Overpopulation on Global Resources

Below, we have provided two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task, demonstrating both a high-level and mid-level response. Analyzing these examples can help you understand the criteria for each score level and improve your writing skills accordingly.

High-level Response

While overpopulation certainly contributes to the depletion of global resources, I believe that poor resource management and wasteful consumption habits play a more significant role. Oliver makes a valid point about the disparity in resource usage between developed and developing countries. For instance, the average person in a developed country consumes far more water, energy, and food than someone in a developing nation. This uneven distribution leads to excessive resource use and environmental degradation, regardless of population size.

Moreover, inefficient practices in agriculture and industry exacerbate the problem. For example, traditional farming methods often lead to soil degradation and water wastage, while outdated industrial processes can result in significant pollution and resource loss. By focusing on improving resource management and promoting sustainable consumption habits, we can mitigate the impact of overpopulation. Implementing policies that encourage efficient use of resources and reducing waste can go a long way in preserving our planet's resources for future generations.

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 strong case for the significance of poor resource management and wasteful consumption habits over overpopulation. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph highlights the disparity in resource usage between developed and developing countries, while the second paragraph discusses the inefficiencies in agriculture and industry. 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 that poor resource management and wasteful consumption habits are bigger problems than overpopulation. Developed countries use way more resources per person than developing countries. This leads to uneven resource use and more waste. For example, people in developed countries often waste a lot of food and water.

Also, inefficient farming and industrial practices cause a lot of waste and environmental harm. Even if the population is not very high, these practices can still use up a lot of resources. We need to focus on better resource management and reducing waste to solve this problem.

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 poor resource management and wasteful consumption habits are more significant issues than overpopulation and provides some support for this view, such as the disparity in resource usage between developed and developing countries. However, the argument is not fully developed, and the response lacks detailed reasoning and examples. The second paragraph attempts to address inefficient practices but does not add much new information or insight to the discussion. Additionally, there are minor grammatical errors, such as "people in developed countries often waste a lot of food and water," 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 the Effects of Overpopulation on Global Resources

Let's explore the strategies devised by our experts and diligently apply them during practice sessions with TOEFL Writing sample tests!

• Begin your preparation by seeking out opinion articles in newspapers or online platforms and actively engage with them, expressing agreement or disagreement. Dive deeply into those concepts, maximizing your exploration.
• To enhance proficiency, generate varied rationales for your stance on a topic and provide ample supportive points and examples for each rationale. 
• During practice, identify recurring grammatical errors and work on improving them. 
• Develop the skills to rectify your errors and allocate time at the end of your writing sessions to review and incorporate these corrections.

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

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