University Spending - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers

The TOEFL iBT^® writing test assesses our ability to write academically and requires you to integrate the knowledge into your work effectively and also logically present your ideas. The Writing Section consists of the two tests, such as 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 examinations designed for the Academic Discussion format is the most effective way to prepare for this section of the exam. Let's begin your study with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample exam with a "University Spending" theme.

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.

Before delving into sample responses, let us examine the parameters of a strong TOEFL score!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on University Spending

Below are the two responses for the Academic Discussion Writing question where one of them showcases a mid-level proficiency while the other exhibits a high level of skills. Through examining the distinctions, you will acquire valuable insights into the components that lead to attaining an exceptional score in the Writing section.

Score 3 Response

I think that universities should have invest on both athletic programs and libraries. I believe that both are needed for a good educational experience. Libraries provide resources to research and athletic programs helps in building the school spirit as a community because of teamwork. By playing sports, students can also generate revenue and sponsorships for the university. Therefore, instead of focussing and prioritising on one, universities should aim to alocate funds in both academic and athletic programs. In this way, there would be a vibrant and engaging environment in the campus for all students. (94 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response is a mid-level answer as it represents an opinion but with many mistakes in answering the prompt. Even though it provides a balanced viewpoint on investing between libraries and athletics programs.  The arguments made are supported with points but lacks depth and elaboration. There could be specific examples and evidences to substantiate further to the claim. Additionally, there are a few mistakes in spellings and could have used a more varied sentence structure. Overall, the opinion with the ideas is not coherent and could have been elaborated more while writing atleast 100 words as per the instructions.

Score 5 Response

In my opinion, universities must allocate more funds on academic facilities. While Rachel emphasised on the vital role that libraries play in fostering academic excellence by providing the required essential resources for students and faculty. This is predominantly because such facilities help schools recruit the best possible students as well as experienced faculties, which improves their academic environment as a whole. Everyone enjoys classes a lot when their classmates are intelligent and devoted to their studies, so this seems like an obvious choice to make. However, Mike also makes a point about the benefits of athletic programs in promoting community, leadership, and school spirit. For example, organising a campus festival is a more cost-effective way to help students bond than funding an entire football team. (125 words)

Rater’s Comment

This response acknowledges the importance of both libraries and athletic programs, providing clear and well-supported reasons for why universities should invest in both. It has been elaborated with relevant examples to justify the reasons presented, which is clear, concise, and well-organized. The sentences are varied and provide coherent information logically arranged, making it a high-level answer.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task 

The TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Task may seem difficult while developing ideas around the discussion, but with the essential strategies, you can attempt this task effectively and ace your academic writing section.

• Develop a detailed understanding of the question which is necessary to ideate the main idea for that specific question. Not only that but also consider the guidelines, such as providing a response that addresses all relevant angles.
• Dissecting the question into its various parts, generating the key arguments will help organising the response and successfully manage each component at the same time.
• Always plan and come up with ideas while using examples to support the reasons in order to show varied perspectives.
• Making an outline ensures that the response is cohesive and the concepts are well-organized.
• Giving evidence and points of view would illustrate your grasp of the subject while justifying the opinion.
• Avoid using any slang or informal language and use professional language as well as academic terminologies, while focusing on grammar and punctuation.

Finally, it's time for you to shine! Attempt the practice question and share your response in the comments! 

Our TOEFL experts are more than willing to provide valuable feedback which would help you achieve your target score!  Let's improve your writing skills together!

Additional Reads:

• AI - TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing Practice Test with Sample Answers
• Speaking Through Social Media - TOEFL Writing Integrated Practice Test
• Adolf Hitler - TOEFL Reading Practice Questions with Answer Key