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Food

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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4389

Who do you get food delivered with?
I eat delivery with my family and sometimes my friends, if they’re at my house visiting. It’s usually way too much food to eat all by myself, so I have to find someone else to share it with.
Usually, I get food delivered with my family. Sometimes I also order with friends, especially during get-togethers or movie nights. It just makes the whole experience more fun and enjoyable.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4388

Do you like ordering food to be delivered?
I like getting delivery when I’m tired or sick. It’s so comforting to have food just arrive at my front door. But, it can also get expensive to get delivery, and the food usually isn’t very healthy.
Oh, yeah, I do like ordering food for delivery, especially when I’m too tired or busy to cook. It’s convenient and gives me a chance to try different kinds of cuisine from local restaurants.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4387

Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
I prefer eating out, because there’s no cleanup after the meal. But, eating out can get really expensive, so I have to limit myself to just a few times a week.
Well, if I had to choose, I actually prefer eating at home. I feel like it’s usually healthier and I know exactly what goes into my food. Plus, it’s more comfortable and I can relax while I eat.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4386

Do you have a healthy diet?
Yes, I would say that I do. I try to eat a variety of different foods every day, and make sure I get enough vegetables and fresh fruit into every meal.
To be honest, I try to have a healthy diet most of the time. Sometimes I give in to cravings, but generally I eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Balance is really important to me.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4360

What are some traditional foods in your country?
There are many different kinds of traditional foods, but the most famous is probably soup or dumplings. There are huge variety of those, too. Some are just for special occasions.
In my country, there are quite a few traditional foods. For instance, we often eat dishes like roast meat with vegetables or special pies. These are especially popular during holidays and family gatherings.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4359

When do you usually eat a meal?
I usually eat around the same times every day. I’ll eat before I go to class in the morning, then again in the afternoon for lunch, and finally I’ll have dinner after I get home.
So, usually I eat my main meal in the evening, probably around seven o’clock. That’s when my family is at home together, so we can all sit down and share dinner which I really like.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4358

Are there any foods you dislike?
Yes, I dislike eating pork. I don’t eat pork unless I have to, as I prefer fish. There’s something about the smell of pork that I don’t like.
Honestly, there are a few foods I do not like. For example, I am not a big fan of olives. I think their taste is just too strong for me, and I usually pick them out of my food.
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Ielts Speaking Qa Practice 4357

What’s your favourite food?
My favorite food is noodles. There are so many different kinds of noodles, spicy, salty, even sweet. Every culture makes noodles a little differently, so there are always new kinds to try.
Well, I think my favorite food has to be pasta, especially spaghetti with tomato sauce. I just really enjoy how simple yet flavorful it is. Plus, it's so comforting after a long day.
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schedule10:00

For this task, you will read an online discussion. A professor has posted a question about a topic, and some classmates have responded with their ideas.

Write a response that contributes to the discussion. You will have 10 minutes to write your response. It is important to use your own words in the response.

Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 100 words, but we recommend writing around 150 words.

Create an account to save your progress

Your professor is teaching a class on Food. Write a post responding to the professor's question.

In your response you should:
  • express and support your opinion
  • make a contribution to the discussion

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.


Prof. Martin

As we all know, there are endless options when it comes to deciding where to eat. Some prefer the comfort of their own home-cooked meals, while others enjoy the experience of dining out. Let’s explore the pros and cons of eating at restaurants versus eating at home. Here is a question for the discussion board: Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer?


I love eating out! There's something about the experience of being in a restaurant or at a food stand that can't be replicated at home. Sure, cooking can be fun, but there's no beating the convenience of not having to wash dishes after a meal. Plus, you get to explore different cuisines and try new dishes that you wouldn't be able to make at home.


So, I know eating out can be super tempting, but I'm actually a big fan of eating at home. There's just something so satisfying about cooking up a delicious meal from scratch. Plus, it's usually much healthier and more budget-friendly too! I love experimenting with different recipes, trying out new ingredients, and making meals that are tailored to my taste preferences.

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Score Summary
4.5 / 6
AI Review
Task Fulfillment
Overall Organization
Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas
Grammatical Usage
Vocabulary Usage
Connections & Coherence
Grammar Corrections & Feedback
Correction Legend

Corrections in red
Academic language suggestion in blue

Detailed Feedback

Essay Grammar Corrections & Improvements
I hope you are fine. My name is Philip and I am one of your reader. I really like your poetry magazine very much because the poems are very deep and emotional. Every time when I read the magazine, I feel inspired and peaceful. I also like that you give chance for new writers to share their works. It make me more confidence to send my poems.

Last week, I tried to submit two of my poems by the online submission form on your website. After I upload my files and click submit button, the page suddenly show error and become blank. I did not receive any confirmation email, so I am not sure my poems was received or not.

Could you please tell me about the status of my submissions? I worry that maybe they did not go through.
I hope you are fine. My name is Philip and I am one of your reader. readers. I really like your poetry magazine very much because the poems are very deep and emotional. Every time when I read the magazine, I feel inspired and peaceful. I also like that you give a chance for to new writers to share their works. It make makes me more confidence confident to send my poems.

Last week, I tried to submit two of my poems by through the online submission form on your website. After I upload uploaded my files and click clicked the submit button, the page suddenly show showed an error and become became blank. I did not receive any confirmation email, so I am not sure if my poems was were received or not.

Could you please tell me about the status of my submissions? I worry that maybe they did not go through.



Task Fulfillment


Overall Organization


Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas


Grammatical Usage


Vocabulary Usage


Connections & Coherence


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reader.
Solution Explanation
readers. The phrase is "one of your readers." After "one of" the noun must be plural, so "reader" becomes "readers." Correct example: "I am one of your readers."

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when
Solution Explanation
Using both "every time" and "when" is redundant. Remove "when" so the clause reads "Every time I read the magazine..." which is concise and grammatically correct.

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a
Solution Explanation
a The noun "chance" here is countable and needs an article. Add the indefinite article "a" to form "give a chance," as in "I also like that you give a chance for new writers..." (better: "give a chance to new writers...").

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for
Solution Explanation
to The verb phrase collocates with the preposition "to": "give a chance to someone." Replace "for" with "to" to make "give a chance to new writers," which is more natural and grammatically correct.

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make
Solution Explanation
makes Corrected for subject–verb agreement. The subject 'It' is third-person singular, so the verb should be the third-person singular form 'makes.'

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confidence
Solution Explanation
confident Replaced the noun 'confidence' with the adjective 'confident' because the sentence needs an adjective to describe how the speaker feels ("more confident"). 'More' is a comparative modifier that pairs with an adjective, not a noun.

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by
Solution Explanation
through Changed the preposition to the more idiomatic 'through' to indicate the means or channel used (submitting via/through a form). 'Through' better conveys using the online form as the method of submission.

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upload
Solution Explanation
uploaded Changed the verb to past tense to match the past-time narration ('Last week' and the surrounding past-tense verbs). 'Uploaded' keeps the sequence of past events consistent.

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click
Solution Explanation
clicked the Changed to past tense to match the narrative (e.g., 'tried') and added the definite article 'the' before 'submit button' for correct idiomatic phrasing.

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show
Solution Explanation
showed an Changed to past tense for tense agreement and added the indefinite article 'an' before 'error' to form the correct noun phrase 'an error.'

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become
Solution Explanation
became Changed to past tense so the verb agrees with the other past actions in the sentence ('clicked,' 'showed').

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if
Solution Explanation
if Added 'if' to introduce the indirect question/conditional clause ('not sure if my poems were received'), which correctly expresses uncertainty.

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was
Solution Explanation
were Replaced singular verb with plural 'were' to agree with the plural subject 'my poems' (subject–verb agreement).

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Hello —
Solution Explanation
Hello — Adds a brief salutation at the start of the letter to create a polite opening and improve the tone before the first sentence.

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fine.
Solution Explanation
well. "I hope you are well" is the more common, natural-sounding phrasing for a polite inquiry about someone's state; "well" is preferable to "fine" in this context.

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Philip
Solution Explanation
Philip, Inserting a comma after the name sets off the clause that follows ("and I am a reader"), improving sentence punctuation and readability.

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one
Solution Explanation
a reader Replacing the vague word "one" with the phrase "a reader" makes the statement clearer and more natural-sounding.

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readers.
Solution Explanation
poetry magazine. Referring directly to the "poetry magazine" focuses the sentence on what you admire and improves coherence with the next sentence about the poems.

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like your poetry magazine very much because
Solution Explanation
enjoy it: "Enjoy it:" is a more concise way to introduce the reason you appreciate the magazine, and the colon signals that an explanation or examples will follow.

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very
Solution Explanation
Removing "very" tightens the prose; the adjectives that follow already convey strong feeling, so the intensifier is unnecessary.

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emotional. Every time I read the magazine, I feel
Solution Explanation
emotional, and reading them leaves me Combining the sentences with a comma and conjunction improves flow, and changing the subject to "reading them" clarifies that you mean the poems rather than the magazine as a whole.

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like
Solution Explanation
appreciate "Appreciate" is a slightly more formal and appreciative verb than "like," which better suits a polite letter thanking the editors for giving new writers an opportunity.

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new writers
Solution Explanation
new writers Inserted the phrase to make explicit who benefits from the magazine’s policy. Naming “new writers” clarifies the subject and makes the sentence more specific and direct.

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new writers to
Solution Explanation
Removed the extra preposition because the original phrasing would create a clumsy double infinitive structure ("a chance to new writers to share"). Deleting "to" avoids redundancy and prepares the phrase for a smoother rewording (e.g., "give new writers a chance to share").

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works. It
Solution Explanation
work; that encouragement Revises two short, choppy sentences into one connected thought. Changing "works" to the uncountable "work" and joining with a semicolon links the ideas more smoothly; adding "that encouragement" clarifies what increases the writer’s confidence and improves cohesion.

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to send
Solution Explanation
about submitting Replaces an awkward collocation. English prefers "confident about submitting" (or "confident in submitting") to "confident to send," so this change yields more natural, idiomatic phrasing.

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week,
Solution Explanation
week Removed the comma after the short introductory time phrase. In contemporary formal writing, commas after brief adverbial phrases like "Last week" are often unnecessary; omitting it tightens the sentence without losing clarity.

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of my
Solution Explanation
Deleted the possessive phrase to make the sentence more concise. "Two poems" is clear in context and avoids unnecessary repetition of possession when earlier context already indicates they are the writer’s.

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through
Solution Explanation
using Replaces a less precise preposition with a clearer verb. "Using the online submission form" more directly describes the method than "through the online submission form," improving clarity.

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my
Solution Explanation
the Changed "my" to the definite article "the" to refer back to the previously mentioned files (the two poems). "The files" is more precise and reduces repetitive use of the possessive.

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the submit button,
Solution Explanation
“Submit,” Uses the actual button label in quotation marks to be specific about the UI element clicked. Quoting the label ("Submit") makes the instruction clearer for readers and the comma placement after the closing quote is the correct way to continue the sentence.

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suddenly
Solution Explanation
Removed because it’s unnecessary and slightly informal; the sentence is clearer and more concise without this filler word.

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became
Solution Explanation
went "Went blank" is the more idiomatic phrasing for a page or screen than "became blank," so this change improves naturalness and fluency.

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any
Solution Explanation
a "A confirmation email" is more natural and concise here than "any confirmation email," which can sound slightly informal or vague.

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not sure if
Solution Explanation
unsure whether "Unsure whether" is more formal and precise for written correspondence than the colloquial "not sure if," and it fits the polite tone of the message.

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received or not.
Solution Explanation
received. Dropping "or not" avoids redundancy and tightens the sentence; "unsure whether my poems were received" already expresses the uncertainty.

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tell me about
Solution Explanation
check "Check the status" is more direct and actionable than "tell me about the status," and it better matches the likely request to the magazine staff to verify submissions.

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I worry that maybe
Solution Explanation
I’m worried "I’m worried" is more concise and natural in this context; it reduces wordiness while keeping the same meaning and a polite tone.

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did
Solution Explanation
may Replacing the definite past "did" with the modal "may" conveys uncertainty more accurately—you're not sure whether the submissions succeeded.

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go
Solution Explanation
have gone Using the present perfect "have gone" after the modal "may" ("may have gone through") correctly expresses a possible completed action in the past, which is the intended meaning.

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Thank you.
Solution Explanation
Thank you. Adding a brief, polite closing such as "Thank you." provides a courteous and professional end to the message and leaves a positive impression.
Criteria Score Reports

Task Fulfillment   5/5

fully addresses the task/question and is fully developed

Task fulfillment is about how well you respond to the question you are given. TOEFL raters are looking for a response that answers the question directly, with relevant ideas that are fully developed. Fulfilling the task means answering all parts of the question completely.

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Overall Organization   4/5

is fairly well-organized, though there may be minor lack of unity in paragraphsincludes an introduction and conclusion

Overall organization is about how you organize the ideas in your essay. This includes showing that you understand how to use basic essay structure and how to organize different kinds of paragraphs around main ideas.

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Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas   4/5

includes mostly ideas that are relevant to the task/question includes several good ideas that support the writer’s position

Relevance and quality of support is about your essay content or ideas. Your content should be related directly to the topic, and you should have several main ideas that support your opinion or position. These ideas should be persuasive or compelling.

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Grammatical Usage   2/5

contains several noticeable problems with form and usage that interfere with meaning includes some variety of grammatical forms but still contains unnecessary repetition relies primarily on simple sentence forms (simple and

Grammatical usage is about how you use English grammar, sentence structure, and the basic conventions of writing. Raters want to see that you can use what you know correctly, and that you can use a wide variety of structures to express your ideas.

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Vocabulary Usage   3/5

contains some errors in word form that may cause confusion uses a limited range of words and phrases that is mostly appropriate makes generally accurate word choice with only some effort by the reader

Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for writing that uses different words correctly and accurately, and that uses a wide range of words that help readers understand. On integrated writing, raters are also looking for the ability to incorporate new words from the lecture or reading into your writing.

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Connections & Coherence   4/5

generally connects ideas well, though a few connections may be unclear includes expressions of transition, introduction, and conclusion feels somewhat unified overall

Connections and coherence are about how you put your ideas together and link different sentences to each other. Raters want to see writing that flows naturally from idea to idea without confusing the reader.

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Question:
As we all know, there are endless options when it comes to deciding where to eat. Some prefer the comfort of their own home-cooked meals, while others enjoy the experience of dining out. Let’s explore the pros and cons of eating at restaurants versus eating at home. Here is a question for the discussion board: Some people prefer to eat at food stands or restaurants. Other people prefer to prepare and eat food at home. Which do you prefer?

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Sample Grammar Corrections
Several doubt about the accuracy of the memoir writting by the Chevalier de Seingalt are raised in the reading but the professor clarify the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

The professor explain that the Chevalier rich in assets, but poor in the cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for its assets to selling. Accordingly, to the professor, being low on cash fund is not same as being financially poors. However, in reading someone who borrowing large of amounts of money could not be wealth, therefore the Chevalier must have lied his wealthy life in Switzerland.

The skepticism regards the reliability of the recorded conversations with Voltaire is challenging by the professor as well. She explains that, due to habit of recording each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward, the Chevalier was able to recall those discussions in detail even after several years had passing.

Finally, the professor refute the idea briber was how the Chevalier got out of prison. She point out that because even the other prisoners who had better resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison it was very unlikely that bribery was how he escaped. Also, she notes the existences of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as strong evidence that his escaping from the prison was accurately recorded.
Several doubt doubts about the accuracy of the memoir writting written by the Chevalier de Seingalt are raised in the reading reading, but the professor clarify clarifies the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

The professor explain explains that the Chevalier was rich in assets, but poor in the cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for its his assets to selling. Accordingly, sell. According to the professor, being low on cash fund funds is not the same as being financially poors. poor. However, in reading the reading, someone who borrowing borrows large of amounts of money could not be wealth, wealthy, therefore the Chevalier must have lied about his wealthy life in Switzerland.

The skepticism regards regarding the reliability of the recorded conversations with Voltaire is challenging challenged by the professor as well. She explains that, due to the habit of recording each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward, the Chevalier was able to recall those discussions in detail even after several years had passing. passed.

Finally, the professor refute refutes the idea briber that bribery was how the Chevalier got out of prison. She point points out that because even the other prisoners who had better resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison prison, it was very unlikely that bribery was how he escaped. Also, she notes the existences existence of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as strong evidence that his escaping escape from the prison was accurately recorded.



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doubt
Solution Explanation
doubts The plural form 'doubts' is needed here because there are multiple uncertainties being discussed.

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writting
Solution Explanation
written The correct past participle of 'write' is 'written'.

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reading
Solution Explanation
reading, A comma is needed after 'reading' to separate the two independent clauses.

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clarify
Solution Explanation
clarifies The third person singular form 'clarifies' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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explain
Solution Explanation
explains The third person singular form 'explains' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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was
Solution Explanation
was The verb 'was' is needed to form the past continuous tense.

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the
Solution Explanation
The article 'the' is not needed before 'assets'.

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its
Solution Explanation
his The possessive pronoun 'his' is needed to refer back to 'the Chevalier'.

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selling. Accordingly,
Solution Explanation
sell. According The verb 'sell' is needed here, and 'According' should start a new sentence.

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fund
Solution Explanation
funds The plural form 'funds' is needed here because it refers to money in general.

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the
Solution Explanation
the The article 'the' is needed before 'Chevalier'.

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poors.
Solution Explanation
poor. The correct adjective form is 'poor'.

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reading
Solution Explanation
the reading, The article 'the' is needed before 'reading', and a comma is needed to separate the two independent clauses.

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borrowing
Solution Explanation
borrows The present simple tense 'borrows' is needed to describe a general situation.

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of
Solution Explanation
The preposition 'of' is not needed here.

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wealth,
Solution Explanation
wealthy, The adjective 'wealthy' is needed to describe 'the Chevalier'.

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about
Solution Explanation
about The preposition 'about' is needed to introduce the topic of the sentence.

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regards
Solution Explanation
regarding The preposition 'regarding' is needed to introduce the topic of the sentence.

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challenging
Solution Explanation
challenged The past participle 'challenged' is needed to form the passive voice.

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the
Solution Explanation
the The article 'the' is needed before 'Chevalier'.

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passing.
Solution Explanation
passed. The past participle 'passed' is needed to form the past perfect tense.

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refute
Solution Explanation
refutes The third person singular form 'refutes' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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briber
Solution Explanation
that bribery The noun 'bribery' is needed to refer to the act of giving bribes.

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point
Solution Explanation
points The third person singular form 'points' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'she'.

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prison
Solution Explanation
prison, A comma is needed after 'prison' to separate the two independent clauses.

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existences
Solution Explanation
existence The singular form 'existence' is needed because it refers to one specific thing.

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escaping
Solution Explanation
escape The noun 'escape' is needed to refer to the act of escaping.
writing LessonsCompleted: 0 / 77
TOEFL Academic Discussion Response Template

Your response should have three parts. This structure works for all five question types. About 90% of questions are either Opinion (~50%) or Choosing an Approach (~40%). The other types (Proposing a Solution, Problems and Solutions, Description and Explanation) are rare.

Step What to Write How Long
1 State your position 1–2 sentences. Clearly express your opinion, solution, or explanation. You can agree with a student, disagree, or offer a new perspective.
2 Support your position 3–5 sentences. This is the most important part. Provide a reason, example, or explanation that supports your position. Use specific details — not vague statements. The quality of this section has the biggest impact on your score.
3 Wrap up 1–2 sentences. Restate your main point or connect your idea back to the discussion. This step is optional if you are running out of time, but it helps your response feel complete.
Response Template

Here is a fill-in-the-blank template you can practice with. Adapt it to fit different topics.

Template:
Step 1 — Position: I agree/disagree with [student name]'s point that ______. While he/she makes a valid argument about ______, I believe that ______ is also an important factor to consider.

Step 2 — Support: For example, ______. This shows that ______. In addition, ______. As a result, ______.

Step 3 — Wrap up: For this reason, I believe that ______.

Note: This template is a starting point. You should adjust it based on the specific discussion topic. Do not memorize this template word for word. Instead, practice using different openings, transitions, and examples so your response sounds natural.

Useful Phrases for Your Response
Starting your response I think [student name] raises an excellent point, and I'd like to build on it by…
Both students make interesting arguments, but I'd like to offer a different perspective.
I strongly agree/disagree with [student name] because…
This is a thought-provoking question. In my view…
Introducing your main idea One important aspect that hasn't been mentioned is…
From my experience, I have found that…
A key reason I hold this view is…
To illustrate this point…
Providing examples For instance, in my country/school/workplace…
A clear example of this is…
Consider the case of…
In my high school/university, for example…
Connecting ideas Furthermore, …
This is significant because…
As a result, …
In other words, …
Concluding your response For these reasons, I believe that…
Therefore, …
In short, …
That is why I think…
Annotated Sample Response
Professor's question: This week, I'd like us to discuss government spending priorities. Some people believe that governments should invest more in environmental protections, while others think education should receive more funding. Which do you think should be a higher priority, and why?

Kelly: I think environmental protections should be the top priority. Climate change is already causing floods and droughts that cost governments billions of dollars. If we invest in the environment now, we can prevent much bigger costs in the future.

Andrew: I believe education is more important. Well-educated people are better equipped to solve environmental problems and develop new technologies. By investing in education, we are actually investing in solutions to all kinds of challenges, including environmental ones.

Sample response:

[Step 1 — Position] I agree with Andrew that education should be a higher priority, but I would like to add another reason that he did not mention. [Step 2 — Support] Universities do not just teach students — they also conduct important research. Much of the progress we have made in treating diseases, developing clean energy, and creating sustainable farming techniques has come from university research programs. When governments invest more in education, they are funding this research at the same time. This means education spending has a broader impact than environmental spending alone, because it produces solutions across many different fields. [Step 3 — Wrap up] For this reason, I believe that prioritizing education is the most effective way for governments to address environmental challenges and improve society as a whole.

What to notice:

  • Step 1 is short and clear — just one sentence that states the position and references Andrew.
  • Step 2 introduces a new idea (university research) with specific examples (diseases, clean energy, sustainable farming). This is the bulk of the response.
  • Step 3 ties the argument back to the professor's question about government spending priorities.
  • The response is ~130 words — concise but thorough.
Master the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion Task

In this task, you will read an online discussion. A professor has posted a question about a topic, and two classmates have responded with their ideas. Your job is to write a response that contributes to the discussion.

You will have 10 minutes to write your response. A good response is around 120–130 words.

Based on official ETS questions, there are five types of question prompts. However, two types account for about 90% of all questions:

Type What You Do Frequency
Opinion You agree or disagree with a statement and explain why. ~50%
Choosing an Approach You pick between two options and explain why one is better. ~40%
Proposing a Solution You suggest a way to solve a problem. Rare
Problems and Solutions You identify a problem and propose a solution. Rare
Description and Explanation You explain why something is important or beneficial. Rare

The same response structure works for all five types. Let's look at tips to help you score high.

Tip 1: Read the discussion carefully before writing

Before you begin writing, take about 2 minutes to read the professor's question and both student responses carefully. Pay attention to:

  • The professor's question – What topic is being discussed? What specific question is the professor asking? Which question type is it?
  • Student A's opinion – What position does this student take? What reasons do they give?
  • Student B's opinion – Does this student agree or disagree with Student A? What different perspective do they offer?

Understanding all three posts helps you write a response that connects to what has already been said, which is important for a high score. Decide: Do you agree with a student, disagree, or have a different idea? Think of one specific example you can use.

Tip 2: Add something new — do not copy a student's ideas

Your response should clearly state your opinion on the topic. You can agree with one of the students, partially agree with both, or offer a completely different perspective. The key is to add something new to the discussion.

It is fine to agree with a student's viewpoint, but you must provide your own reasons and examples to support it. Do not repeat the same supporting points the student already gave.

Wrong approach Right approach
"I agree with Kelly. Climate change causes floods and droughts that cost billions. We should invest in the environment to prevent bigger costs later."

This just restates Kelly's argument in different words. It adds nothing new.
"I agree with Kelly that environmental protections should be a priority. Currently, governments spend enormous amounts repairing damage from storms and wildfires. Investing in prevention now — such as reforestation and cleaner energy — could save that money in the long run."

This agrees with Kelly but adds new details and a new angle.
Tip 3: Reference the other posts in your response

A strong response connects to the discussion. Briefly mention the professor's question or a student's idea before sharing your own thoughts. Your tone should be semi-formal: clear, respectful, and grammatically correct, but not stiff or overly academic.

Here are some useful phrases for referencing others:

Agreeing and building on it I agree with [name]'s point about…, and I would like to add…
[Name]'s perspective resonates with me because…
Building on what [name] said, I think…
I would like to add to [name]'s point about…
Disagreeing respectfully While I understand where [name] is coming from, I tend to see it differently…
I appreciate [name]'s viewpoint, but I hold a slightly different perspective…
I see [name]'s point, but from my perspective, it seems that…
I see the merit in [name]'s argument; however, I would argue that…
Adding a new perspective In addition to what has been discussed…
Another aspect worth considering is…
Neither student has mentioned…, which I think is important.
I'd like to offer a different angle on this topic.
Tip 4: Use correct grammar and varied vocabulary

Even though the Academic Discussion response is shorter than a full essay, grammar and vocabulary still matter. You should:

  • Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, and complex sentences)
  • Avoid repeating the same words – use synonyms where possible
  • Check your subject-verb agreement and verb tenses
  • Use academic vocabulary when appropriate (e.g., "significant" instead of "big," "contribute" instead of "help")
  • Be specific. Replace vague statements like "Some students try hard but don't get good grades" with concrete details like "In my high school math class, a classmate studied for hours every day but still scored lower than students who found the subject easy."
Lesson: Countable nouns and Uncountable nouns
Lesson: Subject verb agreement rules
Lesson: Use the right article
Lesson: Relative pronouns and relative clauses

If you are a premium member, you will have up to 50 free essay grammar corrections.

Tip 5: Manage your time and length wisely

You have 10 minutes for this task. Here is a suggested time breakdown:

0:00–2:00 Read & Plan. Read the professor's question and both student posts. Decide your position and think of one specific example you can use.
2:00–8:00 Write. Follow the 3-step structure: state your position (1–2 sentences), support it with a reason and example (3–5 sentences), and wrap up (1–2 sentences).
8:00–10:00 Review. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Make sure you referenced the discussion and added your own ideas. Confirm your response is at least 100 words.

Target length: 120–130 words. Writing too little (under 100 words) means not enough content to evaluate. Writing too much (over 160 words) risks running out of time and introducing grammar errors. Stay focused: make one main point and support it well.

Tip: If you are running out of time at the 8-minute mark, skip the wrap-up sentence and use the remaining time to fix grammar errors instead. A shorter response with good grammar scores better than a longer one full of mistakes.

schedule10:00

For this task, you will read an online discussion. A professor has posted a question about a topic, and some classmates have responded with their ideas.

Write a response that contributes to the discussion. You will have 10 minutes to write your response. It is important to use your own words in the response.

Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 100 words, but we recommend writing around 150 words.

Create an account to save your progress

Your professor is teaching a class on Food. Write a post responding to the professor's question.

In your response you should:
  • express and support your opinion
  • make a contribution to the discussion

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.


Prof. Martin

Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. On one hand, modern foods have made our lives easier. With innovations in food technology, we can access fresh produce year-round and enjoy ready-to-eat meals. However, we must also acknowledge the negative impacts of modern foods. The rise of highly processed and sugary foods has led to health concerns such as obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. In your opinion, do you think the ease of modern food has improved the way people live?


I just love how modern food has made our lives so much easier! The convenience of having access to a wide variety of foods throughout the year is just amazing. We can enjoy exotic fruits, fresh vegetables, and even ready-to-eat meals that save us time and effort in the kitchen. Plus, the advancements in food technology have made it possible to preserve food for longer periods, reducing food waste and making it more affordable for many people.


I have some concerns about the negative impact of modern food on our health and the environment. The rise of highly processed foods loaded with unhealthy ingredients, excess sugar, and preservatives is contributing to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. Also, the intensive farming practices and use of synthetic pesticides in modern food production have harmful effects on our environment, depleting soil quality and polluting water sources.

Word Count: 0

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Score Summary
4.5 / 6
AI Review
Task Fulfillment
Overall Organization
Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas
Grammatical Usage
Vocabulary Usage
Connections & Coherence
Grammar Corrections & Feedback
Correction Legend

Corrections in red
Academic language suggestion in blue

Detailed Feedback

Essay Grammar Corrections & Improvements
I hope you are fine. My name is Philip and I am one of your reader. I really like your poetry magazine very much because the poems are very deep and emotional. Every time when I read the magazine, I feel inspired and peaceful. I also like that you give chance for new writers to share their works. It make me more confidence to send my poems.

Last week, I tried to submit two of my poems by the online submission form on your website. After I upload my files and click submit button, the page suddenly show error and become blank. I did not receive any confirmation email, so I am not sure my poems was received or not.

Could you please tell me about the status of my submissions? I worry that maybe they did not go through.
I hope you are fine. My name is Philip and I am one of your reader. readers. I really like your poetry magazine very much because the poems are very deep and emotional. Every time when I read the magazine, I feel inspired and peaceful. I also like that you give a chance for to new writers to share their works. It make makes me more confidence confident to send my poems.

Last week, I tried to submit two of my poems by through the online submission form on your website. After I upload uploaded my files and click clicked the submit button, the page suddenly show showed an error and become became blank. I did not receive any confirmation email, so I am not sure if my poems was were received or not.

Could you please tell me about the status of my submissions? I worry that maybe they did not go through.



Task Fulfillment


Overall Organization


Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas


Grammatical Usage


Vocabulary Usage


Connections & Coherence


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reader.
Solution Explanation
readers. The phrase is "one of your readers." After "one of" the noun must be plural, so "reader" becomes "readers." Correct example: "I am one of your readers."

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when
Solution Explanation
Using both "every time" and "when" is redundant. Remove "when" so the clause reads "Every time I read the magazine..." which is concise and grammatically correct.

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a
Solution Explanation
a The noun "chance" here is countable and needs an article. Add the indefinite article "a" to form "give a chance," as in "I also like that you give a chance for new writers..." (better: "give a chance to new writers...").

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for
Solution Explanation
to The verb phrase collocates with the preposition "to": "give a chance to someone." Replace "for" with "to" to make "give a chance to new writers," which is more natural and grammatically correct.

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make
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makes Corrected for subject–verb agreement. The subject 'It' is third-person singular, so the verb should be the third-person singular form 'makes.'

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confidence
Solution Explanation
confident Replaced the noun 'confidence' with the adjective 'confident' because the sentence needs an adjective to describe how the speaker feels ("more confident"). 'More' is a comparative modifier that pairs with an adjective, not a noun.

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by
Solution Explanation
through Changed the preposition to the more idiomatic 'through' to indicate the means or channel used (submitting via/through a form). 'Through' better conveys using the online form as the method of submission.

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upload
Solution Explanation
uploaded Changed the verb to past tense to match the past-time narration ('Last week' and the surrounding past-tense verbs). 'Uploaded' keeps the sequence of past events consistent.

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click
Solution Explanation
clicked the Changed to past tense to match the narrative (e.g., 'tried') and added the definite article 'the' before 'submit button' for correct idiomatic phrasing.

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show
Solution Explanation
showed an Changed to past tense for tense agreement and added the indefinite article 'an' before 'error' to form the correct noun phrase 'an error.'

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become
Solution Explanation
became Changed to past tense so the verb agrees with the other past actions in the sentence ('clicked,' 'showed').

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if
Solution Explanation
if Added 'if' to introduce the indirect question/conditional clause ('not sure if my poems were received'), which correctly expresses uncertainty.

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was
Solution Explanation
were Replaced singular verb with plural 'were' to agree with the plural subject 'my poems' (subject–verb agreement).

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Hello —
Solution Explanation
Hello — Adds a brief salutation at the start of the letter to create a polite opening and improve the tone before the first sentence.

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fine.
Solution Explanation
well. "I hope you are well" is the more common, natural-sounding phrasing for a polite inquiry about someone's state; "well" is preferable to "fine" in this context.

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Philip
Solution Explanation
Philip, Inserting a comma after the name sets off the clause that follows ("and I am a reader"), improving sentence punctuation and readability.

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one
Solution Explanation
a reader Replacing the vague word "one" with the phrase "a reader" makes the statement clearer and more natural-sounding.

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readers.
Solution Explanation
poetry magazine. Referring directly to the "poetry magazine" focuses the sentence on what you admire and improves coherence with the next sentence about the poems.

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like your poetry magazine very much because
Solution Explanation
enjoy it: "Enjoy it:" is a more concise way to introduce the reason you appreciate the magazine, and the colon signals that an explanation or examples will follow.

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very
Solution Explanation
Removing "very" tightens the prose; the adjectives that follow already convey strong feeling, so the intensifier is unnecessary.

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emotional. Every time I read the magazine, I feel
Solution Explanation
emotional, and reading them leaves me Combining the sentences with a comma and conjunction improves flow, and changing the subject to "reading them" clarifies that you mean the poems rather than the magazine as a whole.

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like
Solution Explanation
appreciate "Appreciate" is a slightly more formal and appreciative verb than "like," which better suits a polite letter thanking the editors for giving new writers an opportunity.

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new writers
Solution Explanation
new writers Inserted the phrase to make explicit who benefits from the magazine’s policy. Naming “new writers” clarifies the subject and makes the sentence more specific and direct.

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new writers to
Solution Explanation
Removed the extra preposition because the original phrasing would create a clumsy double infinitive structure ("a chance to new writers to share"). Deleting "to" avoids redundancy and prepares the phrase for a smoother rewording (e.g., "give new writers a chance to share").

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works. It
Solution Explanation
work; that encouragement Revises two short, choppy sentences into one connected thought. Changing "works" to the uncountable "work" and joining with a semicolon links the ideas more smoothly; adding "that encouragement" clarifies what increases the writer’s confidence and improves cohesion.

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to send
Solution Explanation
about submitting Replaces an awkward collocation. English prefers "confident about submitting" (or "confident in submitting") to "confident to send," so this change yields more natural, idiomatic phrasing.

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week,
Solution Explanation
week Removed the comma after the short introductory time phrase. In contemporary formal writing, commas after brief adverbial phrases like "Last week" are often unnecessary; omitting it tightens the sentence without losing clarity.

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of my
Solution Explanation
Deleted the possessive phrase to make the sentence more concise. "Two poems" is clear in context and avoids unnecessary repetition of possession when earlier context already indicates they are the writer’s.

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through
Solution Explanation
using Replaces a less precise preposition with a clearer verb. "Using the online submission form" more directly describes the method than "through the online submission form," improving clarity.

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my
Solution Explanation
the Changed "my" to the definite article "the" to refer back to the previously mentioned files (the two poems). "The files" is more precise and reduces repetitive use of the possessive.

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the submit button,
Solution Explanation
“Submit,” Uses the actual button label in quotation marks to be specific about the UI element clicked. Quoting the label ("Submit") makes the instruction clearer for readers and the comma placement after the closing quote is the correct way to continue the sentence.

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suddenly
Solution Explanation
Removed because it’s unnecessary and slightly informal; the sentence is clearer and more concise without this filler word.

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became
Solution Explanation
went "Went blank" is the more idiomatic phrasing for a page or screen than "became blank," so this change improves naturalness and fluency.

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any
Solution Explanation
a "A confirmation email" is more natural and concise here than "any confirmation email," which can sound slightly informal or vague.

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not sure if
Solution Explanation
unsure whether "Unsure whether" is more formal and precise for written correspondence than the colloquial "not sure if," and it fits the polite tone of the message.

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received or not.
Solution Explanation
received. Dropping "or not" avoids redundancy and tightens the sentence; "unsure whether my poems were received" already expresses the uncertainty.

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tell me about
Solution Explanation
check "Check the status" is more direct and actionable than "tell me about the status," and it better matches the likely request to the magazine staff to verify submissions.

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I worry that maybe
Solution Explanation
I’m worried "I’m worried" is more concise and natural in this context; it reduces wordiness while keeping the same meaning and a polite tone.

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did
Solution Explanation
may Replacing the definite past "did" with the modal "may" conveys uncertainty more accurately—you're not sure whether the submissions succeeded.

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go
Solution Explanation
have gone Using the present perfect "have gone" after the modal "may" ("may have gone through") correctly expresses a possible completed action in the past, which is the intended meaning.

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Thank you.
Solution Explanation
Thank you. Adding a brief, polite closing such as "Thank you." provides a courteous and professional end to the message and leaves a positive impression.
Criteria Score Reports

Task Fulfillment   5/5

fully addresses the task/question and is fully developed

Task fulfillment is about how well you respond to the question you are given. TOEFL raters are looking for a response that answers the question directly, with relevant ideas that are fully developed. Fulfilling the task means answering all parts of the question completely.

How to Improve

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Overall Organization   4/5

is fairly well-organized, though there may be minor lack of unity in paragraphsincludes an introduction and conclusion

Overall organization is about how you organize the ideas in your essay. This includes showing that you understand how to use basic essay structure and how to organize different kinds of paragraphs around main ideas.

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Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas   4/5

includes mostly ideas that are relevant to the task/question includes several good ideas that support the writer’s position

Relevance and quality of support is about your essay content or ideas. Your content should be related directly to the topic, and you should have several main ideas that support your opinion or position. These ideas should be persuasive or compelling.

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Grammatical Usage   2/5

contains several noticeable problems with form and usage that interfere with meaning includes some variety of grammatical forms but still contains unnecessary repetition relies primarily on simple sentence forms (simple and

Grammatical usage is about how you use English grammar, sentence structure, and the basic conventions of writing. Raters want to see that you can use what you know correctly, and that you can use a wide variety of structures to express your ideas.

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Vocabulary Usage   3/5

contains some errors in word form that may cause confusion uses a limited range of words and phrases that is mostly appropriate makes generally accurate word choice with only some effort by the reader

Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for writing that uses different words correctly and accurately, and that uses a wide range of words that help readers understand. On integrated writing, raters are also looking for the ability to incorporate new words from the lecture or reading into your writing.

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Connections & Coherence   4/5

generally connects ideas well, though a few connections may be unclear includes expressions of transition, introduction, and conclusion feels somewhat unified overall

Connections and coherence are about how you put your ideas together and link different sentences to each other. Raters want to see writing that flows naturally from idea to idea without confusing the reader.

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Question:
Nowadays, food has become easier to prepare. On one hand, modern foods have made our lives easier. With innovations in food technology, we can access fresh produce year-round and enjoy ready-to-eat meals. However, we must also acknowledge the negative impacts of modern foods. The rise of highly processed and sugary foods has led to health concerns such as obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases. In your opinion, do you think the ease of modern food has improved the way people live?

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Sample Grammar Corrections
Several doubt about the accuracy of the memoir writting by the Chevalier de Seingalt are raised in the reading but the professor clarify the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

The professor explain that the Chevalier rich in assets, but poor in the cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for its assets to selling. Accordingly, to the professor, being low on cash fund is not same as being financially poors. However, in reading someone who borrowing large of amounts of money could not be wealth, therefore the Chevalier must have lied his wealthy life in Switzerland.

The skepticism regards the reliability of the recorded conversations with Voltaire is challenging by the professor as well. She explains that, due to habit of recording each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward, the Chevalier was able to recall those discussions in detail even after several years had passing.

Finally, the professor refute the idea briber was how the Chevalier got out of prison. She point out that because even the other prisoners who had better resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison it was very unlikely that bribery was how he escaped. Also, she notes the existences of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as strong evidence that his escaping from the prison was accurately recorded.
Several doubt doubts about the accuracy of the memoir writting written by the Chevalier de Seingalt are raised in the reading reading, but the professor clarify clarifies the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

The professor explain explains that the Chevalier was rich in assets, but poor in the cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for its his assets to selling. Accordingly, sell. According to the professor, being low on cash fund funds is not the same as being financially poors. poor. However, in reading the reading, someone who borrowing borrows large of amounts of money could not be wealth, wealthy, therefore the Chevalier must have lied about his wealthy life in Switzerland.

The skepticism regards regarding the reliability of the recorded conversations with Voltaire is challenging challenged by the professor as well. She explains that, due to the habit of recording each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward, the Chevalier was able to recall those discussions in detail even after several years had passing. passed.

Finally, the professor refute refutes the idea briber that bribery was how the Chevalier got out of prison. She point points out that because even the other prisoners who had better resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison prison, it was very unlikely that bribery was how he escaped. Also, she notes the existences existence of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as strong evidence that his escaping escape from the prison was accurately recorded.



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doubt
Solution Explanation
doubts The plural form 'doubts' is needed here because there are multiple uncertainties being discussed.

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writting
Solution Explanation
written The correct past participle of 'write' is 'written'.

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reading
Solution Explanation
reading, A comma is needed after 'reading' to separate the two independent clauses.

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clarify
Solution Explanation
clarifies The third person singular form 'clarifies' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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explain
Solution Explanation
explains The third person singular form 'explains' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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was
Solution Explanation
was The verb 'was' is needed to form the past continuous tense.

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the
Solution Explanation
The article 'the' is not needed before 'assets'.

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its
Solution Explanation
his The possessive pronoun 'his' is needed to refer back to 'the Chevalier'.

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selling. Accordingly,
Solution Explanation
sell. According The verb 'sell' is needed here, and 'According' should start a new sentence.

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fund
Solution Explanation
funds The plural form 'funds' is needed here because it refers to money in general.

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the
Solution Explanation
the The article 'the' is needed before 'Chevalier'.

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poors.
Solution Explanation
poor. The correct adjective form is 'poor'.

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reading
Solution Explanation
the reading, The article 'the' is needed before 'reading', and a comma is needed to separate the two independent clauses.

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borrowing
Solution Explanation
borrows The present simple tense 'borrows' is needed to describe a general situation.

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of
Solution Explanation
The preposition 'of' is not needed here.

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wealth,
Solution Explanation
wealthy, The adjective 'wealthy' is needed to describe 'the Chevalier'.

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about
Solution Explanation
about The preposition 'about' is needed to introduce the topic of the sentence.

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regards
Solution Explanation
regarding The preposition 'regarding' is needed to introduce the topic of the sentence.

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challenging
Solution Explanation
challenged The past participle 'challenged' is needed to form the passive voice.

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the
Solution Explanation
the The article 'the' is needed before 'Chevalier'.

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passing.
Solution Explanation
passed. The past participle 'passed' is needed to form the past perfect tense.

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refute
Solution Explanation
refutes The third person singular form 'refutes' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'professor'.

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briber
Solution Explanation
that bribery The noun 'bribery' is needed to refer to the act of giving bribes.

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point
Solution Explanation
points The third person singular form 'points' is needed to agree with the singular subject 'she'.

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prison
Solution Explanation
prison, A comma is needed after 'prison' to separate the two independent clauses.

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existences
Solution Explanation
existence The singular form 'existence' is needed because it refers to one specific thing.

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escaping
Solution Explanation
escape The noun 'escape' is needed to refer to the act of escaping.
writing LessonsCompleted: 0 / 77
TOEFL Academic Discussion Response Template

Your response should have three parts. This structure works for all five question types. About 90% of questions are either Opinion (~50%) or Choosing an Approach (~40%). The other types (Proposing a Solution, Problems and Solutions, Description and Explanation) are rare.

Step What to Write How Long
1 State your position 1–2 sentences. Clearly express your opinion, solution, or explanation. You can agree with a student, disagree, or offer a new perspective.
2 Support your position 3–5 sentences. This is the most important part. Provide a reason, example, or explanation that supports your position. Use specific details — not vague statements. The quality of this section has the biggest impact on your score.
3 Wrap up 1–2 sentences. Restate your main point or connect your idea back to the discussion. This step is optional if you are running out of time, but it helps your response feel complete.
Response Template

Here is a fill-in-the-blank template you can practice with. Adapt it to fit different topics.

Template:
Step 1 — Position: I agree/disagree with [student name]'s point that ______. While he/she makes a valid argument about ______, I believe that ______ is also an important factor to consider.

Step 2 — Support: For example, ______. This shows that ______. In addition, ______. As a result, ______.

Step 3 — Wrap up: For this reason, I believe that ______.

Note: This template is a starting point. You should adjust it based on the specific discussion topic. Do not memorize this template word for word. Instead, practice using different openings, transitions, and examples so your response sounds natural.

Useful Phrases for Your Response
Starting your response I think [student name] raises an excellent point, and I'd like to build on it by…
Both students make interesting arguments, but I'd like to offer a different perspective.
I strongly agree/disagree with [student name] because…
This is a thought-provoking question. In my view…
Introducing your main idea One important aspect that hasn't been mentioned is…
From my experience, I have found that…
A key reason I hold this view is…
To illustrate this point…
Providing examples For instance, in my country/school/workplace…
A clear example of this is…
Consider the case of…
In my high school/university, for example…
Connecting ideas Furthermore, …
This is significant because…
As a result, …
In other words, …
Concluding your response For these reasons, I believe that…
Therefore, …
In short, …
That is why I think…
Annotated Sample Response
Professor's question: This week, I'd like us to discuss government spending priorities. Some people believe that governments should invest more in environmental protections, while others think education should receive more funding. Which do you think should be a higher priority, and why?

Kelly: I think environmental protections should be the top priority. Climate change is already causing floods and droughts that cost governments billions of dollars. If we invest in the environment now, we can prevent much bigger costs in the future.

Andrew: I believe education is more important. Well-educated people are better equipped to solve environmental problems and develop new technologies. By investing in education, we are actually investing in solutions to all kinds of challenges, including environmental ones.

Sample response:

[Step 1 — Position] I agree with Andrew that education should be a higher priority, but I would like to add another reason that he did not mention. [Step 2 — Support] Universities do not just teach students — they also conduct important research. Much of the progress we have made in treating diseases, developing clean energy, and creating sustainable farming techniques has come from university research programs. When governments invest more in education, they are funding this research at the same time. This means education spending has a broader impact than environmental spending alone, because it produces solutions across many different fields. [Step 3 — Wrap up] For this reason, I believe that prioritizing education is the most effective way for governments to address environmental challenges and improve society as a whole.

What to notice:

  • Step 1 is short and clear — just one sentence that states the position and references Andrew.
  • Step 2 introduces a new idea (university research) with specific examples (diseases, clean energy, sustainable farming). This is the bulk of the response.
  • Step 3 ties the argument back to the professor's question about government spending priorities.
  • The response is ~130 words — concise but thorough.
Master the TOEFL Writing for an Academic Discussion Task

In this task, you will read an online discussion. A professor has posted a question about a topic, and two classmates have responded with their ideas. Your job is to write a response that contributes to the discussion.

You will have 10 minutes to write your response. A good response is around 120–130 words.

Based on official ETS questions, there are five types of question prompts. However, two types account for about 90% of all questions:

Type What You Do Frequency
Opinion You agree or disagree with a statement and explain why. ~50%
Choosing an Approach You pick between two options and explain why one is better. ~40%
Proposing a Solution You suggest a way to solve a problem. Rare
Problems and Solutions You identify a problem and propose a solution. Rare
Description and Explanation You explain why something is important or beneficial. Rare

The same response structure works for all five types. Let's look at tips to help you score high.

Tip 1: Read the discussion carefully before writing

Before you begin writing, take about 2 minutes to read the professor's question and both student responses carefully. Pay attention to:

  • The professor's question – What topic is being discussed? What specific question is the professor asking? Which question type is it?
  • Student A's opinion – What position does this student take? What reasons do they give?
  • Student B's opinion – Does this student agree or disagree with Student A? What different perspective do they offer?

Understanding all three posts helps you write a response that connects to what has already been said, which is important for a high score. Decide: Do you agree with a student, disagree, or have a different idea? Think of one specific example you can use.

Tip 2: Add something new — do not copy a student's ideas

Your response should clearly state your opinion on the topic. You can agree with one of the students, partially agree with both, or offer a completely different perspective. The key is to add something new to the discussion.

It is fine to agree with a student's viewpoint, but you must provide your own reasons and examples to support it. Do not repeat the same supporting points the student already gave.

Wrong approach Right approach
"I agree with Kelly. Climate change causes floods and droughts that cost billions. We should invest in the environment to prevent bigger costs later."

This just restates Kelly's argument in different words. It adds nothing new.
"I agree with Kelly that environmental protections should be a priority. Currently, governments spend enormous amounts repairing damage from storms and wildfires. Investing in prevention now — such as reforestation and cleaner energy — could save that money in the long run."

This agrees with Kelly but adds new details and a new angle.
Tip 3: Reference the other posts in your response

A strong response connects to the discussion. Briefly mention the professor's question or a student's idea before sharing your own thoughts. Your tone should be semi-formal: clear, respectful, and grammatically correct, but not stiff or overly academic.

Here are some useful phrases for referencing others:

Agreeing and building on it I agree with [name]'s point about…, and I would like to add…
[Name]'s perspective resonates with me because…
Building on what [name] said, I think…
I would like to add to [name]'s point about…
Disagreeing respectfully While I understand where [name] is coming from, I tend to see it differently…
I appreciate [name]'s viewpoint, but I hold a slightly different perspective…
I see [name]'s point, but from my perspective, it seems that…
I see the merit in [name]'s argument; however, I would argue that…
Adding a new perspective In addition to what has been discussed…
Another aspect worth considering is…
Neither student has mentioned…, which I think is important.
I'd like to offer a different angle on this topic.
Tip 4: Use correct grammar and varied vocabulary

Even though the Academic Discussion response is shorter than a full essay, grammar and vocabulary still matter. You should:

  • Use a variety of sentence structures (simple, compound, and complex sentences)
  • Avoid repeating the same words – use synonyms where possible
  • Check your subject-verb agreement and verb tenses
  • Use academic vocabulary when appropriate (e.g., "significant" instead of "big," "contribute" instead of "help")
  • Be specific. Replace vague statements like "Some students try hard but don't get good grades" with concrete details like "In my high school math class, a classmate studied for hours every day but still scored lower than students who found the subject easy."
Lesson: Countable nouns and Uncountable nouns
Lesson: Subject verb agreement rules
Lesson: Use the right article
Lesson: Relative pronouns and relative clauses

If you are a premium member, you will have up to 50 free essay grammar corrections.

Tip 5: Manage your time and length wisely

You have 10 minutes for this task. Here is a suggested time breakdown:

0:00–2:00 Read & Plan. Read the professor's question and both student posts. Decide your position and think of one specific example you can use.
2:00–8:00 Write. Follow the 3-step structure: state your position (1–2 sentences), support it with a reason and example (3–5 sentences), and wrap up (1–2 sentences).
8:00–10:00 Review. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Make sure you referenced the discussion and added your own ideas. Confirm your response is at least 100 words.

Target length: 120–130 words. Writing too little (under 100 words) means not enough content to evaluate. Writing too much (over 160 words) risks running out of time and introducing grammar errors. Stay focused: make one main point and support it well.

Tip: If you are running out of time at the 8-minute mark, skip the wrap-up sentence and use the remaining time to fix grammar errors instead. A shorter response with good grammar scores better than a longer one full of mistakes.

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