Question: You have the opportunity to visit a foreign country for two weeks. Which country would you like to visit? Use specific reasons and details to explain your choice.
Sample Essay
Traveling is always an educational and unforgettable experience, regardless of where one goes. While some people only want to spend their money on "things", I believe that travel is an investment and one of the best ways to spend your money. If I had the opportunity to visit any country in the world for two weeks, I would visit Australia because of the unique animals, amazing scenery, and variety of food.
The first and foremost reason that I want to visit Australia is that it's home to some of the most unique animals in the world. Some of them have really unique, even funny names, too. Australia is home to the kangaroo, bilby, wallaby, wallaroo, dingo, and koala, to name a few. The wallaroo is similar to both a kangaroo and wallaby, which is how it got its name. My favorite from the animals mentioned, though, is the koala. It looks like a bear but it's actually a marsupial. Koalas are not endangered yet, but over the past decade, their population has dropped by 90 percent. This is due to the destruction of their habitat by humans for roads and other development.
Secondly, the scenery is one-of-a-kind. Although some scenery is being destroyed to make way for new developments, Australia still has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef, the Great Dividing Range, and more. I really want to see the Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest coral reef in the world and home to thousands of reef systems. There is also the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park where you can go to the Reef and learn all about it. People from all over the world go to see it and I want to be one of those people.
The final reason that I want to visit Australia is the food. In fact, one of the greatest things about Australia is that it is full of culture and diversity. It offers food of every kind; there is sushi, Turkish food, hummus, pizza, frankfurts, Danish pastries, and so much more. As much fun as it would be to travel around the world to taste those foods, it is probably a lot cheaper to do it all in one place. If I had two weeks to visit the country, I would definitely make sure to try one of everything.
In conclusion, visiting Australia would be one of the greatest opportunities and I hope that I actually get to go one day. It would be so much fun to see all the exotic animals, visit the reef and range, be exposed to the culture, and to taste all the amazing food there. I think it is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their life.
Learn How to Tackle TOEFL Independent Writing - If / Imaginary Essays
Tip 1: Follow a standard TOEFL essay structure
| Introductory Paragraph |
1. Provide background information about the essay topic. Here are a few techniques:
2. Write a strong thesis statement Lesson: How to write a high-scoring TOEFL introductory paragraph part 1 Lesson: How to write a high-scoring TOEFL introductory paragraph part 2 |
|
Body Paragraph A Body Paragraph B Body Paragraph C (Optional) |
1. Include a transition word/phrase at the beginning 2. Write a topic sentence 3. Include supporting sentences Lesson: How to write a high-scoring TOEFL body paragraph |
Conclusion Paragraph |
1. Include a restatement of the thesis statement you wrote in your introduction 2. Provide a brief summary of your main ideas Lesson: How to write a high-scoring TOEFL conclusion paragraph |
There's no maximum length for your essay, but a good response is usually at least 300 words.
Tip 2: Use transition words and phrases
You need to use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas in your essay. You should have 2 transition words/phrases every 4-5 sentences.
| Type of connection | Transition words |
| These words can help you show the order of ideas. |
First/Second/Third Firstly (or "First of all")/Secondly/Thirdly (or "Lastly") For one thing/For another thing/Finally (or "Lastly") In the first place/in the second place/Finally (or "Lastly") Instead of "First", "First of all" and "Firstly", we can use "To begin with", "To start with", or "For starters". We can also use "First and foremost" to state that the first key point is the most important one among all key points. Likewise, instead of "Finally" and "Lastly", we can use "Last but not least" to state that the final key point is just as important as the others, despite it being mentioned last. |
| These words can help you add information | In addition, furthermore, additionally, also, next, moreover, what's more, on top of that |
| These words can help you conclude or to summarize: | To sum up, in summary, in conclusion, to conclude, all in all, all things considered ,overall, taking everything into consideration, in a nutshell |
| These words can help you demonstrate contrast | Conversely, on the contrary, by contrast, by way of contrast, on one hand/on the other hand |
| These words can help you compare or demonstrate similarity | Similarly, likewise, by the same token, along similar lines |
| These words can help you state a result. | As a result, as a consequence, consequently, therefore |
| These words can help you state a generalization. | Generally, on the whole, in most cases, in general |
| These words can help you clarify a point. | That is, in other words, to put it simply, That is to say, just to reiterate |
| These words can help you give examples. | For example, for instance, take something, for example, to give a clear example |
| These words can help you state an alternative. | Alternatively, as another possibility |
Tip 3: Vary your sentence structure
To achieve a higher score or a perfect 5 out of 5 on the TOEFL English language criteria, you must show that you can accurately and flexibly use a variety of structures.
Lesson: Achieving sentence variety part 1Lesson: Achieving sentence variety part 2
Lesson: Achieving sentence variety part 3
Tip 4: Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes
You should avoid any grammar and spelling mistakes, otherwise your score will be deducted.
Lesson: Countable nouns and Uncountable nounsLesson: Subject verb agreement rules
Lesson: Use the right article
Lesson: Relative pronouns and relative clauses
Lesson: Achieving sentence variety part 1 (Pay attention to the lesson content related to punctuation)
Lesson: Achieving sentence variety part 2 (Pay attention to the lesson content related to punctuation)
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Tip 5: Vary your vocabulary
You should avoid using the same vocabulary throughout your essay. Instead, you can use synonyms or phrases that have the same meaning of words.
Here are some ways you can improve on this area:
- Read our sample essays and pay attention to words you are not familiar with.
- Utilize our TOEFL Vocabulary system
- Utilize our TOEFL synonyms exercises