keyboard_return Exit
keyboard_arrow_left

TOEFL® Writing Practice 154

settings  Settings
settings App Settings
close
close
BestMyTest TOEFL course is developed by a team of certified TOEFL teachers from across the globe. Here, you can seek guidance and ask questions directly to our team of experienced instructors.

Get 5 Ask Instructor questions as a reward
for singing up free today.

close Filter
search
expand all collapse all Hide completed
 
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.

Create an account to save your progress

Your professor is teaching a class on Political science. 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 I mentioned in class, governments make public policies to describe their responses to various problems that affect a community. Part of this process involves setting and defending priorities about which issues deserve the most attention and resources. For example, governments need to decide whether they should spend more money on improving roads and highways or improving public transportation. If you were a policy maker, would you prioritize spending money on improving roads and highways over public transportation, or the other way around?


Jason

In my opinion, as a student who commutes to school every day, I believe investing in public transportation should take precedence. Here's why: First off, public transportation offers a more sustainable and eco-friendly solution to the ever-growing traffic congestion and air pollution problems. It can help reduce the number of cars on the road and promote a greener future.


Kat

Personally, as a student who relies on my car to get around, I believe investing in roads and highways should be the top priority. Think about it! a well-maintained road network is essential for ensuring smooth and efficient transportation for everyone. Also, investing in roads and highways can have a positive impact on economic growth. Additionally, let's not forget that not all areas are well-served by public transportation systems, making personal vehicles a necessity for many individuals, especially those living in rural or remote regions.

Word Count: 0

Sign up free for more content

Key Words Found in this practice
Related Words

Get your essay scored with grammar corrections and a detailed score report.
Take a closer look at the sample writing review below.

Get a Writing Review

SAMPLE TOEFL Writing Report

SAMPLE Score Summary
2.5 / 5
Task Fulfillment
Overall Organization
Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas
Grammatical Usage
Vocabulary Usage
Connections & Coherence
SAMPLE Grammar Corrections & Feedback
Correction Legend

Corrections in red
Academic language suggestion in blue

Detailed Feedback

Essay Grammar Corrections & Improvements
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.



Task Fulfillment


Relevance & Completeness of Information


Grammatical Usage


Vocabulary Usage


Connections & Coherence


Connection between Lecture & Reading


cancel Grammar Correction

doubt
Solution Explanation
doubts The correct form is 'doubts' because it is a plural noun in this context.

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

clarify
Solution Explanation
clarifies The third person singular form of the verb 'clarify' is 'clarifies'.

cancel Grammar Correction

explain
Solution Explanation
explains The third person singular form of the verb 'explain' is 'explains'.

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

its
Solution Explanation
his The correct possessive pronoun is 'his' as it refers to 'Chevalier'.

cancel Grammar Correction

selling. Accordingly,
Solution Explanation
sell. According The correct verb form is 'sell'. Also, 'According' should start a new sentence.

cancel Grammar Correction

fund
Solution Explanation
funds The correct noun is 'funds'.

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

reading
Solution Explanation
the reading, The article 'the' is needed before 'reading' and a comma is needed after it.

cancel Grammar Correction

borrowing
Solution Explanation
borrows The correct verb form is 'borrows'.

cancel Grammar Correction

of
Solution Explanation
The preposition 'of' is not needed in this context.

cancel Grammar Correction

wealth,
Solution Explanation
wealthy, The correct adjective is 'wealthy'.

cancel Grammar Correction

about
Solution Explanation
about The preposition 'about' is needed before 'his wealthy life'.

cancel Grammar Correction

regards
Solution Explanation
regarding The correct preposition is 'regarding'.

cancel Grammar Correction

challenging
Solution Explanation
challenged The correct past participle of 'challenge' is 'challenged'.

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

passing.
Solution Explanation
passed. The correct past participle of 'pass' is 'passed'.

cancel Grammar Correction

refute
Solution Explanation
refutes The third person singular form of the verb 'refute' is 'refutes'.

cancel Grammar Correction

briber
Solution Explanation
that bribery The correct noun is 'bribery'.

cancel Grammar Correction

point
Solution Explanation
points The third person singular form of the verb 'point' is 'points'.

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

existences
Solution Explanation
existence The correct noun is 'existence'.

cancel Grammar Correction

escaping
Solution Explanation
escape The correct noun is 'escape'.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

accuracy
Solution Explanation
veracity The professor challenges the veracity of the memoir written by the Chevalier de Seingalt.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

written
Solution Explanation
penned The professor clarifies the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir that he penned.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

clarifies
Solution Explanation
elucidates The professor elucidates the seeming contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

seeming
Solution Explanation
apparent The professor elucidates the apparent contradictions in the Chevalier's accounts to defend the memoir.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

explains
Solution Explanation
clarifies The professor clarifies that the Chevalier was rich in assets, but poor in cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for his assets to sell.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

rich
Solution Explanation
wealthy The professor clarifies that the Chevalier was wealthy in assets, but poor in cash, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for his assets to sell.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

poor in cash,
Solution Explanation
cash-poor, The professor clarifies that the Chevalier was wealthy in assets, but cash-poor, while he lived in Switzerland and had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for his assets to sell.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

lived
Solution Explanation
resided The professor clarifies that the Chevalier resided in Switzerland while he had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for his assets to sell.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

sell.
Solution Explanation
liquidate. The professor clarifies that the Chevalier had to occasionally borrow funds while waiting for his assets to liquidate.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

funds
Solution Explanation
The professor clarifies that the Chevalier had to occasionally borrow while waiting for his assets to liquidate.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

the same as
Solution Explanation
synonymous with The professor explains that being low on cash funds is not synonymous with being financially poor.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

amounts
Solution Explanation
sums In the reading, someone who borrows large sums of money could not be wealthy, therefore the Chevalier must have lied about his wealthy life in Switzerland.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

wealthy,
Solution Explanation
affluent, In the reading, someone who borrows large sums of money could not be affluent, therefore the Chevalier must have lied about his affluent life in Switzerland.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

lied about
Solution Explanation
misrepresented In the reading, someone who borrows large sums of money could not be affluent, therefore the Chevalier must have misrepresented his affluent life in Switzerland.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

challenged
Solution Explanation
contested The professor contests the skepticism regarding the reliability of the recorded conversations with Voltaire.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

habit
Solution Explanation
practice The professor explains that it was the Chevalier's practice to record each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

recording
Solution Explanation
documenting The professor explains that it was the Chevalier's practice to document each conversation with Voltaire immediately afterward.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

passed.
Solution Explanation
elapsed. The professor explains that even after several years had elapsed, the Chevalier was able to recall those discussions in detail.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

refutes
Solution Explanation
disputes The professor disputes the idea that bribery was how the Chevalier got out of prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

idea
Solution Explanation
notion The professor disputes the notion that bribery was how the Chevalier got out of prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

got out of
Solution Explanation
secured his release from The professor disputes the notion that bribery was how the Chevalier secured his release from prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

points out
Solution Explanation
highlights The professor highlights that even the other prisoners who had better resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

because
Solution Explanation
since The professor highlights that since 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 the Chevalier escaped.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

who had better
Solution Explanation
with superior The professor highlights that even the other prisoners with superior resources were unable to successfully bribe their way out of prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

very
Solution Explanation
highly The professor highlights that even the other prisoners with superior resources were highly unlikely to successfully bribe their way out of prison.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

how he escaped. Also,
Solution Explanation
his method of escape. Additionally, The professor disputes the notion that bribery was how the Chevalier secured his release from prison. Additionally, she notes the existence of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as compelling evidence that his escape from the prison was accurately recorded.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

notes
Solution Explanation
cites The professor cites the existence of government papers recording repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as compelling evidence that his escape from the prison was accurately recorded.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

papers recording
Solution Explanation
documents noting The professor cites the existence of documents noting repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as compelling evidence that his escape from the prison was accurately recorded.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

strong
Solution Explanation
compelling The professor cites the existence of documents noting repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as compelling evidence that his escape from the prison was accurately recorded.

cancel Improvement Suggestion

recorded.
Solution Explanation
documented. The professor cites the existence of documents noting repair work done to the Chevalier's prison cell ceiling as compelling evidence that his escape from the prison was accurately documented.
SAMPLE 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...

How to Improve

To achieve a high score on the Task Fulfillment criterion, you need to write...

  • ...
  • ...
  • ...
  • ...
  • ...

Overall Organization   4/5

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

Overall organization is about how you organize the ideas in your essay. This includes showing that you understand how to...

How to Improve

We suggest you study the organization of good paragraphs and essays, and spend time planning and thinking about how to...

Relevance & Quality of Supporting Ideas   3/5

may include a few ideas that are of minor relevance to the task/question has some good supporting ideas but may require more to fully support the writer's position

Relevance and quality of support is about your essay content or ideas. Your content should be related directly to...

How to Improve

An often, overlooked, yet important skill in TOEFL writing is how fast you can...

Step 1

Let your mind...

If you struggle..., you can...

Step 2

Whilst...

  • Does my...
  • Can I...
  • ...

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...

How to Improve

The best way to improve your grammar in writing is to have a...

Another way to improve your grammar is to...

  • ...
  • ...
  • ...

Vocabulary Usage   1/5

includes mistakes with basic word form includes limited vocabulary, with repetition and reliance on vocabulary from the question prompt often uses inappropriate or incorrect words or wording

Vocabulary usage is about how you use English words. Raters are looking for writing that...

How to Improve

To improve your vocabulary in the Independent Writing task, we recommend you study...

Connections & Coherence   0/5

does not address the question at all or simply repeats words from the question prompt.

Coherence and connections are about how you...

How to Improve

Complete the following lessons:

SAMPLE Essay Grammar Corrections & Improvements
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.



cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

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

cancel Grammar Correction

escaping
Solution Explanation
escape The noun 'escape' is needed to refer to the act of escaping.
TOEFL writing LessonsCompleted: 0 / 82
play_circle_outlineWelcome to TOEFL Tutor
star_border
close