Question: Some people prefer to get up early in the morning and start the day`s work. Others prefer to get up later in the day and work until late at night. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.
Sample Essay
When it comes to how I approach my days, I almost always prefer to get up early and begin my work. By rising early I assure myself that I have an abundance of time to accomplish anything I want. Also, once I do complete my work I love the sense of satisfaction that comes with being done early. Finally, after completing work earlier in the day I then feel as if I have the whole rest of the day ahead of me. Thus the optimal choice for my desires is to rise early and get to work.
Through getting up early I can reassure myself that I have lots of time to do many things with the day. When I get up late I feel like I missed many hours of the day and don’t feel as motivated. So when I rise early I feel a sense of excitement and enhanced motivation that I can do so many things with my time. That reassurance helps me to be more optimistic about tackling problems and maximizing my efficiency. The feeling of the morning makes me a more enthusiastic and positive worker, knowing that I have the whole day ahead.
Given that I approach my days more positively when I rise early, I end up completing more tasks and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Although I could complete the same tasks early or late in the day, the feeling of getting up and immediately accomplishing some goal makes my sense of pride in my work great. This allows me to maintain a positive attitude throughout the rest of day since I feel like I have accomplished many things early in the day.
Once I have risen and accomplished tasks early I then feel that I have the rest of the day to do whatever I want. I enjoy knowing that I don’t have any obligations and can have much time in the afternoon and evening for recreational activities. I am a happier and better friend when I don’t have work stress interfering with my personal life. By getting up early and completing work earlier in the day, I give myself a sense of comfort in knowing that I can work out, read a book, and have time for friends and family all within the same day.
Therefore, I would most certainly prefer to get up early in the morning and seize the day. I can give myself a sense of abundant time to do all the things I desire. Additionally I can accomplish goals early and ensure a sense of achievement. This also leaves me with time the rest of the day to pursue personal desires. The overarching benefits to rising early make this an easy choice.
Learn How to Tackle TOEFL Independent Writing - Preference 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