Question: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Games are as important for adults as they are for children. Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
Sample Essay
It is undeniable that games are beneficial to the growing brains of children, however, games can also be important to adults. Many adults don’t get enough physical activity and certain types of games can be a great workout. Games also encourage adults to practice their social skills in a variety of situations. Finally, games can be challenging and encourage adults to think in different ways. Therefore, even if games are different in comparison to children, I believe they are just as important to people of an older age.
To begin, adults typically do not get as much physical activity on a daily basis as they did when they were younger. Most jobs don’t require much exercise, so they need to seek out creative ways to stay fit. Playing a game such as softball or flag football can provide intense physical activity throughout the week. This keeps adults healthy and active. Even games such as bowling or table tennis can get adults up and moving, which can be a big change from their usual life in the cubical, or on the couch. Exercise is important for everyone, including adults, and games can offer that movement.
Next, while most adults have fairly established social skills, they can always expand their social network. Life is long and can be unvaried, so adults need to try harder to meet new people and break out of their established social circles. Any type of games, from soccer to bingo can force adults to meet new people. This will lead to new conversations and enhanced brain activity. Games also require a level of thinking that can lead to different discussions compared to just getting a meal with a friend you have known forever.
Finally, the human brain needs continuous challenges to remain sharp and growing. Games can provide challenges that cause a person to think in a new or challenging way. For example, thinking through strategies in chess as an adult can improve their mental capabilities. A second example would be negotiating with your team in paintball will enhance an adult’s conceptualizing skills, which can be used in other aspects of life. Games provide mental challenges that adults of all ages can use.
In conclusion, games of various types provide people of all ages with many advantages and can be useful to lead a whole, happy life. Games provide physical activity, which keeps people healthy and mobile into old age. They can also offer improved socializing opportunities. Lastly, games provide mental obstacles that keep reasoning and cognitive skills sharp. Therefore, games are just as important for an adult as they are for a child.
Learn How to Tackle TOEFL Independent Writing - Agree and Disagree 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)
If you are a premium member, you will have up to 50 free essay grammar corrections.
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