TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion The Most Important Subject to Learn in High School (Revised)

Considering the range of disciplines traditionally taught in high schools―such as mathematics, science, history, and English―what do you think is the most important subject for students to learn? Justify your choice by discussing its relevance to students’ personal growth, their role in society, or their future professional lives?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

	Personal Growth	Students’ Role in Society	Future Professional Lives
Mathematics  and Science
Social Studies (History, Geography, and Civics)
Language
Others

 

 

☆Hints for Points

・National Language: Language is thought. (Noam Chomsky)  The level of literacy decides the level of the humanity, and in the end, of the society.

・Mathematics: It nurtures logic and imagination.

・Science: It gives us knowledge of the physical world, which helps us think about where we are from and where we are now. It is also the foundation of engineering.

・History: You can learn why human society is as it is now.

・Geography: You can gain knowledge of how life is in each region on this planet.

・Civics: To build a true democracy, everyone needs to learn civics.

・Home Economics: Regardless of sex, students must learn to be able to be independent, to take care of themselves and their family.

・Second Language: To learn new perspectives, to be well-rounded, and to be useful in the society of diversity in the 21^st century, it is necessary to learn other languages.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】I think National Language is the most important subject in high school because it develops brains, which contributes to students’ personal development, role in society, and future job opportunities.

【Supporting Details】Noam Chomsky, who is the Einstein of Linguistics in that he revolutionized this subject in the 20^th century and presented new perspectives about Language and humans, says that Language is not only a means of communication but also our thought itself. Language acquisition forms the wiring of the brain, and so mother tongue acquisition is in line with the formation of the mind and facilitates personal development, which leads to trust and confidence from society. Also, the level of mother tongue proficiency affects performances in other subjects. Not to speak of literature and history, subjects that require high level of syntax and vocabulary to study, science and math depends on the command of the mother tongue in understanding and forming a concept or an image that is neither visible nor tangible. As a result, literacy level will be the key to most professional jobs.

【Counterargument-Treatment】Although an overly pedantic focus on punctuation hinders the growth of literacy, overall training in basic language skills is indispensable for learning because it nurtures critical thinking and the ability to articulate ideas clearly.

【Conclusion】High school years is the last years for individuals to have significant brain development, and therefore, training students’ national language skills and helping them have their highest possible language ability is the most important thing that a school can do to make students’ lives fulfilling and successful. (254 words)

 

 

☆Speech Time

1) Make a speech on this topic. Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

2) Have a debate on this topic.

TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion The Most Important Subject to Learn in High School (Revised)

Considering the range of disciplines traditionally taught in high schools―such as mathematics, science, history, and English―what do you think is the most important subject for students to learn? Justify your choice by discussing its relevance to students’ personal growth, their role in society, or their future professional lives?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

	Personal Growth	Students’ Role in Society	Future Professional Lives
Mathematics and Science
Social Studies (History, Geography, and Civics)
Language
Others

 

 

☆Hints for Points

・National Language: Language is thought. (Noam Chomsky)  The level of literacy decides the level of the humanity, and in the end, of the society.

・Mathematics: It nurtures logic and imagination.

・Science: It gives us knowledge of the physical world, which helps us think about where we are from and where we are now. It is also the foundation of engineering.

・History: You can learn why human society is as it is now.

・Geography: You can gain knowledge of how life is in each region on this planet.

・Civics: To build a true democracy, everyone needs to learn civics.

・Home Economics: Regardless of sex, students must learn to be able to be independent, to take care of themselves and their family.

・Second Language: To learn new perspectives, to be well-rounded, and to be useful in the society of diversity in the 21^st century, it is necessary to learn other languages.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】I think National Language is the most important subject in high school because it develops brains, which contributes to students’ personal development, role in society, and future job opportunities.

【Supporting Details】Noam Chomsky, who is the Einstein of Linguistics in that he revolutionized this subject in the 20^th century and presented new perspectives about Language and humans, says that Language is not only a means of communication but also our thought itself. Language acquisition forms the wiring of the brain, and so mother tongue acquisition is in line with the formation of the mind and facilitates personal development, which leads to trust and confidence from society. Also, the level of mother tongue proficiency affects performances in other subjects. Not to speak of literature and history, subjects that require high level of syntax and vocabulary to study, science and math depends on the command of the mother tongue in understanding and forming a concept or an image that is neither visible nor tangible. As a result, literacy level will be the key to most professional jobs.

【Conclusion】High school years is the last years for individuals to have significant brain development, and therefore, training students’ national language skills and helping them have their highest possible language ability is the most important thing that a school can do to make students’ lives fulfilling and successful. (217 words)

 

 

☆Speech Time

1) Make a speech on this topic. Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

2) Have a debate on this topic.

TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Stricter regulations or freedom of speech on the Internet? (Revised)

The internet has become a vital platform for free expression, but it has also been a medium where harmful speech can flourish, including hate speech, misinformation, and cyberbullying. Considering these issues, should there be stricter regulations regarding freedom of speech on the internet?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.       Share cases you know of the three kinds of harmful speech the professor mentions.

・Hate speech     e.g. Online right-wingers amplify hate against an ethnic group.

・Misinformation  e.g. In the first 72 hours after Noto Megaquake that happened on January 1^st, 2024, some politicians wrongly advised that volunteers not go to the affected areas to avoid traffic jam, which never happened. As a result, help was not available for those who were in need.

・Cyberbullying   e.g. Monomanias make hundreds of catfish and obsessively and incessantly send nasty messages to a target individual.

 

2.       Why should freedom of expression be protected?

 

3.       How is the online environment different from the offline environment?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree (Stricter Regulations)

1.       Algorithms produce echo chambers, which work in favor of malicious intentions.

2.       Anonymity brings out the worst in the human mind. Misinformation and disinformation increase on the Internet because anyone can send information on it.

3.       The speed at which information spreads on the Internet is exponentially faster than that in the real world. Leaving online communication without regulation is dangerous especially in emergency.

4.       Conventional media has specialist filters, whereas the inclusivity of the Internet makes filtering almost impossible.

5.       The online tattoo ruins the lives of the stigmatized victims, and the incidence is unprecedented.

6.       So far, control has depended on users’ common sense, but moral corruption is happening now.

7.       Fascists are taking advantage of social media to agitate the public to discriminate against a certain group of people to wage war on the country that the people belong to.

8.       The scale of slander and libel on the internet is incomparable. Bullies will mentally harm the target individuals and drive them to commit suicide in the worst-case scenario.

 

Disagree (Freedom of Speech)

1.       The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects any speech, which is a powerful tool against rulers.

2.       Self-regulation by users and platforms has been utilized for further violation.

3.       The media are controlled by the government and big businesses. Restrictions will only be imposed negatively on the public or those in weaker positions.

 

 

☆Sample Body Structure

【Thesis】I cannot totally agree with Matt that restriction of the freedom of speech on the Internet can compromise democracy, because democracy is being lost due to the speed and the algorisms of the Internet.

【Supporting Details】It takes only a few hours for humans to pass around information online and just a few seconds for machines to fake it. By the time the correction is made and the truth is revealed, the damage is done. Lies remain and the victimized individuals have no way to reinstate themselves. Most voters will never know the truth of a bill or a candidate and learn it only after the election is over. Similar cases are found in other areas like healthcare and education. Thus, I think there should be some government intervention regarding the quality control of online information.

【Counterargument-treatment】Matt’s concern about the inviolability of the First Amendment is understandable as it regulates the state power, but the reality is that those who are ill-intentioned are taking advantage of naïve individuals through social media to get political results they want with impunity.

【Conclusion】This situation should be dealt with, and therefore I believe that harder restriction is necessary to prevent destruction of democracy. (197 words)

 

TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Should you learn the language of the country you are traveling in? (Revised)

Do you agree or disagree that foreigners should learn the language of the country they are traveling in?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Have you ever talked to by an in-bound tourist who were trying to speak the language of your country? If so, share the experience.

2.        What are the purposes of learning a language?

3.        What is your stance on the professor’s question?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1.       It is natural to learn the language of the country you are traveling in unless you are a recluse or a person with ethnocentrism.

2.       Travelers who speak the local language relate to the residents. They can even be a liaison between countries.

3.       To understand or make friends with someone, you have to talk with him or her. Without conversation, communication will be hampered and will be superficial.

4.       To learn about some culture, the knowledge of the language is a must because language is part of culture and plays a very important role in it.

5.   Especially in countries where no major languages are spoken, ability to speak the language is crucial for safety and comfort.

 

Disagree

1.       In the case of a minor language, there is little chances to use it after the tour.

2.       Phrase-book communication is not very deep.

3.       Machine translation is enough to interact with the locals.

4.       Non-verbal communication such as smiling plays much more important roles in communication.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Main purposes of traveling is to see the world and enjoy life outside of your daily lives. For that matter, it is crucial to learn the language of the place you are visiting.

【Supporting Details】Language learning helps understand the culture of the country and allows smooth communication with the natives, and therefore, your trip will be more fruitful and memorable if you speak even a fraction of the vocabulary. Especially, memorizing words representing the culture, national character, and the mentality of the people will be keys to the comprehension of the ethos of the society and mutual understanding with the people you meet there.

【Counterargument-treatment】It is true that non-verbal communication, tour guides, and translation apps, as David mentions, help travelers do without the language ability, but not speaking even a basic level of the language of the country will make them miss precious moments of true interaction with the people of the country because language breaks the ice, deepens interactions, and helps make good memories. For instance, I always feel happy when tourists from abroad talk to me in my language even if they are just repeating simple expressions like “Thank you!” It shows their friendship and their kindness to share joy of life through intimacy that speaking the same language creates, which I always feel whenever I reply to them in my native tongue even when it is clear that we both speak English.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I definitely agree with the idea that travelers should learn the locals’ language. (248 words)

 

 

☆Speech Time

a.        Make a speech on this topic. Don’t worry. Everybody speaks at the same time.

b.        Have a debate on this topic.

TOEFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Is fashion and clothing important? (Revised)

 

Some people argue that investing effort and money in dressing fashionably and attractively is important. Others believe that spending resources on clothes is unnecessary and that money and effort should be better utilized elsewhere. Given these perspectives, do you think fashion and clothing are important, and why?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Which do you spend more of your discretionary money, pocket money, on, dressing fashionably and attractively or other activities like hanging out with your friends or buying books? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

The first view (fashion)

1.       We communicate partly by how we dress, and to dress yourself fashionably is to show others your good will and to get a good impression about you from others.

 

2.       In capitalism, fancy attire means wealth, which is supposed to earn respect. In this materialistic mindset, people judge you by your appearance, especially how you embellish yourself.

 

3.       Enjoying fashion is enjoying life. You have to value and take care of yourself, and naturally you will be conscious of fashion.

 

4.       Fashion is related to identity. It shows your lifestyle. Certain clothing gives you a sense of belonging to a group of people who enjoy the same type of fashion.

 

The second view (other things)

1.       As the saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover. What counts more is not outfit but personality. A good appearance will follow self-improvement. 

 

2.       Fashion seems to be just another factor to make life colorful like art and music that is not necessarily the priority in individual lives.

 

3.       Fashion is not eternal. Its trend changes every year. You should be focused more on something that lasts forever such as arts, science, or political actions.

 

4.       Fashion is part of the industry or the economic activity. Advertisements make many of us buy more than what we need. Spending much money on fashion is a result of brainwashing of consumerism.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Although I enjoy looking at fashionable people and I know the sentiment Emma points out, the high spirit gained through dressing yourself in style, I agree with Tim in terms of the importance of expanding your horizon.

【Supporting Details】As far as I know, knowledge of fashion is inversely proportional to how interesting the person is. Most people who are dressed as if they came out of a fashion magazine and utter various brand names talk about little else. On the other hand, people who never make others bored with their talks that are full of knowledge and experiences are not the best dressers on the list of the people I found cool. They have spent their precious time and money on their development.

【Counterargument-treatment】Of course, fashion is part of culture, even regarded as an art, and so there is nothing wrong in indulging yourself in fashion once in a while. However, taking fashion seriously would be an issue like an eating disorder, an obsession with food. Interesting people who are also dressed decently have never spent all their resources on improving their appearances. Fashion is just another part of their life and education. It could also be a result of learning about other more significant things like history, literature, music, and fine art. They have never prioritized fashion in their lives. To do so is to put the cart before the horse.

【Conclusion】Thus, I believe that focusing on improving your inner self is more important than to do so in fashion, especially than to pathologically pursue fashion trends. (257 words)