TEOFL iBT, Independent Writing, It is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. / Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past? -partly rewritten-

Writing Topic A: It is truly enjoyable to play a game only if you win. Agree/Disagree?

☆Let’s think

Points in questions: 1) "It is ..."→An objective opinion is required. 2) "truly enjoyable"→It is asking whether you can enjoy a game from the bottom of your heart even if you lose.  3) "only if you win"→You can never enjoy a game unless you win.

- What is a game? For what purpose do you play a game?

     play/entertainment, pastime, to have fun with others, to release stress, to be inspired, to try your luck

     →You play a game　for many reasons other than to win.

- What is truly enjoyable?

     attaining a goal (e.g. winning, having fun)

     gaining something expected (e.g. closer relationship, feeling refreshed, etc.)

     gaining something unexpected (e.g. kindness, learning a lesson/moral, seeing someone extraordinary, learning about human nature, etc.)

     →You find something  truly enjoyable even if you do not win.

- Is there anything that makes you sad in a game you win?

     extreme high tension among participants trying to win 

     your friend losing, someone becoming depressed/upset to lose

     your losing integrity in trying to win (becoming depressed/upset, tricking/intimidating others, cheating)

     →You can be sad even if you win.

- Conclusion: Disagree. Playing a game can be enjoyable even if you do not win because a game is an entertainment, whose purposes are not just to win. (The purpose of life itself is not just to win.) The other way around will lead to the attitude of doing anything to win or to make others lose and not all act that way.

☆Essay for ideas and expressions  (Taken from “Writing for the TOEFL iBT”, Barron’s)

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☆Essay Structure

♦Sample Essay Structure in the case that you have two or three reasons to support your argument

【Introduction = Outline】　主張と理由の概要

【Point 1】理由1の詳細

【Point 2】理由2の詳細

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】理由3の詳細または反論の処理

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】結論

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Writing Topic B: Is the ability to read and write more important today than in the past?

Agree:

1.    Literacy and wealth are related. 

The higher the literacy rate is, the wealthier the country is.

              past → now

developing→developed

2.    Development of technology allows/requires you to be involved in more intellectual tasks than physical ones.

       entrance examinations - more essay examinations

       businessmen - research and presentation skills

3.    Information age

       getting information through the Internet (not from people)

       exchanging information through scripts (e-mails/text messages)

       extra information in writing (scripts on TV screens)

- Conclusion: Yes. The ability to read and write is more important today than in the past for us to get the most out of our lives in this age of information.

Disagree:

1.    More people can spell less than before and they relate this decline to the new technology prevalent in today’s society, while the same people find few problems in dealing with things that commonly happen every day. “I write only when I sign for my credit card.”

2.    Human culture has evolved along with technological development. Just as the ability to make fire is unnecessary anymore with all kinds of lighters around us, so is the ability to read and write now that we have developed technology for it. We can think and communicate more freely while machines read and write for us.

3.    Though is always the most important and the ability to read and write is just a ramification of it. Steven Hawkins, the most famous scholar of universe, has been barely able to read and write over the past decades, yet he has made greater accomplishment than any other human. The ever more important today is the ability to think and feel.

- Conclusion: No. Reading and writing is just a part of human intellectual activity like calculation. Our lives have been filled with many more important things than literal things. The ability to read and write has just a marginal importance now as it has always been.

☆Essay Structure

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】 主張と理由の概要

【Point 1】 理由1の詳細

【Point 2】 理由2の詳細

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】 理由3の詳細または反論の処理

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】 結論