TOEFL iBT, Independent Writing, Do you feel that your country should have a strong army? / Which of the three subjects would choose as an extra class, physical education, home economics, or current events? / School teachers, whether they work for public or private schools, should not express their opinions on current politics. -partly rewritten-

Writing Topic A: Some people think it is important for a country to maintain a strong army in case of war. Others think it is better for a country to spend money and energy on other things than the military. Do you feel that your country should have a strong army?

☆Hints for points

Yes:

1.    neighboring countries (China, South Korea, and ASEAN countries) getting wealthier and spending more money on their military

2.    request from the world society: The Unites States and other big countries request Japanese militaristic participation in their activities to keep the world quiet such as fight against terrorism or protection of commercial ships against pirates.

No:

1.    doubt about solution of international conflicts by military power (Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, “war on terror”)

2.    Being armed is the call for action of violence. Strengthening the military just stimulates those who are ready to start wars. No arms, no battle.

3.    needless: less chance of war than before (strong economic and political relationships with America, China and other countries)

4.    the position and image of Japan in the world society

(1)  Article Nine in our constitution: renunciation of war and military force, soft power

(2)  history of violent past: imperial Japan before and during WWII: bad impression to other countries, especially countries that Japanese military invaded.

(3)  history of diplomatic solutions of international problems after WWII

(4)  the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty (American military bases in Japan)

5.    other priorities

(1)  recovery of Fukushima and other disaster stricken areas

(2)  aging society

(3)  the widening gap between the rich and the poor

(4)  global warming

(5)  need for more research and development of science and technology

☆A writing topic for reference and essay for ideas and expressions

The following sample essay is not about the same writing topic that we are given above but is about something related. Let’s read it and learn some ideas and expressions.

Writing topic for reference

Some people think that governments should spend as much money as possible on developing or buying computer technology. Other people disagree and think that his money should be spent on more basic needs. Which one of these opinions do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Essay for ideas and expressions  (Writing for the TEOFL iBT, Barron’s)

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♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Writing Topic B: In your school schedule, you are required to take an extra class in one of the following subjects: 1) physical education (sports and exercise activities), 2) home economics (cooking or sewing), or 3) current events (the study of topics from recent news stories). Which one of the three subjects would you choose to study?

☆Hints for points

♦Physical Education:

(1) more time to keep in good shape

(2) opportunities to try unfamiliar sports

(3) refreshment

(4) chances to make friends

♦Home Economics:

(1) independence

(2) not confident of my ability of household jobs

(3) to understand the world at the level of household (the basic unit of society)

♦Current Events: to understand what is going on in the world

(1)  related to many important aspects of our society such as economy, politics, and history

(2)  areas that TV reports do not constantly cover in detail (especially international affairs)

(3)  few chances to talk about current issues with friends and teachers

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

Extra Writing Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? School teachers, whether they work for public or private schools, should not express their opinions on current politics.

☆Hints for points

Yes:

1.    In practice, contracts between teachers and the schools they work for prohibit them from taking a stand in politics, and teachers should follow the agreement they made when hired.

2.    Teachers should be the conveyers of the consensus of the public. They should inform students of a variety of, well-balanced views, not a slanted, personal view.

3.    Having a radical political view is a stepping stone in any place, including universities, in this world. Therefore, it is unthinkable and unacceptable for teachers, who are responsible for their students’ future careers, to affect their students’ political views.

No:

1.    As long as they clearly say to their students that what they say is only a personal view, it is ok.

2.    Except for young children, who are still vulnerable to brainwash, students know better than to believe everything their teachers tell them. They take their teachers’ opinions as one of the many.

3.    There is no neutral view, and, if any, such sterilized statements as those found in textbooks approved by the government would be the worst teaching materials in class, where human beings of two different generations struggle to make the most of the given time for the better future, which requires realistic understanding of the past and the present.

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】